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...

Saturday 17 December 2016

A Christmas Wish






Hello again!  Yup, like a bad penny, I just keep turning up with yet another tag for the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas.

(Okay, there was one brief departure to deliver some Golden Letters at PaperArtsy, but apart from that...)

I've reached my tenth tag in eleven days, and this is my take on Linda's final tag.  Do take a look at her original version - it's completely gorgeous.

And it's also right up my street in colour tones and content, so I was perfectly happy to tread firmly in her snowy footprints, pretty much all the way.

The joy of this crafty playing is that even when you follow somebody else's work, you end up with something different.  












Sometimes it's because you have slightly different materials to work with, or techniques have slightly different results, and it's also because each of us seems to have our own special little touches or preferences when we play.

Anyway, here's what turned up on my craft table as I enjoyed playing with Linda's inspirational offering.

I loved the layered depth of the inky green background, and those white pine branches embossed over the top.












I think because of the particular cardstock I was using it was harder than usual to get the Distress Inks to blend.  I had to keep layering more on to get it smooth, so I've ended up with more intense colour tones than I'm used to.  No harm in that...














My pocket came up looking different from Linda's.  I put too much gesso on, so it didn't end up as distressed as the original.

I actively decided to go for a leathered rather than weathered look, and added more layers of ink.












I can never resist the chance to use this vintage Post Card stamp...













... and I also added some of the delicate snowflake pattern from the Christmas Nostalgia set to my leather pocket.















Simple white die-cutting of lots of holiday greenery (whitery?) next.















And I inked the edges before tucking the branches into the pocket... always an irresistible urge.














The little Merry Christmas tag comes from the same Pion papers as I used on Tag 11 Snow is Falling, inked and tucked in amongst the fir fronds and holly boughs.












There are some more of the delicate Calico Craft Parts snowflakes taking pride of place on this one.
















They were part of the Snow that was Falling yesterday too!















The intricate designs have to be extracted from the sheet quite carefully, but once they're glued down they're pretty robust.










I've used Noel on my version of Tag 7 (you haven't seen it yet - I'm saving it for last), so I went for Wish for this tag instead.













And I've borrowed a technique Linda used on that week seven tag to add a dimensional shadow to the word.

It just helps it to stand out from the background, I think.














A simple twine bow to finish things off, and there's my version of Tag 12 all done.










Only two more tags left to share with you and, as I mentioned a couple of days ago, I'm saving my two favourites for last.  I've been having such a glorious time sparking off from Linda's inspiration... it's so lovely when somebody's done most of the thinking for you!

I hope you'll be able to come back to see the last couple but, in the meantime, happy crafting all and have a great weekend.

The true wealth of a man is not what's in his pocket, but what's in his heart.
Unarine Ramaru

"Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th December to pick a man's pocket."
Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens




I'm sharing this as Tag 12 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique

30 comments:

Deborah Wainwright said...

Looks fabulous Alison hugs Debs xx

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous tag Alison, love the leathery look pocket and the little wooden snowflakes are a lovely touch.
Looking forward to seeing your last 2.
Avril xx

sarascloset said...

Oh, yes, Alison I do love this and yes, you can start off hoping to make something exactly as another has, but how wonderful it takes on your own artistic personality!You have really done a beautiful job with your background and leather like pocket. Great idea to offset your wish, "wish" I had done that! Your whites look so crisp and your rustic snowflakes offer the perfect contrast! Can't wait to see the grand finale! Hugs!

Dorthe said...

I`m glad to see ,than you keep on turning up with another tag , Alison, so fun to see what you did , every day.
This green and leathery look looks gorgeous, with the added white greenery, love both the embossed and die-cut ones ,and the sweet accent of snowflakes in brown.
Hugs and happy weekend,- Dorthe

Amanda said...

Respect! That's some tag making and all are beautiful. Love things with snowflakes so this is extra beautiful.
Love
Amanda x

Helen said...

oh I like this one a LOT! the festive whitery (deffo not greenery!) is gorgeous.

chrissie said...

A very beautiful Alison and great to see your version So many different ideas.

Love Chrissie xx

sam21ski said...

Gorgeous x

Marci said...

I love this shade of green! The white "greenery" looks so pretty against the background.

rachel said...

stunningly beautiful alison - I adore the green ... my favourite colour xx

Meggymay said...

This is another fantastic tag, its lovely how the foliage seems to spill gently from the pocket.
Yvonne xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Hmmmm this could be my favourite one yet Alison, it's beautiful
Hugs
Donna xx

Brenda Brown said...

Love your more intense colours and the beautiful look you have achieved xxx

brenda said...

As always a superb creation Alison.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

B x

froebelsternchen said...

Dear Alison!
Each of your Christmas tags is made so brilliantly and there is so much love in every detail on them ! It's fantastic in my eyes! I also love your envelope for Paper Artsy!
You are such an inspiration and talented artist! Thank you for sharing all this !
Wishing you a joyful and festive Christmas
!
oxo Susi

craftytrog said...

Spectacular!!! This was one of my favourites...love all that festive greenery Alison!
Love Alison :-) xxx

Andrea Small said...

I've loved all of your tags, but there are only so many times I can post "wow!" as a comment...This one sparked a "WOW!", though! Something about the depth and vibrancy of those gorgeous greens. Beautiful
Andrea xx

Jackie PN said...

Brilliant tag Alison!!
Love the edging on Wish!
Jackie xo

Sandy said...

Wonderful - I like the pocket tags most of all!
I think you have an unfair advantage - with Cestina's hand to guide you, how could you not be creative! I just came from her blog and it is so delightful.
Merry Christmas Alison!
sandy

Hazel Agnew said...

Loving the contrasts of colour and the whitery lifts it into sweet harmony. Admiring your energy and drive. Can I have the recipe please as currently in a little lay-by. Xx

Unknown said...

Beautiful!! Love the layers and such a wintery feel captured! xx

Barbara said...

FAntastic tag! I love so much the design and the color choice, stunning! barbara

Astrid Maclean said...

Another real beauty, those craft parts really work, gorgeous!!

sally said...

A beauty, which comes as no surprise, and I notice that I've another of yours to check out further up the feed so I'm "awa' to check it out" as they say in these parts .....

Sally xx

SewPaperPaint said...

No better tag to perfectly go by than this one! I love it to pieces and love your subtle variations - what fun what fun! Christmas hugs, Autumn

Redanne said...

Alison, I think Linda could have designed her tag with you in mind, it is so very you! The colours are wonderful, I love the design - the pocket is such a lovely part of the design too and the wooden snowflakes look beautiful. My new favourite! Anne xx

Rose918 said...

I just adore these and have been following closely. Today is the first day that I can get in to my craft space and go to town! Thanks very, very much for the inspiration and wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Words and Pictures said...

Thank you, Rose - so happy to hear you've been inspired from Linda via me right to your craft space! I don't know if you'll hop back to see this, but couldn't see another way to thank you for your lovely comment and wish you a merry Christmas too.

Everybody else, I'll be round to visit soon!
Alison x

Cocofolies said...

Absolutely delightful too, the colours go so well together and the design is so beautiful!!!!!
Your last three tags are all Stunners in my view dear Alison.
Christmas hugs for you today, enjoy the festive season. xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

The deep greens in this really set off the white embossing. I love the leather pouch holding the letter and more sprigs from nature. Very lovely!