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Saturday 16 December 2017

A Merry Little Christmas







Hello all!  And so it gets closer... and things are starting to shape up preparations-wise.

Here at Words and Pictures we're into the second half of the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique, so the countdown really is well under way.

This one takes just one main design feature from Linda's inspiration Tag 7 - the quote in the Ornate Frame - and then carried on playing with the elements which have danced from one tag to another in my own collection of tags so far.

So for a background, rather than stencilled plaid, I've used another of the Christmas Jingle papers by Anna Marie Designs.  I just love these fir branches over the music.















As you can probably guess if you've seen almost any of my tags so far, the winter greenery is a huge part of Christmas for me.

Decking the house with ivy and holly, not to mention, of course, the tree itself, is the activity which tells me the time is almost on us.  













We're late decorators compared to many - as close to the 24th as we can, and then it all stays up until 12th Night, January 6th.

So it's nice to play with all these Holiday Greens on the tags in advance of the actual decorating.











My Ornate Frame, cut from quite thick card, is painted, crackled and antiqued in all sorts of ways.














I used DecoArt Crackle Glaze over Fresco Chalk paint, and then once it had crackled I used ink and paint and Antiquing Creams to create my weathered finish.














And inside the frame, I've got some kraft card, inked with Walnut Stain and spritzed.














Over that I embossed the sentiment in Wow Vanilla White powder.  I don't have the Minis of these stamps, so my sentiment fills the frame and then some!

Almost forgot... I must have the annual link to one of the finest Christmas songs of all time (songs rather than carols - that's a whole other ballgame!).












I do love the glossy embossing against the rich brown.













Rather than a poinsettia (I never have really got on with poinsettias - even real ones) I've embellished with pinecones and some berries.














They're resting on some of those wonderful boughs and branches which have featured so prominently on my tags this year (and most tags in other years, truth be told) - some die-cut and some punched.













Down in the corner there's a little deer - he was lying on the craft table and he just wanted to go there, so I let him.














And some snowflake die-cuts which were also lying nearby decided they'd like to be involved too.  I layered them with padded tape so it's a pleasingly dimensional snowflake.











So far there have been Christmas Clippings on each of my tags so, although there's already a perfectly good sentiment here, I added some more of the tiny strips to the mix.













Some simple white twine tops us off again and we're done.  From wondering what on earth I was going to do, this one became one of my favourites as I was making it.  Thank you as always, Linda, for a lovely couple of hours at the craft table.







Down at the end of a winding path
Is a group of evergreen trees,
Pine and hemlock, and spruce and fir,
With their resinous fragrances;
And truest picture of calm content
That mortal ever saw...
Elizabeth Anne Chase Akers Allen

I would like to share this as my Tag 7 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique
I'd also like to join in at That's Crafty Challenges where Tis the Season is the theme

38 comments:

Helen said...

this is gorgeous! I bought the greenery die (finally) after the first of your Junkie tags this year, so am all ready for 2018!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Gorgeous tag. Love the crackle and the weathered finish. Have a fun weekend, hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

Another very beautiful tag Alison with your own special colour mix and style.

Have a great weekend

Love Chrissie xx

Dortesjs said...

Waue this is so much christmas, so so beautiful tag this ;O)))

Amanda said...

Beautiful!
Love
Amanda x

Marci said...

Lovely tag!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

It always amazes me what wonders you can do with the humble tag Alison, this is another beauty
Hugs
Donna xx

Rita said...

Beautiful tag Alison. Hope you enjoy a fabulous Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year. Hugs Rita xxx

craftytrog said...

Another beauty Alison! I love the winter greenery and that background paper is beautiful!
Thanks for the link to my favourite old Christmas song!
I've just caught you up again btw! ;-)
Alison xox

Patty O'Malley said...

Another beautiful tag, Alison! Love the greenery!

froebelsternchen said...

I am in love with this amazing tag - your use of the delicate greenery is just gorgeous! A WOWSER again - your tags are just so artful Alison!
Happy weekend for you!

Julia said...

The greenery is so lovely on the tag. I really like the cameo frame around the embossed words too. This is such a beautiful wintery tag, I am really enjoying seeing and reading about this series. x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a perfect Christmas tag! PINNED!

Corrie Herriman said...

Such a pretty tag ! Love it ! xx

rachel said...

Oh my alison - that tag is exquisite - absolutely beautiful!So sorry its taken me so long to get here - life is very busy just now! Off to see what other gorgeous projects I have missed! Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas! Love and hugs rachel xx

Lys said...

A beautiful tag - the inside of this gorgeous frame makes me think of gingerbread with ice sugar words... yummy!

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous details and festive touches on this gorgeous tag Alison.
Yvonne xx

Redanne said...

Another beauty Alison, the greenery with the pine cones at the top are so lovely and I just love the added little deer at the bottom. Anne xx

Neet said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Alison. Prompted me to return the compliment but when I got here I realised I had been missing a lot of lovely work so I am embarking on a trip - around your blog.
Love this tag. I love how you have got all the snow sprinkled on it, offset by the shades of brown it looks so wintry and just perfect for this time of year.
Right, off to see your other tags, bet they are as lovely as this one.
Hugs, Neet xx

Kate Yetter said...

So many lovely touches on your tag! I love the greenery and the frame. So beautiful!
Kate

Chrissy said...

I'm a pine cone and berry girl too Alison..GORgeous tag and love the snow splatter and beautiful Deer..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

A beautiful way to represent the season Alison, the greenery dies are a fabulous addition to any ones crafty stash and your branches look so realistic with those delicate dots and dabs of white paint. Another fabulous winter scene created upon your tag.
Warm Wishes Tracey xx

Craftyfield said...

This one should be hanging on the tree... it has flat and 3D elements, lovely textures and stamping, fabulous!!! Have yourself a Merry Christmas too, Alison!

Jane said...

What a stunner Alison...your take on this tag is sublime. I have treated myself to a couple of your wonderful word sets..tee hee! Merry Christmas to you and yours and thank for your blogging friendship and kind visits and comments. Hugs xxx

Dorthe said...

Such beautiful little wonder, Alison , so filled with the spirit of Christmas, so gorgeous, I totally love your snowy landscape and deer.
Hugs, Dorthe

maj. said...

Great tag Alison! I love all the details!!!
Merry Christmas!!!

Neet said...

Thanks for the explanation of how you did the snow - very much appreciated.
Hugs & Thanks
Neet xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Stunning!! Such a great lay out and I adore the crackled frame!! A new favourite I think, but then I keep saying that.... All of your interpretations of Linda's origials have been super!

Annie said...

This is a lovely tag Alison and I adore the layout. I have only just finished decorating and I am still making cards/wrapping.
Have a lovely Christmas
Annie xx

SewPaperPaint said...

This must be my favorite this year! I love the treatment of the ornate oval die and beautiful "berries" - what fun! Another exquisite design. Merry Christmas, Autumn

Mrs.B said...

Love your take on this tag, the colour tones of the frame and sentiment give a lovely rustic look with the DP.
Avril xx

Anke said...

Absolutely stunning, Alison.

Hugs
Anke

Jackie PN said...

Absolutely gorgeous and stunning!! Who knew these muted colors would shine so brightly on a Christmas tag!! You are so masterful with your ingredients Alison!!I just LOVE this one- a new fav!
Jackie xo

ps..is masterful correct when referring to a woman's works?

Paper Profusion said...

I hope you are going to assemble all 12 in a frame Alison - each one looks fantastic! Nicola x

Marci said...

My comments are not taking, or staying on. Anyway, I love the music and the greenery.

Cocofolies said...

The frame and inside are fabulous.
Another exquisite tag!!!!
Coco xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

How beautiful! This looks like the loveliest of snowy days! Hugs, Chrisx

sarascloset said...

Another favorite, Alison! That ornate frame in all it's glory, the greenery/pine cone bundle and that festive embossed greeting; all such beautiful elements to behold on that gorgeous chosen paper! What a beauty this is! Tomorrow you're tree will come down, and I will be sad for you. We took ours down on New Year's Eve, and there is such a unmistakable hole in our living room. Sending warm hugs!