Twelve tags of 2012... almost there................

Nothing like leaving things till the last minute is there? Still I'm sure I won't be the only one!!

Right. Finally got a chance to mosey on over to Tim's blog to see what delights he had prepared  to inspire us in December. Two Christmassy tags to make up for the January one we'd left out - and why not, suits me I still have everything christmas out and to hand.

For the first tag I improvised with the background using a broken china distress stain but a silver paint dabber for the metallic effect. Worked a treat. For the snowman I fell back on my trusted Octopode digi which has been much used in Christmas cards this year, I really love him, he is just a little quirky (which appeals to me) but not so much that my card recipients would wonder if I'd been on the sherry. I didn't have tinsel but added a line of glitter.

My snowflake embellishments are made from a heavyish card and covered with silver enamelling powder from Debbi Moore. I stamped into it while hot with a medallion stamp - well, some worked better than others but the idea is sound. They look quite metal like and it gives them a nice texture. I say some because as well as the two of each tag I committed to do this year (one for me to keep, one to giveaway in the January Art Draw) I thought I would prove I had read all of Tim's post and use one to make a card. Yay, I'm ahead of the game already for my 2013  Christmas cards!!

The second tag looked similar to one I had already made using a different TH technique, the rusted enamel look. So this time I just did the one following Tim's technique and design because I already have this one to keep myself and was pleased for an excuse to put it with my set of tags.

Hope that makes sense!!

So here is the second of my Christmassy tags. Again I had to improvise a bit with my backgrounds (no metallic stains so used paint dabbers again - cool effect!!) and the embellishments but I think the finished tag looks OK (though perhaps not very Tim Holtzy).  This is the one which will go in the January Art Draw collection.

These two tags will get posted on the TO2012 post for December but I have missed most of them as I am always late for everything. I confess I still have 1 month's tags to finish but I won't upload any more now until the big reveal for the January Art Draw which I will post in a week's time on the 3rd of January. Hope to see you then!!

Quick Update: Thanks to all who sent good wishes, son's girlfriend now out of hospital so nothing to worry about - a great relief to all  of us!!

 

Cute Crimbo?

A quick card from me today. Felt like being a bit non-traditional hee hee. This little elf is an Octopode digi, quickly coloured with copics etc. Background - dylusions ink sprays, then overworkled with ghosting and stamping. Feels good to get inky!!

And for a change I am putting this in to two challenges, the TOFF challenge which is currently 'words' (well there are a few words on it!) and Artful Times which is 'Anything goes'.

Back sooooooooon. So much to do, so little time.

A bit of canvas work.....

After making all those flippin' cards for MacMillan I was desperate to get a bit inky. I also wanted to make a couple of pressies for friends whose birthdays I had missed. So I decided to get a bit inky and painty.

This one is a really mini canvas with an octopode image. I love the way the background turned out on this one  and as I am sure you know by now this is one of my very favouritest Octopode images.  

For the second one I decided to try out a bit of 'she art'. I love Christy Tomlinson's style (do check out her etsy store if you are looking for something lush for a crafty friend - she has lots of funky new merchandise using her art).

I don't have any idea what I'm doing really, I just watch a lot of u tube demos and then wade in using any old paper, paints and inks I've got in my stash. Actually used some really old inks I bought when an art shop was closing down several years ago - I think they are designed to go in an artist pen, probably some kind of early promarker as they stink so much they must be alcohol based. So glad to find a use for them at last!!

The added attraction of this style of course is no faces, although it's then hard to give your image some character without. I like the angle of the face on this one although (and this is so typical) imo the original sketch was even better.

I Love 2 Read

Thought I'd quickly share a concertina book I made this summer as an example to the kids at work who we were encouraging to make and keep a reading diary. I made a few different styles up to give them ideas (they were all quite simple and basically made from scraps and ceraeal packets!!) but this was my favourite. I got the idea for this layout from a magazine, not exactly sure where now, but I remember that they had very cleverly written the titles of books around the circles. I have to confess I haven't written anything in mine yet but will do so. The book in the picture is 'Her fearful Symmetry' by Audrey Niffenegger which is my current bedtime reading. I am enjoying it, though I don't think it will end well!!

