WHEW!!!!

Christmas is over and things are settling back to normal for most of us.  I've not had much to share of late as the items I was making were for gifts.  But now that they've all found new homes, I can share them with you.
My husband works in a predominately female workplace, so coming up with interesting gifts can be challenging.  This year he asked if I had any ideas, and it just so happens I did.  While on the t!m Holtz Cruise, we learned how to alter these fun watch parts.  I took this idea and made up a few watches of my own.

This is the watch we learned to make on the cruise.  The next 4 are the ones created for gifts.

It's difficult to photograph these little buggers, as they cast their own internal shadows no matter the angle.  Ah, well I hope you enjoy.
I also made for my daughter a fun holder for her distress ink pads (or any ink pad for that matter).  I started with a wooden cigar box with a sliding top.  Sanded it, painted it, ink stained it and added papers I knew she'd love.  I added gears and actual watch parts to carry out the theme.
Front

Right side

 Back

 Left side

 Top

My apologies for the angled photos.  Seems Blogger is not my friend tonight.
Ah, well,  I'm off to see what awaits me tomorrow.
I hope you enjoyed the photos and remember to ....have fun!!!
Until tomorrow,
Dawn

The END

If you've stuck with me thus far, thanks.  If you're just checking out my space, welcome.
I've managed to complete all 12 of the 12 tags of Christmas.  I have learned so very much and yet feel there is so much yet to learn.  Before I ramble too much I'll share tag 11:

This is my husband's favorite of all the tags.  I'm not sure why he likes this one so much, but I do know he is the king of  Christmas bling.  I improvised on this tag as well as many of the previous tags.  Since the tag was about the shiny effect, I decided to use the shrink plastic I had and make my own holly leaves (no die).  I'm still wary of my melt pot, so I chose to sprinkle the UTEE on the holly after it was shrunk.  The overall look is similar and I felt a bit like a kid again working with the shrink plastic.  Since my glossy paper is too short for a tag, I used picket fence on the manilla tag to lighten the surface and give me a bright blue background.  The remainder is pretty much per the technique on t!m's blog.
For tag 12 I had a bit of thinking to do as I wanted to create a variation of the original tag.  Check out t!m's blog for the exact details.  Here's my take of a shabby chic Christmas:

The colors are impossible to capture well with my camera, but I like the aged feel this tag evokes. 
This ends my journey for the 12 tags of Christmas, but not my creative journey.  I will continue to share my creations with each of you as frequently as possible.  I can tell you I have some items to share, but they will have to wait until after the holidays as they are gifts. 
Please try something new at least once a week....and....have fun.
Until tomorrow,
Dawn

A bit behind

I was doing so well....then.....too much to do and too few hours.  Ah well, I'm not that far behind.  I finished tags 9 and 10 on Saturday while at our monthly art crop.  I'm pleased at how both of these turned out and can say I will be using the mercury glass technique again.  I absolutely love the soft colors and glow they create.
Tag 9 was a challenge as I don't have any large background stamps...but I have learned to improvise.  The double embossed technique gives a luster to the tag that just isn't captured by camera.  The tag even feels "rich" because of the embossing.  I created the bird (dove) from the birdcage die and used bits and pieces of tattered tulle and nylon for the backing of the bird.  The branches are the holiday trimmings die.  Here is how this one turned out:

Tag 10 has to be my sentimental favorite.  It evokes candle light and grandma's tree at Christmas.  As involved as this tag appears it is fairly simple to create.  The multiple layers of color give it a rich depth.  Check out t!m'a blog for the technique to create the faux mercury glass ornaments.  Now for the tag:

I'll be back tomorrow evening with the final two tags.  This has been a great adventure and so much fun.  Remember to ....have fun
Until tomorrow,
Dawn

Day 8 Steampunk!!!

Now this was a fun tag to create.  I love the steampunk look and the feel.  I did change a few things, but not much.  I really can't tell you how  much fun these are to create.  It took me less than 2 hours to create mine tonight.  I did discover that grungeboard is not my friend when it comes to cutting.  Can you say hand cramps????? Maybe I need to sharpen my scissors. 
Although I followed t!m's tag closely tonight, I think his idea for a gear wreath could be fun on a card as well as on this tag.  I have been dying for an excuse to use my steampunk stamps for a while now so this was a great way to show just how versatile they are.  Enough with the chit chat....on to the tag.....

I hope you'll take time to at least try some of the techniques t!m shows on his blog each day.  Even if you don't make a tag, try the technique...you nefer know....you might just.....have fun!

