The last tag of the year ....... sigh!

Happy Monday!

It's been another fun year following Tim's 12 Tags.  Each month we've been treated to inspiration from the master himself, with step by step instructions to help us to create our own versions. 

When I saw December's tag I couldn't wait to give it a go ....... the Tattered Poinsettia is one of my favourite dies and I loved the idea of using the Frosted Film with the Clearly for Art - what a combination!!

This is Tim's tag ....... how gorgeous is this ...... 
 

and here's mine ...... my favourite one of the year ......

The colours are a lot more intense in the flesh ....... I just couldn't capture them properly on camera.

Using the Frosted Film with the Clearly for Art gives a fabulous finish to the poinsettia and it's so much fun when you heat it up...... a bit like shrink plastic except it doesn't shrink, but you can mould it into any shape you like.  And the beauty of it is if you don't like it once it's cooled, just heat it up again.

I added a couple of holly leaves in there and some ribbon, and finished off the centre with a festive bell.

I must admit my splattering technique needs a bit of work, and I didn't have Tim's sentiment stamp (another one to add to the shopping list) but I think the one I've used says it all .......

Well that's it ....... the 12th Tag of 2013.  I do hope we can do it all again next year ....... and who knows I may just get some of them done with a bit more time to spare.

Thanks for popping by ........ I'll be back tomorrow with the final part of My Favourite Makes of 2013.  Enjoy your day.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

One of a Kind ......

Happy Saturday,

What a busy old day it's been ........ it's the last day of November and finally the last job on the list for this month has been crossed off - my tag's done for Tim's 12 Tags of 2013  (phew!)

In between tidying the house ready for the tree going up tomorrow (hopefully!), and painting my nails, doing my hair etc.  ready for this evening I've made time to settle down with the lap top and follow Tim's tutorial for this month's tag.
It's all about creating that Chalkboard look this month ........ here's Tim's tag

and here's my version ......

 

Not sure if my chalk effect is how it should be ....... the chalk I used was not the best quality but it was all I could find in the time I had available.  Next time I'm out and about I'm going to have a look for a better quality one and give this technique another go - it's fun!

I used the Toy Soldier from the Christmas Blueprints stamp set (CMS 135) and layered him up a little to add dimension

and I also decided to add a touch of colour into the mix too

Tag #11 all done and dusted ........ bring on December's.

We're seeing November out with a celebration ....... Stephen and I are off to a wedding do this evening which means lots of eating, drinking and dancing 'til late! ........ maybe the new pretty high heels weren't such a good idea after all. 
Here's a quick look at the card I've made for the happy couple ...

Oh well, better get my tag uploaded before I forget.  Thanks for popping by, have a lovely evening and I'll see you again soon.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Trick or Treat ............

Hi everyone,

Before I do anything else, a big 'hello and welcome' to my latest follower.  It's nice to have you along, and thanks for taking the time to read my crafty ramblings.

Phew!  This post has taken a while to do ........ Good old Blogger  is joining in the Halloween fun I think and playing a few tricks.  Just when I thought I'd try and catch up with everything too!!
Anyway ....... Happy Halloween to you all ....... or should I say 'Happy Hop Tu Naa' as it's called on the island. 
The pumpkin's been carved and is in place, and the sweets have survived and are ready for the Trick or Treaters (only because I hid them!). 

Not only that, my Tim tag is done too, for October's 12 Tags of 2013 ....... perfect timing as this month is a Halloween theme.  Anyone would think I'd planned it, but for those who know me better will know that I'm always on the last minute!! 
Here's Tim's fabulous inspiration .....

And here's my version .........

Same, but slightly different.  As usual I haven't had time to think too much about it, and luckily I had most of things I needed on the supplies list.  I did only have one of the shades I needed from the new Distress Glitters, but I used one of Tim's techniques from last year and coloured some of the Clear Rock Candy glitter using Alcohol inks .....

 

 

Clear Rock Candy Glitter coloured with Sunshine Yellow Alcohol ink

I followed the instructions on Tim's Blog and coloured the tag using the Distress Paints.  It did take a couple of attempts before I got one I was happy with, but I'm sure the others will come in useful for something.

I then stamped a few cobwebs onto the tag, using Black Archival ink and one of the Halloween stamps from Chocolate Baroque

The new Distress Glitters are fabulous, and Seedless Preserves is one of my favourites (I am a bit of a purple girl)  Seeing as I didn't have any of the other shades that Tim had used, I improvised  and made my own ......... black for the owl

and the yellow for the moon

I didn't have the Mirrored Stars, so I added a few clear gemstones for a touch of sparkle.  All finished, just in the nick of time - again!!

