12 Tags of Christmas! Days 7, 8, & 9!

Happy Day!

I spent most of the day in my studio and it was fabulous! The end of the week got a bit crazy so I had some catching up to do on my tags. :)

I love working with tags because it allows you to really play with different techniques.

 

 

Day Seven: 

 

Day Eight:

This tag is a bit backwards... as you see.... But this tag is special to me because this year things have been... well, bad, crazy, upside down, just have had to go through a lot. I know that it is making me stronger and I will be better because of it... so this tag for me symbolizes that no matter how backwards things get, I will always have my wishes and dreams. ...and Christmas Wishes are always the most magical.

 

The ribbon stands off the tag:

 

Day Nine:

 

This has to be a favorite... I love playing with zippers!

 

I took two tags...

 

The top layer I cut a slit in to accommodate the zipper....

 

I hope you have a very happy Monday. I am off to play with my next tag... it has been drying, I pulled out my black Gesso... oh boy!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 6

Happy Day!

I am on such a pink kick this year. It is my favorite color and I have had so much fun incorporating it into my tags. I was so excited when one of the new Distress Colors was Pink! ...and it is such a beautiful pink too! Picked Raspberry! Love it!

Another product that I used for the first time, (I am ashamed to say I have had it for quite a while but haven't played with it til now....) is the Distress Stain Metallics. Oh so pretty! I used the Brushed Pewter on this tag. 

 

Another first was using the new Rosette Die from Sizzex by Tim Holtz... absolutely love it!

 

12 Tags of Christmas - Day Five

Happy Wednesday! I have been creating away on my tags and my hands are covered with ink & glitter... needless to say, I am a happy person.

 

For this tag I pulled out one of my old favorite tools... a paper crimper!

 

The Details:

 

I inked the tag up first with various green Distress Inks. Then I ran it through the paper crimper. Using an Ink Blending Tool I inked it up a bit with Festive Berries Distress Ink. I smeared Glossy Accents on the edges and then sprinkled glitter.

I colored the stamp with my Copic Markers and inked the edges with Distress Inks and then used

Pop-Dots to adhere it to the tag.

12 Tags of Christmas - Day Four

(Sorry, I'm so late with this post...)

 

Wow! It's December 4 and so warm where I live... weather in the 65-70's! (not normal!) I bought a pink & zebra stripe Santa hat yesterday and it just felt strange because of the unusual temps!

 

Here is Tag 4... I love my embossing folders and couldn't wait to use them on a tag...

 

The Details:

 

I used lots of fun products on this tag!

 

I started my coloring my tag with the various stain colors. Once I embossed it with the embossing folder, I went back and inked up the raised parts with Festive Berries using an Ink Blending Tool.

I then inked the edges with Pumice Stone.

Using the Epiphany Punch I made my "Unto Us a Child is Born" embellishment. 

12 Tags of Christmas - Day Three

A poinsettia kind of Christmas... Last year I was on such a poinsettia kick. I think that I probably bought 5 or 6 different poinsettia stamps. I used one of my favorites on today's tag:

 

 

The Details:

 

I started this tag using a background stamp and Distress Inks. Using the Ink Blending Tool, I inked my stamp up using my Distress Inks. I wanted to use multiple colors on my stamp, and had more control using the blending tool to ink up the different areas of the stamp. 

 

The result:

 

I then stamped my poinsettia on white cardstock... 



 

 

...and then I stamped a background stamp on top of it... 

 

I then mixed Perfect Pearls with water to color in my image...

 

Waa-la! I did this one, and then I did just the smaller leaves so I could cut them out and pop-dot them on to my tag. 

I hope you have a wonderful Monday. Take time to enjoy the little things this Christmas season and take time to create a little too!

 

Christine



12 Tags of Christmas - Day Two

Happy Day. I hope that the Christmas spirit is finding you in all things... creating especially! I have been out of my studio too much this year.... stress and circumstances have "stolen" my creativity. Playing with these tags have helped in so many ways.. Creativity heals. It is truly therapeutic. 

