Thursday, March 19, 2015

12 Tags of 2015 March

Hello everybody!  A huge welcome to my newest followers!  Today I have my version of Tim Holtz' March tag to link up to his challenge. There's so much beautiful spring color and amazing enameled texture in his original tag!  You can check out all of Tim's easy to follow instructions and his gorgeous tag here.

Tim encourages us to have fun with this one and allow our creative mind to wander and play.  And so I did!



I followed Tim's instructions:  lay down a collage of Tissue tape, add a marbling of Distress Paints, stamp your image and heat emboss, mask the image, apply texture paste through a Layering stencil, apply embossing powder, and finally add your elements.  I just changed things up a tiny bit with my color, image, stencil, embossing powder, focal point, and element choices.  After going to see my second favorite pianist, Elton John (my first is my daughter), I was inspired to get sparkly and psychedelic with my tag.

I used some of Tim's tissue tape and some butterfly washi tape I had in my stash. I then laid down my background color using Tim's technique--perhaps a little dark for Spring, but amongst the spring flowers, it has a freshness to it.

 



I wanted my heat embossed imagery to become part of the background, so I chose Tim's larger butterflies from his Attic Treasures set.  I simply masked them off with painter's tape before inking, so I could scatter them around my tag.

I used silver texture paste (Artco) and Tim's Flourish Layering stencil over my masked images, and added holographic embossing powder, carefully following Tim's instructions. I have to say the brand of texture paste I used is a little watery, and when applied over the Tissue and washi tape areas, there is some "bleed" under the stencil. This happened just over the washi and Tissue tape with several trials, so I'm guessing there just might not be enough tooth in these areas for this thinner paste. It also bubbled a little in places--again, just over the Tissue and washi tapes, in spite of drying for over 12 hours before heating. I decided to "embrace imperfection" and go with it! I was a lucky winner on Tim's blog for CHA sneak peeks and won this fabulous stencil!  Thank you, Tim; it's my favorite!



As you can see, the photos just don't pick up that sparkle the holographic embossing powder lays down, but it is SPARKLY in real life.  Some of the sparkle part of the powder rested in some of the butterfly areas, and I was able to catch just a hint of it on camera.

 I chose to make Tim's Layered Butterfly my focal image. I used black waste chipboard packaging for the die cut.  After embossing with the enclosed Texture Fade, I swiped on some gesso with a credit card and then spritzed with Perfect Pearls turquoise mist. So shimmery! I added some black half pearls from my stash for the body and head. I waffled over giving him antennae, but opted out, because there was so much going on in this tiny space.  He'll be OK without them because he is just a fantasy! When I see butterflies in real life, I can't see their antenna anyway.


I made some Chipped Enamel (Compendium of Curiosities Vol. I) flowers and foliage using Tim's Foliage trinkets. I added some Distress paint and ink for extra color on the layered flower and Brushed Pewter Distress paint to the single flower for sparkle. I colored the Mirrored star with alcohol ink.  I don't have Tim's loop pins yet (on the list), but I had this one single loop pin I sorted out of an estate sale box of buttons. Perfect!



I chose the Curiosities Word band, because I thought it suited the fantasy theme I've created.  I wiped Black Soot (Yes, it's black!) Distress paint over the band, let it set up for a minute or two, and wiped it off, leaving it in the recesses.  I took a little Perfect Pearl powder on my brush and swiped it on, so those letters are ALIVE!!! Again, the camera just doesn't do it justice! I used Paper twine to tie the Word band on the tag.


Tim's Crinkle ribbon can be colored using just about any medium, and so I threw everything at this little snippet.  Distress inks, stains, paints and then a spritz of Perfect Pearl mist  and then one of  turquoise, followed by another swipe of  Distress paint. It's so shimmery and glamorous and grungy all at the same time!


That's it for today!  I had so much fun making this month's tag that I may just have to make another!  Thank you for stopping in today and for all your inspiring comments!  I read and respond to each one! Hugs!

