I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Thursday 5 September 2013

Tim's Tag Book

Hello again!  As promised, I'm back with some pictures of the project we made in the amazing class with Tim Holtz last week.  

Contrary to that original promise, I'm afraid I haven't done any extra work on it since the class.  With everything that's coming up here shortly at Words and Pictures (in crafting and in life), it became clear to me that if I left it until I'd finished the book, you might be waiting until next year.

So here it is as a work in progress... there's still plenty to see!


This is the front cover, with all the Idea-ology trappings a girl could possibly want...  






The ruler fastenings are great, as you can undo them at any time so that you can add tags, or continue to work on the pages you've already got...

... definitely a good plan when there are only three and a half hours to get everything done!













This was the pile of goodies awaiting our arrival at the workshop.

Incredible organisation, and so much of it thanks to Mario's hard work...








The tags were pre-cut with the numbers - such a cool idea, and one I'll be "borrowing" in future, with numbers or otherwise, so we were inking and stencilling before we knew what hit us.

This is the reverse of the front cover, stencilled with Distress Ink and Paint.









Lots of fun sharing inks, stains, stencils and other bits around the table and all under Tim's main instruction: don't think, do!

There were also some half-tags in the kit which were there to create flip-up or flip-out "interactive" pages in the album...













Here's page 3 (which is actually page 5 or so, but don't sweat it) with the half page closed..













... and then flipped open, with space for journalling or some personal photos.















We had lovely little journalling tags to collage with tissue tapes and a selection of the adorable Tiny Things stamps.














You can see Tim's tutorial for yourself for these - it's his contribution to Simon Says Stamp's Stamptember celebrations.












And of course lots of fabulous paper stash photos and Idea-ology bits and pieces to embellish the cover and the pages. 











I only got part way through with the decorating of the tags... 

I wouldn't even necessarily say that the pages I have done are "finished".  I'm sure I'll be back to play some more.










But that does give you a better chance to see some of the layers of ink and stencilling on the less decorated tags.












Love how the die-cut numbers give you glimpses through to what's underneath...









And of course I enjoyed dyeing the crinkle ribbon for the tag toppings!











I had so much fun meeting and playing with the blogging friends I mentioned in the last post.

And I'm so happy that Tim was exactly as you'd hope: just as smiley, generous and infectiously enthusiastic in real life as he is in all those amazing video tutorials on youtube.






It was such a privilege to have a place on the workshop, and I'm so grateful to the lovely Annie of Curious & Crafty Treasures, who kept trying for tickets for the both of us when my phone signal had given out on my commute to Stratford-upon-Avon.


And, even better, it wasn't even me who paid... This workshop was a "thank you present" from my brother Adam and sister-in-law Laura for the work I did creating their Handmade Wedding last August, so a big thank you to them for the best thank you present ever!

You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have.
Maya Angelou

62 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

It was great making this little book with all the inking and embellishing. L0ve the colours (although I know you don't. Lol) and I'm sure you'll get it finished one day.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Michelle said...

Fabulous little book!
There's so many amazing details. A true work of art.

PS..I love that Maya Angelou quote. Thanks for sharing it. :)

Yvonne Garner said...

Oh how fab! What a great gift too! Thanks for sharing Alison. So happy for all my friends who got to go. Best, Yvonne

Debi said...

looks absolutely fab finished or not!!! pretty envious of the whole attending a Tim class, and meeting mario, I love mario - he works so hard :) Debi x

Kate Yetter said...

I just love your book! What an awesome gift from your brother and SIL. Loving what you made.
Kate

Rita said...

Good Morning Alison. My tag book is not finished either as I want to make it as a memento of that wonderful day. Your book is looking fantastic and I'm pretty sure it will not be a year before it's finished either. Take time to breathe my friend. Hugs Rita xxx

barbarayaya62 said...

Hi Alison! This is work is one of may favourite of yours!!! love all , really all details !!!!! will make a confession: envy you so much the possibility to use the new products now Tim! Here in Italy we are too few to follow this style, and then, the shops of scrap material are not supplied as I see in your country! The products arrive but not in time to use them, things season after Epiphany ..... to give you an example. Buying overseas for us is economically very heavy especially where there is up to you and the pound in the States, because of customs! Really talented as always!
Barbarayaya

scrappymo! said...

This is wonderful! I love the colours...so earthy and natural!

You are so lucky to have taken this class...so happy for you!

Helen said...

