12 tags of 2012 – april…

2012april

are you ready for spring?  i definitely am…  it’s been great reading the comments and seeing the posts from those of you participating in the monthly 12 tags.  speaking of the monthly tags, i know i planned on catching up with the january tag last month, but my march was pretty busy between planning for cha, ranger u, designing new products, and of course teaching my creative chemistry 101 class.  so let’s just say “i owe you one” and i’ll be sure to have it done sometime this year – fair enough?  if you’re catching up yourself, the easiest way to see the previous tags is to simply click the “12 tags of 2012” link on the bottom left column of my blog.  this month’s tag was inspired by my new bird branch die, i couldn’t wait to use it.  the techniques are basic, yet completely adaptable with a variety of other products you may have. time to get started…

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supplies: craft sheet, distress ink/iced spruce/broken china/wild honey/peeled paint/gathered twigs/vintage photo/stormy sky, distress embossing powder/brushed corduroy/peeled paint, distress stain/broken china, archival ink, heat tool, ink blending tool, glossy accents, multi-medium, #8 manila tag, mister; grungeboard, tiny attacher, word bands, wire pin, adornments, locket keys, trimmings; texture fades/fancy & floral frames, bird branch, vagabond; stamps/reflections, grid-blocks; distresser; foam tape

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step 1: die cut grungeboard from bird branch die.

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step 2: ink the branch with distress ink using an ink blending tool.

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step 3: ink leaves with distress ink using an ink blending tool.

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step 4: sprinkle peeled paint distress embossing powder over the green inked areas.

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step 5: sprinkle brushed corduroy distress embossing powder over the brown inked areas. (i like this color powder since it has bits of light and dark browns in it)

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step 6: remove excess powders and heat emboss until powders melt. (grungeboard will curl slightly when heated)

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step 7: allow embossing powders to cool and swipe over with your fingers to remove the release crystals from the distress powders.

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step 8: ink the bird with distress ink using an ink blending tool – leave the belly of the bird lighter.

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step 9: ink the beak with distress ink using ink tool.

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step 10: ink the edges of the bird with distress ink using ink tool.

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step 11: for background, stamp the smooth side of the embossing folder (the side where the actual design is debossed/recessed) with archival ink using a reflections stamp and emboss a manila tag.  note: check out this video showing how i use reflections.

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step 12: once tag is embossed and stamped, ink the center with wild honey distress ink using ink tool.

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step 13: ink remaining areas of tag with various colors of distress ink using ink tool.

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step 14: ink edges of tag with brown distress ink using ink tool.

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step 15: mist left over ink on craft sheet with water from mister.

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step 16: tap tag into ink water to create a mottled background.

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step 17: dry tag with heat tool.

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*this is the effect it gives, i love the way it blends the ink colors.

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step 18: drag paper distresser along the edges of tag to tatter.

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step 19: adhere bird to tag with glossy accents and hold to dry.

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step 20: apply pieces of twine through ends of word bands.

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step 21: apply a piece of foam tape to back of word band.

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step 22: adhere word band to tag and secure ends of twine with tiny attacher.

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step 23: adhere crown adornment to tag with multi-medium.

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step 24: stain trimmings/crinkle ribbon with distress stain and dry with heat tool.

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the details: i think using reflections stamps with embossing folders creates the illusion of that stamp going behind the embossed design.  i also like the texture distress embossing powders give to the bird branch.  simple yet effective.

so for this month, get out those embossing folders, stamps, and embossing powders.  even if you don’t have reflections stamps there are many designs that will work for this technique.  you can try using various inks to stamp with to see what effects they give, and of course add a little texture to your tag using some embossing powders.  remember these monthly tags are a way to give yourself that creative time to simply play…t!m

congrats to the winners from the march 12 tags of 2012 gallery posts.  if you see your name below, please contact [email protected] to claim your prize!

1. Lezlei 
2. Barbara Washington
3. Tallulah
4. kath
5. TanteKäthe
6. Anna-Karin
7. Elaine & Lisa
8. Belinda Basson
9. Susie W
10. Sandra
11. Deb Neerman
12. Terrie Lightfoot

*be sure to check your local stores for these supplies or you can
click the links below to purchase online…
(SSS=simon says stamp / IE=inspiration emporium)

 

Bird Branch (IE|SSS)

 

 

TF Fancy & Floral (IE|SSS)

 

 

CMS111 Reflections (IE|SSS)

 

 

Word Bands (IE|SSS)

 

 

Craft Sheet (IE|SSS)

 

 

Heat Tool (IE|SSS)

 

 

Distress Powder (IE|SSS)

 

 

Distress Ink (IE|SSS)

 

 

Paper Distresser (IE|SSS)

 

 

 

Mister Bottle (IE|SSS)

 

 

Adornments/Classic (IE|SSS)

 

 

#8 Manila Tags (IE|SSS)

 

 

Locket Keys (IE|SSS)

 

 

BLENDING
TOOL (IE|SSS)

 

 

Trimmings (IE|SSS)

 

 

Vagabond (IE|SSS)

 

 



Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101