Friday, December 16, 2016

Festive Gift Card Holders-12 Tags of Christmas-Funkie Junkie Style-Week 12!

Welcome friends and visitors! Today I have my interpretation of Linda's last of her 12 Tags of Christmas-Funkie Junkie Style, being week 12. Linda has been hosting this inspirational challenge for 12 weeks (well, duh!), and each week she outdoes herself with another wintry/holiday tag for anyone to interpret as they wish. Generous prizes are awarded at the end of the challenge, and Linda's wonderful shop The Funkie Junkie Boutique is the sponsor. We all are winners, though, in that we've learned and shared new ideas and are rewarded with a stash of Christmas cards to send out either this year, or if you're like me, it might be next! Ha! Ha! This had to be my favorite tag of all! Not only is it beautiful and in my favorite colors, but the inspiration came at a time I needed it most! I was trying to think of some grand way to present gift cards to my sister and Mom. This was like a prayer answered!


You can see Linda's delightfully festive pocket tag on her blog and see that I was inspired by her snowy background, the vintage Tidings "Noel", die cut greens, embossed pine branches, the little charm, and of course her pocket stuffed with Christmas ephemera. I've had to make some minor changes due to not having the same products, but otherwise it was a straight case of casing! I made two, because I needed two, and I really wasn't happy with my first attempt. We learn so much from our mistakes, but sometime we just have to embrace our impurrfections, which I did many times over on both of my tags. Here is my second tag, which was actually my first. That says Joy, and will hereafter be referred to as the Joy tag.




I made my Peace tag on a black tag and gave it several coats of gesso. This probably was mistake number one. I should have gone with a manila tag, but hey ho, onward and upward! After painting with Evergreen Bough Distress paint, I flicked on some rubbing alcohol. Sometimes those little dots can become big blobs if you don't stop them. I'm going to need to cover that up! Because of the variation of tones, I painted on a wash of white acrylic paint over the full tag to bring the color back a little.

 

I used the same color over gesso on the smaller panel, but you can see the difference the black substrate and using ink versus paint makes. I did the water spritz and flick just like Linda did on her tag. Live and learn, or not! The small panel was embossed with Tim's Poinsettia Texture Fade and I colored the flower with Picked Raspberry Distress ink. I can't tell you exactly what steps I took to achieve this, but it did involve covering it with gesso a second time after I painted the flower. It looked horrible! But I kind of liked the retro look, so I went with it.


Paint splatter, background stamping (Heidi Swapp script stamp with Distress Archival ink), and embossed pine branches, just like Linda's tag, but I had to substitute my new Tim Holtz stencil in place of the Noel die cut, since I don't have that. That didn't turn out so well using transparent matte texture paste and white puffy embossing powder on the Joy tag, but again, I embraced my imperfection, and tried something else with Peace--plain ole texture paste. Better? You be the judge!


I used Tim's Christmas Blueprints 4 for the pine branches on this one. Christmas ephemera, winter greens, a sweet charm, rustic twine, and a bit of bling on the pocket portion (Stickles), in the likes of Linda's  tag. I couldn't locate my early Tim Holtz  Merry Christmas stamp that Linda used, so I had to settle with some Metallic Holiday Talk stickers. Excuse the phrase, but this kind of killed two birds with one stone--I got my sentiment and some of the metallic that Linda used on her pocket. I tried to use my gilded rub ons, but although they will stick to anything if you look at them the wrong way, they would NOT stick to my tag!

  I'm going to tuck in a little gift card behind the ephemera. This is for my sister and brother in law--I think they will be quite sick of poinsettias by the time Christmas is over.



This one's going to my Mom. See that Special Delivery tag? Hopefully we are going to surprise her and deliver her Christmas present in person. I chose the tag in the pocket for the tiny birds. Her gift is going to be a squirrel proof bird feeder and a years supply of safflower seed, which the squirrels typically won't touch. Sorry all my squirrel loving friends, but Mom said she stopped putting bird food out because the squirrels were eating her out of house and home. But I know she misses seeing her birds.


I forgot to take a photo of the background before I covered it up. I used Distress sprays for this one, and edged in Vintage Photo Distress ink. For my pine, I used a stamp from Tim's Scribble Woodland set. Isn't that deer sweet? She and the silver bells charm are from Linda's shop.



I didn't have Tim's little paper clips, so I used a funky one from my stash. The winterberry branches are embossed with Tim's Texture Fade of the same name. A little Stickles for the berries. You can plainly see another goofy I made with the pocket portion on this tag. Those lines along the sides are score lines. Somehow I had the bright idea I would make this dimensional, but that is an engineering feat greater than I can handle at this time of the year! So I just have scored lines. Mom will think it was a plan.


Well, that's a wrap for me, too! I've so enjoyed Linda's 12 Tags of Christmas challenge! Thank you so much, Linda, for all your hard work and for all your comments you've so lovingly left! I know you are a busy lady,and it deeply touches me that you take the time to comment on each and every entry on top of providing us with such high quality inspiration! Have a Merry Christmas, and I wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Many of the products I've used can be found at The Funkie Junkie Boutique...


I'm sharing my tags with these challenges:
-Crafty Cardmakers challenge #179-Christmas With a Twist My twist are the non-traditional colors on my Peace tag-pink. 1/16

Thank you for visiting today and for your wonderful comments! I read and appreciate each and every one of them! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hugs and Blessings!
Sara Emily

Yippee!


