Tag! ....... you're it!

Morning all,

Well it's finally done, my Timmie Tag for  12 Tags of 2012 - September - yeah!!
It took me all afternoon yesterday but I was determined to get it done.  After all, time is running out and I don't want to miss any.  It's October on Monday, so there'll be a new challenge.  Let's see if I can get that one done any sooner shall we!
This is Tim's September tag ......

 ......... cool isn't it.

As usual, I didn't have all of the products that the master himself had used - nothing new there then.  But I managed.
Here's my version ......

Everything started ok, I had the foil sheets, so covering the tag wasn't a problem.  Had great fun making the faux rivets using an everyday biro, an old credit card (actually it was my current one, the other half will probably say this is the only way I should use it from now on),  and a pricking tool. I used this in two different ways, can you spot them.  I will say one is not that easy to see.
Obviously I used the pointy end to make small holes in my tag, but then I noticed that my pricking tool has a textured bit around the bottom.  What would happen if I rolled this along the foil tape ...........

You can just about see the result down the righthand side, under the film strip.  There's a bit of a mesh type effect going on.  Sorry it's a bit hard to see - didn't really think this through properly did I!  I'll know for next time.

Colouring the foil with alcohol inks next - this was fine, I had all the right colours so on I went.  Then came my first hurdle - no steel wire!  The best I could come up with was a kitchen scourer - it seemed to work ok.  I managed to get most of the ink off and achieve that look of old riveted metal. 

Next came the embellishing.  Hurdle number 2.  I didn't have the typewriter die, or anything similar.  In the end I decided on a pocket watch, and used one from the Art Parts range.  I coloured it with the new Metallic Distress Stains in the Tarnished Brass for the inside layer and the Brushed Pewter on the outside.  I used one of my Indigo Blu stamps from the Take the Time set  to stamp some cogs to give the look of the workings inside the watch.  Then added some mini metal cogs from the Idea-ology range along with a metal clock face.
Some of my trinkets are the same ones that Tim's used on his tag, but again I didn't have all of them. So, I added some words instead.  The only problem with this of course is that it does cover up a lot of the 'metal' on the tag.  I think you can still see enough of it though.
A bit of black vintage seam binding, some Chit Chat words, and a piece of chain attached to the pocket watch finish it all off.

Not quite the same as Tim's, but mine never are.  He gives the inspiration, and it's all about adding your own little twist.  I'm quite happy with the result.  It's my most masculine tag to date.

It's back to the craft room later but first I'm off to meet a friend in town for coffee.  And apparently while I'm there, I have to go and pre-order some new XBox game which is released tomorrow (FIFA 13).  The Game store in Douglas is opening at midnight tonight for anyone that has a pre-order and my son just has to have it asap!  Kids eh! 

Don't forget Kay from Indigo Blu is back on the TV today 11 o'clock and 3 - Create and Craft - Sky Channel 671.  You hadn't forgotten had you?!  I've set my Sky box to record.  Hopefully my samples will be on there along with those from the rest of the Design Team.

Thanks for looking. Have a great day.
See you again soon.

Linda

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I've done it!!

Happy Friday everyone,
Well the final day of the TT was postponed due to bad weather conditions. This means the weekend is going to be all messed up because they'll now run the race tomorrow - great!
I have things to do tomorrow, I need to go shopping!!  And we have Mike's 40th birthday party to get to in the afternoon.  We have to go - I've made him a card. 
Yes, you heard correct.  I've made the 'man' card.  I've been putting it off all week but finally it's done.  What do you think?

I'm quite proud of it actually.  I don't like doing cards for men they're really hard work (the cards are not easy either - lol!) I'm really pleased how this has turned out though.
I must admit the idea has been there all week.  I knew which stamps I wanted to use and the 'time flies' theme was there, I just wasn't sure what to put with it, what colours to use, do I use papers or not, this is for a guy so I can't put ribbons on there, etc., etc., etc.
Once I sat down and got everything together it didn't take that long.  The longest bit has been waiting for the glossy accents to dry on the clock face.
I made the pocket watch first.  The pieces are Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 Art Parts.  I love these paper board shapes, there's load of different ones you can get and they're perfect for altering whether it be with inks and paint or just covering them with lovely papers.  The only thing is I don't like giving them away - this guy better know how lucky he is!!
I coloured the pieces with Vintage Photo Distress Re-inker then spritzed the frame quite a bit with Biscotti Perfect Pearls.  The stamps I used were from Indigo Blu - one of my favourite stamp ranges. http://www.indigoblu.com/   Check out their website for all the latest stamp designs and much, much more. 
I used the cogs from the 'Take the Time' set and stamped them on the solid pocket watch and embossed with gold.  Once the pieces were completely dry I joined them both together then added one of the Prima wooden clock faces to the centre, you can still see the cogs in the background.  I then covered the face with a layer of glossy accents and left it to dry.

The wings were cut from chipboard with the Tim Holtz Winged Heart Sizzix die.  I used Distress ink to colour the back of the wings and I covered the front with a layer of Flitter Glu, then dipped them into gilding flakes. There's also a little bit on the edges of the number 40 too.

I love using these but they can get everywhere.  You need to be quite firm when brushing off the excess to get a lovely smooth finish.  I have my flakes in a large container, I find it easier, and you don't waste as much because everything just goes back in.  Ooh,  don't forget to wipe any Flitter Glu off your fingers before sticking them into your tub of flakes.   It's strong stuff  and your fingers will end up covered  too.
The background paper is from the new Journal Pad by Prima, and the stripe is a little piece I found in my bit box.  I think it's from My Mind's Eye, Lost and Found range.  I used the stamps again directly onto the paper, same set as before, and Distress Ink around the eges. 
The little tag on the side actually fits into a pocket and is loose so you can pull it out - there's a birthday message on the back.  I stamped the front with the hot air balloon from the Indigo Blu Grand Tour III set, slightly off the edge, and inked around the edges with Vintage Photo DI.  I dropped a little bit of water onto the ink and blotted with a paper towel to give a 'weathered' look.  I thought this was a good spot for the 40 - well it had to go on somewhere, didn't it.
The lettering and the numbers, were all cut with the new Tim Holtz Die - WordPlay,  and you can see that I've also used his Weathered Clock too.
I even decorated the inside ......

Well it looked a bit plain, plus I needed to put extra card on the back so that it will stand up.  There's quite a lot on the front and I don't want it falling over.
Did you spot that I sneaked a bit of vintage seam binding on the front too - well like I mentioned yesterday most of my cards have to have ribbon on somewhere.  At least it's black - very masculine.
I really hope that Mike likes it.  If he doesn't, I'll have it back!!

In case you hadn't guessed I'm a bit of a Timmie fan.  I'd just like to say that one of my previous Blog posts showing my take on one of his 12 Tags has just had 1000 views!!! April post
This is unbelieveable. I've been watching the numbers all week wondering if it would make it, and it has. (anyone would think I've nothing else to do!)  I'm so pleased.  I would never have thought that so many people, from all over, would want to read what I put on these posts. 
I was lucky enough to be one of the 12 winners for the April Tag, and it's since then that all these views have mounted up.  Thanks to everyone for showing an interest, and to all those that left wonderful comments.  I really do appreciate it. 

Phew!  It's been a busy week this week.  Most of what's on my list has got done.  The rest can carry over to next week.  How much time I'll have though, who knows.  I've had the 'C' word (Christmas) mentioned to me - Oh No!  I'll have to go in search of some Christmas spirit - Ho! Ho! Ho! and all that.

Have a lovely weekend.  Hope the weather's kind to you wherever you are.
See you all next week.

Linda

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