I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 16 December 2016

Snow is Falling




Hello all!  It's snowing again here at Words and Pictures.

Since there were, in any case, some snowy tags amongst the Funkie Junkie 12 Tags of Christmas, and since I have, in addition to those, converted all the poinsettia tags into snowflake tags, it's been pretty snowy here lately, one way or another.

So this is my version of Linda's charming Tag 11.  Take a look at her original and you'll see why I was almost tempted into using red for this one... those papers!  It's enough to break down anyone's resistance to the colour...

But no, I decided I was going to stick to my guns, and so I've converted Linda's reds into soft blues.

I don't often use patterned paper, and when I do I always wonder why I don't do it more often.  I have a large stash of the stuff, but mostly it gets stroked rather than crafted with.






These papers are from Pion Design.  I'll only ever buy them when I can find them on sale somewhere, but I leap into action when I do.















I added some white-embossed snowflakes...














... they're the small ones from Tim's Weathered Winter stamps.











Regulars may recall that I have a troubled relationship with sewing machines, so it will come as no surprise that having layered up my papers and distressed the edges, I added my stitching in a couple of "faux" ways.












I used a needle point tracing wheel to "punch" stitch holes, and then did dot-to-dot with a fineliner pen.  In places, I added some stamping with my 49&Market stitch stamps for a messier look.

If I ever do conquer the sewing machine, I can assure you anything I do with it will be messy!











I cut one of the Tim Holtz doily thinlits with some more Pion paper.

If you look very closely, you can see it's got some of the same Gothic font as we had on yesterday's Tag 5 The Holly and the Holly.  This one is pre-printed though, and in the coordinating soft blue to match the other papers perfectly.









The Stacked Snowflake puts in another appearance.  For once, I didn't have time to wait for actual crackle to dry, so instead I used the Tim Holtz Cracks stamp, inked in subtle Antique Linen.













And the top layer has been replaced by one of the exquisitely intricate Calico Craft Parts snowflakes.















I created another of my leathery sentiment panels (they've put in a number of appearances over the last nine days of tag-posting), inking the kraft card so that it has a similar depth of colour as the Craft Parts.














Echoing yesterday's holly tag, I wound some twine around under the sentiment panel, and tied a simple knot.













Some more wooden snowflakes are dotted around the rest of the tag, each one a different design.














After all, each snowflake is supposed to be unique, isn't it?  And there's the top of that Stacked Snowflake... waste not, want not.









And I must say, I am completely in love with this Stacked Snowflake die - the dimension it gives to a project is fabulous.

I've really enjoyed using it for these 12 Tags - it also bobbed up in Tag 10 Snow Flurries - and there's one final use of it to come which may even be my favourite.







So there you have it... my version of tag 11 brings us to three-quarters of the way to the finishing line.  Nine tags down and only three to go, and I think they're good ones, though I do say so myself!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and for all your lovely comments along the way.  I've managed to re-start some limited visiting, but of course there's all the actual preparation for Christmas going on too.  Hopefully, normal service will be pretty much resumed at some point in the fairly near future... we'll see!

They say that every snowflake is different.  If that were true, how could the world go on?  How could we ever get up off our knees?  How could we ever recover from the wonder of it?
Jeanette Winterson




I'd like to share this as Tag 11 in the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas, sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique
And it's also perfect as another entry over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where they are playing Let There Be Snow

27 comments:

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Love this in blue, Alison! That background is gorgeous and so is your stacked snowflake. I'm really liking your leathery sentiment panels too. The wooden snowflakes make a charming finishing touch. Great work again on this tag.

Hugs,
Linda

SewPaperPaint said...

Wow Alison! This just might be my favorite so far! The background is beautiful with the dimensional snowflake and gorgeous "aged" sentiment! Love this! Hugs, Autumn

Dorthe said...

I`m amazed over your gorgeous snowflake created from the poinsettia ( or did I misunderstand ?) it looks so beautiful, and also love the snowy weather on the iceblue tag , - wonderful with the wood snowflakes too.
XO, