Sunday, November 16, 2014

Mixed Media Medley of Tags...Loll's 12 Tags of Christmas~Mixed Media Tag Event, STAMPlorations November Challenge~Stamps & Layers

Happy Sunday...and oh, what a crafting weekend it's been! My husband is out of town, so I had the run of the kitchen (aka: my crafting zone), and I took full advantage. No cleaning up...until tomorrow *grin*

Over the past few days, I'm sure many of you have stopped by Loll's blog,  Stamping with Loll~12 Tags of Christmas Mixed Media Tag Event,



to see what she, and her incredibly talented friends, have shared by way of mixed media Christmas tags. Nothing short of stunning creativity to be found.  I've been tempted often to dabble with mixed media - even invested in a couple of products I have no clue about using (gesso, for example) - but it wasn't until Loll's series began unfolding that incentive to get 'inky' was fully sparked.  Saturday was my 'mixed media' tags only day', (the Christmas cards had a day off...), and although I didn't make as many tags as I'd hoped (being a mixed media novice, and all), I think I'm verging on becoming addicted. Just a little bit. There's so much to learn, but...I've made a first step.

Now, before I share my 'attempts,' a few things to be clarified:

  • All my tags are exponential cases of others' work, as you'll see and as I've 'cited', which means
  • that my sharing today is simply 'because'.  Loll, no need for you or Judge Jeremy to count me as a contender for your challenge.  I'm here because YOU and your guest designers inspired me to do something totally beyond my comfort zone (not to mention my ability zone!), and I enjoyed every second of creating my tags....even when I was filling up Mr. Recycle Bin's tummy. All the learning will, I hope, translate into cards/tags that are more original down the road. For now, I only want to prove that: I did it!! Yayyyy....(I do, however, have two tags I'm sending off to a challenge 'for reals', because those two were 'kinda sorta' more of  'my' figurin' and thinkin' *grin*

With that said...here's my journey. A while back, I spotted and consequently fell in love with Jill Foster's tag here.  I ordered the dies through my 'local' distributor in Edmonton, and proceeded to wait...and wait....and wait for them to arrive. Nearly two months later (something went awry with my request, but all is resolved), I picked up my goodies, along with some gesso (and other things...she twisted my rubber arm. Again.) on our most recent trip. I fully expected 'not' to tackle the tag until my mom's cards were done, meaning December.

Enter Loll's inspiration.

So, I created my tag yesterday, following along with Jill's video. Here it is:


Of course, I missed a few things along the way (let's not talk about my wonky gesso zig zags and drab "Joy" ticket...), but still...it turned  out okay-ish.  In fact, okay-ish enough that I forged ahead and 'practiced' by creating three more.  Boring ticket switched for word dies, and my snowflakes are cut from some new glitter paper (local distributor enabling...again).  I wish I could show you the twinkle...


I was 'feeling the muse', and carried on, creating five more (one of which I can't get to photograph properly. It's blue and rather pretty, but I lost the daylight before I could get it on camera. I'll try again tomorrow and add it at some point down the road...).

This tag: sponged with two shares of red, zig-zag stenciled, stamped with a 'Fa la la' stamp (hard to see here), spritzed with pearlized water (another new to me), and then decorated with a triple cut, inked, pearlized and red-stickles berries Holly and Berries die cut (Penny Black, as is the poinsetta - Joyful - above).

 Next up: more red ink sponging, over an embossed word stamp, paired with a duo of glitter paper cut trees, stickle decorated and an embossed, sponged sentiment. In real life, this one is rather cute.


My last two tags are heading off to STAMPlorations November Challenge~Stamps & Layers



Again, sponged with two red inks, stamped the Vignette: Christmas block stamp with a third red ink, and added my die cuts. The poinsettia petals are glitter paper with some stickles; the leaves are sponged with Delicata gold, the sentiment embossed, then sponged. The second tag - same background - with the holly and berries, again, triple cut for dimension, red stickle berries and pearlized water spritzed.


Whew....enough from me! Thank you, Loll and guests for this opportunity to try something new! I'm going to pass these along to my mom, to attach to some of the chiffon cakes (she is the QUEEN of chiffon cakes!) she'll be baking for the Christmas Bazaar. I think cakes and tags will go quite well together!

Thank so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!








20 comments:

Susanne Vargas said...

Hello, tagmaker extraordinaire! So exciting to see you venturing into mixed media! Each tag is wonderful in it's own way! Can't wait to see more of your awesome creations!

Greta said...

You are really on a roll! These tags are just gorgeous--beautiful colors & great use of the dies! Jill's work is majorly inspiring--so glad you finally got the PB products!

Loll said...

