Christmas Inspiration

     I had to make these tags this week...I was totally inspired by my sister-in-law Alison (butterfly) who is a Guest Designer for PaperArtsy at the moment.

     I adored the tags she made - I have always been inspired by her work, and I loved how detailed the step-by-step was. I have been very fortunate in that I have been taught a few techniques by her and I can tell you she isn't just an amazing artist, she is a superb teacher too!

      I didn't have the arches that she used, but I decided to make a version of the tags using the same techniques. I have always felt that this kind of layering was too complicated to attempt and I always found it a bit intimidating. I was amazed when I saw the instructions how simple it was - and how effective a background it can be.....and it is lovely just experimenting with it all....

     I wanted to do a Christmas theme - because I am so caught up in Christmas already!!!

   I cut some tags from mount board to make a sturdy base, but I worked on card - to be stuck onto the mount board afterwards.

     I had the Harlequin stencil and dabbed Blood Orange and French Roast Fresco onto the tag. I then placed the second tag on top to get a reverse print. I adore this effect and will do this more often!

I then blended Fired Brick and Peeled Paint DI over the card......
  
Love the spritz and flick....such an effective technique yet so simple to do....

     Then to add the stamps...feeling a bit nervous, I felt sure I would ruin it by layering - but Alison's instructions gave me confidence to go for it. I used Picket Fence DP and used several Christmas stamps. The paint doesn't show up very brightly but I liked the faded white, barely there images. It is lovely that you can still see the background, yet the detail from the stamps is there....

     To add some contrast I used Potting Soil Archival ink and used several more Christmas stamps this time adding words and flourishes.

      I finished the stamping with my usual favourite script stamp which I seem addicted to!...

 
......and a bit of Vintage Photo DI around the edges of the tag just to add a bit more of a shabby look.

     Because I didn't have the arches, I decided to use some more Christmas stamps to decorate the tag. I covered some card with Antique Linen DI and edged it with Frayed Burlap DI. I then stamped some Christmas words in Potting Soil Archival ink and then layered the card on white card.

     I used some Christmas die cuts coloured with Distress inks, buttons and twine to add a lovely rustic festive decoration.

    The tags were finished off with loops of twine to hang them up.....

     And now I just have to wait until Christmas before I put them up on show!

   

                   Thanks so much for being here - Hope to see you again soon!

                 

I would like to enter this in the following challenge -

PaperArtsy