You really were so lucky to go on both those events - what a week that was! I love this tag book and the ruler fastening is a great idea, so are the die cut numbers on the tag, there are GREAT! Thanks for sharing your (part-done) work!

Kath Stewart said...

Hi Alison...mine ain't finished either it's a fabulous go back to if and when kind of a project...still on a bit of a fabulous day high...the memories will stay with me forever...hugs kath xxx

chrissie said...

It all looks wonderful Alison and it was a wonderful idea to reward your hard work with a workshop by Tim. So pleased you enjoyed it

Love Chrissie xx

Connie said...

Very cool, I especially like the ruler binding :)

Dagmar said...

Wow wow wow - it's so fantastic!!!!

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, it looks fabulous, finished or not! I love the way the numbers are die cut and now I know what to use my still unused ruler fastener for too now! I know it is difficult but try not to overdo things! Hugs, Anne x

Claudia N. said...

What a wonderful fab fab fab tag book, Alison!

The die cut numbers are definitely something that I would love to see more often with your projects in the future! (Hm, maybe with mine too? *lol).

And I have been loving that ruler binding ever since I saw it for the first time! Such a brilliant idea!

I am happy for you as you obviously had a really great time on this workshop!

Hugs,
Claudia x

froebelsternchen said...

simply stunning Alison!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful project, full of inky goodness! xx

Paper Profusion said...

All so Brilliant Alison. The starter kit looks fantastic and I love all you have done with those delicious ingredients. I'm loving the enthusiasm emanating from all the lucky attendees. Nicola x

cathylynn said...

Alison I am in total AWE!!! Wowzers what a gift to attend a workshop with Tim Holtz. This mini is fantastic and there is so much to admire! You are a very lucky lady!!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Francesca said...

Hi Alison, it was a great day making the book, I have added a few extras, and am stilling playing about with it. Love Francesca xxx

Candy C said...

Absolutely gorgeous little tag book, Alison! What a treasure!<3 Candy

Andrea Small said...

How wonderful to be greeted by that stack of treasure! And you've created a wonderfully rich and interesting book, finished or not. The photos look great :-)
A x

May said...

Fabulous tag Book Alison...Love the detail..I bet that class was fantastic... sadly tickets had all gone for me maybe next time...Hugs May x x x

sam21ski said...

WOW I can't believe that you did all that in 3 and a half hours - great job and fab embellies!!

Sam xxx

Elly said...

You must be my soul sister. I was just peaking my inspiration folder on my computer and found a picture from Tim's book. I was thinking about to make one, because i have the ruler thingies somewhere in my Idea - ology stash. And now ..reading your post is magic (:o) Love your make of the book even if it's not finished. How could you stop thinking with Master Tim around? I'm very curious...(:o)

Netty said...

wonderful tag, packed full of embellies, loving the ruler fastening, it certainly beats stitching it. You couldn't have been given a better present from your brother and sister in law as you are such a Tim Holtz fan. I have seen some photos of you during your classes and your sunny disposition shines through. Annette x

Dianne said...

A workshop with Tim, be still my heart I just saw your workshop with Astrid eeeeeks this is too exciting.You showed enough for me to be drooling all over for a while,couldn't take much more LOL... What a perfect gift, for the perfect job you did at their dream wedding. Every photos of gorgeousness BAM, BAM,BAM,one after the other,I adore it Miss Alison, thank you, thank you, thank you, oh my I speaking in triple, my wings are flapping everywhere, have to get a cup of tea, to calm down :O) have a wonderful day...

Chrissy said...

WOW!! Fantastic Alison.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Shelby said...

Amazing work and just love all of the details and talent you've shown.

Shelby

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is amazing, Alison! I love the ruler closure, and that gear on the right on the front looks like the thingy for my boiler!!

I really appreciate that you always take the time to visit even when you are very busy. Thank you so much!

Lucy x

Cocofolies said...

That's very beautiful Alison. What a great day you must have had, Wow !!! xx

Tincan Crafter said...

Wow Alison, what a lot of incredible detail, you could look and look and look for hours and I bet you would still find something interesting to see. The mini book is incredible - well done!

Dorthe said...

Alison-
what a special and amazing tag-book- so Tim-like, but still so yours,-
wonderful pieces you got to play with, and a gorgeous result, even you are not all finished. The diecut numbers, and half tag pages are both making this so wonderful.
Thnak you for showing, dear-
Dorthe, xo

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

You great artist...what a fab details Alison!!

Anonymous said...

