September Tag: Let's sleep...

Hello everyone, I seem to be cutting it very fine with these monthly Tags
it seems that as soon as the month arrives it fades just as quickly.

Today i'm sharing tag number #9 using the same prompts used
 each month for those of you that may have been following.

Here in words and pictures is my September Tag:

Covered in a coat of clear gesso, leather corset and warm tan acrylic paint,
modelling paste has been pushed through the Big Floral Stencil.

Paper feathers have been added as collage and coated in matt medium,

Pearl shimmer paint is painted all over and Gold paint allowed to drip down the Tag.

Black Soot Distress Oxide has added more detail rubbed through the Faded dots stencil.

A gentle application of clear Gesso seals most of the design without moving it too much.

Stamps from Card-io's blown away set are stamped on using Archival leaf green.

I found a very Quirky Owl image in a free papers booklet from 

Making Cards February 2017 edition, the same place I found the feathers.

Cut out I adhered the Owl to the bottom of the tag as I wanted 

to keep some of the Big Floral stencil visible.

A few doodles bring out the details on the feathers, a found sentiment from Tim Holtz Chit Chat book *Let's sleep under the stars*, along with some fibres and a gem or two..

 The final touches are ready to be added.

With the addition of glossy accent eyes
My September Tag is now complete:

Can't believe I managed to complete this without even a hint of gilding wax!!
Only three more to go until my full year's worth is complete.

Thank you for sticking around everyone.

Wishing you all warm hugs and lots of creativity.
Tracey xx

August Tag.. Thank you *SEW* much ..

Hello creative Friends, today i'm sharing Augusts Tag using those 12 weeks of prompts.

Tag No:8 oh gosh not many more left before I complete my personal challenge
of creating a different one each month using those very same prompts.

 This post is a scheduled one as I will be away and probably not have much time 

when I return to create or post before September sneaks in.

This tag is created using some goodies I received from Chris recently from a 

swap challenge and I thought they would work hand in hand with this project 

alongside Chris' words of wisdom.

Here in words and pictures is my August*

Thank you *SEW* much tag.

Using an MDF Tag from Chris I first painted in white Gesso, then a coating of Leather Corset from Indigoblu and finally dry brushed on Warm Tan from left to right. When dry I pushed clear modelling paste through a stencil leaving the Handmade script visible.

Strips of Paperartsy lace stamped onto tissue paper have been added as collage 

across the bottom and top with a coating of matt medium.

The whole tag has been coated in a layer of watered down Antique Gold Shimmer and flicks of multi surface white paint flicked on top. Onyx black has been blended through 

a quilt stencil to give effect and the whole tag coated in a layer of clear Gesso

.

The orange mark is where I scorched it trying to dry it quickly..

Around the edges of the tag I stamped a stitch effect then stamped the dressmakers Manikin that was another gift from Chris onto tissue paper, tore around the edges and adhered using matt medium.

Now it's time to play by adding those doodles and embellishments.

White Posca pen helps highlight areas. buttons and pins add to it's theme and

a touch of gilding wax across the Handmade word brings it to life.

All tied up with a piece of Antique ribbon, Paperartsy words learn to sew 

have been stamped onto tissue and adhered, giving a thought for the day.

My Thank you *SEW* much August Tag is complete.

This has now been turned into a fridge magnet.

Thank you for taking time to pop on over.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone, i'll catch up with your posts and creativity on my return and look forward to sharing more of mine with you all very very soon.

Creative Hugs

Tracey xx

July Tag: Nurture Nature..

Oopps it's the last day of July and I haven't shared my July Tag using those
fabulous prompts from Chris for a mini challenge last year..
Can't believe this is now Tag number 7.
You'd think I would be able to put these together with my eyes closed now but nope,
I forgot everything putting this one together, including to photograph the stages..

Here in words and not so many pictures is my July *Personal Challenge* Tag

Using a Black Tag I painted it in Clear Gesso. 

I then completely forgot to cover with a layer of paint and then forgot to 

cover the layer I forgot with another layer of a different colour. What a donut..!!

I did remember to push Grunge Paste through a stencil and add a strip of lace 

as my collage and then cover the whole Tag in matt medium.

English Red Oxide was dragged down the tag using a dry wipe and Gold DecoArt interference paint dripped down . Stencilled layers have been applied using white Gesso and when completely dry a coating of clear Gesso applied all over.

Fern Leaves by Hobby Art have been stamped onto the tag but I couldn't help think it was all looking a little flat. I'd been here before with my very first Tag thinking it all looked a horrid mess but we were encouraged to keep going... so on I plodded.

For my main focal image I chose an unused PaperArtsy image i'd previously painted with Distress Oxides it was only when I placed this image against the Tag to see if it would fit that I realised I had not put any background colours onto my Tag.. no wonder it was looking a little flat.

So a quick wash of Peeled paint Distress Oxide was applied to mask all that black and my focal image cut out and glued onto the tag. Lots of flat back pearls, gems, sparkly doodles and a glimmer of gilding wax helped bring it to life.

