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Tuesday 26 December 2017

A time of peace and gladness





Hello all!  I hope you've been enjoying fine food, fine company (or fine peace and quiet, according to taste!) and fine times.


I've had some of each, with more to come, but for now I'm here with my penultimate tag in the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas.

I'm finding it tough to pick a favourite this year, but this gentle tag might just be the one.

I loved the broad ribbons wrapped around Linda's inspirational Tag 11, topped with a die-cut, so that was the starting point for mine.

I've been using the Anna Marie Designs Jingle Christmas pad as you know - in the 8x8 size.  So the tags which use that paper are 8x4 - just a single sheet cut in half vertically and mounted onto cardboard.  (And I've trimmed all the other tags to match in size.)











That meant that I always had a second "tag" left from each sheet, and I thought I might as well use them - so there are several pairs amongst the tags.

This one pairs with one of my other favourites, A Merry Little Christmas, which has the same fir tree and music background.












Linda's wide ribbon is actually cut from paper, but I decided to go with this lovely fine mesh ribbon from my stash.  I pleated it slightly and used my Tiny Attacher to staple the pleats in place.











Over that, I added some of my much-loved Idea-ology Linen Ribbon.  It's a subtle tonal and textural contrast, but it makes me very happy.













I thought the fir branch background would be a good setting for a deer as my central die-cut focal point, but couldn't decide at first between the leaping deer and the standing one from the TH Reindeer Flight Bigz die.

I went back and forth for a while, but in the end the leaper won out.








He's cut in textured brown card and inked with Black Soot Oxide, as are most of the die-cuts I've used across the whole set of tags (apart from the snowflakes, obviously!).

I had to trim padded tape to fit his slender legs and to go under his head.  With that and the pleated ribbon in the centre, he really does leap from the tag in a very satisfyingly dimensional way.










The topping is made with some of the punched fir branches leftover from the wreath you saw on Christmas Eve on my Christmas Bells Are Ringing tag.  I added a Muse Token and some of the large berries which have also put in an appearance before.












There are some more punched branches with some tiny berries tucked into the central ribbon feature.












And down at the foot of the tag, echoing Linda's medallion but in slightly different form, is a tag nestled into some more greenery.

And that tag carries the inevitable Christmas Clippings words.









These days after most of the Christmas festivities are accomplished are really my favourites.  The tree stays up until 12th Night (6th January), and this time of peace and gladness, spent with candlelight, music, and some good books to read, is a wonderful oasis in what is often a harum-scarum kind of existence. 

I hope you will also find time to indulge in your own favourite activities before the real world intrudes again.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon.

A pine needle fell in the forest.  The hawk saw it.  The deer heard it.  The white bear smelled it.
Edith Pattou



I'd like to share this as my Tag 11 in the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique

31 comments:

Mac Mable said...

Hope you find your oasis between Christmas and the 6th January x The prettiest of tag with a vintage look to it. Love the mini tag on the tag and the muted colours, the pop of brown and the leaping deer x

Kate Yetter said...

I agree with you...I am loving this tag! It beautiful and full of natural touches. Looking forward to seeing your last tag!
Kate

Helen said...

what a gorgeous tag ! I am a bit fed up with peace and quiet now, to be honest.. but am enjoying the lack of real world activities!

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful!!! I love every tiny detail on it!!! Big hugs

Astrid Maclean said...

I am so enjoying your 12 tags this year Alison, I just love how you have kept them all in neutral colours! The ribbon detail and leaping dear are wonderful additions to this one! Another favourite for sure.! Enjoy your peace and quiet during the holy nights, - it's my favourite time of year too....

froebelsternchen said...

Such a pretty tag - absolutely adorable dear Alison!
Hope you enjoy your days until 2018 starts!
oxo Susi

Marci said...

Quietly lovely. I have enjoyed your tag series.

Hazel Agnew said...

Another wonderful tag Alison. There is such beautiful harmony here, which pleases me so much. I feel the mood of the tag and the crispness underfoot. Just wonderful xx

craftytrog said...

Another beautiful tag Alison! I love the subdued colours and touches of fabric that you used.
Looking forward to a quiet day today, with a blustery walk to blow away the cobwebs.
Alison xox

Meggymay said...

