I JUST KNEW 2012 WAS GOING TO BE SPECIAL

If you could have seen me last night when I downloaded Tim's blog on my phone, you would have thought I had been stung by a wasp. I screamed, cried and jumped up and down with utter joy. Why?? because Tim picked me out as a winner for completing the 12 tags of Christmas 2011 and for blogging them and uploading photos each day. Courtesy of Inspiration Emporium I now have a $100 voucher. Whoohoo!!
I so enjoy the 12 tags each year and have participated for the last 3. Learning the new techniques is so exciting and looking back over the tags throughout the year keeps that excitement going.
So once again, THANK YOU Tim for the time you share with us. You do realise though that you will never be able to give this wonder up??  A big thank you to Mario too because his tweets have kept me going through the night when I haven't been able to sleep wondering what the next days tag will be.
Having only been back home for a couple of hours, I have so much to catch up with, but my first task is to look up Inspiration Emporium, my second task is to make room in my little crafting space for the goodies I just know I shall want, I mean, need.........LOL.

WOYWW - I MAY NOT BE HERE NEXT WEEK

Another wonderful Wednesday of poking around craft spaces all over the world courtesy of lovely Julia who thought up this bit of nosey - I love it. After all, it doesn't cost a train ticket or even a plane ticket to go to Lands End, UK or even Wellington, NZ, just marvelous.
Well fellow crafters, I have been totally enthralled and occupied these last 12 or so days, participating in the marvel that is - Tim's 12 tags of Christmas. I have jumped out of bed just after 8am every day - yes, I said every day - in order to start the day's tag. I completed my version on the day it was blogged, mainly because I don't have any spare time this month to fall behind. If the weather permits, we are going away next Monday for Xmas, so I've had to get in front of myself. I did get carried away yesterday though and did this:

After all the Christmas stuff I just had to do something different, so my little workspace looks like this today. Don't have a clue what it will end up like and quite honestly, I don't care.
I will be on my mobile web next Wednesday - and - another year older, yak!!

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - ALL TAGS

Didn't we have great fun following Tim's tags and Mario's tweets.  I took my phone to bed each night so that if I woke I could have a quick look to see if there were any clues on the next tag. Also, I was able to see Tim's post at 8am each day without getting out of bed. Now that's what I call crafting at it's best!!! LOL
A great big THANK YOU once again to Tim for another year of fun. I have 12 tags to look back on and hopefully, take inspiration from during 2012.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 12

Well, all good things generally come to an end, and the 12 tags are no exception. Tim certainly deserves a rest now, more especially after today's marathon which has taken me over 3 hours to make - and I didn't have to think about it!!
Ok, a fractured doll eh? Well, I just happened to have one. Unfortunately though, it was part of the configuration box I made at Tim's workshop back in February, gosh that seems years ago now. Should I take it out of the box?????? Seeing as removing it didn't distract from where it was, plus the fact that I keep all my tags, I decided to go ahead.
There is a lot of drying time to this tag but also, there is plenty to do whilst one bit is drying. I just kept going and came up with this:

The finished tag is quite heavy too. I didn't have the new tissue roll but did have some plain tissue paper, so all I did was stamp it with a music stamp. I didn't have the 'house' die, so guessed at it's size and cut one from grungepaper. The flower is made from some Liz Earle packing tissue. No metal foil or those gorgeous border dies (I hope Santa is listening 'cos I really like those) so I found a peel off border, stuck it to some card and painstakingly cut round it. It worked. Obviously made my own baubles again as I still don't have any of those either.
It just goes to show that you can compromise quite easily and still come up with something quite good. The tips have been endless from Tim and I hope to go through his blog posts from each tag and make notes of them so I don't forget.
What an amazing few days. Only another 354 'til next year - that's if Tim agrees to do it all over again.......

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 11

What a fun way to start a VERY wet and dull Sunday. This tag made me smile because that Santa is just so jolly it's difficult not to.
I used everything Tim used so I made my tag the same way as his.

The last 11 days have flown and now we only have one more tag to go for this year. I wonder what he will use tomorrow????..................

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 10

Oh dear! thinking cap time again. I had a kraft tag and the banner die, but that's all. In the end I reverted to the original transfer method of making fragments - sticking an image to the reverse with glossy accents. So Tim, I am sorry that I haven't achieved today's lesson. Never mind eh, I had fun.

I have a very talented crafty pal with a birthday today. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sioux. xxx

12 TGAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 9

Although Tim has used a Hero Arts stamp that is not available in this country as yet, the technique today is astonishing.
I searched out a couple of La Blanche swirl stamps which gave a gorgeous background. The lamp post is stamped and cut from grungepaper - it's one of Tim's stamps. The rest is as it seems. The one thing that really thrilled me was the effect that going over the whole tag with vintage photo distress ink gave. It highlighted the bits where the embossing powder had flicked off. I adore this result.

