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Sunday 18 December 2016

I'm Dreaming of a Kraft and White Christmas




Hello all!  Another day, another tag for the Funkie Junkie 12 Tag of Christmas inspiration challenge.

And in terms of the personal challenge I set myself - to get myself back into the swing of crafting - I think it's working.  I certainly feel a bit more at home again in my craft room.

Given I've been trying to do a bit of a sort-out/clear-out of the craft stash in between tags - a space vs stuff battle which is pretty wearing! - not to mention grudgingly dealing with invoicing and paperwork for the real world - it's been a relief to be enjoying myself so much at the craft table.

We're down to the final two and, as promised, I've saved the best until last - well, they're my two favourites anyway. Here's the first of them, and then you'll get the very last one tomorrow on deadline day.











This is my take on Tag 6 and, if you check out Linda's glorious original, you'll see I've stuck pretty closely to her design... though no red on mine, obviously!  I adore the fabulous dimensionality of this one!











Again, I have a slightly darker kraft card than hers, so that changes things, and I felt the need to do some inking on my elements rather than the crisp-as-new-fallen-snow look of the inspiration tag.












I don't have the Holiday Knit stencil so I chose one of my favourite wintry T.H. stencils instead, this Festive one with the lovely holly leaves and berries.

It's also got little pinecones, in case you haven't had have enough of those yet.












I used the Finnabair Snowflake Paste again (as on my tag 1, Bare Branches), though in the end I had to put some more white texture paste over the top as the white wasn't quite bright enough against my die-cut elements otherwise.












I sometimes attempt the clean, sharp look of Linda's tag, but when push comes to shove I can't resist a bit of inking.  That grungier vintage look always sneaks in.

So I've inked the edges of the kraft tag...











I've inked my treelines...
















And I've inked the Holiday Greens around the top of the tag.














I don't have the Idea-ology deer, so this little Movers and Shapers faun puts in his second appearance of the challenge.  (He also featured in my tag 2, Oh Deer! if you remember, all those days ago!!)














He's inked a darker brown for this tag so that he ties in with my real tiny pinecones at the top of the tag.  (I loved Linda's gingerbread heart, but I'm under time pressure here...)














The label in the centre is hand cut from the same kraft cardstock, inked around the edges and fastened with a metal brad.

I stamped the sentiment using DecoArt Chalky Finish in Everlasting - you get a really sharp stamping with it.  (But do wash your stamps quickly after using them with paint.)













Sorry, I got fed up with flicking back and forth trying to decide whether I preferred the shot with a touch of warming sunlight or the one without, so I'm giving you both.  Well, it is Christmas...















My embellishing is very simple.  There's some burlap ribbon around the top of the tag (though it's barely visible now)...











... and, of course, those pine cones, echoing Tag 5 The Holly and the Holly and Tag 9 Pine Cones Galore!, as well as foreshadowing tomorrow's final tag.














The intricate detailing on the trees is really impressive... I'm definitely in love with this die and I can see it getting plenty of use, not just at Christmas.  And Linda's dimensional layering is a great touch.











The Holiday Greens will also definitely be a staple around here.  I confess I did already have the larger size, but you can never have too much Christmas greenery, right?

Even when it's actually Christmas "whitery" - my term invented yesterday for my Tag 12 A Christmas Wish.  I really love how the die-cut whitery and the stencilled whitery work together for a look of really dense foliage on this tag.








Ah, kraft and white - not for the first time during this challenge (remember Tag 10 Snow Flurries, not to mention the Bare Branches of Tag 1), it's come up trumps as a colour combination.

Is it any wonder I'll be dreaming of a kraft and white Christmas?  And since I'm guessing you're already humming (and if you're not, you will be when you glance below at today's words), here's the real thing for you...

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you're all finding time for some crafting - or at least an occasional rest - amidst the Christmas preparations.  Happy Sunday all!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know;
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white.
Irving Berlin

I'm entering this as Tag 6 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique
And at MOO Mania & More, the theme for this fortnight is Trees, so I'd like to play there too

36 comments:

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous! This was my favorite color combo that Linda created this year and your take is fabulous!

Marci said...

This is another beautiful one! I love just the white and craft! No other color to distract. I have been trying to hold out against this tree line die and the stacked snowflakes but you aren't helping. I think you just tipped me over the edge! I have really enjoyed the daily posts, nice to see and read you again.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Fantastic, Alison. I love the darker kraft card stock and can never get enough of the mini pine cones. Love that sentiment stamped in white. The whole piece is absolutely lovely. And for the record, I had a very difficult time keeping from picking up my ink blending tool and swiping the edges of everything with Vintage Photo - LOL. Thanks for sharing this beauty!

Hugs,
Linda

Jackie PN said...

Absolutely, positively gorgeousness all over the place! I see how it is one of your favorite as it is mine as well!! Brava Alison!!!
Jackie xo

Helen said...

I'm whispering, but I think I prefer your version... love the trees, they are like a magic forest and the mover and shaper deer (love them!) is perfect.

sam21ski said...

Oh wow, very striking, have to say, this is my absolute fave so far xx

Amanda said...

Oh No, not the space V's stash challenge? I battle that one constantly so the best of luck with that one. Hopefully you are stronger than me and actually get rid of stuff. I absolutely loveeeeeeeeeeeeee this tag and now need to own that three line die, stunning, stunning, stunning!!
Love
Amanda X

chrissie said...