I used my own handwritten words of *Nurture & Nature* added colour
coordinating twine and a dragonfly embellishment to serve as a hanger or tie.

My July Tag is complete.

I must admit the wash really did transform the background  and bring it all together and forgetting to put the coats of paint on first really did make it look a little pants.

Chris's 12 prompts are a revelation and although we had been told we could leave any prompt out anytime, i'm never forgetting one again.

Thank you for sticking with me peeps my August Tag will be shared before we know it.

Creative Hugs
Tracey xx

June Tag: Summer Skies..

Opps I nearly forgot to post this.. the year is speeding along so fast and as some of you may remember it's my own personal challenge to replicate those mini instructions from a previous challenge and create a new Tag each month.

Here in words and pictures is my June Tag:

I first covered a Size #8 Tag in White Gesso and covered in a layer of Blue Shimmer paint, when dry I painted a layer of Turquoise Shimmer paint over the top and made marks in the wet paint with the end of a paintbrush. Structure paste was then pushed through a Butterfly stencil.

Lace was added for collage and covered with a coating of matt medium.
A coating of Yellow Shimmer Paint over the whole tag gives a warm yellow glow but still allows the colours underneath to show through..
I dripped/Flicked white Gesso over the Tag.. (no idea where the pink came from..
*Note to self.. wash paint brushes out better!!)

Stencilled layers are applied using the TC Brick
background and vintage photo distress ink.
The whole tag is covered with Clear Gesso and little stamps
 are stamped randomly over the tag.

Using a Paperartsy image left over from some recent cards I made
 I fussy cut and glued the image onto the tag.
I doodled around the edges of the tag, adding glitter glue to the stamped image
and a touch of gilding wax (just couldn't resist..!) around the tags edge.
Finally I added the words Summer Skies from the same Paperartsy stamp set.

My June Tag is now complete.

I can not believe that this tag now takes me half way through the year and my personal challenge and I have to say each time I make one using those mini prompts
 it is a real pleasure of a make.

Thank you so much for visiting, taking time and interest.
I look forward as always to sharing more words and pictures with you all very soon.

Take good care of yourselves.
Creative Hugs Tracey xx

Crafty Supplies:
That's Crafty Tag
That's Crafty Shimmer Paints
That's Crafty: Flight of the Butterflies TC027
That's Crafty: Brick background TC026
DecoArt Matt Medium
Paperartsy Eclectica - Kay Carley 06

May Tag.. Time to Celebrate

May..!! What an eventful month and we are not midway yet. Lots of highs for me, 

lets not mention the flu bug that's tried to put a damper on things!  

One piece of uplifting news was being announced as one of four new additions to the superb That's Crafty Design Team, I had been sitting on this exciting announcement for quite some time and am so happy the cat is now out of the bag.

Thank you so much to Laura for thinking me worthy enough to be part of your DT family I'm looking forward to working alongside you all and sharing my first DT piece very soon. 

Meanwhile here is my May Tag using those prompts from the 12 week Tag Challenge

Priming a That's Crafty " Tag in white Gesso I covered in a layer of Marigold Acrylic Paint, then brayerd Calypso Blue Acrylic over the top. Using Modelling paste I chose to use it to press ribbon and threads onto my tag as collage.

A layer of diluted gold has been painted on top.

White acrylic has been splashed onto the tag and structure paste pushed through a stencil.

A coating of clear gesso has been applied all over and Rubber Dance little stamps stamped around the edges.

Good old gilding wax has helped bring out the detail with some pre-cut bunting found amongst my stash used as my focal image. I used a Tim Holtz words sticker, doodled and coloured the stamped images with posca marker pens and added a detailed button to embellish and highlight the *Celebrate* sentiment. Ribbon has been coloured with alcohol markers to co-ordinate with the bunting.

and my May Tag is complete. I do love all the hidden texture amongst these tags and when highlighted with gilding wax it's more like hidden treasure. I only wish my photography did all that treasure justice. Thank you again Chris* for those 12 weeks of wisdom..

Have a safe and happy weekend everyone..

Hugs Tracey xx

Crafty supplies:

That's Crafty Tag #5

DecoArt Americana: Marigold

DecoArt Americana: Calypso Blue

DecoArt Media Metallic Fluid (Gold)

DecoArt Modelling Paste

Imagination Crafts Structure Paste

Pebeo Gilding Wax Antique Gold

Posca Marker Pens

Rubber Dance Stamps 

Rubber Dance Stamps UK Retailer

Ribbon, threads and a decorative button..

March Tag.. Spring is in the air.

As some of you may know each month I have been creating a Tag using the same 

prompts/instructions given in a 12 week Tag challenge last year... 

It's a *Personal* Challenge I have set myself....Here is my March creation

1:Tando Long Tag Covered with White Gesso then  layer of paint Dylusions Lemon Zest, 

2: A Layer of Blue Sky Acrylic, applied with a sponge to mark make.

