November Tag 2013 - Chalkboard Holiday cards

Good morning everyone,

I hope you're all doing well on this cold and soon to be snowy Monday morning. Today I am working on the November tag challenge that Tim Holtz does each month. If you'd like to know more about it you can check out his blog here. This month features a chalk technique Tim showed us in CC102 class. If you want to take some wonderful classes, I can tell you Tim will give you what you are looking for. So, I did start with the black tag as Tim had done and I do like that effect.  The chalk works differently on the smooth surface of the tag versus a paper with tooth. Then I started thinking about other colors for the holidays. I found some green linen and blue paper, some specialty paper, and some of Tim's papers I've been hoarding since last Christmas. So here are all the photos so that you can see the dimension and what chalk does on the different surfaces. 

The Christmas Holidays tag on the green card is done on a smooth coated black tag. The green paper is linen and the blue is spectra.

I love how the linen texture picks up the chalk in the pictured above cards. The green paper looks like the old green chalk boards we had when I was young.

The above cards are on navy blue cardstock. Sorry my photos don't show the color better.

I love the papers from Tim's Christmas stack. I just layered them up on the card for a background.

Tim paired up with Stampers Anonymous and Sizzix to make some awesome stamps that have matching dies. These trees are so easy to stamp and cut with one of these sets.

Hope you have a wonderful day and remember to check out Tim's tag and classes.

12 tags of 2013 - October/Halloween

Hi everyone,

Can you say I want candy? I have had a lot of fun getting inspiration from Tim Holtz for my tags this month. Tim does a tag each month on his blog and they are always stunning. Anyway, I am covered in inky goodness. I used a ton of products too. I don't care for glitter much just because of the mess it makes. Tim and Ranger have a line of distress glitter which is a lot chunkier. This stuff isn't as flyaway as regular glitter and it has a wonderful glass appearance and shimmer. You can contrast the black glitter with the Stickles distress glue I used on the purple frame. I only have two colors of the glitter. I needed to try it out before buying more. The black glitter has a much bolder appearance than Distress Stickles. Don't get me wrong, I like both. It is just more muted. So here are some photos. 

Purple Distress Stickles

Black glitter was used on the cat. I love the new Idea-ology metal tags too.

Patina paints used on a metal embellishment

better shot of the glitter on a die cut

So there are my three tags for this month. Now I just need to make the tags for the months I have missed this year. Thanks for coming by.

12 Tags of 2013 - April

Hey bloggers,
April is coming to an end and I must get my tag for this month posted. Rather than making a tag I did a couple of six or six cards. Be sure and go over to Tim Holtz's blog and check out the master at work. There's a ton of inspiration there. I was playing with the new distressed paints. Warning this post is photo heavy. I have a lot of the in process shots for you.

These are the papers after the first application of paint and ink.

I stamped and inked some tissue for the focal piece.

I then covered the tissue with clear acrylic.

 After the initial drag through the ink and paint, I covered the entire surface of the card 

with Distress ink.

Then comes more water to get all the great texture.

I used Distress markers to accent some of the stamped images.

The Distress Paints and Vintage Patinas

Added the embellishments

I used clear film over a stamped image and popped it up. 

Distressed the edges and more embellisment

Hope you enjoyed my creative tour. Thanks for stopping by.

Twelve Tags - February

Hello bloggers,

Love is in the air.

The queen of hearts is front and center.

I have been experimenting with some new products.

Tim's February post has some awesome videos so you may want to go to his blog and check them out.

I have Gelatos from Faber Castell and I wanted to see just how I can use them.

I use them on the letter tiles to color.

Blend the color with a baby wipe to get an harmonious effect.

I also used them to shade the diecuts.

I think I am starting to like these for surface coloration.

I sanded the embossed impression and then added a bit of paint dabber in 

white to accentuate the design. 

TTFN

12 Tags - January

Hello Bloggers,

Okay, I have really been behind. It is half way through February and 

I still don't have my January tag posted. 

As you know, the inspiration for 12 tags of 2013 is from Tim Holtz. 

Pop over to his blog and check it out. My January tag has a bit of father time involved.

I absolutely love the steampunk look and these gears are just the ticket.

I just got these die from Joann's Crafts so I had to use them.

I have been experimenting with a new light box so I apologize for the poor photo quality. I am still learning. 

Thanks for coming by.

Happy weekend everyone.