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Wednesday 18 December 2013

Fir Tree Christmas




Hello everyone... so glad you loved the Blissful Baubles - it's so lovely that you took the time to say so when we're all so busy.  Jeepers, it's getting close now - and I'm really not on top of things.

But I am slowly but steadily catching up with the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas (hmmm, maybe I need to check my priorities).

This is my take on Linda's fabulous tag number 5 which you can see here.  I was inspired by the beautiful, delicate stamping in the background, and have also cased the composition pretty closely, with the corrugated framing of Father Christmas at the centre and the large flower and lace.

As you'll notice, I'm poinsettia-less.  I have neither a stamp nor the poinsettia die (I'm not wild about them as flowers, to be honest) so I've had to go in slightly different directions.

And the other main difference is the colour scheme.



My alternative to the poinsettia stamp that Linda has in her background was to go for another plant-based image, and use the fabulous fir branch from the Artistic Outpost Snowy Woods plate.

So that pretty much governed my choice of colour...

I love Iced Spruce, and I always forget about it for some reason.  But this tag is very "woody"; it's all over fir trees... what with the fir branches and the pine cones, the wood-look corrugated card, not to mention the Snowy Woods stamps, so Iced Spruce was the obvious choice for the background colour.










My Father Christmas is also from the Snowy Woods set - a slightly more genial chap than this rather stern fellow on the previous FJ tag - a proper old man of the woods.

He's stamped on Specialty Stamping Paper which has had a delicate blending of Iced Spruce DI over it.











The sentiment is from Snowy Woods too (best Christmas stamps ever!), stamped in black Archival.

And the fir branches themselves are stamped in Iced Spruce, to keep that subtle tone-on-tone look that Linda had.









The flower is by Wild Orchid. I've yet to join the handmade flower crowd - especially at this time of year... no time, no time!!

I do occasionally make my own, but for this tag, I stuck to altering this rather beautiful gardenia.








It was a bit too yellow, so I went at it with gesso and all sorts of white sprays (Dylusions, Tattered Angels Chalkboard) until I'd muted it a bit.














The pine cones came from Live & Love Crafts, and have also had a touch of gesso for a snowy
look.














I cut the holly leaves from patterned paper using Tim Holtz's Festive Greenery decorative strip die, and inked around the edges with Gathered Twigs (seemed appropriate given the woody theme).













Rather than the label, I used the Cabinet Card die to cut my frame - I think F.C. looks rather splendid inside.

















There's another fir tree cone and holly leaf up at the top of the tag, with a bit more lace, tied together with some tea/coffee stained seam binding (ultra high-tech!).









Thank you, Linda, for another cracking piece of inspiration.  If you manage to get all 12 Christmas tags plus the two bonus ones done by January 8th, you'll get an even bigger discount at the fabulous Funkie Junkie Boutique... and three lucky winners will get vouchers to spend there.  A chance not to be missed.

I'll leave you with Father Christmas in the position I think we'll all be in in about a week's time... flat on his back!


Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'll see you out there in Craftyblogland soon.

Today's quote is the full version of one of my favourite poems.  Its last verse also appears on the Snowy Woods plate - are you starting to get that I like these stamps?!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.   
His house is in the village though;   
He will not see me stopping here   
To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   
To stop without a farmhouse near   
Between the woods and frozen lake   
The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   
To ask if there is some mistake.   
The only other sound’s the sweep   
Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

I'm entering this as Tag 5 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.
With background stamping, focal image stamping and sentiment stamping, I'd like to pop it into the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge which is to Stamp Out 2013!
And let's also make it a third entry to the Stampotique Designers Challenge where Anything Goes this month.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Tag Alison. I love the back ground and frame. Merry Christmas. Karen.x

Michelle said...

Beautiful! And I adore the sweet pine cone embellishment. Great tag!

pearshapedcrafting said...

So beautiful Alison, good choice of flower, like you I am not a great fan of poinsettias (hope my son doesn't find out - he bought me one the other day!).
I think I may just need that stamp set as the poem is one of my all time favourites - from as long ago as top Juniors!! It's late...I'm rambling...Goodnight, Chrisx

Julie Lee said...

Do you know, I have to confess I'm not wild about poinsettias either, although I do like what Linda has done with them on her tags - nice vintage colours. I love your gardenia and that gorgeous little pine cone. The Santa looks terrific and your colour scheme is perfect. Once again the Snowy Woods plate has proved to be wonderfully adaptable - this must be the best Christmas plate ever. I am so behind with preparations that I'm rather hoping some of Santa's elves will come and take over! I love Frost's poetry and this one is an old favourite. Julie Ann xx

Kate Yetter said...

I have enjoyed seeing all your variations of Linda's tags. I really love your focal image on this tag with the corrigated frame. Lovely!
Kate

Marci said...

I'm not wild about red poinsettias, but I love the TH die. Anyway, the iced spruce looks so good with the woodsy tones. That poem just touches a chord in a lot of people, me too. Merry Christmas!

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful! I love that poem and that you shared it here with your tag is wonderful.

Mona Pendleton said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! Love the Vintage Santa image and fabulous embellishments! The corrugated cardboard adds awesome dimension! Thanks so much for joining along with Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

Inkypinkycraft said...

This looks gorgeous , love how you have changed the colour xx and am loving the e cones too! Hugs trace. X

Shirley said...

Awww Alison each entry into Linda's tags is just more stylish and graceful than the last.

With you on the poinsettias they don't do it for me either.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Jenny Marples said...