Sara Emily

I would like to enter this in the following inspiring challenges:

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 March

A Vintage Journey "Anything Tim" Happy first birthday, AVJ!  My Tim influence comes from his March tag and his book Compendium of Curiosities Vol. I. Happy numero uno birthday!

Frilly and Funkie "Bring On the Bling!" I hope you can see the SPARKLE!  Bling:  on the flourish, on the butterflies, big and small; on the word band; on the single flower; mirrored star, and pearls. I'm a "Funkie!"

Mixed Media World "Anything Goes" I'm very excited to join in on this first challenge here!

The Artistic Stamper "Spring is Coming!"
That's Crafty "Wings and Things Challenge"

A Sprinkle of Imagination Anything Goes

Our Creative Corner "Junk In Your Trunk"  My junk on this tag is the black chipboard waste packaging I made my butterfly from--it was the backing from an embossing folder. Other "junk":  the loop pin I found in a box of estate sale buttons.

Country View Challenges "Anything Goes" Happy 2nd Blogaversary!

Inspiration Journal "Spring Blooms"

Products: stamps: Tim Holtz Attic Treasures; die cuts: Tim Holtz Layered Butterfly; Tim Holtz Flourish Layering Stencil; Idea-ology:  Observations Word Bands, Mirrored Stars, Crinkle ribbon, Foliage Trinkets, Symphony Tissue Tape, Paper Twine; Ranger: alcohol inks, Perfect Pearls mists and powder, Holographic and clear embossing powders, #8 manila tag; Distress paint, stain and inks; Archival ink; Artco silver texture paste; pearls, pin, washi tape from stash.

46 comments:

  1. WOW Sara your tag is beautiful. The step by step is appreciated as it helps me to enjoy the journey with you.

    Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge, hope to see you on the next one.

    Mo:-)
    DT MMW

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  2. OMG, Sara! Your take on Tim's tag is stunning! I love that florish stencil a lot! The layered butterfly is fabulous, I love how you used the gesso and perfect pearl mist on it! The background colors are amazing! Thank you for the step by step instructions! I really enjoy looking at your awesome tag!
    Hugs :)
    Branka xxx

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    1. Awww, Branka, you are so generous with your praise! Thank you for your encouraging comment! Hugs!

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  3. Love that sparkly background and the butterfly! You have done it again. Hugs Jan x

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    1. Jan, it is always a treat when you visit! Thank you for your compliment! Hugs!

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  4. Wonderful Sara... I just adore what you have done with the butterfly and such a stunning tag too! Nikki ps got your email.... sorry been a bit busy this week, will sort Asap xx

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    1. Thank you, Nikki! No worries on the e-mail, no rush! Hugs!

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  5. OK Sara, I've been scrolling up and down for quite a while now and I still have jaw-on-floor syndrome! This is the most beautiful Tim tag ever! That butterfly is more than spectacular, I am just in luv with the way to put this together!! Wonderful colours for the background, and seems we have both taken a fancy to the Flourish stencil! This is outstanding my friend, definitely a winner!! big hugs :)

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    1. Pamellia, you are so generous with your praise! It is a pretty tag in person, but I'm afraid my technical ability with that texture paste just wasn't the best. But, oh, I really love that flourish stencil! You have really done it justice on your flower garden--talk about a winner! Whoa! Big Hugs to you, my friend!

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    2. I was so mesmerized by your gorgeous tag that I forgot to say Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie for our 'Bring on the Bling' challenge! Hugs, Pamellia DT :)

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  6. Super muted background that works so well with your butterfly. I also like the addition of the smaller butterflies. Thanks for joining in the challenge at A Vintage Journey and good luck.
    Julie xx

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    1. Thank you so muchf or this sweet comment, Julie!

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  7. This is totally gorgeous! I adore that large butterfly, and all the amazing texture, too! Beautiful tag! HUGS! :) Mynn xx

    PS: I'd LOVE for you to stop by my blog and check out my Pony CASE-Press tab--if you'd like to play along, please email me! LOVE your work! :)

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    1. Well, Mynn, aren't you a sweetheart! Thank you for your compliment and becoming my latest follower! Welcome! I'm happy you like my tag! I'll be stopping back shortly to check out the Pony Case-Press! Hugs!