What a lovely way to start the day.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 8

What a tease Tim Holtz is. Fancy thinking of making a steampunk tag for Christmas. The best bit is, it worked. I didn't really know where I was going to start, let alone finish, with this one. I don't have those stamps. However, I did have the gear die and I did have the clock mask, so I decided I would have a go at the tag by using a couple or more different stamps and paper from the Lost & Found stash.  I must admit though, my men look like they have horns rather than sprigs of holly in their hats.

I drew round half the clock mask onto grungepaper and began the task of cutting it out. Took me ages but it worked.


I gathered all the other bits and bobs and came up with this:

You can see, the glossy accents on the word Joy is still drying.
There are 2 very special bits on this tag. The pen nib and the admit one ticket. Both were part of the amazing stash given to me by Tim at his workshop in February. Only seemed right I use them on this tag.
Have fun with your tag today.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 7

Yippee! Glassine leaves. I made a Glassine flower some time ago but quite honestly, I thought it was rubbish. It sort of put me off, so to see Tim's video made it quite exciting to use the stuff. The leaves turned out just like the real thing and are now amongst my favourites.

I had to make my own baubles again and so wish I could master the art of bending wire. I get into a right mess with it. The chain is from a goth necklace I found at a car boot sale. Came in useful after all. The colours on today's tag are super and the background even nicer. I wish we could have these tutorials every day. It's the best time of the year. Enjoy making yours.

A SNOWY WOYWW

Well that's what's forecast for today in the NW. Gales of 50 - 55mph and snow. Some of you have already seen plenty of the white stuff, but actually, it's quite rare for us to get very much on the Fylde coast.
I have to apologise to Julia, because this photo is of my desk yesterday. I have been making Tim's 12 tags of Christmas and try to tidy up a bit after each tag ready for the next day, so there's nothing on my space just now. At least not until about 8.30am when I know what is needed today.

My tag from yesterday is in the making on this photo, as is the awful mess I managed to pile up. But I'm having great fun and that's all that matters eh?
I will try to get around a few desks, but counting today, there are still another 6 tags to go, not leaving much time. I'll do better next week, promise.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 6

It was a pleasant surprise to see that I had this embossing folder, thanks for using stash I have Tim.  However, I had to stick some silver metal sheet to a sheet of Stix 2 in order to have a go at todays tag. Bit of a back breaking job to do all the painting - I have to stand to craft you see, it's a light thing - but I got there. Finally, thanks to my now totally ruined nail file/polisher, I managed to burnish the metal, emboss it and finish the tag.

Hubby thinks it's marvelous. Well,  he is used to working with metal being an engineer by trade!
Right O, off to wait for 2pm so I can watch the wonderfully talented Hels on C&C. It's her first appearance today with Studio 490 stamps etc..

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 5

Thank you Tim for a relatively easy tag today. After all, it is a Monday!!!
I didn't have the Christmas stamp so used the long swirl stamp instead and for once, managed this technique. I love the vibrant red. What an amazing effect this tag gives.

Right, got to go out now on the second journey to find another heat gun.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 4

I think Tim's tag #4 is fabulous. Didn't have the 25 die so that was going to be an improvisation. I used some grunge numbers, covered them with distress stains old paper and frayed burlap, stamped them with a music stamp and archival black then covered them with a generous coating of glossy accents. They turned out really well. However, my crackle paint only crackled a bit despite putting it near a radiator. In the end I decided to use my heat gun on it so I could carry on with the tag. What happened next almost ended with me not having a craft room at all - IT SET ON FIRE in my hand. I'm not burnt so nothing to worry about, but I was really shaken. I have another heat gun but it's really powerful and I much prefer the Inkssentials one.
So, after much ado I finally finished my tag.

I can still see the wonder tape down the side so I think I'll dab a bit of snow cap along it to finish it off.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 3

I've been taking my phone to bed with me for the last 3 nights in order to follow Mario's tweets and get an insight into what the next tag will contain. However, this morning I fell back to sleep after having a look around 7.15am and didn't wake until nearly an hour later. I quickly looked at Tim's blog and saw today's masterpiece. But doom and gloom struck me. I laid there wondering what on earth I could do to emulate today's tag.
I certainly don't have many of Tim's Xmas stamps let alone ones that match the embossing folders, that was the problem, matching a stamp to an embossing folder. The nearest are his snowman ones, but not much to colour with my limited re-inkers. I doubt a snowman would look good in orange or brown. So, I decided to use the pine trees.
After all my pondering, I really like the effect.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 2

Oh this one looks easy - she said and thought 'til she started to make it!!
My perfect pearl snow flurries look like a blizzard. You can't see a single flake. Don't have any sticky backed canvas so used Distress Coredinations instead. Totally not the look required. Didn't have any hesian so there's no contrast to the ribbon or texture. Didn't have the embellishments. Didn't have a texture hammer. Still, I did have the other bits for the tag including a piece of string which Tim himself gave me (and hundreds of other crafters) at his workshop last February. So my tag may not resemble the wonderful Tim creation, but I had a go and had fun.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 1

The start of another wonderful journey through craft techniques began again today, all thanks to the amazing Tim Holtz who for the 5th year is running the 12 tags of Christmas.
I took my phone to bed with me last night so I could follow Mario's tweets and perhaps gain an insight into the first tag and join in the excitement. Each time I woke up I had a little nosey and then at 8.00am our time, the first tag was unveiled on Tim's blog. Needless to say, I lept out of bed this morning.
I am lucky enough to have some of the items used, but have improvised on the card stock, the embellishments and the Noel die. I am absolutely thrilled to bits with how the tag has turned out though. Here it is:

Have fun with yours too.

