Day 10 - Nontraditional Colors

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Well, this is the last moment to post for Ellen Hutson's "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch". I've always done some of my best work under pressure! Ha!

I left this one until last because Julie Ebersole has been an inspiration to me for years and today is no exception. She designs the most amazing products for Essentials by Ellen, teaches terrific classes, has a super-inspiring blog, and has a world-class laugh......all too much for one gal! But, she is really THAT great!

For this tag I used Juile's "Elf'd" stamp and die set. When I thought about nontraditional colors this elf was the first thing that popped into my mind. I love making tags with this guy and have not ever used these colors before. I make a background with many of the smaller stamps and used Zig markers (something else Julie introduced me to) to quickly color up the sweet images. I added dimension to the elf and have the sentiment as a free-moving separate tag. It is all put together with some pink twine and a real pom-pon for his tiny hat.

As you know, I'm running out of tag time!

Thanks Ellen for this great creative adventure, to all the designers for their sweet inspiration, and to you for the kind visit. Time to get wrapping because we've got lots of tags to hang! Actually, I will save most of these for next year and our annual charity gift giving - it fill our hearts with love and we think having handmade tags adds a special touch. Thanks again,

Day 11 - Neutrals

Hello, again my tag-along Blog buddies!

As I said, I'm running late with my tags for Ellen Hutson's "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch" so my posts are brief.

This tag is inspired by Day 11 with Miriam Prantner and using neutrals. A pretty stamp (sorry - I simply don't remember the company; I stamped this image a couple of years ago while taking a class!) which I watercolored with Distress Inks, mounted on a gold tag and to which I added some snowflake embellishments for dimension. I love this look!

Thanks, Ellen and thanks to you for this visit,

Day 8

Hello, my Bloggin' Buddies!

Well, my time is running out for Ellen Hutson's "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch". I have been starting my days early to try to get to all 12 but I doubt I am going to make it. I'm loving every minute of it, but the days are simply slipping away.

So, these next posts are gong to have to be brief in order for me to get done!

This tag is one that is inspired by Day 8 and the beautiful tag that Sharon Harnist did featuring "florals". I made a similar tag in a class taught by my friend Sandy Brien - she teaches classes during the warmer weather right near here and is a creative blessing! This tag features a Judikins Stamp (336338H) which is watercolored with Distress Inks. Embellishments are added for some additional dimension.

Thanks for the visit and I'll keep tagging' along!

A Third Run at Black and White????

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

Okay, I was up at 2:15 AM thinking about these black and white tags from Ellen Hutson's "12 Days of Christmas Tags with a Feminine Twist". What did I do but get up and make yet another one.....this has really gotten under my skin. Thanks to Ellen and Lisa Spangler (isn't she the best?!) for this amazing "out of my comfort zone" inspiration.

This tag uses the "Holiday Words" die and the "Prize Stag" die designed for Essentials by Ellen by the terrific Julie Ebersole. These are some of my all-time favorites for making tags.

Hoping that I soon return to color or I will never get to Day 12 of this blog hop.......thanks ladies and thanks to you for the visit.

Even More Black and White!!!

Hi, Holiday Blogging' Buddies!

Well, here I am, still enthralled with Day 7 of Ellen Hutson's "12 Christmas Tags with a Feminine Twist"! Lisa Spangler really did it to me - inspired the heck out of me to make black and white tags. Me, who loves color!!! Thanks, Lisa!

I continue to use some classic favorites from Essentials by Ellen designed by my crafty mentor, Julie Ebersole. I really got into this.

For the first tag I used "Bear Ware 2" and "Home and Hearth" die for the little heart not the tag within the tag! Some Julie-inspired black and white wash tape grounds the cute images.


This second tag has a background of clear-embossed diagonal strips to add a touch of class. The word is another "Holiday Words" die-cut, the florals are from the "Wild Garden" die set and the "Christmas" is from "Bear Ware 2". I love these classic sets and will never let them out of my stash!


Thanks a million to Ellen, Lisa Spangler and Julie Ebersole.......what an inspiring team!

Thanks for the kind visit,

"Wood" I? You Bet!

Hi, Blogging Buddies!