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  8. Gorgeous tag Sara! Love the choice of stamps and stencil! Great colors too :) You are quite an artist my friend :) Have a great weekend :)

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    1. Samra, you always say the kindest things! I'm feeling just a little "small" after seeing your shadowbox book! Thank you for the boost and smile you've just put on my face! Enjoy your weekend, too! Hugs!

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  9. Wonderful tag Sara - Love your work. It looks like that butterfly could just take off from the tag at any second. Great job as always. Thanks for joining us at A Vintage Journey.

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    1. Wow, Sandy, what a lovely compliment! Your words have just lifted my spirits this morning!

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  10. Very nice! I Looove Tim Holz projects..he has so many wonderful ideas.

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    1. Tellu, thank you for visiting! I agree with you about Tim's creative ideas! I'm so happy he has this challenge, to allow us to practice those ideas!

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  11. I love this amazing Big butterfly : so precise details! A gorgeous make for Tim's tag!

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    1. Thank you so much, Lys! I appreciate you stopping in! Hugs!

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  12. Oh Boy what a lovely take on Tim's March Tag, Sara! It looks like that gorgeous butterfly has come to take a rest on that so very posh silvery flourished background--It's soooo pretty!! I'm so glad that you've pulled some Junk from Your Trunk to use on this tag :) A FAB entry for our challenge at Our Creative Corner!! Thanks so much for playing with us!! XOXO-Shari

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    1. Shari, what an inspirational comment from you! Thank you for putting a great big smile on my face this morning! Hugs!

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  13. What a gorgeous tag.
    Saw it on Pinterest and loved it immediately.
    Groetjes Gery

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    1. Welcome, Gery! I'm so happy you stopped in for a closer look and you like what you saw! Your comment made my day!

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  14. Wowcher!! If this isn't a winning tag, I don't know what is?!!! So elegant and beautifully put together. Hugs, Georgie xx

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  15. Ha! Ha! Georgie, I wish you were on the TH selecting team! Your comment has really lifted my spirits! I am having a "I'm not worthy" sensation lately! I hope YOU are feeling much better! Hugs, my friend!

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  16. Wonderful take on Tim's tag Sara, love all the wonderful sparkle you've incorporated and how you added the lovely little butterfly stamp to your background! Your layered butterfly is gorgeous and the embellishments perfect.

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    1. Wow, Deb! Thank you! You've just put a huge grin on my face! I'm so happy you like my tag!

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  17. Gorgeous tag! Love the colors and sparkle. Your embossed flourish is beautiful, I agree, Elton John is fabulous and I am sure he would approve of the psychedelic look of your tag.

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    1. Thank you, Kimberly! What a lovely compliment! I'm off to give your blog a visit!

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  18. Thanks for entering this into the Junk in your Trunk challenge at Our Creative Corner. What a lovely, intricate and visually interesting project! - Candice (aka Tincan Crafter) -

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    1. Wow, Candice, that's a very nice compliment! Thank you! It's been a particularly fun challenge for me!

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  19. Hi there fellow Funkie! I love this gorgeous version of Tim's tag with that beautifully altered butterfly. Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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    1. Thank you so much for your great comment! I t really made me smile!

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  20. Beautiful tag. I love the butterflies very much. Thank you for entering it into the challenge with ASOI

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    1. Thank you, Jaine! I feel like I'm really getting to know you, here! Sorry you had so many entries to comment on here!

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  21. Lovely! Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Challenge

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  22. Stunning Techniques Sara - that butterfly is gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you, Helen! I'm so happy you like my butterfly!

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  23. It's a glorious background, with that lovely silvery shimmer - but it's the butterfly who completely and utterly steals the show - a stunner! Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison xx

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    1. Thank you, Alison! You always have such nice things to say!

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