Christmas Tag Class

The week before the Santos class, Jackie taught a Christmas tag class. She always incorporates several techniques that are new to most of the class. We each made three tags. As always, Jackie had cute kits ready for us, yummy treats and darling name tags. I don't know why I never think to take a pic of the name tags. I have an inspiration board full of them.

For the first Santa tag, we stamped aqua swirls using paint rather than ink, and we embossed the Paris postmark. My funky green background paper was not the best choice for my photo shoot!

For the second Santa tag, we used colored pencils and two types of glitter. I have a bit of faux holly that I plan to place on Santa's hat and some trim I want to use at the bottom - if I can ever find it!  We used paper tape and a clip to attach the little banner.

This one is my favorite. We used glimmer mist on the tag, then stamped it. We added the postcard, then stamped the pear and covered it in gold leaf.  It's really beautiful. Then Jackie had us melt silver and gold crayons and spatter the tag.  Everyone loved this technique!  There's also a tiny "shrinky dink" postmark. The holly leaves are layered and glittered.  So much fun to make!

I have another class tomorrow - this time at My Heart's Fancy - weather permitting. Also, I still need to post about the Halloween soiree at Paper Crown, but I haven't been able to get good pics yet. Soon!

Christmas Santos Class

Thursday evening was spent at the beautifully decorated (as always) Paper Crown, creating in Jackie's Santos class. We had a large group and each and every santos was lovely.

We started with a cigar box, so the piece can hang on the wall or sit on a shelf or stack of books.  The santos figure is made from Character Constructions stamps. Jackie provided beautiful kits and lots of extras to use.  After I got mine home I added three tiny vintage ornaments in silver and aqua - my main colors for Christmas decor. The paper around the sides of the box is aqua, too.

If you'd like to see more, there are class photos and more of the finished santos on the Paper Crown blog here and on Jackie's blog here. A big thank you to both for another wonderful evening and another creation to treasure!

Paper Cowgirls Altered Tin Swap

Those Paper Cowgirls are at it again - a altered tin swap this time. This is a first for me, but I liked working in this format. Our theme was time and everyone was free to interpret that in their own way.  I was fairly literal, as usual.

I used printed canvas to cover most of the tin, with a stripe of Smash brand paper tape.  The little banner is from Bazzill Basics Banner Garland pack - little printed banners with the string sewn right into the paper. You just punch them out, being careful to keep the string intact. The banners are 12", but I only needed a tiny piece. The clockface and hands are from Bo Bunny.

The papers are from a My Mind's Eye 6x6 pad - Follow Your Heart. I had a sheet of 7 Gypsies stickers with a time theme that worked perfectly.

I made a little fold out "book" that tucks into the tin.  The seam binding bow holds everything in place.

The back is pretty basic, with just the canvas and a little Making Memories tag.  I'm not sure why I'm listing all the brands, as most of these products are several years old so you wouldn't be able to find them anyway! Just trying to use what I have for a change.

I wanted to send a little something to the swap hostess, so I created this ATC for her along the same theme. I finished the ATC late at night so the photo was shot using my dining room lighting rather than natural light and is therefore atrocious. I found a little sticker to add to the back that reads, "Created in a timely manner by_____." Since the swap items are due to her on November 15 and I mailed mine on the 12th, I just had to add "not very."

I am terribly behind on blog posts but hope to have more up soon.  I have another swap due on the 22nd - a White Christmas Tag Swap - and I need to post some wonderful Halloween projects before Thanksgiving rolls around! I also need to post about my "new" craft space. Woo hoo!  Hope you'll stop by again soon!