I hope you've all managed to stay safe and warm during the bad weather that's been hitting the UK.  It's not been that wild over here, we've had a few wet and windy days but nothing major. 
Last Sunday afternoon the other half decided to go 'storm chasing'.  The sea is pretty exciting to watch when the weather's bad, so off we went.  We drove down to Castletown and Scarlett Point, as the winds were coming in from the south.  You can see the sea was a little bit on the bumpy side .......... wouldn't want to be on the ferry!

The waves weren't half crashing against the sea wall - the little one loved it surprisingly.

Scarlett Point

Because of the bad weather we've also had a rig sheltering in Douglas Bay for the best part of a week.

I thought they'd struck oil out there but that's not the case.  It's apparently a support rig for the workers constructing the Walney Wind Farm in the Irish Sea ..... no oil then!

Ah well, thanks for popping by today.   I must dash and actually upload my tag to Tim's blog, now that it's finished.

Have a Spooktacular Halloween (mwahhahaha!!)  ....... I think I can hear the first lot of Trick or Treater's about to knock on the door.   It's about to get scary ......... whooooo hoo!

Cheerio for now.

Linda

xx

At least I've given it a go ........

Hi everyone,

Yes it's me again, two days on the trot ....... things must be looking up!

Well it's the middle of the week, already!!!  I'm never quite sure what day of the week it is after a Bank Holiday, I just know that the weekend creeps up that bit faster.
 
Things are looking pretty good in the old craft room though, just one thing left on August's list - the Timmie Tag!
I've not been looking forward to this one at all.  I have ....... wait for this ...... NOTHING, well very little on the materials list except the markers, ooh and the Distress Ink pad.   I didn't have the right colours of stain, hadn't got any of the stamps (I have very little in the way of stamps to do with travel so it would seem).  I didn't have the mask stuff that Tim's used, and my Idea-ology box is looking rather empty at the moment.
But, I gave it a go anyway, that's what it's all about taking the idea and doing your own thing with it.  Plus I couldn't miss one, could I!!?!

This was Tim's inspiration .......

in fact he's made 4!!

All fabulous of course - love the one with the ship.  Mine on the other hand, is not up to scratch this month.....

It started off ok, the colours I used seemed to blend nicely, I went with Gathered Twigs, Iced Spruce and a touch of Antique Linen to lighten things a little.  So far so good ........ next came choosing the stamps.  As I said I have very few travel related images, in the end I went for one of my IndigoBlu sets - Grand Tour III, I do like this set of stamps, the balloon image especially, and I love the compass.

I stamped the balloon slightly off the edge of the tag, and the suitcase down at the bottom, and then started to make my masks.  I love doing the masking technique, it really is a great way to build up your finished pictures. 
Once the balloon and the case were all masked,  I then stamped the Eiffel Tower (one of Barbara's Clarity stamps) on the right of the tag and then made a mask for this.
The trees were then stamped along the bottom, using the Pumice Stone Distress marker to ink the stamp.  Next I started to fill in the background around the main images.  I used one of Sam Poole's designs the Postcard Background stamp, and added a bit of colour with the Compass image from Grand Tour III, inked up using the markers again.
I finished off by adding a couple of small Paris postmarks using a Tim Holtz stamp from one of his clear sets.

I love the look of layers that you can achieve with masks, it's not a difficult technique at all, you just have to think before you start.  Whatever you want to be at the front once everything's finished, needs to be stamped first and masked and then everything else stamped after, masking as and when needed - great fun.

To finish off I added colour to the balloon using my Distress markers, highlighted the Eiffel Tower with a touch of Clear Stardust pen, and finally added a stamped ticket to the bottom.

I'm glad that's done!


I've also posted on the IndigoBlu DT Blog today.  For those of you who saw Kay on the telly on Saturday, and those that didn't, I've posted the details for one of my card designs that she did a demo of .......

Thanks also to those of you yesterday wishing Chris well at Uni.  He's not long to go now before it's back to the life of a student, for a while anyway.  I am going to miss him, although it does mean that the food in the fridge will last longer and there'll always be a cold beer.  Not to mention the ironing pile shrinking to something that doesn't remind me of a small mountain.  Speaking of which that's the next job on today's list - oh joy!

I can't quite believe I'm saying this but, I'm actually going to start September's 'To Do' list tomorrow - whoo hoo!  What's the betting I'll still be on the last minute with most things though.  There's no fun in being super organised is there!

Thanks for popping by today.  After yesterday's little blip in the weather over here where we had a spot of rain, Mr. Sunshine is back today.  Maybe summer is going to last a little longer after all.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

25 years ...... and still going strong!

