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Saturday 14 December 2013

Joyeux Noel





Hello all!  A quickish post today, just to share another of my Funkie Junkie-inspired Christmas tags.  

Have to be quick as I'm taking my nephew up to London as a birthday treat. His birthday was in April - so it's not just Craftyblogland where I'm catching up all the time!!

If you don't know about it yet (where have you been?!), the wonderful Linda Coughlin provides us all with inspiration in the form of 12 Tags of Christmas (and now two bonus tags after Christmas too, with an extended deadline).  

We create projects inspired by each of her tags, and link them all up over at The Funkie Junkie, and if you get them all done by the deadline, you'll be entered in the prize draw sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  All the details are here, with the update about the bonus tags and new deadline here.











This is my version of her Number 10 - you can see the fabulous original here.  If you check it out, you'll see I've cased the composition pretty closely, and I was also inspired by the holly stencil background, the sparkly frame and that lovely bow with its holly leaf extras.

I did my background slightly differently, using the Tim Holtz stencil with texture paste rather than as an embossing folder.  










In fact, it was a piece of card left over from previous experimentation - bright blue and in need of several coats of paint before I was happy.

I added music stamping, rather than script, but from the same set as Linda used, Artistic Outpost's Ephemera Backgrounds.










And I kept to a neutral colour palette - seems to be my favoured mode of Christmas crafting - so there's Stone Fresco paint, Coffee Archival ink and Gathered Twigs and Vintage Photo Distress Inks involved.












I used another Artistic Outpost image, from their Snowy Woods plate, to go inside my frame, stamped on a gesso'd book page.  And the little Joyeux Noel greeting is from the same set.












Not having any coloured Distress Glitter, I used Rock Candy over a piece of Tim Holtz paper cut with the Ornate Frame die.  Can't remember what glue I used for this stage, but it wasn't very effective (or I didn't apply it very well), so it's a very subtle sparkle on that frame!!















My bow is silk ribbon, and my holly leaves are cut from some more book pages, edged with Gathered Twigs.  













I added some actual twigs to the mix too.















I liked the book page holly leaves so much that I added some to the top of the frame too.












The topping follows a similar pattern, with a little pine cone added, and tied with my much loved rustic twine.  

The sparkly holly berries are from Live and Love Crafts.










I said this'd be short, so I'll just mention the Shabby White Frantage...










... and the fact that the whole thing looked unfinished, so I added a matted frame of corrugated card which got a coat of French Roast Fresco paint and then a generous sprinkling of Rock Candy Dry Glitter (to make up for the lack of it on the frame by this time).

Okay, done!  I'll be back tomorrow with my DT contribution to this month's Our Creative Corner challenge, A Very Vintage Christmas, where we're looking for Christmas projects done entirely in a neutral colour palette... I reckon I should manage that okay, don't you?!  Hope to see you then and, in the meantime, have a lovely weekend.

I'd like to enter this as my Tag 10 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Sing hey!  Sing hey!
For Christmas Day;
Twine mistletoe and holly.
For a friendship glows
In winter snows,
And so let's all be jolly!
Anonymous


38 comments:

Julie Lee said...

I love the natural elements on this, Alison and that Snowy Woods plate is just so amazingly full of good things: what a wonderful vintage Santa this one looks like he would not be out of place in a German Christmas market - completely different in character to the other two on the plate! The Gothic script on the holly leaves is genius! A fabulous idea - the twigs, the pine-cone, I could go on and on! I just love this one! Julie Ann xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

A fabulous vintage tag and full of so many wonderful bits and pieces! I love the background and the subtle music stamping. Just gorgeous x

Evelyn Walter said...

This tag is wonderful again! I love all the details you did! .....and the german book pages ;o) Have a nice weekend and a happy day with your nephew! Hugs Evelyn

Helen said...

So beautiful, Alison - as always! - love the holly leaves particularly. Think I may have to abandon Christmas prep and go play...! Hope you enjoy London and it's not too crammed with people (I was there last Saturday so know what you'll face, depending on where you go!) xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Such a great detailed Christmastag Alison...fab look!
Nice weekend, Alie :-)

Paper Profusion said...

Truly beautiful Alison. Enjoy your day out. Nicola x

Redanne said...

Beautiful Alison, that Santa image is gorgeous and love the corrugated card as the base. Hope you have a wonderful time in London. Hugs, Anne x

Martina said...

You have made a gorgeous Christmas creation, dear Alison! Too bad that I had this year not so much free time. I wish you have a nice festive
season and a nice weekend, my dear.
Hugs and wishes
MARTINA

Marci said...

