Thursday, August 27, 2015

Tim's 12 Tags of 2015-August Grungy Again!

Hello everybody!

I'm in my happy place right now as I'm back to grunge with my August tag for Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of 2015-August!


  No need for step by step instructions, as Tim has laid them all out for you on his blog.


I have to say I was a little daunted by this month's tag, as I am once again a day late and definitely a dollar short when it comes to the necessary supplies needed to get Tim's incredible background. I can't wait to get back to work so I can do a little shopping!  As Tim puts it "out of limitations comes creativity". Not one to toss in the towel, I improvised with Tim's Labels dies to make my cut outs.  This was certainly not my first try though; I tried various Movers and Shapers and Friendship Words in Script, and they ended up on the cutting room floor. Maybe for another project, but not the look I was going for here.


I chose the young pair from Tim's Found Relatives. Initially, I was going to make one tag depicting a little story (in my mind, of course) about my teenage boy/girl twins. But as they are individuals, I decided to cut them apart and make two separate tags using the same technique and composition, but changing it ever so slightly for a "masculine grunge" and a "feminine vintage". These will make great additions to their graduation gifts this coming spring.

Because I didn't have any of the  Block Word dies, which I love, I decided to redeem myself and use Tim's Inside Out die to cut some block letters. I layered them on top of the tag for that blocky look that looks so cool on his tag. Not too shabby!

 As I picked through my pile of ephemera, a combination of Thrift Shop, Expedition and Emporium, my tags took on their personality. (Those of you who suffered through a recent rant about me dropping the whole darn bunch on the floor will know why I have no idea which specific ephemera pack these came from.) This is why I love Tim's stuff so much; just looking at it conjures up stories in my mind! And some of these stories make it onto tags, cards and what not.

I used the postage stamp background with the Einstein stamp for my son's tag because people often refer to him as this odd genius. The sheet music for my daughter because she is quite musically talented in voice and piano. French images and ephemera for her 5th year of French language in 4 years of high school, and yes, years of perfect attendance! A pen nib for her love of writing.


My son can use lots of encouragement, but he can take on the world if he sets his mind to it!


For my daughter's tag, I used Wild Honey, Evergreen Bough , Walnut Stain and Hickory Smoke Distress inks--and for the edges and to finish the tag--Hickory Smoke Distress marker and paint. I think this is a little softer for the lighter feminine background I was going for. Stamps used are from French Market and Boundless Flight. I added Evergreen Bough to her blouse for a little extra color.



For my son's tag, I chose Chipped Sapphire, Hickory Smoke, Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge and Peeled Paint Distress inks, and as per Tim's tag, finished with Black Soot marker and paint.Stamp used is from Boundless Flight. A shoelace rescued from one of his old tennis shoes top this tag.



For my Mirrored stars, I used alcohol inks in Sunshine Yellow on my daughter's and Latte on my son's and gave them each a dab of Vintage Photos Distress paint to give them a vintage look, since I don't have Mushroom alcohol ink (it's at the top of my list!).

I used papers from Tim's 8 x 8 Collage paper stash for my backings, Small Talk stickers, and Remnant Rubs from Numbers, Elements, and Life Quotes collections.



While I was off to a rocky start on this month's tag, I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable to make in the end. (And I have tags ready  for my kid's high school graduation gifts in May (I hope!).) Thank you to Tim for his ongoing inspiration and wonderful products!  They bring so much joy to so many people!


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

Thank you for visiting today, and for all your wonderful comments! I read and appreciate each and everyone of them!
Hugs and Blessings!

Sara Emily 



35 comments:

  1. They are gorgeous, wonderfully inky gorgeousness! I learnt so much and plan to dig out my supplies again and repeat the technique - I loved it so much Karen x

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  2. Wow!! I really love this Sara Emily. Gorgeous take on Tim's August tag. I really like the labels die cuts!! You really get to see the amazing background paper underneath. Your details really did bring these tags to life. Hugs -- Mary Elizabeth

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    1. thank you, Mary Elizabeth! YOU are such an inspiration to me!

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  3. Such cool tags Sara Emily! I stopped making my own...costs me a fortune to get what I need for Tim's tags...Have a great day my dear!
    Hugs :)
    Samra

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    1. Thank you, Samra! Your visit really made my day! I got ya, girl, on the costing a fortune! No can do on purchasing every supply needed. We have 2 teenage mouths to feed and NO jobs right now! Hugs to you!

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  4. How pretty these are! I love how the same "techniques" can be used to make such different tags.

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    1. Thank you, Dodie! I've had a nice visit at your blog!

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  5. Oh, wow! LOVE your tags to bits! x

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  6. Sara Emily, I just love how you cut the labels but then raised the letters, even more dimension! I'm surprised Tim didn't think of this himself, you clever girl! These are just amazing! I felt the same way and had a hard time starting my tag, but in the end enjoyed making it the most yet. :) Your kids will be tickled pink, and love the sentiment behind these. Well done!