With all that being said, here is Day Two... I really had fun with this tag!

The Details: 

 I pulled out the Melting Pot & UTEE for this tag. 

First, I inked my tag up with Distress Ink. Then I poured the melted UTEE onto it and stamped into it while the UTEE  was still melted. THE IMPORTANT THING is to protect your stamp. I inked my stamp up with Versamark before stamping into the UTEE. Once the UTEE cooled, I inked it up with Staz-On ink and then Perfect Medium so I could brush Perfect Pearls over it. 

The trees are cut using a Sizzex Alterations die by Tim Holtz. One is cut from metal paper and the other from Grungeboard. I inked the Grungeboard up with Distress Ink and then brushed it with Perfect Pearls. I used Snowflake Embossing Powder by Ranger to create "snow" on my tree. 

 

Happy Creating!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 1

Merry Christmas! 

I can hardly believe that December is here. I am really excited about what I have to share with you today. As most of you know, Tim Holtz decided this year to not do the 12 Tags of Christmas anymore, but instead do a tag each month. I was so sad when I learned this because the 12 Tags have become just as much a holiday tradition as putting up the tree! So I decided to do my own 12 Tags this year! ...and I have had so much fun playing. 

So without further ado... 

Day 1! 

The Details:

I used Archival Black Ink to stamp my background. Then with Salty Ocean & Shaded Lilac Distress Ink, I inked up my tag. 

I then stamped using Perfect Medium and added Perfect Pearls.

This was the first time that I used Mirror Paper. It's awesome! I cut the snowman, the snowflake, & the snowflake border out of this awesome stuff! 

Using Alcohol Inks, I inked up the snowman. Here is a great video about Alcohol Inks. 

The snow is made from Stampendous Mica Fragments. I added some glitter for the snowman's hat and Tinsel for his scarf. 

I hope that you have been inspired to create a Christmas tag or two this season. Please come back tomorrow to see Day 2's tag... 

Bright & Happy Buttons!

Happy Thursday... 

With Thanksgiving a week away I thought that I would share a thank you card... WOW! I can hardly believe that next week Thanksgiving will be here! 

I love the bright and happy colors on this card. 

I am thankful for the art of paper crafting. It is a passion. It is therapeutic, it's fun, and brings so many together. Inspirational. 

I hope you have a very happy day and are able to take a moment... or two... to create a little! 

Christine

Challenge Me Happy

Happy Day... today I want to share a layout that I created for a challenge over at Challenge Me Happy. This is a great challenge blog that I just found. This week the challenge was a color challenge.

Here is my take on it: 

I really enjoyed creating this layout. I dug into my supplies and found the perfect paper... everything just came together after that... A little glitter, some bling, and Distress Stickles and it all came together. 

I encourage you to go check out Challenge Me Happy... for great challenges and great prizes! 

Happy Creating! 

Christine

Crazy Kind of Layout!

 Here is a layout that I did a while back... It was one of the first "challenges" we did... I picked the challenge: It was the two pieces of patterned paper and that crazy tulle ribbon! This is what I did with it: 

Paint, Prima, and Bling! 

Hope you have a great week and find time to take for yourself. To create and to just be at peace.... 

Christine

Have You Said Thank You Lately?

Have you said Thank You lately? We send thank you cards for when we get gifts, we say thank you for when someone helps us do something... But have you said thank you for just being you? Thank you for listening....

I would not be where I am at today if it wasn't for my friends and family. If you have a friend going through a tough time, you don't think twice about being there for them, as they would do the same for you. I am so grateful for my friends and my family.

It is so easy to forget to say thank you to those who matter most. I assume that they know... but I need to take a moment and really tell them. To say, "Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for listening and helping me through this difficult time. Thank you for being my friend."