Morning everyone,

It's a bit of a landmark day today - I've done my Tim Tag with over 2 days to spare!!! ....... No,  that's not the reason ......... it's actually our Silver Wedding Anniversary.  I can't believe it's 25 years since we said 'I Do' 
After seeing each other for only 10 days, Stephen whisked me away to Scotland for the weekend and proposed.  I said Yes, (obviously) and the rest is history.

July 30th 1988 (he looks so young!)

It's been a fabulous 25 years of fun and laughter, always an adventure, there's been a few tears along the way too.  But, I wouldn't change a thing.  He's my best friend, he can always make me smile (well, nearly always), and I love him to bits!
We're certainly eeking out the celebrations - the holiday in Italy, weekend away in the Cotswolds, we're off out for a meal tonight (just the two of us) and we were going to spend the night in a hotel but, unfortunately Stephen is off on a business trip early tomorrow so we thought we'd save that for another time.

I must confess, I haven't made him an anniversary card - how bad am I?!  I am going to dedicate my July Tim Tag to the best husband ever though .........
Here's Tim's inspiration for this month

and this is my take on it ....... specially for hubby.

All the details on the techniques and products used can be found over on the Tim Holtz blog.  As usual, not all mine are the same. 
I kept to the colours (more or less), and did Tim's brayering technique to colour the tag.  Then I used stamps from Urban Chic (CMS086) and Shabby French (CMS087) to create the background.  I also added a few words from a sheet of the 'Words'  Remnant Rubs.

I went for the Heart Wings alterations die to create the focal point, cut from Grunge Board.  I think it's time I had a new pot of the Rock Candy Crackle paint though - mine was very thick when I applied it, you can see all the brush strokes.  I quite like the effect it's made though, it's still crackled ok and I love how it takes the colour  from the stains ......

I used Festive Berries Distress Stain on the heart, and Brushed Pewter on the wings.

The 25 was cut using the Wordplay die then coloured with Distress Paint

The words are from Tim's 'Simple Sayings' stamp set .......

and I finished it all off with some seam binding, coloured to match, and some metal embellies

There's even a tiny heart on there, encased in Glossy Accents, along with a lock and key.  Well hubby does have the key to my heart - aawwwww!

Thanks for popping by today.  Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday. 

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Last job on the list .......

Happy Sunday,

How's your weekend going?  We had a lovely day yesterday, starting off at the Queenie Festival.  We did the usual, ate our Queenies, bought some lovely seafood, and caught up with the local chefs and their cooking demos on how to serve one of the island's delicacies.  This year it was pan fried Queenies on a Saffron Risotto with Cherry Tomates and Parma ham - nom! nom!
As always, we had a wander around the craft market and I treated myself to a little something ........

A beautiful shabby chic, vintage mirror.  Needs a little touch of paint here and there, but hey, I'm sure I can sort that out!  Something else to add to the 'to do' list.

Speaking of the list, there was just one job left on it for June - my tag for Tim's 12 Tags of 2013.  Seeing as today is the last day month, I thought I'd better do something about that.

This month it's all about watercolouring using the Distress Markers.  Here's Tim's tag ......

and here's my version ......

Not quite as colourful, the same design though, with a little LindyLou touch added.

I didn't really have a lot of time to play around with this month's tag - nothing new there, I'm always on the last minute!  So, I  followed Tim's instructions pretty much to the letter.  The only things I changed were some of the colours.  I used Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass and Crushed Olive to colour the wings, blending the colours with my waterbrush, and Faded Jeans for the body.

I added in a touch of Worn Lipstick, and Dried Marigold into the background and used Pumice Stone for the shading.
Doing the splatters and spots onto the background was fun and gives a really nice effect.

To colour the tag itself, I used Gathered Twigs Distress ink, Salty Ocean Distress Paint and just a touch of Wild Honey stain.  Everything was stamped using Black Archival, first and second generation stamping, and I decided to add some words to the bottom (from the Dylusions stamp set 'Quintessential Quotes')

I also added some co-ordinating vintage seam binding ribbon, and mat the watercolour artwork and my finished tag onto some black cardstock.

To finish it all off I added a touch of  Clear Rock Candy Glitter to the wings ........

Phew!!  All finished in plenty of time.  That's June's list all done and dusted, July's is already pinned on the craft room wall.
It's going to be a busy, busy week next week, I've got some DT samples to make for Sam Poole's Create & Craft show on the 22nd - brand new stamp designs, looking forward to that.  I've got some DT work to do for Indigo Blu, and loads of prep work for something that's happening in a little under 3 weeks time .........
I can't say too much yet (because I don't know that much), but what I can say is, it's really exciting and it's going to be lots of fun.  It also involves me getting on a plane so whatever it is ....... it's happening in the UK.