Yes this tag is really beautiful, you added some lovely words as well.
Enjoy the rest of the Holidays.
Yvonne xx

Paper Profusion said...

So very lovely Alison. These days and nights are my favourites too. Nicola x

Mrs.B said...

Another beautiful tag Alison, I love the papers you used and keeping the colours in subtle shades throughout has really worked well.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday season.
Avril xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful tag filled with such unique details, Alison! I love the pleated ribbon and the tiny tag nestled among the branches. I am going to be so sad to see your 12 Tags of Christmas end. They have been an absolute delight to view. I think I will be revisiting them often to oooo and ahhhh.

Neet said...

I just love all the little touches that you put into making this tag the special one that it is. Love that Ideology ribbon you have used in the first instance, then the Muse token and the large berries used at the top. All of those added to the background, tag and, of course, the reindeer, make for one beautiful tag.
May I take this opportunity to wish you al the very best for 2018 - may you contilnue to delight us with your beautiful work and your stunning portrayal of it all on your blog.
Hugs, Neet xx

SewPaperPaint said...

My absolute favorite too Alison! That leaper really shines against the pale background. What a lesson in contrast, texture and balance! Love every single detail. Hugs, Autumn

Chrissy said...

A wonderful tag Alison..I love how you attatched the wide mesh with the staples and the reindeer hides it all..love the pine needles and baubles..just lovely.

luv CHRISSYxx

Art By Wanda said...

Gorgeous!!!

Redanne said...

Your tag really does have a delicate gentle feel, the mesh and linen ribbon are beautiful and I just love the leaping deer, he is a real beauty! The berries are such a wonderful touch too! Hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday season! Anne xx

Lou said...

This really makes my heart sing, it is simple indulgent elegance and I love it! Lou x

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag! Happy Holidays to you and yours, hugs, Valerie

Cocofolies said...

This is such an exquisite tag Alison, I’m loving how you put and tie your ribbons, and all the beautiful elements! Gorgeous.
I can read you have had a peaceful and joyous Christmas time, so good... I wish you all of the very best for 2018. I can’t wait to see more of your wonderful creations next year.
I'm going to do a bit of catch-up with all your wonderful tags following Linda's inspiration!
Hugs, Coco x x x

SueC said...

Another beautiful tag Alison,I love the subtle colours again and the addition of the fabric across the centre is fabulous. Sue C x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Your tags are really mini works of art Alison, beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year to you :)
Hugs
Donna xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

I have been so busy trying to catch up with my tags I have been neglecting to look at other blogs! I have just had a wonderful catch up here! It has been like walking through a Winter Wonderland Alison! I can see you are becoming quite glittery these days! Oh and by the way - please stop showing products that I must have - my list gets longer and longer!!! (grin) Hugs, Chrisxx

Dortesjs said...

Great post this, love your tags always - do have a great new year 2018 ;O)) thanks for the old one

Dorthe said...

Adorable, Alison, -beautiful with the dye cut fir,and the stamped ones, too. I love you added the ribbon, and the dancing deer. the tiny tag just said it all !!
Dorthe xoxo

sarascloset said...

Oh, my, yes! This is a favorite! (I guess I could say that about each one of yours!) I love that rich chocolate deer jumping over that delicate background, and aren't you so creative to use that strip of linen ribbon over the soft white broad ribbon. I love the pleats! Squeal! Every single detail is breath taking, Alison! What a gift you have given us with this delightful creation! Happy New Year!

Jackie PN said...

Wow and WOW! you never stop! heehee
Another favorite indeed and I just LOVE the piece you added to the center- they truly tie everything else together so beautifully!
Alison, you rock!!
hugs,Jackie xx

Craftyfield said...

Another beautiful tag Alison, I can't wait to see them all together!
Enjoy your New Year's eve festivities!

Sue said...

What a fabulous tag, especially how you've layered the ribbon, really lovely xx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

It seems like I love each successive tag more than the one before. They just keep getting better and better! This is SO fabulous, Alison. The background is gorgous. I don't know if it is all paper or some of it is stamped but it is really wonderful. The mesh ribbon is fantastic too. I just love everything about this tag. You totally rocked week #11. I'm sorry I'm so late to get around to commenting. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas season!

Hugs,
Linda