Then to also say thank you to those who cross your path... even if just for a brief second. That cashier who smiles and makes your check out experience a good one. The waiter who makes the dining experience even better because of good service. Thank you.

I went to the local Fall Festival yesterday, there were the local police everywhere helping to make the event run smoothly. Controlling traffic so that we could cross the busy street safely... Walking by I simply said, "Thank you for your service." The smile I got in return meant more than anything. These men & women put themselves out there everyday risking their lives for our safety, saying thank you is the least I can do. And the military... Every time I see them I try to say thank you for protecting our country. Thank you for your service.

This all sounds just like common sense and common courtesy ... but I got caught up in life and found myself not saying Thank You. I felt it but didn't take that extra step in letting these people, my friends, my family, the service men & women, know that I am truly grateful for them.

People need to hear those two little words, because in the grand scheme of things, they are not little words. They let the person who receives them feel good. Those words let them know that they matter, what they are doing matter.

So to all my friends who have encouraged me, inspired me, taught me, listened to me, shared their insights & feelings with me,.... THANK YOU.

You mean more to me than I could ever say and I am so truly grateful that you are in my life.

To my parents who have raised me and helped shaped me into the woman I am today, who have supported me, cared for me, loved me... THANK YOU.

To everyone that crosses my path who is helpful, friendly, and makes my day brighter just because of their personality and friendly smile... THANK YOU.

And THANK YOU for all your words of encouragement that you have left in your comments.

THANK YOU.



All Things Altered Fall/Halloween Blog Hop

Happy Friday!

Welcome to the All Things Altered Hop! Hosted by the fabulous Pammejo at Scrapbook Flair!

 

 If you are hopping along then you just came from Irit's Blog. If you are wanting to start at the beginning go to Pammejo's Blog: Scrapbook Flair.

 

So without further ado... here is my Altered Painter's Tray:

 



 

I created this tray as I am going through a difficult time in life. It was very healing as it just all came together. Creativity is something that is very much a part of me and who I am as a person. I lost that for awhile. I am slowly finding my way back and this project was one that was a true expression of what I feel.

 

 

 This is one of my favorite pieces on my tray.... It is a Tim Holtz Ideaology Pocket Watch... but I broke the glass on it to truly distress it and reflect my emotions.

 

Ok.. this might be my favorite too! The butterfly is from Prima and the key and jar from Tim Holtz Ideaology. I used crafting wire on both pieces. The jar is full of crystal glitter. I dropped a little bit of Broken China Distress Ink from my re-inker into it to color the top section. 

 

 

 I did this using Ranger's Frosted Memory Glass, Versamark, and clear embossing powder.

 

I hope that you have enjoyed my Altered Project. Now hop on over to Debbie's Blog, Studio Bee Creations. Make sure you visit all of us in the hop for tons of inspiration and leave comments for a chance to win some pretty fabulous prizes that are being given away.

 

Once again, it all starts at Pammejo's Blog: Scrapbook Flair.

 

Have a very Happy Friday and fabulous weekend!

 

Christine

 

 

no pattern paper... what???

One challenge that was presented to us was to create a layout with NO PATTERN PAPER! After I got over the, "What the heck???" shock of it all, I went to creating... I was very surprised by how easy it was...

One thing that I have really found neat about our challenges is that I was able to text message a picture of my layout and say, "something is missing!?" My friend suggested adding the "restroom ladies"... which worked out perfect...

Have you ever created a layout without pattern paper??? give it a try!

 

Have a Creative Day.



Challenge: All White Layout

Today I am sharing a layout that I did for a challenge that my friend gave me. It has actually been a lot of fun... I started by giving a challenge, then one friend gave us a challenge, and then another friend gave us a challenge. Using text messages we share our creations with each other.. it has been fun and I have scrapbooked more in the last two weeks then I have in a while! This challenge was an all white layout...

I had a lot of fun with this challenge. I started with a piece of resist paper. I smeared gesso over parts of it and then went to work collecting various white scraps from my scrap drawer...