Indeed! Today's tags are again the result of the "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch" brought to us by the wonderful Ellen Hutson. I was excited to play along with Day 6 and the tree tags inspired by BOTH Laurel Beard and Carly Tee Minner. I love woodgrain! Perhaps it is my background in architecture and environmental studies.......okay, I'm a tree-hugger!

Yes, I continue to use favorite products from Essentials by Ellen designed by the terrific Julie Ebersole. I simply can't help it. They speak to me. For these tags I used woodgrain cardstock, very feminine pink and aqua colors, and Julie's "Geo Tree" dies.

My first tag, inspired by Carly, uses the negative space within the woodgrain paper to create the tree image. But I went over the top with girly-pearly embellishments, as per Laurel's tag!

Since I had the tree shape from the first die cut of the woodgrain paper, I used it for a second tag. I sponged "Spun Sugar" Destress Oxide Ink lightly over the paper for a touch of color and spattered it with Hero Arts Pewter Glimmer Metallic ink for some additional interest and shine. The sentiment is from Hero's Christmas Messages.

Both tree tags are topped with some perfect wood stars and pink help twine from my stash to complete the entire "wood" effect.

Tag Two in Black and White

Hi, quickly. my crafty pals!

I was so inspired by the tags by Lisa Spangler on Day 7 of Ellen Hutson's "12 Tags of Christmas With a Feminine Touch" that I made an additional tag today. My firs one is here. This classic tag was made with Essentials by Ellen "Holiday Words" die designed the amazing Julie Ebersole.

Thanks again for the visit,

Black and White for Christmas?

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, Today I'm still working on tags inspired by the amazing Ellen Hutson and her wonderful "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch".

Today I worked on Day 7, inspired by my buddy Lisa Spangler. I "met" Lisa so many years ago through Hero Arts, before we even had blogs and I have watched her talents grow.

Well, I guess this is exactly what this hop is intended to do - challenge us to try something that we normally wouldn't do. Black and white is something that I would not think of using for holiday tags. I've done kraft and black for a "homespun" look, but black and white? I love it and simply couldn't stop once I got started!

Once again I reached for Essentials by Ellen products designed by the amazing Julie Ebersole....it is as if they were made for this look. For this tag I used "Bar Ware 2" and "Wish Big". Love this look!

The day was very gray and I am not a photo-pro, but in real life the black and white contrast is stunning!

Thanks for the visit - keep creating!

Even More Sparkle?????

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Here is another tag inspired by Ellen Hutson's "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch". Every day the designers seem to outdo themselves. Isn't it wonderful?

Today's tag was inspired by Day Five and the terrific Therese Calvird (she makes great videos with lots of instruction and colorful examples - and she even took us on holiday with her!). I love the brilliant trees on her tag, so I created one of my own.

I couldn't find a tree stamp that was just perfect, so I simply made my own by drawing it with a Sharpie Pen. Easy. I kept with feminine colors, used a background piece with a swirly font, added tons of sparkly "bling", attached two shiny strips of gold paper and adorned it with a silky ribbon and a darling vintage-style gold jingle bell. I am loving this simple and feminine tag!

Come and play along! You may think you're too busy, but this is such fun and a real inspiration. Thanks, Ellen!

Thank you for the visit - keep creating!

A Pinterest Inspired Tag

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

I continue to be challenged by Ellen Hutson and her "12 Days of Christmas Tags with a Feminine Touch". I have to say that so far this is my very favorite of the group. It is inspired by Day 2 (I'm not going in order!) and the amazing card by Carrsia Wiley (she makes wonderful videos and is such a happy crafter!). Her work was inspired by a post on Pinterest:

All I could think about were some of my all-time favorite products designed for Ellen by one of my favorite gals in the card-making world, Julie Ebersole. Not only is she super-talented, she is a fantastic instructor and has the most contagious giggle ("ask me how I know"!). I have learned so much from her over the years and simply adore her.

Anyway, the products I used are her "Cozy Christmas" set, "Home and Hearth" set and "Laurel Wreath" die (I used this same die here on a "12 Tags" event in 2014! It has an entirely different look and feel.).

