Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - tag #6

So...did you notice how much Tim's Day #6 tag looked like my Day #3 tag?

I'm just saying...trees...deer...hmmm.

Ok, there were differences but still. (GRIN)

Not wanting to repeat myself, I decided to take a different path. Tim's lesson was all about using the texture embossing plates and I had the snowman. I tired his stamping over the negative image to make it look like the snowflakes were behind the snowman. I played around with the sponging and used SNOW QUEEN Glimmer Mist for shine. I ended up putting Rock Candy Stickles on the snowman and outlining him with a white gel pen.

To add the dimension Tim had with the deer, I did one of my crystal snowflakes. The sentiment was a $1 special from Mike's.

Yesterday, I visited my local stamp/scrapbook store. They had just gotten in this new glass glitter - YUMMY stuff! It's big and chunky. And looks amazing on the snowflake!

I've never heard of this brand but I'll be looking for their stuff in the future.

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - tag #5

Is it sacrilegious to say I didn't like all Tim's tags this year? I don't care...I didn't like all of Tim's tags this year. Day #5 is one of those tags. I'm not sure if it's the "50's" Santa (which I really don't like) or just the overall appearance of the tag. ANYWAY...I think that's why it's taken me so long to finish my tag.

And I have to say I'm not a big fan of my version either! (LOL)

I do have the Tim image but since thats part of what I don't like, I used this TAC (the Angel Company) image from last year. I do LOVE this Santa image. He was painted with my aqua pen, and of course, Distress Inks.

The overall lesson Tim was covering with his tag was the "faux enameled" numbers - done with clear embossing powder. I do have to say that was neat. I even managed to do it (about 90% anyway). My numbers are a bit bumpy as you can see, but I think with a bit of practice I can get that technique down!

So...we move on to #6 (after I make it). I still plan to do them all this year - even it I finish NEXT year.

PS...did I tell you I got a new pet companion?

Cookie Exchange

I was invited to participate in a cookie exchange today. I must say it's been 10-15 years since I've done one. Back in those days I stitched...no cards/stamping card for me! You know I've been doing recipes cards all year (and yes I know I'm behind but I'm catching up (stay tuned)). So it's seemed natural, even mandatory to give the cookie recipes the "treatment".

This is a new recipe for me - Pistachio-Cranberry Biscotti - taken from last year's Betty Crocker's Christmas Cookie book (you know--the ones at the grocery check-out that look so darn good!)

It doesn't have a lot of ingredients but it does have a lot of steps. So, it didn't fit on the standard card. I solved that problem with a flip page. The paper and image is all Stampin' Up.

You remember my Tim tag from day #2. You might have wondered why I made a BUNCH of them. It's simple...they were the fronts to a recipe. People always ask me what I do with my tags. I generally just stand them in a box to look at now and then. This seems like a better use!

Here's the back - my Grandmother's Ginger Snap recipe. I have to say it's my favorite Christmas cookie.

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - tag #4

Here's my take on Tim's day #4 tag. The lesson here was the faceted charm on a really simple tag.

I also started with some patterned paper - a scrap of "snowflake" paper. I added more snowflakes in Distress Ink Stormy Skies and Spun Sugar. And added this beautiful "snow queen" image from ArtChix.

The charm was colored with alcohol ink. I have tried and tried to do the ink lift that Tim used on his charm but it never turns out for me. So I just added some Stickles to the back and glued it on white paper. The rhinestone snowflake sits on top.

Simple tag!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - tag #3

This is my take on Tim's Day #3 tag. I have the bird die but wanted to use the deer...but I did use the washi tape technique.
I love Distress Inks because when layered and dry they GLOW! Yummy! I did spray a little Pearl Glimmer Mist over the tag to give it some shine. And added that lush gold mesh ribbon.

Just a close up of the deer. With this angle you can see the semi-transparent washi tape layers.

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - tag #2

This is my take on Tim's Day #2 tag. You'll note that my tag looks NOTHING like Tim's. LOL...but that's ok. It was the technique of creating your ink pad that was at the heart of Tim's tag.

I used my FAVORITE Stamper's Anonymous Santa image for this. There's just something about that classic face with the "giggle mitten".

Since this is a large image I stamped it out on white first (upper left) and then used sponges to color in the areas. That gave me a feel for how to color the ink pad (center bottom). The test image from the ink was very bright but I needed more ink (center top). Finally the "final" image was stamped on the tag.

The tag was finished in a similar manner to Tim's (inked, covered with clear embossing powder, sponged color, etc). I finished with a small strip of musical paper at the bottom (also sponged with Fired Brick & Vintage Photo). Accented with a RED LEAD holly spring, red silk ribbon, and at the top - red net ribbon and silver mini tinsel.

And yes...there are multiple tags here. Since this was an ink pad - I decided to do some tags for future use (MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK).

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas - tag #1

I intended to post this last night but I had technical difficulties (my camera battery was dead!!)

I love the first of December when Tim Holtz starts posting his 12 Tags of Christmas. For one thing I always learn SOMETHING new! Second, Tim posts a lot about where he's teaching but rarely posts any of his work anymore. And third...his work is just AMAZING!! If you missed Tim's #1 tag look HERE.

So here's my tag. How does it differ from Tim's? Well for one I don't have the wonky house die Tim used. But I did have the embossing folder. So I cut GrungeBoard "chunks" out in a "bird house" shape. You know - a rectangle and triangle roof. I followed most of his steps for coloring and adding "snow". I used the same glass glitter that I use on my Crystal Snowflakes. And a branch I pulled off my mom's aspen tree (sorry mom!)

The background is pure Spray and Smooth - Distress Ink on a Teflon mat, misted with water, and smooshed. For a little shine I finished by spraying Glimmer Mist SNOW QUEEN.

I didn't have Tim's fence die, but I did buy Martha's Large Halloween fence. I just cut the bats off and it's a regular fence! I stuffed a little reindeer moss (I swear that's the name on the package). I didn't use Tim's technique for creating the ticket. I just stamped with Archival Coffee and sponged color on.

I tried dyeing my ribbon the same way Tim did but I just ended up with a blue ribbon (no color variations) and blue fingers! I added a small rusty snowflake charm to the ribbon.

I will be posting my other Tim tags today - and a BIRTHDAY GREETING for my niece JESSICA. So come back thru the day!!