3: Modelling paste pushed through a leaf design stencil (not too sure who its made by)

4: Strips of torn book pages used as collage and covered with matt medium.

       5: A layer of Diluted Lemon Meringue Acrylic paint covers the tag.
6: Dylusions Chopped Pesto dripped down the side of the tag.
 7: DecoArt Textured Sand paste pushed through a flower design stencil.

8:Coated the whole tag in clear Gesso
9: Stamped Foliage from PaperArtsy Eclectica EKD06 by Kim Dellow..
(Thank you James I love my Mothers Day Stamps)
10: Used the Large Flower head from the set as my Focal image
coloured with pencils and layered for dimension. 

11: Leaves have been coloured with wink of stella dark green,
Indentations highlighted with Inktense pencils and washed with water to fix them.
Gilding wax rubbed over any raised area.
White Posca pen highlights dotted here and there.
Distress dyed ribbon along with another coloured stamp from Kim Dellow
adds to the embellishing.

12: Words Spring is in the air are from Tim Holtz

and that is my March Tag completed following those simple instructions.

Thank you for popping by, I hope you have been inspired by my creation using those 

12 weeks of instruction.

(Thanks again Chris..x)

Creative Hugs from Tracey xx

Twelve week Tag Challenge

A little Social Media Group I am a member of sets challenges and tasks of the *Mini* kind and I've had the great pleasure of sharing in some of their challenges from decorating lollypop sticks to 3" Fabric swatches, At times we swap and sometimes we share but there are times when we just soak up everyone's creative makes if we find life is just a little bit too busy to join in.

In September 2016 a challenge was set to create a Tag from a series of mini instructions. We did not know how long the challenge would last all we were told was once a week we would be give a short instruction and not to spend more than 10 minutes on each.

Each instruction was a guideline and however you interpreted them could be modified depending on readily available resources.

This is what I created during those 12 weeks.. 

I hope you can follow me on my fast track 12 week journey in words and pictures.

Week 1:

Find or create a tag; any colour, texture or size. 

Add one layer of gesso.

when dry add one colour.

*Tando Creative 6" Greyboard Tag painted with white gesso, when the gesso was dry 

DecoArt Dark Grey was applied using a roller*

Week 2:

Add a further paint colour to your tag and while it is still wet, draw or write into it 

with the end of a paintbrush or pencil'.

* DecoArt Quinacridone Gold was again applied using a roller and the words RUSTY 

scribbed into the wet paint*

Week 3:

Press modelling/gel/grunge paste through any stencil of your choice.

*Pressing IndigoBlu Super Thick Slap it on through Andy Skinners Time Warp Stencil*

*This is what it looked like when it had dried*

Week 4:

Add some collage with matte/gloss medium, collage Page or your preferred glue. 

Add a layer of matte medium over the top of the collage piece/pieces.

*I Randomly adhered torn Kaisercraft papers using DecoArt Matte Medium*

Week 5:

Add a layer of translucent paint.

* I just watered down some Yellow acrylic paint*

Week 6:

Spray or drip a contrasting colour of paint or ink across/down your tag.

*I Sprayed Dylusions White Linen Spray*

Week 7:

Add more stencilled layers

*Black Gesso was dabbed through a cogs stencil*.

* Instructions 5, 6 & 7 were completed together hence spray leaking through the gesso*

Week 8:

Use clear gesso to completely cover your tag.

*As you can see the clear gesso has dragged most of the Dylusions spray off the tag*

Week 9:

Stamp one or more images across your tag.

*Industrial Lamps stamped with Town House Teal acrylic paint, both from Indigoblu*

Week 10:

Cut out and adhere a main focal image to your tag. This can be drawn, stamped, collages, downloaded or cut from a book/magazine.

*I used an image I had previously stamped and embossed - a Dragonfly from 

Inky Doodles Time Flies A5 stamp set*

Week 11:

Add doodles, marks and/or embellishments to your tag.

*I added a Butterfly image again from Inky Doodles Time Flies stamp set
and doodled & highlighted using Posca Marker Pens*

...and finally 

Week 12: 

Find a word in a book or magazine to attach to your image.

*Words added from yet again Inky Doodles Time Flies stamp set*



... and the Tag is complete..!

Now the whole experience of being given small instructions once a week may seem simple but I found the whole experience like having a cookie and only being aloud one bite a week. A CRAFTING DIET well... its quite unheard of, but what I did find was when the twelve weeks were over I actually missed these weekly instructions... 

So now the new year has well and truly arrived I have decided that each month I will create a new Tag using the same instructions, there maybe a theme to them as now I know each step that lies ahead but it maybe random.. and of course I don't need to wait one week for the next task as it has already been written.

Thank you to Chris Cresswell for those tasks of wisdom and Thank you to Kaisia from *WanderLust 2016* for encouraging Chris to pass on your inspiration you may have created a mini monster.

*Watch this Space*...I hope you can all share your time with me on my mini adventure..

Creative Hugs from Tracey xxx