Thanks for popping by today.
I'm off now to share the kitchen with the other half.  Tonight on the menu it's Hot Smoked Salmon for starters, followed by fillet steak, and a nice bottle of red.  Hubby cooks the steaks, and I do all the trimmings.  Pity he doesn't share in the tidying up afterwards though.  Thank goodness for the dishwasher!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

One more day to go .........

Morning everyone,

It's nearly time to close the old craft room door. A tidy up and a quick skoosh with the vaccum cleaner is all that's left to do in there.   I'm going to miss the place while I'm away.  I have stashed the new Stampin Up This and That journal, new rotary stamp, and a couple of small inkpads in my suitcase though, just in case! There's not much in the way of clothes in there yet though,  that's this afternoon's job.

One of the important things on the 'To Do' list was my May tag ....... for 12 Tags of 2013. I wasn't going to miss one now was I!
It was the same rush as ever to get this finished, only this time it's a week early.

I wasn't too sure when I first saw this, but I soon decided which stamp I wanted to use.  I did pretty well actually this month, with the supplies list.  The only thing I didn't have was the colour of alcohol ink Tim had used, and I realised I hadn't replenished my crinkle ribbon. So not too bad there.

Here's my finished tag .......

I love this stamp!!!  She's been in my stash since March, waiting to be used, and I thought she'd be perfect for this project.

I followed Tim's step by step using his new Remnant Rubs and inking with the Distress Stains.  These rub ons are sooo cool and I love how they resist the stains.

I went for a pale blue alcohol ink to use on the enamelled tag before adding more rub ons - love the mottled look .......

And I decided to attach my word band using some of the stained ribbon that I'd made for the tag, it gave it a softer look I think.

I'm really pleased how she's turned out.  I wasn't to keen when I started, but now it's finished I think she's one of my favourites.

Well that's it for today.  I've got one more crafty post for you tomorrow, then it's arrivederci!  from me.

Thanks for popping by.  Have a lovely Thursday.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Cutting it fine ..... again!

Happy Tuesday everyone,

Well, it's the last day of the month again, so that means it must be time for my Timmie Tag.  Talk about cutting it fine ...... I'm getting later and later with this each month.

12 Tags of 2013

As usual, I didn't have everything on the supplies list but, I got there in the end.
I don't think I've mastered Tim's technique for this month that well.  Could be something to do with me not having the right paints - that's my excuse anyway.  This month the master has been showing us how to create the look of patina on different surfaces.  Check out all the details here 

This is how mine turned out .......

Similar I suppose.  I didn't have a lot of time to mess about with it really.   Are you ready for this ...... I didn't have ANY of the colours of Distress Paints - shock! horror!  I had the metallics, no problem there but, I had to find some similar colours in my box of acrylic paints.  In the end I went for Paperartsy's Fresco Finish in shades of Blues and Greens.  Not sure that they work in the same way as Distress though but I quite like the result.  And using the distress inks over the top is so clever, I love the mottled effect.

I pretty much kept to Tim's design (again, not a lot of time to play around), but I decided to add a bit of fantasy film into the mix.
I stamped the dragonfly onto the Clearly for Art - if you've not used this before try it. It's so cool! The clear version feels like thick acetate but when you heat it, it goes all soft and pliable so you can shape it before it cools.  Once it cools down, it holds it's shape.  Perfect for adding a bit of dimension to you projects. And, if you're not happy with the shape first time, just heat it up again, it all goes flat. and you can shape it again.
Once I'd stamped the image, I used some Glossy Accents, and stuck the fantasy film onto the back.  Once this was dry, I cut out the wings and the body of the dragon fly and attached them to the tag.
I wasn't sure if the film would stick once I heated the wings again but, it worked ........

You can just see a hint of colour as the light hits, they look quite delicate.

The rest of the embellies I've used are more or less the same as on Tim's tag, but with a little LindyLou touch.

I decided to make my tag a little more feminine, I inked and stamped a paper flower and added it to one of the mini gears.  We should be seeing a few more flowers bloom now, it is supposed to be spring after all!

Well that's April done and dusted.  I've already made my 'To Do' list for May.  It looks like I'll be spending quite a bit of time in the old craft room in the next couple of weeks.  I've loads of stuff to do before we go away.  New stash to play with too.  Look what my lovely postie brought me yesterday ......

It's all out of the packaging and sat waiting to be used.  Hopefully, before the end of the week, I can get melting. Watch this space.

Thanks for popping by today.  Sorry I haven't been visiting everyone recently, I don't know where the days are going.  I will try and catch up with you all this week.  Enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx