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 14 December 2012

Star of Wonder


Hello and welcome all, with an especially big welcome to the new followers - I am so glad you decided to jump on board, and I'm so grateful for the support of each and every one of you!

It's time for Tag 12 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas - but don't cheer too soon... I've not done Tag 11 yet!!

But we've still got until the 17th to get all 12 made and posted to qualify for the prize draw generously sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  All the details are here - you'll have to go it some if you've not already started, but I reckon it's possible!

I took my inspiration from Linda's original number 12 in a number of ways: I've used the double tag layered look; and I've adhered pretty slavishly to the techniques and stamps used for the background, though I've changed up the colours pretty drastically; and in the absence of a die-cut bauble and a poinsettia, I've substituted a wooden star and a Christmas rose... and once I'd got that far, things kind of went off down their own track!








So I've used one of the Tim Holtz flourish stamps on my large tag, though I don't have the splendid large flourish.  And I've used the gorgeous Book Cover stamp on the smaller tag.

I used it just the other day on my Year in Poetry, and thought to myself, "I really must use this more often," - it's simply lovely!

And all that stamping got embossed in silver, before I started inking up the blues.  There are actually layers of Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans, but I really majored on the Chipped Sapphire - to get the maximum contrast with the silver.






My attic room (living-, bed- and craft-room) is all blues - so I have a little tree up there each year, and the decorations are all blue, silver, white and natural wood - so this feels very natural to me as a Christmas colour combination.

The greeting across the centre is an Artistic Outpost stamp from the Sleigh Ride set.





The star is a wooden ornament that I've altered.  My mother brought it back from the Czech Republic along with a bunch of other things she thought might be fun to play with.

I lightly inked it with Chipped Sapphire before adding some Rock Candy Dry Glitter - gorgeous frosty sparkle.  It's a very grim, grey day today, so it's hard to do it justice in photos.



The flower is another of the white paper roses I got for peanuts at The Range.  First of all, I edged it with Chipped Sapphire DI.  Then it was a toss-up between some more Dry Glitter or a new experiment.

I'd seen Trace over at inkypinkycraft make a "ceramic look" flower, and I wanted to give it a try.

Since I haven't got a melt pot, I smooshed the rose into my Distress Embossing ink pad (which I'd recently re-inked so it was plenty juicy!), and then dipped it into clear embossing powder.  It took a while to get it all melted (interesting smell), but I'm pretty happy with the result.






The whole thing still needed something... and that's when I started getting merry with the greenery - or should I say "bluery".  I'd succumbed to the TH Festive Greenery Decorative Strip Die, and this was its first outing.

I started with the idea of just having a couple of holly leaves, as Linda uses on her tag, but things got a little out of hand!


I took dark blue card and stamped my Wow music stamp onto it, using the Colorbox Platinum dewdrop pad.  It's subtle but it's there!

And I ran it through the BigShot - twice, because that's how much card the stamping covered - and once I had lots of pieces, it seemed a shame not to put them to use.









So I got to work with the clear embossing again.  I can't tell you how much difference it made - the card got not only shinier but darker in colour - and now, I think, the die-cut pieces really pop on the tag.

(That's a raindrop you can see on the photo below... time to call it a day on trying to get decent photos, maybe?)


The holly berries are Idea-ology long attachers with an extra drop or two of silver alcohol ink for extra shine, and the gauzy ribbon is left over from my brother's handmade wedding in August.

It has also had a brief encounter with the Chipped Sapphire blending sponge just to link it in with the other pale elements on the tag(s).



So, 11 down and 1 more to go.  Like everyone, I've got a lot on at the moment, so I think it's going to go right to the wire.  What can I say?  I've always been a deadliner!

For now, I'll leave you in peace, but with a festive spring in your step I hope!  Thanks so much for taking the time to drop in, and I'll see you soon - here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland...

O, star of wonder, star of night!
Star with royal beauty bright!
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light! 
From We Three Kings by Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr.

I'm entering this in the following:
As Tag 12 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas
To Die For at the Fashionable Stamping Challenge
Frilly and Funkie's challenge to Make it a Tag in the festive spirit
At Dragonsdream Tag It On the challenge is Christmas
Craft-room Challenge also want us to Make a Tag

48 comments:

Claudia N. said...

This is Xmas-gorgeous-awesomely lovely, Alison!

Can't wait to see tag No. 11! *giggle

Hugs,
Claudia xx

ElizabethR said...

Yummy tag gorgeous colours. Thanks for sharing with us at Dragons Dream TIO. Merry Christmas, Hugs Elizabeth x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

First...I'm pinning! The background embossed in silver against the blue is absolutely uberly gorgeous!!!!
Second, thank you so much for playing along with us at Frilly & Funkie this fortnight!

Anonymous said...

Another beauty Alison, love the dark blue and silver and the enamelled rose is fab (the interesting smell made me smile!).
Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C x

Sophie said...

Wow, Alison, was für ein edles und elegantes Tag.
Das sieht richtig kostbar aus in diesen frostigen schönen Farben.

Einen schönen 3. Advent...

Sarah said...

A beautiful study in blue and silver!

Anonymous said...

The flower is a gorgeous addition. Despite not having a melt pot you have proven you can more than make do with supplies to hand. Also the star is such a treat.
A stunning tag.
Wishes
Lynne

Inkypinkycraft said...

a really gorgeous tag, love the colours and the flower looks great! ooh and the shiny leaves..fun isn't it!?
thanks for the shout out!
another fab tag..cannot wait to see your last one!
trace x

Karen McAlpine said...

Lovely!! Really like the double tag look! Beautiful metallic stamping and embossing!

Paper Profusion said...

Love the silver / blue - all that flourish embossing is so festive. Glad you added all the lovely 'bluery' too! It looks very tactile. Nicola x

Jenny Marples said...

Lots of contrast with that silver and deep blue. Love the direction you have taken with Linda's tag - very you! Nice idea to add a wooden star too. Can't wait to see how no. 11 turns out now (no pressure!) Hugs, Jenny x

Astrid Maclean said...

Beautiful Alison, love the blue tones you have used instead of the red Linda used (much more you I think lol)Oops just noticed Jenny said that too, must be true:o)... it lends a gorgeous elegant feel to the whole tag!

froebelsternchen said...

oh --this is extraordinary! fabulous colors ---stunning and beautiful design Alison!
Have a nice weekend!

Andrea Small said...

Tres chic! Lovely colours x

Connie said...

Oh my goodness! Your blog is an enchanting wonderland of Christmas magic. I love it!
I found you on Lisa's, blog" You Make Me Ink". I am overjoyed that I came here . . . because I can't get enough . . . you're a paper crafting wiz.
Come on over and visit.
I am having a Give-Away
Your newest follower and
blogging sister, Connie :)

sam21ski said...

Wow, so much detail, this is absolutely stunning and your colour choice is perfect.

Sam xxx

Redanne said...

This tag is quite simply gorgeous, although that word does not really express how fabulous I think it is! Love the flower, it does look like porcelain and I love blue for Christmas too, such a cool colour and perfect for winter. Hugs, Anne x

Netty said...

Loving your gorgeous tag with its fab colourings and embellies. Hugs Annette x

May said...

Breathtaking beauty is how I would describe this work of art...The flower Alison looks like porcelain..The colours, design, detail, elements, embossing... I think you get the idea... I LOVE it!!! Hugs May x x x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Am I allowed to use the word "posh'? It's a word my grandma used and she surely would have called this posh! To me it's simply stunning - again! I too think it's very you! Chrisxx

Meggymay said...

A stunning tag, love the shades of blue and the gorgeous trimmings. thank you for joining us at FSC this time.
Yvonne/Meggymay

Unknown said...

Gorgeous Alison! I love the detail and color scheme. This is a great challenge and you're doing an amazing job. I love each and every one. :-) Have a great weekend, hugs.

Esther said...

Wow! So much to look at and a number of techniques to take in. I simply Love the all the hues and tones of blue and silver that you have used. Chipped Sapphire is one of my favourites.

chrissie said...

Very beautiful--your tags must look amazing if you look at them all at once.

Thank you for sharing them

Love Chrissie xx

Annie said...

Stunning tag Alison. Love the stamps used and techniques.

Beautifully pieced together x

Annie x

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! A simply stunning tag Alison, the blue & silver is magical!
Alison xx

Nan G said...

So elegant! And very Christmassy! Love the shimmer. Now I have to play with my book cover stamps!

Lisa Minckler said...

I am amazed at what you drew from the tag. I think it's exceptional the blue tones you've used. The entire tag just flows together seamlessly! I am truly inspired by the talent and thought you put into making this. :)
hugs to you Alison,
Lisa x

House of Bears said...

Oh my, this is just wonderful, our favourite though is that rose, you've made it look stunning. We love the word smoosh too!

Claire said...

Hi Alison, wow what a scrumptious tag, so rich and full of gorgeous details. Love it! Thanks for sharing with us at FSC this time
Claire xx

maj. said...

Stunning tag! Love all the wonderful details!

Bärbel said...

Mit dem embossten Hintergrund und der schönen Dekoration sieht das Tag sehr edel und wertvoll aus. Ich liebe es, ebenso die wunderbaren Stempel, die Sie dafür verwendeten.
Liebe Grüße und einen schönen 3. Advent!

Gillian .... said...

This is BEAUTIFUL Alison, the colour tone is just gorgeous, love the impact of the embossing detail, just a gorgeous make. x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How wonderful, the tag is really amazing. Love the color combination. Thanks for joining us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and Dragons Dream Tag It On.

Francesca said...

Lovely tag. francesca

Terry said...

Beautiful tag, Alison! Love all the embossing and that flower is gorgeous! So many pretty details! I have a melt pot, but have never used it! Have a lovely weekend!

Kate Yetter said...

Wow! Your embossing really makes this tag stunning! I love how you incorporated the star!

Bonnie Irvine said...

This tag is so elegant and wintry. I really like the bluery and the lovely silver embossing. Your flower looks gorgeous. Wow!

Zoechaos said...

Gorgeous design beautiful details, stunning tag. Thank you for sharing with us at Craft-Room Challenge XOXO Zoe

catherine said...

This is just so beautiful Alison and love everything about it.
x catherine

Kjersti said...

A gorgeous tags Alison, both this and below! Your creativity is unbeliveable...love to visit here:) Good luck in the competition - you are the winner if it's up to me:)
Have a nice week!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Hettie said...

Beautiful tag Alison. Love the colours you have used and the changes you have made to Linda's are great!
Hugs
Hettie
xx

Anonymous said...

So gorgeous! Love the colours too!
I think, I need the die....ohoh...

Lg siljan

Unknown said...

Love the texture and colors on this one. :) You are a tag maker extraordinaire Alison. Hugs

Sue said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison, I love your blues and silver together, and well done with your melt pot improvisation. Thanks for joining us at Tag It On. Sue xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Um..... WOW! This is stunning! I love the layered tag and all you've done with the greenery. LOL on the 'interesting' smell. I bet! Well worth it, though, for that gorgeous flower. Glad to catch up on your makes for the week. Always such a pleasure coming and seeing your work!

Monique's art said...

wow this is gorgeous, thanks for sharing at TIO

hazel said...

Your tag is stunning, I love it. Thank you for joining us at Craft-Room Challenge.
xxx Hazel.