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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Finish It Off !

Hello everybody! Toni here to share a jumbo sized tag with you. I guess I'm not the only crafter that has quite a few unfinished pieces lying around. I'd started making this tag ages ago and I kept finding it lying around in it's unfinished state, and  each time I've thought 'I must get this finished... one day! So now, that day has finally arrived!
I started off by cutting a large sized tag from a piece of manila card. It actually measures 4"x 8 1/2".  I collaged some torn book pages and sheet music onto the surface, before applying Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Distress Paint. Once this was dry I stamped the little bird with black Archival Ink and coloured it with Distress Markers. This is how it looked....
 ....and that's how it stayed for about 6 months. There's also a bit of background stamping on there as well. Having toyed with a few other ideas, I decided to add a floral element and turned to my Jumbo Tattered Floral Die. I love making flowers with this die but haven't used it nearly enough ! I coloured a few pieces of manila card with a mixture of Victorian Velvet, Tattered Rose, and Crushed Olive Distress Ink. I used Tim Holtz's 'wrinkle free distress' technique.
I softened the colours, by blending the surfaces with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I coloured both sides of each piece of card as both sides are visible when the flower is constructed.. I then cut out the flowers ....
 I also cut a couple of smaller flowers using the regular sized Tattered Florals Die and a few mini Tattered Leaves. To sculpt the flowers, I used a large ball tool and a piece of dense foam, you could use a mouse mat or something similar. I worked the tool up and down each petal and used a circular motion in the centre of each flower until the petals started to curl in. If you haven't tried this before, you MUST give it a go. It's like magic watching the petals close up.
I then layered 4 of the large flowers, adhering each with a spot of Helmar 450. I then added a one smaller one and worked the last small flower until the petals were nearly closed. I then added a little glue to the ends of the petals and closed them in to create a bud-like centre. This was then glued into place.
I assembled the tag, adding the leaves, flower and a stamped ticket. I attached a die cut of an On the Edge Distressed Doily, to the bottom of the tag and a strip of leaves cut from the Alterations Spring Greenery Die. An extravagant bow made from Distress Stain, dyed seam binding and an Ideaology token, complete the tag
I'm quite pleased with the finished results. I could make flowers all day long with these dies. I'm not entirely sure whether this one is too big for the tag, but I love it anyway! I hope this might inspire you to take out one of your unfinished masterpieces, and FINISH IT OFF ! It's really very satisfying x

Here's a list of some of the products I've used which Kim stocks in the lovely eclectic Paperie shop. Click on any of the thumbnails to be transported straight there.

10 comments:

Inkypinkycraft said...

Gorgeous background and you finished it beautifully x

Almo said...

I adore this tag beautiful flower and bow, finished to perfection. Mo x

Unknown said...

Gorgeous tag Toni! Love the background and the bird is so pretty. x

Julia Aston said...

Love how you brought together all the pieces to create this beautiful tag Toni! Your curled up flower is gorgeous!

Steph Ackerman said...

This is lovely Toni.

Redanne said...

I don't think it is too big at all, I love it, it makes a real statement and the bird is a beautiful stamp! It look fabulous against the background and your extravagant bow is a delight. Hugs, Anne x

Jenny Marples said...

Thank goodness you persevered Toni. This is fabulous and no that flower isn't too big - it works brilliantly. Jenny x

Sue Lelli said...

Toni, I just LOVE this tag! The big flower is FABULOUS and really makes a statement! LOVE how you closed the center layer! And that bow makes me drool! LOVE everything about this tag! So glad you finished it off!

Words and Pictures said...

What a glorious tag - that flower is so stunning! Love the doily trimming at the bottom too.
Alison xx

Mary-Ann Maldonado said...

Beautiful tag! Love the colors and background.