 

I adhered my picture in a way to form a pocket behind it.. the flower & zipper you see on the right is connected to a tag that pulls out to reveal my journaling.

 

One fun thing I did is the strips of tape on the corners of my photo... It is score tape! After adhering it to the layout, I pulled off the backing and covered it with the new Distress Stickles Dry Glitter.

 

I encourage you to try an all white layout...

 

Happy Creating!

 



my little book

 

 

I wanted to share with you a book that I am creating for myself. Just a place to write my thoughts, collect lyrics & poems and inspirational things. I used the Snap Binder from Simple Stories and covered it with paint and then paper from Basic Grey's Out of Print paper line.

 

I am still working on the inside. Here are a couple of things that I have done so far....

...this paper is from the Simple Stories line Fabulous. The 4x6 with the journaling is actually adhered to the outside of the page protector, and is a pocket, so I can add things easily to my little book.

Some pages I am just inking and leaving for me to come back and write my thoughts...

 

I am excited about my little book because it will be a symbol of all things positive. Just a happy book using my favorite colors and paper lines and full of inspiration.

 

 

encourage your hopes....

Too many times we let our fears get in the way. If you didn't listen to that little voice that said, "You Can't..." "It will be hard" "You might/will fail"

....if you didn't listen to that voice, where could you be? What could you do with your life? What dream could you be living? What goal could you reach?

encourage your hopes & dreams...

christine

Only One In Color

Just as creating is healing for me, so is music.

"Music is what Feelings Sound Like"

I have been smashing, (Smash Book), and this is the title of one of my pages:

I found a song yesterday that I just fell for...

Trapt - "Only One In Color"

You can view the lyrics here.

This is what it inspired:

It is so easy to get caught up in this great big world...

remember: you matter.

"There is no one like you
and in a world of black and white
you are the only one in color
There is no one like you"

Don't ever lose you. You are beautiful. You matter. You make a difference.

What songs move you? make you happy? bring the tears? encourage you?

What song inspires you?

love, christine 

as the journey starts...

hello. it has been so long since i have been here. i am sad to admit that it has been just as long since i have been in my studio. my life got very not right... and i let it affect me in so many ways. one of the most painful was sacrificing my creativity. it is not a healthy place to be... i have a rocky road ahead of me, but this past week i was able to go into my studio and actually create and not crumble in pain. This is what came to be...

to me it is so more than just a tag... every brush stroke, the colors, the techniques... i used what i feel. the tag is ripped in half... it is so important to hold on to creating through the tough times. it heals. it is a release. when you lose it, it's like losing a part of your soul and that is a pain that i do not wish on anyone....

so as i am starting my journey back i hope to continue to share as i create my way back to me....

christine

SO MUCH! technique!

Happy Wednesday! I have a technique packed post for you today! I have had so much fun learning in Creative Chemistry 101. It has all kinds of creative juices flowing through my head! Here is a tag that I did while just playing around!

 To start:

I stamped with Archival Ink Jet Black on to the tag. I wanted to play with Alcohol Ink. Well a tag is porous and will not give me the results that I want... so I covered the tag in a light layer of Glossy Accents. You can see the shine in the picture below:

I then took my Alcohol Ink and created the background.

OK, here is where the new part comes in for me... My new toy is the Ranger Melting Pot. I had been wanting one for quite awhile, and a friend surprised be with one as a happy! So below you can see where I have played with it a little! It is so awesome! I have tried the Shrink Plastic technique that Tim Holtz features in the 12 Tags of Christmas 2011. My favorite technique so far is stamping in to the melted UTEE. It is just so cool! Here I stamped the Dream stamp into the melted UTEE. Once it cooled down I dusted it with various Perfect Pearls.

I have used zipper on my tag. This is one of my new favorite embellishments. Cut it, dye it, twist it, oh so much you can do with it. The flowers are from fake flower stems that I got and a little shop that buys out estates sales.

Happy Creating!