23 comments:

  1. Yay, congratulations on crossing the finish line Sara Emily. What a grand finale you have for us, not one but two beautiful tags. Thank you for including all the details on how you created your yummy backgrounds. Love the pockets and the fun ephemera you stuffed into them. So glad they will be put to good use with your gift card giving.

    Thank you so much for joining in the 12 Tags of Christmas Funkie Junkie Style. I was so delighted that you were able to participate this year. Good luck in the drawing for the gift certificates!

    Hugs,

    Linda

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  2. Record time! I've got two more days to post two more tags! YIKES, but I'm done just need to post... I LOVE LOVE what you've done with these two, AAAAH MAZING! Every detail, even the retro looking poinsettias, is perfect. You amaze me and Im so glad this tag gave you a way to give a special gift. Wonderful! Hugs, Autumn

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  3. Oh, I absolutely adore both of your tags, Sara! I always enjoy reading your amazing posts and this one is not an exception! Your sister and your Mom are such lucky ladies and I am sure they are going to be over the moon happy when recieve these stunners! You used so many fantastic techniques again and I especially love how you used your stencils for the words Joy and Peace! Also, I love how you dry embossed your tags and then embellished it so wonderfully! Vintage Christmas heaven, that's what it is, my dear friend! So very creative and so beautiful, as everything you do in crafting! Thank you so much for all the sweet comments you left on my blog! You are awesome!
    While I am here, I want to thank you so much for joining in our Christmas Wishes challenge at Stamps and Stencils! Have a great weekend! Big hugs! Branka xx

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  4. Wonderful tags Sugar - for someone who loves Halloween so much, you sure do make pretty Christmas tags!
    Merry Christmas Sara Emily!
    Sandy Claus xx

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  5. Oh my goodness, Sara Emily, both are so stunning!! I absolutely love the texture and layers!! I could never put something this amazing together!! I love the techniques you used and the details!! They truly works of art!! Your mom and sister will treasure them!! Gorgeous, gorgeous tags my sweet friend!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  6. two truely stunning tags sara - I love them and know that they will be adored by your mum and sister! Hugs rachel x

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  7. Lucky your mum and sister receiving these beautiful tags. I love how you created the green background, and I love your mistakes!

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  8. You did it - congrats! I love both tags, Sara Emily, they're amazing, and what mistakes? I love the backgrounds on both, I can't even pick a favorite, although your muted background with poinsettias is really WOW!Love, love, love them both. Your mom and sis will love them and your mom's gift is so thoughtful. You had a great FJ 12 tag series - good luck in the drawing :-) Hugs!

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  9. Two beautiful versions of Tag 12 - a fantastic finish. And yes, you're right, the perfect way to tuck gift vouchers or money into a special setting to make them that bit more interesting for the recipient.... Oh dear, now I need to make some more of these! Congratulations on making it to the finish line. I'm done and dusted with the making - just some photo-editing and post-writing left to do...
    Alison x

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  10. Gorgeous tag! I have to admit that the Evergreen bough is one of my favorite colors of distress ink! I love that reindeer charm you added! Love the pocket too! Thanks for sharing with us at DL.ART Challenges!

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  11. Ooh so beautiful... I want some more time so I can get messy with gesso and alcohol (no NOT gin!). Thank you so much for showing us at Country View Challenges!

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  12. These tags are gorgeous and I love the backgrounds and the colours you've used! Thank you so much for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! :)

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  13. I love both! I I really can't choose! With great techniques you created beautiful backgrounds! Oh and the pockets are so sweet with the lovely vintage pictures inside! Thank you for joining the December challenge of the Country View Challenges! Happy Christmas!

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  14. Fabulous tags. The backgrounds are gorgeous. You have a great way of putting things together. Thank you for joining us at the DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge

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  15. Out of this world, love, love, love your final tag!! Those touches of red, just add so much pop and vintage lovelyness, .... hmmmm I now think this is my favourite but then I keep thinking that...

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  16. Totally, utterly stunning!! Hugs, Chrisx

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  17. Wow, love them both Sara! It was so good to see the techniques you used to create the beautiful backgrounds (they are lush). Your retro flowers are gorgeous! You have done such a fabulous job creating your 12 tags - so very impressive - huge congratulations!! As for mistakes, I could not see any but if you are anything like me you will learn from them, so sometimes they are good! Hugs, Anne xx

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  18. Beautiful tags! Such fabulous designs!! Very pretty!

    Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

    hugs...
    Melissa

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  19. Huge congrats on getting all of these done! You are a totally go getter in my book! Love the pocket part of this tag and what a wonderful way to hold a gift card as well. The colors are beautiful and I can so see why you enjoy them. Beautiful beautiful beautiful design and details abound in such a small space. You sure make these look easy peasy but I know it isn't. Wonderously awesome sauce dearie! Hugz to you muffin! ~Punkin

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  20. Beautiful tags! Love everything about them. Thanks for playing along on the Southern Ridge Trading Company Blog.
    -Katelyn DT member at Southern Ridge Trading Company

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  21. Gorgeous Christmas Tags. Love the colour schemes you have used and so many great textures and details. Thanks for joining us at Crafty Cardmakers. Sally.x.

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  22. What fabulous tags Sara, I'm not sure which one I like the best.
    Thank you for entering my Christmas with a Twist challenge at CCM.
    Hugs Kimx

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  23. WOWZER!!!!! your tags are beautiful. Thanks for joing the DL.ART any winter Holiday challenge

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