Saturday, December 4, 2010

Christmas Tag

I admire anyone who can make something Simple and Beautiful. I never know when to quit. The more stuff, the better for me. But simplicity is an art in unto itself in my book. You can study for years and still not be able to make it "simple."

So here, I tried to make a "simple" small tag. Just for fun. You know, make it in a few minutes...ha...never happens for me. I over think and overdo most everything.

But I came away from this, liking it a lot. The pic shows a more tar looking effect on Santa's jacket, but in real life, it is just shiny embossing. Trust me!


I started with the small Manila tag from Ranger. I used Tim's Mini Holiday's stamps through all this. Stamp randomly with Embossing Ink and use Clear Embossing Powder with the Branch. Then ink around the outer edges with Forest Moss and Bundled Sage distress inks. See how the snowy branches appear?

Then the cool part is spraying the green inks with the Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist. Heat set. IT IS SO COOL! And it sticks to the embossing. The picture is taken without a lot of light to show how gorgeous the Mist shows up on the tag.

Stamp the Santa and more Branches with Black Archival Ink.

Stamp the Merry Christmas with Fired Brick Distress Ink and clear emboss.

Distress the edge of the tag, add Fired Brick ink, clear embossing powder and heat it up!

Use a gold cord to tie a bow (simplicity). Add 3 Burgundy dots of Stickles in Santa's hat and it's done.

I added a few black ink pen strokes to the hat and the bottom of Santa's jacket, just to fill in spaces....never can just leave things alone. And black pen to shadow the Merry Christmas. Makes it pop!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. It is a gorgeous Christmas Card outside our window today. We got about 2 inches of snow and the evergreens are just beautiful!

Next, wrapping presents............ and mailing off Laure's Prize!

24 comments:

SusanK said...

Lovin' it! And it looks easy enough you could do it in not too much time. And I think all the little add-ons really make this tag sing!

Deb Smith said...

Very nice Linda. My fave color is green BTW.

Linda Ledbetter said...

Your simple, small tag is STUNNING, Linda C! It's so elegant. Way to step outside your comfort zone!

Lori said...

Well done! And I bet this took a lot of self control....not to embellish, I mean... lol...really gorgeous, love those colors!

Kathy Eddy said...

Gorgeous tag Linda. I love the colors you chose.

Karin said...

This is a totally gorgeous tag that has no need for additional embellishments. The popping of Merry Christmas gives the whole tag great depth.

Helen said...

What a beautiful tag! Love that sparkle colour, it's on my wish list for santa. I haven't even bought a present yet, let alone started wrapping them, am so behind this year!

~* steph :) *~ said...

gorgeous tag, linda! love all the wonderful details. thanks for sharing :)! have a wonderful Sunday! *hugs* steph :)

Daniele said...

totally delish looking tag, I love shinny....
hugs

Sue said...

I agree, simple looks easy but just isn't and I can't do it either!! However I LOVE your tag.....it appeals to my "need things to be full" eye!

Netty said...

wow thats a terrific tag with a great Santa Linda. Loving your tag. Annette x

cheryl said...

oh wow hun this is one stunning tag that santa is brilliant,loveing all the coulrs on this too hugs cheryl xxxx

flutterbycrafter said...

Wow just love this gorgeous tag

barbara b. said...

Love the tag! I just got a bottle of Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist in the mail. Figured it was close to Gold. It was one of 2 colors I ordered and my first foray into the line of mists. OMG - It's beautiful. I'm spraying everything in site to see how it reacts! Thanks for the inspiration, I'm off to create...

Karen in Canton, MI said...

What a gorgeous tag! Thanks for the inspiration and instructions!

Theresa said...

This tag is beautiful! It is so simple but just beautiful, nonetheless. I love it!!!!

Natalie said...

beautiful!!!! thank you for sharing. i love the effect of the clear embossing. i used to just throw the clear powder aside but now i am going to start using it. thanks!!!

Art By Wanda said...

A gorgeous tag, Linda!!!!

sue said...

Cute and quick. Been working all weekend on tags and calenders for Christmas gifts. Almost done. Enjoy your winter wounder land.

Candy C said...

Love your tag, Linda. It's beautiful and you're so right...sometimes simple is much more striking and elegant. But, I'm like you, I like "the stuff"! haha Thanks for sharing! It's a beautiful tag!

Meme said...

Your tag is gorgeous! fabulous job!

2amscrapper said...

Lovely, shimmery tag!

Lynn Stevens said...

I'm a more is more kinda gal myself! Gorgeous tag Linda!

Martina said...

WOW this is just so stunning! Gorgeous tag!