WOW ... you really jumped in with both feet Carol!! LOVE all your tags. Such beautiful designs and lots of elements that are fun, festive and glittery. Good on you for making these mixed media masterpieces! Seriously, this are awesome. I'm blown away by your first foray into mixed media ... you're a natural! Thanks so much for playing along with my Christmas tag event! Loll xx

Barb Ghig said...

I would have never guessed you were a novice looking at the amazing job you did on these tags, Carol! Every one of them have such beautiful details and texture...as Loll said, they are "Masterpieces"!!! You should be so proud of yourself, and now I can't wait to see more!

Sian Ridley said...

Wow! I am super impressed!! Like you, I always see these kind of things in blogland and think how awesome they are - but I have never been brave enough to give it a go myself - you've made it look so easy?!!!! I may have to have a go at some point! Although, if they don't turn out as well as yours then I'm not sharing!!

I think you have a natural talent for this style - keep it up! ;)

~amy~ said...

Such gorgeous tags...you've been BUSY!

Marisa said...

You have been busy!! Gorgeous mix of tags! Love making tags myself - such a small space to work with so loads of fun :) Adore the partial chevrons on the first ones along with the mix of flowers and snowflakes! Such a fabulous flower die! Great work all round.

Taunya Butler said...

Can I just tell you how inspiring you are?!?!? You have me in complete and total awe at the way you jumped in and tried something outside of your comfort zone - so uber impressed! And what a job you have done, all of your tags amazed me and made me fall in love with them!! It is hard for me to pick a favorite so I won't but just know that you have totally and cleanly KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF!!!!

Brenda said...

Wow, wow, wow!!! You are amazing Carol and so are these awesome mixed media tags! Gosh I love each one of them and keep having to go back and look at them. lol I love even your "boring" ticket, only boring to you!! I just may have to see about CASEing some of these lovely tags, not all of them because I don't have that beautiful flower die, cause trust me if I did, I would be CASEing them all! lol Hope you are staying warm my friend and glad you got to play along with Loll's Mixed Media Tags! Me....(hanging my head in shame) I only got one done. Oh well, I still had a great time playing along and so glad that I was able! Hugs, Brenda

Geri said...

WOW.... x 8

Question: If I send Danny away for the weekend, will I be able to accomplish what you have shared with us here? If so, then I'm gonna pack his bags tomorrow!

Fine examples of your creativity - from the stunning white poinsettia to the AMAZING gesso backgrounds (I don't see anything remotely clost to wonky with your zig-zags!)...gorgeous, gorgeous work Carol!!!

Monika Reeck said...

Dear miss C...
each time I look at my email (new post at my email) still waiting for your visit on my blog
but I guess you are too busy with all the DT member..
I always love your creation and will be your FAN till I die (LOL)
I adore your idea and that die cut things is totally cool and beautiful on your card I WISH I win Lotto I will buy a Die cut Machine LOL..
Great Tags all...The first picture is my favorite on Miss C..
hugs, Monika

Anita in France said...

Wow, Carol ... what a Sunday you had ... and what a lovely time we've all had since wandering through the plethora of marvellous and magical mixed media tags you created! An awesome debut, my friend, sooo amazing ... all of them! Hugs, Anita :)

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Wow - you are on a roll here - one tag more beautiful than the next! My favorite is the one with the Christmas trees - you really inspire me to make tags - I wish I'd have more time right now....one day it will get better again... Great to have you again here with us at STAMPlorations! Hugs, Cornelia DT

Dana said...

Awesome tags, you were really on a roll!!! I love all the inking, dies and stamping!!! I really love the white trees and poinsettia, very unique!!

Tracey McNeely said...

OMG you knocked this right out of the park Carol! Mixed Media scares the heck out of me but you did it like a pro. You are totally in your comfort zone my friend!! All A-mazing!!

Katie Ann Brooks said...

these tags are so very lovely! Each one is a gift of it's own!

Nonni said...

Wowzer Carol -all these tags are so beautiful! I especially love the ones with red sentiments and the one with snowy trees. Great job inking the flower to look so realistic. Thanks for joining us at STAMPlorations!

maria f. said...

C'mon, admit it. You love inky fingers! So many inked backgrounds. So yummy. Way to jump in and try it (and so happy DH left you home to play.) All pretty. I really love the unexpectedness of the graceful white poinsettia (what a fantastic die, as are those snowflakes). Thanks so much for joining us at STAMPlorations this month!

Kim S said...

I am in awe! These may be CASEd - but there's nothing easy about any of them - certainly nothing that I would tackle! They are each so rich and absolutely stunning with their rich colors and delicate dies.

Shery Russ said...

Goodness, Carol, you'd done and gone nuts with tag-making and they are all so AWESOME! That's some serious crafting spunk you displayed - awe-inspiring! I am now seriously contemplating sending DH away....hmmmm! Hugs!