Just love this one Alison. It looks like icing on gingerbread biscuit. So beautiful

What a shame the real world keeps sneaking in.

Love Chrissie xx

Meihsia Liu said...

Oh my, Alison, this is such a gorgeous Christmas tag! I love the fantastic layers of embellishments and the fabulous distressed effect on the background. Wishing you and your family joy and peace at the holidays and throughout the New Year. Love and hugs. :)

Chrissy said...

This is stunning Alison..just beautiful..I love every detail.

luv CHRISSYxx

sarascloset said...

Oh, MY, Alison! I can certainly see why you are calling this one of your favorites...it is mine, too, but I think I may have said that about each and every one of them! Really, though, your whitery, crisp stenciling and layers of trees look fantastic on the kraft, and I love the touch of vintage at the edges. Your sentimental tag front and center is the perfect finishing touch along with your tiny cones. This will be pinned for not only it's beauty but for a reminder to check out that Chalky Everlasting. It looks great with just a hint of texture. So pretty! I think I'm going to have to have a run through them again when you're all done. Hugs!

Maureen Chandler said...

WOW! This is gorgeous! Thanks so much!!

Meggymay said...

Stunning, I can see how this is a favourite, it has the WOW factor.
Yvonne xx

Barbara said...

I have no words, your Christams tags are one most beautiful than others! FAbulous projects as always! barbara

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my I just adore this gorgeous tag Alison, it has to be my most favourite one you've done and I love them all. Xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Stunning!! The Kraft and white is a real winner and I just love how you have layered all the elements!

Anonymous said...

Wow Alison this tag is so fabulous, I wasn't sure if it was a gingerbread cake at first. I kept looking back through the pics wondering if it was real, but it is, real craft stock instead. Lol. I haven't even had a drink yet.lol. It has a wonderful winter feel I can only dream of living in Australia. Just wanted to pop by and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2017! Karen.x

Hazel Agnew said...

This tag has really got me in the Christmas mood Alison. Starting me off singing one of my favourite songs.....can you hear the sound.....by John Rutter. Doing my Gloria in excelsis deo! So right to add touches of stain to the die cuts and the tag. Wonderful! Can't wait for tomorrow. Now off to my music stool to find the music! Xx 😊

Hazel Agnew said...

Found it! Angels' Carol! Off to dust off the piano! Xx 😛

Nan G said...

Oh Butterfly! I'm in love with this tag! This one is favorite even tho they've all been stunning. Love Kraft and whitery too. ;)

froebelsternchen said...

Oh yes - I can imagine that it is your favourite - mine too so far! Just amazing - it's delightful - all those delicate parts and the look of gingerbread - really festive -for sure one of your masterpieces, even though I have to say that you just create masterpieces!
Thank you very much for your lovely special Christmas greeting card that came via email to me♥♥♥
I enjoyed it very much - so lovely!
Happy day Alison!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas !
hugs
Susi

froebelsternchen said...

and I am so pleased you linked this gem to Moo Mania & More!

♥♥♥

Sandy said...

I love this - absolutely gorgeous - looks like gingerbread!! I love kraft paper and white and I do like kraft paper and red. OOOps - sorry Alison I forgot - no red for you this year!!
Sandy xx

suzyb said...

I can't say anything different than has been said already. This card is just amazing, I love everything about it! I like the fact that vintage/grunge makes its way into your things. It's a wonderful little piece of art. Merry Christmas Alison and look forward to the new year and your creations.
Victoria, BC

sally said...

Yes I'm singing along and yes it was worth the wait :-) your festive "whitery" is lovely with the Kraft - I think we will need to see a picture of the tags all grouped together as well!

See you here soon.

Sally xx

Dorthe said...

Oh my !! this is really my favorite, Alison, -it is stunningly beautiful, in those two tones. The stenciling looks gorgeous, and so does the treeline, with the faun in front. Also I could never get too much of cones, :-)
What a most wonderful tag ,dear.
Dorthe, xoxo

SewPaperPaint said...

Well this is FABULOUS! Oh I love this so much! The stenciled background is a star and I love that you left off the red, a great natural look! Christmas hugs, Autumn

Redanne said...

Hmmm, perhaps a new favourite for me too... I love the gorgeous treeline die and it looks beautifully over the edges as you have used it. The inked edges really doe give your 'whitery' lots of depth and the little deer is just the perfect size for this wonderful winter scene! Anne xx

craftytrog said...

Love white on kraft! This is gorgeous Alison!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

So gorgeous and so eye catching to me. I LOVE to see kraft at Christmas...it's essential...lol. LOVE the white with it...perfection.

Jutta.K. said...

This is a great job, I am totally overwhelmed!
wonderful.
Best regards from Germany

Rika said...

Gorgeous tag!
you put so much detaol into this piece.

Pawsitively Creative said...

This is totally my cup of tea! Wowzers and gorgeous and aim at have to steal this design and make some ornaments for my tree because this tag is amazeballs! All the white goodies set off the Kraft perfectly and the. Some. Smashingly successfully stunning! Merry Christmas! Hugz ~Niki

Cocofolies said...

This one is luxurious and magnificent too!!!!!!
Hugs, Coco xx

Sarah Anderson said...

I just love those layered white trees with their vintage edging

Princess Judy Palmer said...

After seeing your dark kraft I don't think I can ever use light kraft again. This tag is spectacular and looks so fine with that bright white, and the inked white, and the inked edges. Fabulous! And I love the word "whitery!"