A lovely take on Linda's tag Alison. Love your stamped background and the frame around Santa. This definitely works in your favoured choice of colours. Jenny x

Anke said...

Wonderful Alison, so lovely.

Hugs
Anke

chrissie said...

Really beautiful tag again Alison-what a fine collection these will make.

Must confess I have only ever heard the last verse of the poem before but I enjoyed seeing the whole thing-thank you

Love Chrissie xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

The tag, as well as the poem are great Alison!
Thanks :-)
Kind regards, Alie

froebelsternchen said...

Oh Alison that is a wonderful , lovely tag and I really like this poem!

hugs

Susi

craftytrog said...

The corrugated frame, lace & pine cones are wonderful elements on this beautiful tag Alison! xxx

Mrs.B said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, off to do a catch up of your lovely makes.
Avril xx

Unknown said...

Oh Alison what a stunning tag this is and yes, those little pine cones are just adorable! Love this x

Cocofolies said...

Hi Alison! This is a wonderful poem indeed, thanks for sharing. Also, a wonderful plate! :) And above all, a wonderful tag... Love it!!! Hugs, Coco xx

Hettie said...

Gorgeous Alison. I love the effects you have created. That flower is just sublime.
Hugs
xx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

This is really lovely, Alison. It has such a delicate icy feel to it with the iced spruce and the AO evergreen bough embossing (LOVE that stamp!). The altered flower and pinecones are the perfect embellishments. Everything comes together in one gorgeous tag!

Hugs,
Linda

Kay Wallace said...

This is a wonderful Christmas tag, Alison, and I love it. Very clever of you to have "altered" the color of the flower you used!

Dorthe said...

A gorgeous tag ,dear Alison,
Mr.Santa looks great behing the corrugated cardboard,on the beautiful background, and with that wonderful altered gardenia.
Hugs,Dorthe

Terry said...

Beautiful Christmas Tag! So love the corrugated framed Santa and that flower is so elegant! Love this!!! Hugs!

Netty said...

Loving your beautiful tag Alison, Annette x

Sandy said...

Hey Sugar - what a beautiful make and I do love your flower. I will have to keep that trick in my mind. Oh who am I fooling - it's a wonder I remember my name. I have really enjoyed your blog this year Alison and hope to try out some of your techniques in 2014. I do appreciate your visits and kind words. Miracle of miracles, I did enter a card in Our Creative Corner this time. Well kid - here is wishing you a wonderful Christmas and to lots more beautiful makes in 2014 - and good health too!
Sandy

Astrid Maclean said...

Fabulous Alison, great take on Linda's original! Love the gorgeous background and I just love those little pine cones!!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous tag Alison using one of my favourite images. Love your subtle stamping in the backdrop and the corrugated card is a fabulous touch. Love your flower and delicate embellishments . Fabulous. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Tracy x

May said...

Stunning tag Alison, Beautiful image I adore the corrugated frame...Love the stamping & colours... Hugs May x x x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Lovely tag Alison. I love the corrugated frame and the pine cone embellishment! xx

toni said...

Super tag Alison love the embellishments and your vintage Santa x

Carol Q said...

wonderfully Christmassy Alison - especially against the fir background

cathylynn said...

Yes another beauty! You sure have a way with putting things together. Love the pine cone with the flower and the textures are yummy too!
Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! I love the image & the pinecones look great.

Nan G said...

Love the tag! Though I don't like snow, I never tire of this poem. Happy Holidays!

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison!!!! I'm here!!! I'm really busy these days in and I can't follow my favorite blogs every day! Your works are wonderful and very personal as always! I wish you a Merry Christmas with your family!
BArbarayaya

Kaz said...

Another beautiful tag. Thank you for joining us again at Stampotique. Merry Christmas.

Candy C said...

Alison...your tag is just as gorgeous as always. So elegant and vintage regal! :) I love it. I thank you for sharing the Robert Frost poem with us. I remember studying that poem in high school and I always loved it. It's so appropriate for this time of year, too. Merry Christmas! <3 Candy

Lisa Minckler said...

I'm swooning...it's beautiful. I think the way you display them in nature just really hits home with me. I love that!! :) Gorgeous job on your tags :) OH OH OH...and thank you so much for the beautiful electronic Christmas card. I stood right in the middle of my kitchen and watched that on my phone. :)
hugs,
Lisa x

Anonymous said...

Sorry for taking this time to visit this gorgeous post.
Oh I love the colour combination and the corrugated die-cut. I just mentioned on another Blog that I must ensure I get this stamp plate for Christmas 2014 as I've admired this Father Christmas for such a long time.
Festive Wishes
Lynne

Sue said...

This is really beautiful Alison. I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing your thought processes. I must admit I did imagine you standing over a paper flower, tugging your hair and shouting 'no time, no time' but that's just me lol.
Thank you so much for joining in with us at Stampotqiue and have a very merry Christmas. Sue x

Sue said...

PS how can you not like poincettia's lol :-)

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

A few minutes taken to stop by and I am so glad I did Alison. This is a wonderful tage - restrained and classy. Happy Christmas to you!

*Arwen* said...

It looks wonderful :) Great tag

xx Arwen

Kasia said...

So beautiful tag, Alison :) The frame is so lovely. And I love the fir cones on your tag :)

Kezzy said...

Wow yet another beautiful tag I really love the frame and I really love the Santa stamp. The background colour is gorgeous, I so wish I could do soft backgrounds, I'm always a bit heavy handed lol. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxxxx