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Saturday 30 November 2013

Be Merry!




Hello all.  I'm feeling pretty merry: two Funkie Junkie inspired posts in a week... I might manage the whole 12 Tags of Christmas yet!

But, in a move that could cause chaos (only for me, it's okay), I've leapt out of order.  I did my Number 1, and now this is my version of Number 8.  

This could mean I end up with three of one and none of some others, unless I keep a very tight rein on things.  But this was the one that caught my attention next, so I yielded to temptation.

It runs pretty close to Linda's original, but I've used Artistic Outpost stamps to create mine.

If you haven't yet joined in, there is still time.  This is only my second piece, and we have until 22nd December to get them all done.  The competition details are all here with Tag 1, and there are prizes sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique (well worth a visit anyway if you've never been - lots of AO stamps, quite apart from all the other lovely stuff).



So, I did the background pretty much following Linda's instructions - but my snowflakes are from Snowy Woods (the large ones) and Sleigh Ride (the small ones).













My Father Christmas (from Snowy Woods again) is stamped on book paper with a wash of Vanilla Fresco paint over it.














The sentiment is also from Snowy Woods, with a little touch of the fir branch from the same set.












I don't have a snowflake die or punch, though I'm sorely tempted by the one Linda used, so I used some little Studio Calico wooden stars to add interest.














I loved the touch of the little rusty bell, so I added one of my own, tied with fine twine.











And the same twine fastens the very subtly inked seam binding at the top.









Somehow it needed a bit more length, so I decided to use the Vintage Lace Decorative Strip Die on another book page and inked that to add to the foot of the tag.  

And we're done!

I'm entering this as Tag 8 in the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique





A merry heart doeth good like medicine.
King Solomon

49 comments:

Evelyn Walter said...

Very nice again, dear Alison! I really love your work, one can see the joy you have in making in every single project. Have a nice weekend xx Evelyn

Claudia N. said...

What a lovely, lovely tag, Alison!

Love the see the lace die back in use again and the tiny bell is such a gorgeous addition too!

The embossed snowflake background is absolutely wonderful!
And thank you so much for your wonderful comment on my blog too! :))

Hugs,
Claudia x

Marci said...

Love this one, too. Very nice color, the embossed snowflakes are beautiful, and the stars, vintage lace diecut, and stamping just go together so perfectly.

Marci said...

P.S. The little rusty bell is just right.

Amanda said...

Great festive tag, I can't resist a snowflake and that background is stunning
Love
Amanda x

Meggymay said...

Super tag, the trimming look fantastic.
Yvonne

Shirley said...

So far so good Alison I can't wait to see more. Fabby tag and how cute is the frou frou looking edge.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Ana K. said...

Again stunning....rusty bell and paper lace are perfect for vintage tag...

Margaret said...

Your tag is gorgeous and I love the rusty jingle bell!!

Finally finding time to pop in and attempt to catch up again!!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Gorgeous!! Of course I love your color palette :) And I adore that rusty bell ... perfect. The wooden stars are really a great rustic touch. They go so well with the book pages and the stamps that you used. Fabulous tag. I wish I could play along. I don't think I'll make it this year though. -- Mary Elizabeth

Inkypinkycraft said...

a really gorgeous tag, love all those subtle details...still hoping to join in x :)

barbarayaya62 said...

How I love your tag! I love everything, the colors, the stamp, the sentiment, the blue is a beautiful color for the holidays! Wonderful as always!!!! BArbarayaya

Kelly said...

So sweet and soft and love the colors. The sentiment is really nice too. I love the wood, twine and rusty bell that brings it in so naturally.
Beautiful.
Kelly

Terry said...

Very pretty Christmas tag, Alison! I love the mix of blues and brown and the added little bell! Hugs!

Dagmar said...

wow - beautiful tag - the embossed snowflake background is fantastic!

Jenny Marples said...

A beautiful tag Alison. The background snowflakes are so delicate and add such depth, and the little lace border is a fantastic finishing touch. Good luck with getting the rest completed. Jenny x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Such a nice Santa...he feels well on this lovely tag Alison.
Have a nice Sunday, Alie :-)

Astrid Maclean said...

Wonderful take on Linda's original Alison and I have to say I love those snow flake stamps! The stars are a great addition too. Number 8 was one of my favourites too!

Julie Lee said...

This is lovely! I love the use of text on the trim and that beautiful, blue. I really want to join in this challenge because the tags are so gorgeous and I think it would be such fun, but I wonder if it's realistic, as I haven't done a single tag yet. I keep wondering if I could manage them all in one frenzy of crafting! Julie Ann xx

Deborah said...

A lovely tag, Alison, in your signature colours, but that Santa doesn't look too friendly, does he. Wouldn't want to go into *his* grotto!:-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful tag in my favourite colour combo! Love the stars; just got some in stock and they are adorable. Agree with Deborah above; Santa looks a bit grumpy, LOL. Hugz, Sandy

Kate Yetter said...

Lovely tag! I love the soft blue with the embossed snow flakes. And of course Father Christmas is awesome!

Netty said...

Smashing Christmas tag, love the colourings and the cute rusty bell. Hugs Annette x

Cinderella Moments said...

Oh yes! The rusty bell finishes it perfectly. It's such a gorgeous tag.
hugs♥,
Caroline

Mona Pendleton said...

So pretty Alison! Love all the snowflakes and Vintage Santa! The wooden stars scattered about add a nice touch!

Shelby said...

Gorgeous tag! You always are so creative and bring all of the different elements together just beautifully for awesome composition.

Shelby

Brenda Brown said...

A fabulous take Alison, lovely colours and images and the border finishes it off beautifully.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow Alison so loving your christmasy tag, that santa is awesome and I love your blue background. Hugs :-) Kezzy xxx

May said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, Love the blue & all the fantastic trimmings...perfect festive image too....Hugs May x x

chrissie said...

Terrific ideas on this tag. Love the fancy piece of book page at the bottom.

Chrissie x

Paper Profusion said...

Gorgeous tag Alison! The lace end is a brilliant addition and I love your little stars. HappY Sunday! Nicola x

Anonymous said...

Fantastic tag, I love the colours & the lace is so pretty. I'm now three tags behind, but I'm determined to get all twelve made before the 22nd - three weeks away, plenty of time......

Cocofolies said...

A really lovely tag Alison, love this delicate background, and all the cute details on it... Hugs Coco xx

Redanne said...

This is so beautiful Alison, loving the colour palette and the gorgeous vintage Santa.

Annie and I had a fabulous but very tiring weekend, Finn taught for 9 hours! Hugs, Anne x

Martina said...

So beautifully designed, dear Alison! Again a feast for the eyes.

I wish you a wonderful first Advent:-)

maj. said...

So lovely tag, Alison!!!!

Candy C said...

Alison...your tag is gorgeous! <3 Candy

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Fabulous festive tag Alison, love the snowflakes in the background! xx

Unknown said...

Hehe I totally understand creating out of order, I do it all the time because I just can't seem to go along with the normal flow of things. I think it must be a sign of genius creativity - at least that's how I do and will choose to see things x. Another gorgeous tag Alison, I will look forward to seeing the rest

Patti P. said...

Gorgeous Alison, I love every element on this beautiful tag....especially the rusty bell!!!
hugs....

Unknown said...

Love this tag and the little jingle bell too! Good luck with the challenge Alison. :) Hugs

Gio said...

This is very inpired! Truly delicate and so vintage!

Dorthe said...

Beautiful, blue snowflakes on blue sky, and the sweetest santa-
I love the paper add in the bottom,- and your stars falling.
xo, Dorthe

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's a gorgeous tag, love the blue and brown combination. Santa looks fab.

Nan G said...

This is a gorgeous tag! Love the wintery color scheme. Now to get caught up with all your posts!

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great tag!!!I really love the colours!!

Greetings
Maria

Cathy L. Calamas said...

Love this tag and your chalked canvas below. Its so inspiring to see non-traditional colors used for Christmas themes. Really quite beautiful in blues/browns.

Bärbel said...

Das Tag ist wunderschön, herrliche Stempel und eine tolle Gestaltung.
Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Your background came out fantastic, Alison. Love that you used all AO stamps for this piece. The book page is fantastic - LOVE the font! And those little wooden stars are delightful and perfect in pace of snowflakes! Another lovely tag!

Hugs,
Linda