I cut three layers of the wreath for dimension, cut the heart from a beautiful gold cardstock, used kraft and black cardstock, heat-embossed the sentiment, added washi tape (something that Julie has helped me to feel more comfortable using) and I added a bow made with Tim Holtz's linen ribbon.

Thanks again, Ellen, and thanks to you for the kind visit,

Sparkle and Shine

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I continue to create along with Ellen Hutson for her "12 Days of Christmas Tags with a Feminine Twist". This tag was inspired by Day 3 and the amazing Kelly Marie Alvarez's tag, which is "Sparkle and Shine". While I rarely use glitter (because I wear it for days!), I do love glittery things so I used glitter cardstock (DCWV) and wash tape from my stash to add the sparkle. And always a touch of Stickles!

I love this little line-up of snowfolks from Lawn Fawn's "Simply Celebrate Winter" set. I paired it with a tiny little sentiment from Hero Arts "Christmas Messages" set.

Another day of sweet tag-spiration! Thanks to Ellen and thanks to you for the visit,

Emboss a Tag

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Another day of inspiration from Ellen Hutson and her "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch".

Today's tag was inspired by Day 4 and Michelle Ferguson's tag which uses "Embossing". I was also inspired by using the color pink!  I embossed this ornament and watercolored it. Embossing really helps keep track of the water in watercoloring!

The stamps are from Hero Arts "Ornaments Stamp and Cut" and "Christmas Messages".

Thanks to Ellen and thanks to you for the visit! Keep on tagging' on!

Time for Tags (again!)

But, thanks to Ellen Hutson's wonderful skills, it is with a feminine twist!!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

More tags, you say??? Never too many!

This is my first post for Ellen Hutson's annual "12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist"! I always look forward to this because the designers do a terrific job of inspiring us to think outside the box.

This tag was inspired by Day One and Carloyn Peeler's tag, for which she used alcohol inks. Since I love this soft (and feminine!) turquoise blue ink, I used it for my background. A touch of sparkle was added with the glittery reinforcer and some Stickles along the snow bank. The sweet critter is from Lawn Fawn's "Winter Skies" set and the sentiment is from Hero Arts "Christmas Messages" set. For a finishing touch I added a piece of special iridescent  twine that I've been hoarding.

The sun wasn't cooperating, but this does have a ton of shimmer, sparkle and shine.

Thanks to Ellen and thanks to you for the visit!

Another tag design

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I'm here today to share with you another tag I made inspired by Tracey McNeely's "25 Days of Christmas Tags". This time I was inspired by Day 16 which is all about Ellen Hutson's amazing stamps.

I was inspired by the tag made by Tracey herself to make this one also using a stamp set by Ellen Hutson ("Santa's Flight", designed by the amazing Julie Ebersole) and adding a bell and some ink blending.

This guy is jingling all the way!

Thanks for the visit and you might want to jingle a little,

Let's Hear it for Courage!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

Today I have a card made with the amazing new stamp and die set from Ellen Hutson called "Courage". Unfortunately, I am finding that I need a set like this more and more often. That darn cancer touches too many of our lives and takes away so much hope for so many.

I made this card for a friend from my Zumba class - she loves to dance! She has finished her long round of chemo and soon starts on another lengthy round of radiation. Her spirit and courage are such an inspiration!

I used an emboss resist with Distress Inks for the background, sprayed with some Perfect Pearls for luster. The wonderful sentiment is heat embossed with white and the crown and sword are embossed on yellow cardstock with platinum.

Thanks, Ellen, for making this set, increasing our awareness and for making such a generous donation to the Breast Cancer Research Fund from the sales. You are a blessing!

Thanks for the visit and have a lovely weekend,

Ellen's Mix it Up Challenge

Howdy, my Bloggin' Buddies!

Have you heard the news?

Ellen Huttson has a new challenge going on over at the Classroom! The first one is to mix a wonderful "Essentials by Ellen" product with a Hero Arts product.

I have been having such fun with my new Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints and decided that this was the perfect chance. I have many of Ellen's great Essentials (such amazing designs!), but I wanted to combine this simple word die from Julie's "You Rock" set with part of a Hero Arts sentiment, in this case one from Essential Messages, CL371. The background is from Neat and Tangled (hope that is permitted!).