 

 

 

I'm putting this one into the current TOFF Challenge where the theme is BOOKS. Perhaps a scrapbook is not  the usual kind of thing they have over there, but I'm sure someone will put me right if it doesn't fit the profile!

Quick Post - 'Bee the best you can Bee'

Well I promised you's see some new Octopode images now I have some new digis compliments of Lily Chilvers at The Octopode Factory for my winning TOFF entry..

I couldn't resist using this little guy on a quick ATC. Now, what to make with the other two?

There'll  be a new fortnightly challenge along tomorrow so why not join in?

Now, off to tidy my  desk and have a peep at those new stamps that arrived today.....

So many stamps.... so little time.....

Pastel tag for TOFF...

Well I'm AWOL from WOYWW once again, mainly because I just don't have any time this week to go bloghopping and it hardly seems fair to invite people to visit when I don't have time to return the favour. But you know when you are really really busy and something says ...'Stuff this, I'm going to make some art... ' (or words to that effect!!).    So last night I made this little pastel tag for the TOFF challenge which I have never entered before but thought that as I am so in love with these images it would be rude not to join in ....

So, digi image from The Octopode Factory, DI's and copics, flower, ribbon.... simples. Probably needs a word but can't think of one. That's all, feel better for that.

Hugs

Cindyx

PS Just 3 more days to enter July Art Draw!!! Which also features an Octopode digi!!

Try it on Tuesday - 'So Very British'

A quick ATC from me as a TioT Design Team sample - Our theme this fortnight is "So Very British". With London 2012 just around the corner we would like to see a little bit of Britishness on your projects.

The weeks are flying as I try to get settled in to my new work pattern and get prepared for all my kids' activities this summer at work. Ambitiously each week through the summer hols we are running two story/rhyme time sessions, a craft activity and a drop in kids reading group/fun session on Saturday mornings. Oh, and a competition. Plus of course The Summer Reading Challenge. It will either be a great success or a complete flop LOL.

So as our main themes at work are basically London and Sport (spot the link?) I had already been playing with various London images and was itching to use this one on a project. You may have noticed I am in love with Octopode digis at the moment and this is my latest one. The background is also a digi stamp from a docrafts digital designer kit, although I am pretty sure it is available as a stamp too. The little bunting was gifted by a friend. Promarkers, Copics amd Distress Inks added the colour!

I know everyone in the country has had their umbrella out these last few weeks but if you've also been playing with your union jack, big ben or teapot stamps then why not dash off a project and join us at TioT? Can't wait to see what you make - it can be any style of project as long as it  meets the  'so very British'  theme. You have a whole fortnight to take part.

July Art Draw - Altered Canvas

or just a plain old canvas lol never sure about the altered bit.


Here is the finished item.







Isn't that little snail boy just gorgeous? He is a digital stamp from the Octopode Factory. I started the background to the canvas a la Christie Tomlinson but ended up going my own way. I added (yet more) scruffy flowers as 3D elements and various bits of rub ons etc for texture. The trouble with these layered backgrounds is deciding when they are finished or when they need just a little bit more - hope I have got it right.

Anyhow, if you would like to be in the draw for this canvas then the rules are simple, just add a comment on this post and I'll pop you in the draw. Add a link from your own blog and I'll put you in twice. International players welcome.

I'll close the draw on Saturday 28th July at 9.00 pm.

I'm uploading a little later than anticipated because my OH and I went to DD's 'graduation' from the Fashion Retail Academy today (passed with Distinction!!) and rather than brave the rush hour traffic home we went out for a meal. The college put on a lovely afternoon and the students' work on display was just jawdropping. There are some really talented young folk out there. and I am very, very proud of my darling Chelsey.

So hope you will join in this month, see you around, Cindy x