ONLY 3 MORE WOYWW BEFORE...........

Can you believe that? The worse bit for me is, after today there is Tim's 12 tags of Christmas - which means NOTHING gets done for the next 12 days other than  making tags - then I only have 6 days in which to sort everything for the BIG day as we go away on the 19th.
I am madly finalising pressies, wrapping, shopping, cards, etc. etc. But, I still hope to pop around to a few of yours, thanks to our leader Julia, having already sorted all that yonks ago. Being a crafty, nosey person, woyww still tops my list.
I have 2 craft areas on  the go just now -

Like many, I am now working on the dining table. The best bit about this photo is my orange-handle scissors. They are Wilkinson Sword - now Fiskars - and must be over 45yrs old now.

My usual little work area has my new pink ATG on it plus some Xmas stocking fillers for crafty pals. Can anyone tell me how you protect the tape in the ATG from getting covered in fluff etc??

Then I had to re-organise my Alterations shelf and claim the one above too because I ended up with some of them falling off!!! not good when sat below the trajectory path.
Must fly, today being the last day before the start of 12 days of amazement. I have a lot of sewing to do. Catch you later.

TIM'S 12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2010 -#12

The final day. How quickly that came around.
I watched the videos on Tim's post today and realised the potential for the movers and shakers. How cool was the envelope trick then? Unfortunately, I don't possess any of the cut outs so today was another improvisation.

I used some of the Christmas stickers from the seasonal salvage sticker pad to cover a tag. No bauble die so I used the largest one from my grungeboard ready cut ones. I found the letters for the word Joy and arranged them on the bauble so I could draw around them in order to cut out a circle.
I then got messy with the fired brick DI before painting all the bits with rock candy distress crackle paint. Mine wouldn't crackle though, so out came the heat gun. However, instead of ending up with a vintage-like crackle, I ended up with red sticky toffee!!!! It finally dried enough to be able to do the ribbon, wire and letters thingy. Looks ok for a bodge up.
My trusty corners came into use again, though I think I've used them all now, and I cut the calendar from the lost and found stack. The cones were in my stash but the fir tree bits just happened to drop off my Xmas tree.....just at the right moment too!!!

I have loved every bit of these past 12 days, despite the bloomin' baubles and perfect pearls!! and am now eagerly looking forward to February and the chance of a life time workshop with the master himself.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO TIM FOR HIS INSPIRATION, SELF-LESS TIME and FOR SHARING HIS KNOWLEDGE.

Pop over to Artyjen's blog and also the Artistic Stamper, where you can see the most marvelous tags that Tim's followers this year have created. I'm off for a peep now.

TIM'S 12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2010 - #11

I wonder how many of us thought to make foam stamps from Tim's Alterations dies. I certainly didn't. It makes spending all that money on them worth while twice over.
This tag wasn't hard, just a bit fiddly, mainly for me because I don't have any ornate plates so had to make something up from the charms I had.

First of all though, I made the snowflake foam stamp. I have several sheets of funky foam, bought years and years ago when I first started crafting. I've almost given it away umpteen times. How glad am I now that I didn't. I really liked the way Tim used this stamp and I reckon it's a technique I shall use many times more.

Again, luckily I have the pine tree die so the tag was easy. I followed all Tim's instructions and tried really hard to cut the snowy tree at the same parts too. Not difficult but a bit tricky to see some of the edges through the home made glittery flower soft.
I stuck the 2 metal corners onto the 2 titchy square frames using multi matt medium. Normally I would have used glossy accents, but after Tim saying that he always uses the medium for metal, I did the same. It's really stuck so that's another fab tip.

Another enjoyable crafting session.

Just off to link this to both Artyjen and  the Artistic Stamper blogs.

TIM'S 12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2010 - #10

Can you believe it's no 10 already?
Another thank you to Tim for a relatively simple tag today. He knows how busy everyone is at this time of year.
I managed this one mainly because I had the Winter Wonder die because I had used my pre-cut grunge one last year. Had I needed to draw one, I would have been here all day!!

The things I used which weren't Tim's were:
cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder
snowflake charm,
brads
Merry Christmas stamp
red ribbon round snowman's neck
white ribbon through tag top
I cut the acrylic tag by hand from my X-Cut guillotine packaging
silver jump ring


Considering all that, it worked fine.