I added a mist of Perfect Pearls after the watercolors were applied - a lovely shimmer! - and some sequins from my stash.

I'm still fighting with making good photos at the new house - sorry!

Give this challenge a try - you have a couple of days. And check back at the Classroom for additional future challenges.

Thanks for the visit - have a great week!

On a Clear Day

Today I am wrapping up my participation in Ellen Hutson's great Make 'N Take Challenges - today is clear stamps - in celebration of the 2013 Hero Arts release. I used an old favorite Hero Arts stamp, CL416 to make a thank you card for a dear and talented friend (see her Etsy shop here after she re-stocks) who made me some fun gifts for my kitchen.

These are my kitchen's colors. I used Copics and a silver pen to color these cute images and I popped up some of the elements for added fun. The greeting is Hero Arts CG277 with Red Royal Shadow Ink, which I love (it will be great for Valentines, too).

Thanks, Ellen - this has been lots of fun and a great way to end the year celebrating the new Hero Arts stamps (which I have yet to get my hands on). You have one more day to join in this great fun.

Only a few more thank you cards to make and I can shift to Valentines, one of my very favorite types of cards to make. Have a toasty day and thanks for checking in.

Have a safe and happy new year's eve!

Stamps and Stamps!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

There is a wonderful lady where I volunteer who always thinks of me when she sees something that might be used in a crafty way. One day she had a bag of canceled postage stamps. I've always had a fascination for postage stamps. Not just the graphics, but that they have traveled so many places.

I made a set of cards as a little thank you gift. I used one of the cling stamps from Hero Arts' "Just Because" set (AC012) and the coordinating die, "Edge Frame" (D1005). I stamped it onto water color paper and used watercolor pencils to color it. After adhering the postage stamps to the background, I embossed it with my Cuttlebug "Decroative Tile" folder (it looks like lattice).

For cards that I am giving as gifts, I like to keep them flat so that there are no issues with padding or extra postage. The watercolor paper adds sufficient dimension and I added a small paper flower and Stickles to each card.

I am entering this in Ellen Hutson's cling stamp Take 'N Make Challenge to celebrate the 2013 Hero Arts Release. You have until January 1st to join in for wood, cling, or clear stamping projects.

Thanks for stopping in and have a glorious Sunday!

Jingle Bell Monster

Our little (and very cool) grand-nephew loves all things monster. So, I decided to make a gift tag for him using the current Paper Smooches SPARKS designer draft challenge and a technique from Ellen's 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist. And, because my design features snowflakes, I will make it another entry into Simon Says Stamp's current challenge. All super-amazing!

The current designer challenge at Paper Smooches SPARKS is to use this great sketch:

I used 4 different paper Smooches stamp sets for this baby: Little Fella, My Peeps (for the hat), Dippy Dots (for the background) and Geo-Graphic. Fun!

As for technique, I used Jennifer McGuire's acetate tag technique, using white Staz-on for a background. I raised the acetate from the backing tag to produce some lovely shadows (you can see it better on the close up). I also used her Copic coloring-on-metal technique for the snowflakes, but I added some snowflake embellishments on top of them for extra dimension and contrast.

Hope you have a monster of a day! Thanks for checking us out.

Ellen's 12 Tags

Hope you all had one grand weekend - we sure did! I have been lurking around Ellen Hutson's Classrom. She has been doing her Twelve Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist and what a lovely gift that is. It is as good as any online class that I have paid for! Great talent and wonderful instructions. Thanks, Ellen!

Anyway, I was inspired by everyone, but most of all (so far) by the wonderful and whimsical tag by Claudine Hellmuth. There is so much about this refreshing and fun tag that I love and I incorporated some of it in my series of tags.

I love the painted background with the tiny dimensional dots, the addition of lace (mine is some vintage from my extensive stash), and the cute graphic. I dug into my collection of vintage photos and embellished the folks with wings and hats from Artchix Studio (there are lots of goodies there). The sentiments are from Paper Smooches Christmas Sampler.

As you can see, I really had fun with these. I'm not sure that I can give them up - they've become part of the family! Get on over to Ellen's Classroom and check it all out - you will love it, I promise!

Thanks for the visit and have a delux week!