I like the stenciled texture paste holly leaves. And I think the frantage round the edges is just enough. Lovely tag. Oh, the wonder and excitement of a five year old.

sam21ski said...

Fab tag and the shabby white vintage finishes it off perfectly xxx

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison,
your tag in rusted colour tones and white, is wonderful. I love the background ,and just got that stencil myself.the bow and real twigs, are beautiful adds to your gorgeous creation.
xo, Dorthe

House of Bears said...

Oh that is just gorgeous. We always love seeing your tag makes. There's so much detail in them. X

Lisa Minckler said...

OMG it's GORGEOUS!!! I'm finally here to participate and I feel just like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I know I'm terribly late, but I'm so excited to peruse ALL your posts I've missed. I probably won't comment on all, but just know I'm drawing inspiration by the second. :) Hope you're doing well and have fun shopping today!
Big hugs to you,
Lisa x
Off to see what all I've missed and drool profusely...

Deborah said...

Where to start?! Love the real twigs, the texture paste through the holly stencil,the shabby white frantage....gorgeous! Hope you had a lovely day in London with your nephew.

Chrissy said...

This is superb Alison..I love the textured holly leaves and fabulous image..love the twigs and lush ribbon...gorgeous tag.

luv CHRISSYxx

Nan G said...

It's a beauty. Great texture as usual. Love the bit of frantage snow. :) The addition of the glittery corrugated ...brilliant!

Carol Q said...

stunning tag Alison - love that holly.

Ana K. said...

Your creations are always so interesting Alison…Background is amazing...frame, twigs, leaves and sparkles are details which make this tag really marvellous!
Have a nice weekend!

Rita said...

Beautiful Tag Alison. I used texture paste on my holly stencil too this morning. Looks excellent too. Enjoy London. Hugs Rita xx

Brenda Brown said...

Wonderful tag Alison, a gorgeous background and the colours remind me of frothy coffee and hazelnut topping. Hope you had fun in town with your nephew.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
hugs {brenda} x0x

ionabunny said...

Fantastic tag. Love the background and colours

Astrid Maclean said...

Fabulous tag Alison, I so love that stamp and you have used him to perfection. Hope you had a fun day in London! And I have to say, this post made me smile because you introduced it as a "quickish" one, for most of the rest of us this would be mammoth lol.... but yes, I guess for you it was "quickish" :o)

Meggymay said...

Beautiful tag, love all the wonderful details.
Yvonne

Hettie said...

Wow Alison. This is my favourite of yours so far. The twigs is genious and I really want to pinch that idea. Gorgeous.
Hugs
xx

Anonymous said...

From the stencilled tag to all the gorgeous details and that fabulous Father Christmas, this is one delight after another.
Wishes
Lynne

Margaret said...

Another fabulous tag! The music notes and the sparkle give it a festive touch, and I love the vintage Santa!

Shirley said...

Love ole Mr Grumpy Alison he really looks bah humbug. The twigs are an amazing idea with the bow.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

chrissie said...

Terrific tag and I love the twigs and string adornment. Great to see how you created the background.

Love Chrissie x

Anonymous said...

Wonderful natural elements & lots of yummy glitter...a beautiful tag Alison xxx

May said...

Gorgeous tag Alison, full of wonderful texture & natural elements...Love it... Hugs May x x x

cathylynn said...

Alison this is another awesome tag. I love the color tones and textures. Super duper tag!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Netty said...

oooh yes I love this tag, full of Christmas spirit..........hang on you forgot the wine...........guess I will have to have a glass and toast your good health. Hugs Annette x

Anonymous said...

Completely & utterly stunning. I love the twigs & fir cone, they are perfect embellishments.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Totally delightful, Alison! Your use of the texture paste is terrific, love the way it looks. The holly leaves from the book page are fantastic - wish our books over here had print like that! Beautiful ribbon cluster too. Lovely work!

hugs,
Linda

Kelly said...

Your tag is awesome! I love the frame colors against the background. I also love the ribbon, leaves and twigs together, this looks fabulous!
Hugs Kelly

Mrs.B said...

Another gorgeous tag, love the different textures
Avril xx

Sandy said...

I do believe that this is one of my favorites Alison. You know when you feel a big sigh in your heart? Well that is what I feel about your tag. So many ideas to steal!! Why pay for classes when I can just go to your blog! I tell you - you ought to do a book. I would buy it!! I know you had a wonderful April birthday trip with your nephew - just think - April will be here before you know it!!!!
Sandy

Kasia said...

Beautiful! Love the natural elements on it :) Fabulous background!