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    1. Thank you, Autumn! Speaking of tickled pink! I was tickled by your pink (ish) tag! A sight for sore eyes!

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  7. What a beautiful tag, I absolutely love it, thank you so much for joining in this months challenge at The Artistic Stamper.

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    1. Thank you; I'm so happy you like my tags! And so happy I could join in this month's challenge at Artistic Stamper!

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  8. Your designs look fantastic - I do like everything you used! It seems every time I saw Tim's tags, the products he used I never had!! And have you noticed - he is always coming out with new stuff. Will it never end!!!!!
    Sandy xx

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    1. Thank you, Sandy! No, it will NEVER end, I hope! It seems I never have the really pertinent supplies for the tag, so got to get the old brain cells moving to figure out how to make the main idea come across. When that happens, it seems you always up raising the ante! Take that, Tim! Ha! Ha!

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  9. WOW what fabulous tags.
    Thank you for joining us at Simon says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.
    Luv
    Debby

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  10. These are so delightfully grungy! Using the labels was a clever idea. The base of your tag looks like the panels of a recessed door, which is very cool.

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    1. Oh, Kathy! You are reading my mind for a Halloween project I am kicking around! A recessed panel door was the first thing I thought of when I looked at my photos! Hopefully those ideas will come to fruition! Thank you for your visit...your words always make me smile! Hugs!

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  11. I absolutely love your fantastic tags, Sara! What a brilliant idea to use Tim Labels die! I adore every single detail here! Both versions are just stunning, my super creative friend!
    Big hugs to you! Branka xxx

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  12. Stunning tags! Thanks for joining the Stampotique DC

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  13. Very grungy and cool Sara Emily!! Love the characters you chose for these tags! And i really love the embossing!! Well done! xoxo

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  14. Fabulous designs Sara! I'm loving your backgrounds and chosen dies. These two tags really come together beautifully. Beautiful! Karen.x

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  15. I concur dearie. I am having a difficult time with this tag as well. No idea how/what I will use. I tried once yesterday and it ended up worse than my very girlie pink canvas. Your ideas for these tags are so genius and splendid! I bet your babies will totally enjoy and thank you profusely. Wonderful and clever ideas here. You are awesome sauce dearie! Big Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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  16. Oh wow, these are both absolutely gorgeous, Sara!! You did an amazing job!! I love how you used the label dies!! I had to improvise on my tag, too...as much as I would love to, I just can't keep up with all of Tim's new goodies!! You did such a perfect job with this!!

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and your kind words on my canvas :) I wanted to give you some info on the craft foam. I get it at Joann and it comes in assorted colors in a pack of 40 sheets, with adhesive backing (http://www.joann.com/sticky-back-foam-sheets-value-pack-assorted-colors/7735202.html#q=sticky%2Bback%2Bfoam%2Bsheets&start=4). This is what I use to add dimension to die-cuts, especially intricate ones. I use it with all of my dies: Spellbinders, Memory Box, Cherry Lynn... and it works perfectly. I've used it in both a Big Shot and Cuttlebug and it cuts easily. They carry it in my local store so I take a 40% off coupon when I purchase it...and it lasts quite a while, too. There are some colors that I'd never use, so I save those for things like the canvas where I covered it with black gesso. The original color of the foam I used for the trees was a shocking lime green!! This was probably more info than you wanted, but if you do have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!! Thanks again for your sweet words!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  17. Fab tags, Sara Emily!! Look at you creating waaaay in advance!! I hope your kids don't read your blog!! Good luck at all of the challenges! XOXO-Shari

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  18. Wonderful interpretations of Tim's tag Sara, love how you individualized them for your kids (aren't you thinking ahead!) and your background turned out beautifully. As soon as I saw Tim's tag this month I thought that it would also work wonderfully with shape dies and your great tags just prove that point! Thanks so much for sharing them, Deb xo

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  19. Wow Sara they are beautiful, love the colours and your choice of images, they are just so interesting. Really really great work! Cx

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  20. Great tags you have created! Thanks for joining us at Stampotique Designer's Challenge this week.

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  21. Gorgeous Sara and a brilliant idea! really beautiful! Has my e-mail arrived you?

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  22. Beautifully made tags Sarah Emily, I love the improvisation in creating them and I can't believe how close we were in making two tags, having one common image and having a story for the two characters- spooky! Love your finished designs xxx

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  23. I am very late catching up Sara! Your take on the August tags is fabulous - both so very personal and will be wonderful keep sakes. Great colours and I love the way you have improvised the use of the dies. Jennie xxx

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  24. These look fabulous!
    Thank you for joining us at the SDC

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  25. Love your take on the August tag, Sara - the improvisations have added extra interest as far as I'm concerned - I love those label panels, and wonderful photo choices, and I think the fact that they carry such personal messages for your son and daughter makes them really special.
    Alison xx

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