Twelve Tags of 2012 Final Tags

Well here we are at the end of the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012 Challenge and the final two tags. Both were, as usual, great fun to make. It's been a fantastic year long challenge and I am very happy that I've managed to complete each months tag. I've loved learning new techniques, improvising when I haven't had all the supplies and seeing all the fabulously creative work from the participants each month. The anticipation of each tag has added a little excitement to the start of each new month and the joy of seeing my name as a winner has been fantastic. So thank you Tim for all your efforts in hosting this brilliant challenge. Like many others, I'm looking forward to seeing what genius ideas you have in store for 2013.x

Underneath the Mistletoe

It's time for The Fashionable Stamping Challenges #  To Die For. For this challenge, your project has to include a die cut. I've made this Christmassy tag using a branch of mistletoe which I've cut on my Pazzles Inspiration machine. The snow flakes were punched using a Woodware punch.  The tag in reality is much prettier than it appears here, just can't seem to have captured it. The challenge is as usual sponsored by the lovely people at  Cottage Crafts. I've used Tim Holtz's technique which he calls 'enamelled stamping' to create the background. The mistletoe has been inked with various distress inks and then dusted with the wonderful Ranger Dry Glitter, it's just like sugar! i'm also entering into The Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge which is to be inspired by Tim Holtz's 12 Tags from any year. I've chosen his technique from the September tag in 2011.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sympathies for the people of America, after hearing of the terrible incident in Connecticut where many innocent lives have been lost. I cannot begin to imagine what the families and friends are going through at this very sad time. My thoughts are with you x

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge # 31 Distress Palette

We are getting ever closer to the end of the Studio 3 Compendium of Curiosities Volume 2 challenges.
This week's subject is the third of Tim's ink palettes, this time using Distress inks. I love a bit of painting so it was very enjoyable to make this card. The stamp is one I bought at the NEC from Ali-Craft. It's by Lost Coast designs, (thankyou Netty x) I love it and can see it joining the ranks of my favourites. I cannot reveal the technique used out of courtesy to Tim, however you can find full details on page 51 of the Compendium of Curiosities Volume 2. There's still time to get your order in fore Christmas. Many thanks to Linda for hosting these brilliant challenges.x