Until tomorrow,
Dawn

I can't believe it

I can hardly believe it's day seven already.  This is one of the prettiest tags I've seen so far.  I really like the soft vintage look and this tag hit it on the mark. 
Once again I found myself improvising, but I'm finding improvising easier as I've learned to look at
my supplies in a much different light. 
Having worked with Kraft glassine before, I knew we were in for a fun tag when I saw the list of supplies.  The techniques in this tag are easily adaptable for many types of projects, even cards.


 This is my version of tag #7

Too tired tonight to make more than one, and will need to start tomorrows tag by cleaning my workspace (and no I won't post a picture of it right now) and then on to the tag.
Until tomorrow.......
Dawn

Day 6!!!

I can't believe I've managed to keep up with all these tags.  The techniques are so much fun and they can be used to create so many different things.
Today's technique used metal, acrylic paint and embossing powders.  Curious?  Check out t!m's blog for all the great details and then give it a try (www.timholtz.typepad.com).
I enjoyed today's technique that I actually made two tags.  These tags are quick, easy, fun and gave me a few ideas for cards for the near future.

Here are the two tags:

These tags are near impossible to photograph due to the embossing.  The top tag is much more masculine and vintage looking.  The bottom tag is just plain fun.
So come on....check out t!m's blog every morning and give it a try.  Even without the same items he uses you can get great results and.......HAVE FUN!!!!
Till tomorrow,
Dawn 

Tag Five

It's official.....I am beyond frustrated.  t!m's alcohol ink technique just wouldn't work for me.  I made three good attempts, but no matter how I tried the alcohol ink remained sticky and impossible to stamp over.  I'm not sure if it's our humidity or my technique.
I was able to complete a tag and achieve a semi adequate result on a fragment.
I an watching and waiting for tonight's tag.  You can follow the progress with Mario on Twitter or Facebook.  The tease pictures are always fun as is the friendly banter.

Now on to the tag:

Once again I chose red as my color palette.  I stamped then embossed the pinecone and branch.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up.
The fragment is colored with sailboat blue alcohol ink and then the color is removed as directed in t!m's blog.  I plan to keep experimenting with the technique and hope to get it down soon.  I really like the result.
Until the next tag......
Dawn

Still at it!!!

Another day another tag.

While I was thinking about how to create today's tag, I finished my holiday cards which I will be mailing next week.  I'm sharing them here today in addition to my  tag.

The stamp is "Christmas Collage" by Stampin Up.  It is a multi piece set which leaves many options.  For this card I used the base stamp (done in Sepia archival), the poinsettia, holly and saying (done with t!m Holtz specialty stamp pad technique and distress inks).  All stamps were stamped on cream card stock.  The holly, poinsettia and words were then fussy cut (did I mention I really don't like to fussy cut), thin pop dots were placed on the back then all were adhered to the base image.  I added Rock Candy Distress stickles to the red areas of the fussy cuts.  A drop of Champagne stickles was added to the middle of the poinsettias.  The word Joy was colored with a Garnet Copic marker.
Although time consuming, I really enjoyed putting these together.  I hope those receiving them will be equally as pleased.

Now..........On to the tag!

Until today, I only thought my creative resources were being challenged!  I absolutely loved the tag t!im Holtz created for day 4, but I went with a warmer palette.  Once again my supplies were challenged, but the fun in creating these is using what you have on hand and learning the techniques.

Once again thanks for visiting.
Dawn

Yes, I'm still here.....

Like many, life definitely got in the way of my blog.  I can't promise I will be any more consistent, but would like to share with you what I am currently up to.
After watching for two years, I have finally decided to attempt to participate in t!m Holtz's "12 Tags of Christmas".  This is a personal challenge for me as I have been far too remiss in my art of late.  I have managed to complete the first three tags. and will begin with the day one tag:

I was able to closely mimic t!m's tag with this one.  I was "missing" a few of the dies he used, however it's the challenge to use what you have that was fun with this tag.



Now on to tag two:

I had a bit more of a challenge with this tag, but am very happy with the way it turned out.  I am really liking many of the newer products, and am finding the distress stains to be extremely versatile.


On to tag three:

I absolutely loved the technique t!m used for this tag, but alas, I had none of the stamps or embossing folders used, so what's a girl to do?????  Improvise!  I used the ink technique taught for this tag and created a tag which was similar in look and feel.

The tags are not the only things I have been up to, and I will be sharing those with you as well over the next few days.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and thanks too for the comments.
Dawn

Happy almost Friday!

I must admit I don't have any new goodies to post tonight, but I have been blog hopping and have come across some amazing blog candy.  I'm attaching a picture of the candy here and hope you will join me in wishing Barbara a Happy Blogaversary!

Hurry on over and check out her blog.  http://anartsoul.blogspot.com/