Seeing Double

Hello again!  Thank you for dropping in...  You've got a "twofer" today - two for the price of one, almost the very last of my Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas.

In fact, they are the last of the "Christmas" tags, and then I've just got one bonus "Thank You" tag left to go.

These are my versions of numbers 6 and 7, which for some reason ended up getting left until last.

And these sort of work as a pair because each of them uses one of the wooden decorations from the Czech Republic which have appeared on a couple of other Funkie Junkie Christmas tags, here and here.

So let's at least do these two in the right order and start with Number 6.  You can see Linda's version here.

I was inspired by her beautiful tag to use some of the Maja Designs papers from It's Christmas Time (though I have the smaller 6x6 versions).  

I find it very hard to rip into the paper pads, so this was a good nudge to actually use some rather than just stroking them!




















I used Iced Spruce as my main colour inspiration for this tag (as Linda did with her tree), so the papers are layered onto a tag that's been doused in Iced Spruce Distress Stain.













And, like Linda, I've used a tree as my main focus, treated similarly to how Linda treated hers.












Mine of course started as a wooden ornament rather than a die-cut...

... but then I painted it, inked it with Iced Spruce, and stamped some lettering, before using DecoArt One-Step Crackle on it.













I inked the crackle with Walnut Stain Distress Stain so that it would get down into the cracks, and then wiped the surface clean again. 











I also made a burlap bow, but decided to cut the ribbon in half lengthwise since I'm working on a smaller tag than Linda's, and the full width was a bit overwhelming.

The little firework and star are by Studio Calico, and I inked them with the Stampers Big Brush Pens.









You saw my bargain deer in yesterday's tag, and here's the "25" that goes with him, cut out of handmade paper and inked a little.













I stamped the sentiment from the Artistic Outpost Midwinter plate onto some gesso'd book paper and cut it to size as a mini-tag to echo Linda's torn notebook paper.  




A touch of Idea-ology linen ribbon and that's Number 6 done and dusted.  So onto the next one...

Number 7 took off from the amazing enamelled background Linda had created for her inspiration tag.  

But I converted her poinsettias to stars - both for the embossed background and as my focal image.  

And I converted her Vintage Photo colour palette to Stormy Sky/Faded Jeans...


















I used the Tim Holtz Starry Night embossing folder on my tag, inked over it with the two blues I mentioned, and then used the Enamelling embossing powder over the whole thing.  

I've had this in the stash for a while and only used it once or twice, and I LOVE the effect - so you'll be seeing this some more!













I inked around the edges with Walnut Stain - love the distressed look where it's able to take on the
card underneath.














I liked the effect so much that I decided to do it on my star too. 










But first I needed to create the background colour.  I used Stormy Sky and Antique Linen Distress Paints, encouraging them to marbleize together with some spritzes of water.













Once that was dry, I did the Enamelling thing again - yum!















But then, of course, I needed a layer between the star and the stars, or it wouldn't show up... 











... so I reached for a book page (naturally!).















That dictated the use of book pages to create the JOY lettering too, cut using the Tim Holtz WordPlay die.

And rather than three tags on my small-size tag, I decided to put all the letters onto one kraft tag.








I also cut some kraft flourishes from the Festive Greenery Decorative Strip Die, and all the kraft got a good inking with Walnut Stain.

The finishing touches "match" the partner tag... some Studio Calico stars...

... some linen ribbon...








... plus a little twist of rusty wire for fun.

So, double trouble for you today, and a long post, I'm afraid... but the finishing post (tee hee!) is now in sight.  One bonus tag to go, and then I'll leave you in peace (sort of).






Thank you so much for your company today - I'm looking forward to doing some Craftyblogland visiting once this whole rush is over!

Two things awe me most, the starry sky above me and the moral law within me.
Immanuel Kant

One today is worth two tomorrows.
Benjamin Franklin

I'm entering these as Tag 6 and Tag 7 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.