Those tags with the numbers cut out are a fabulous idea, really taken with those.
Not only a wonderful tag book but any time you pick this up it will bring back a flood of wonderful memories for you Alison.
Wishes
Lynne

Shirley said...

Such a darling of a book Alison, those cutouts are divine. So wish I could have been there with you all.

Crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Meggymay said...

Wow, stunning tag book, even though you say there is still more to add You did have an amazing time and it seems even more memories of that special day.
Yvonne

Sandy said...

I know you had a wonderful time Alison. There was like what,two workshops back to back. You kind of get to know someone through their art work and blog. And then to spend a weekend with the same people would be a real hoot. I know most of the participants through their blogs and I know you had a room full of amazing talent. Oh the energy that was bouncing off the walls.
Wonderful tag book - I can't get over all the embellishments you had to play with.
Sandy

Jennie Atkinson said...

Such a fabulous book Alison - so many wonderful ideas for creating too. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous work! Love every bit!

Nan G said...

An amazing little tag book! What fun and so many ideas to sort and store and try. Serious brain overload? :)

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great project again, Alison, you are the number one of originality and creativity, I love comming on your blog , and I admire very much the Artist in you!!!

Greetings
Maria

toni said...

OOOOOh what a fabulous book I can see it has the Butterfly touch! thanks so much for posting such a detailed look, I fancy just getting out my supplies and having a go! I hope he comes again soon x

Olivia said...

Absolutely fantastic book you have made. I love the style, but I don´t know how to do it. I think I love my pastels to much...ha ha ha...

Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh -- I am so excited about those diecut numbers and I really love the stencils. Gorgeous. Had to laugh when you said you wouldn't quite say it was "finished". I'm the same way ... I love the creative process. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. It looks like this little tag book was full of opportunities for butterfly to let her creativity fly :) Wonderful job!!! -- Mary Elizabeth

Cathy L. Calamas said...

Oh my goodness. Spectacular. I am so loving the faucet spigot on the end.
And the ruler, brilliant!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Yours does look so much more 'finished' than mine - I have still to find and print photos! I'm sure you had as much fun as we did in the morning - such a fantastic workshop and a lovely man! What a great Thankyou present! Chrisxx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, that's a breathtaking project.I'm missing words.

Bärbel said...

Das Tag-Buch ist großartig, liebe Alison. Die Farben, Stempel, Fotos und Dekorationen harmonieren perfekt miteinander!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Amazing, I love your book! I hope you get around to finishing it, what fun you had! Each page is so very cool...lucky lady!

Kelly said...

I would need patience and days to do this kind of work! Tim has the most awesome ideas like how it holds together, easy to undo. I love your tag book, love the pages and I do hope you keep with it, this is stunning work. Congrats on the tickets and being able to go to this workshop!!
Hugs Kelly

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow I so wish I hadn't missed this class it looks absolutely awesome :-) Kezzy xxx

craftimamma said...

Your tag book is fabulous Alison. How lucky you are to have done this workshop. I got to see Brenda's up close last weekend so I know how wonderful the format is and I can see you're making this one your own with your personal touches.

What a lovely way to repay you for the 'Handmade Wedding'...... much better than money any day, lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

annes paperfun said...

Lucky you! Workshop with Tim...
Your mini album is gorgeous..
So many lovely details.
Hugs, Anne

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful details on all of the pages Alison! I was lucky enough to see Brenda's IRL, and I have to say, all the ideas and techniques in here look fantastic too, even if they are not finished yet.... You guys were so lucky!!

Hettie said...

This is fantastic Alison and what a lucky girl you were to receive this day as a present! Wish I could have been there with you.
Hugs
x

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous - looks like a very productive day.
Avril xx

Kasia said...

What an amazing mini-book! Beautiful details :)

Margaret said...

I'm on a visual overload now! So many wonderful pages to look at in this fabulous album! I LOVE the wing nuts and knob on the front!!

Marjie Kemper said...

I loved that class, too. It's so much fun seeing everyone's unique spins... yours is GORGEOUS.

Bonnie Irvine said...

I'm delighted that the class was everything you hoped it would be. You probably haven't even had time to realize all that you took in, absorbed, and how it will allow your art to continue to evolve. This tag book is phenomenal. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I feel like a little piece of me got to go, too.

Anonymous said...

Oooh Alison, ich hab das Gefühl, 100 Jahre nicht mehr auf deinem Blog gewesen zu sein.
Das ist ja Wahnsinn, was du an Kreativität an den Tag legst!!
Wuuuunderschön ist das geworden.