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...

Friday 29 December 2017

Glowing red and cheerful green






Hello all!  It's deadline day, the 29th of December, the day by which all the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas have to be completed and added to the challenge posts.


I actually completed all mine well before Christmas Day, but I've been holding this one over.  This also happens to be one of our A Vintage Journey Tag Fridays - so this tag is doing double duty!


Over at A Vintage Journey you can see the fun my fellow Creative Guides have been having with their tags and, since we're not even half way through the 12 Days of Christmas, I make no apology for mine being a festive make.  I've even added a rare dash of red to the mix.














I know that red is a favourite seasonal crafting colour of Linda's - a.k.a. the Funkie Junkie - and she's used it in lots of the inspiration tags this year and I have (for the most part) refused to go there... so this one's for you, Linda!!

Like her inspirational tag 12, mine is mainly a leftovers tag.












I've mentioned before how I've been using sheets of the 8x8 Jingle Christmas pad cut in half for my tags.  So this is the second half of the holly music paper (first half was here on the Joyous Noel - my only other tiny touches of red).












For tag 11 - A time of peace and gladness - I'd had a tough time deciding between two deer for the main focal point.  The leaping deer made the cut on that one, so this standing deer was leftover, and turned out to be just right for this final tag.















Her eyes are fixed on her tiny fawn, off in the distance, also a leftover, gazing upwards.  And his gaze leads our eyes onwards and upwards... 












... towards the calendar date around which all these festivities turn (though I know I've said before that my favourite part is after all the major kerfuffle, in the quiet days running through to 12th Night, 6th January).










I've finally managed to find a spot for the Christmas postcard originally made (stamped with a Darkroom Door stamp) for my Tag 2 Happy Smiles and Twinkling Eyes.  There turned out not to be room for it without covering up too many of the fabulous crackled stars for my liking, so it's been waiting for its moment ever since.













And whenever I've been cutting snowflakes - lots of the tags have them - there have usually been a couple leftover...














... so they also got swept up from around the craft mat and pressed into action.













I like the fresh white snowfall against the vintage sepia tones of the background.














I've followed Linda's example in including some vintage ephemera from Tim Holtz's brilliant sets of bits and pieces.











All my tags this year have used words from the Idea-ology Christmas Clippings, so this one had to follow suit - even drawing your attention to the rare deployment of red.













White twine and leftover holly die-cuts finish things off at the top (though I had to give a couple of the leaves a dash of Fresco paint to get the right green)... 















... and at the foot of the tag, with some frosted red berries of course.









And that's pretty much your lot for 2017.  But, of course, as is traditional here at Words and Pictures, I need to show you them all lined up together...




Huge thanks to Linda once again for the seasonal inspiration.  I never manage to start in September as she does, but I love having an intensive December period of Christmas crafting to put me in the right mood for the festivities.  It's also wonderful seeing everyone's variations bobbing up around Craftyblogland - it's a really lovely challenge to be a part of.  

Do hop over to A Vintage Journey and explore the wonderful tags created by my team-mates there for Tag Friday, but for now I'll love you and leave you until next year... which is a bare 48 hours away.  Happy New Year all!

And now we welcome the new year.  Full of things that have never been.
Rainer Maria Rilke

I'd like to share this as my Tag 12 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique

32 comments:

Bev. Wilson said...

Alison -these are so beautiful! have enjoyed this journey with you. I love postage ephemera - so postcards, labels & stamps tucked in here and there - fabulous :) thank you!

Patty O'Malley said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Alison! Wish the series could go beyond 12!

Kate Yetter said...

A beautiful finale! I am loving all your tags together.
Kate

Valerie-Jael said...

Gorgeous final tag. Well done on getting them all finished. Happy New Year to you and yours, hugs, Valerie

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

How beautiful.. an ensemble of everything wonderful over the season and a magnificent display. Wishing you a very Happy and creative New Year Alison and Thank you for all the inspiration..
Warmest of wishes Tracey xx

chrissie said...

Very special tag today and to see all of them together is wonderful

Hope 2018 brings you joy and happiness Alison

'Full of things that have never been.'--love that saying

Hugs Chrissie xx

Annie said...

Your tags are fabulous Alison with the most amazing details xx TFS and here's wishing you all the best for New Year 2018

Hugs Annie xx

Helen said...

your final tag is perfect, and we have a treat to see them all together, as well! Happy Nearly New Year!!

Redanne said...

This one is a real beauty (and not just because of the hint of red!), full of festive spirit - the snowflakes are particularly gorgeous. You did so well to complete all your tags at this busy time of year too! Wishing you all the best for the New Year! Hugs, Anne xx

sarascloset said...

Huge round of applause for completing the set! I admit I had a tiny peek, but I really want to be surprised as I open each one of your "gifts" of contributions to Linda's challenge.

As for this "gift", it is so lovely, and you have worked your magic with your leftovers from the post card, to the deer, the bits of greenery, and the falling snow. And those papers are gorgeous; you've even given each of the deer a place to stand! The details are amazing! Again, well done! I can't wait to see the rest up close! Happy New Year! Thank you for another year full of support and inspiration! Sending hugs!

Meggymay said...

Alison. besides this being a gorgeous tag, it was even more special to see them altogether in one post.
Happy New Year wishes to you and yours.
Yvonne xx

Nan G said...

Wow! An amazing array of tags this year, Butterfly! Love them all. Happy New Year ! Hugs Nan

Astrid Maclean said...

What a fabulous collection! This final one is a real beauty too! All the best for a healthy, happy and creative 2018!!

Dorthe said...

Another beautiful and cheery tag . So sweet with the tiny post card, and the two deer`s sniffing in the Christmas snow, falling. Full of sweetness, Alison, and seeing all the rows of gorgeous tags, makes me smile, and whisper to you, that you really created winter magic !!
Dorthe, xoxo

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh what a lovely collection! Love the gentle hints of red on this one as it is truly festive and beautiful. Congrats on making it through all 12! Happy New Year! Hugs, Autumn

froebelsternchen said...

They are all simply AMAZING - the last one is no exception!
Happy New Year dear Alison!
oxo Susi

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great Art Work dear Alison , all your tags are amazing and wonderful romantic , in the spirit of Christmas, I love them all!!
Greetings
Maria

Brenda Brown said...

All very beautiful Alison, a wonderful collection for the festive period.
I hope you're feeling better. xxx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wow Alison what a wonderful selection of arty tags, love them and I love all the vintage tones too. Hope you have had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for my card, big hugs. Happy New Year. Tracy x

Jackie PN said...

Such an amazing set of tags Alison!
You knocked this challenge out of the ballpark! I think you should win a prize for each tag you created here!just saying...")
I do love that you even got a bit risk a with the pops of red- you daring girl you!heehee
I hope your Christmas time is joyful and I wish you many blessings and only the best of everything for 2018,Alison!
Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiration all year long!
huge hugs,Jackie xx

Sandy said...

I love the way you have put this one together - I am also drawn to the juxtaposition of the light and dark.
Sandy xx

Mrs.B said...

Another beautiful tag Alison, and so pleased to see you finished in time for the deadline.
Lovely to see the set of 12 together.
Best Wishes for the New Year
Avril xx

Lys said...

What a beautiful collection, congratulations for the 12 tags, glad to see some red here!

Julia Aston said...

Truly unusual colors for you Alison! love all the layers of deer, snowflakes and holly! a lovely Christmas tag! Wishing you a wonderful and crafty New Year! Julia xx

Cocofolies said...

Your whole collection of tags is a pure delight, fabulous.
and this final one is a real beauty too :)
I wish you all the best in 2018, be the next year full of new travels and exciting adventures, creative and joyous for you dear Alison!
Hugs, Coco xx

Craftyfield said...

Did you feel like a rebel when you added the red?! This last one is just as delightful as the others and still very Vintage and very sober colour wise, despite the red! They all look fabulous together, Alison.
Wishing you all the best for 2018! xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

An absolutely adorable tag Alison - so many wonderful vintage elements all beautifully displayed. The whole collection looks absolutely wonderful too. Wishing you a very happy and creative 2018 x

Julia said...

Another fab tag Alison. This set of winter tags is stunning.
Happy New Year and very best wishes for 2018 x

A Pink said...

Your tag is absolutely fabulous! Alison . The festive greens and reds look so wonderful intermingled with the wintery white snowflakes and rustic browns of the deer.
As for all 12 - what a wonderful collection of seasonal creativity. Hope I can find time to pop back later and see them closer .

Wishing you a very happy healthy New year!
Hugs x

Nikki Acton said...

I am so happy you have shown all 12 as I had definitely missed some. One year I am going to play along. If my tags are anywhere near this I will be very haappy! xxx

Sue said...

I love your tag Alison, and your ful set is amazing. You can't go wrong with these Tim Holtz goodies can you xx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Fantastic finish, Alison! Love all the wonderful elements you have included in this tag, especially the post card. I'm delighted you played along a this year. Sorry I'm running a little behind schedule with closing out the challenge. I'll be back tonight with the winners post. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.

Hugs,
Linda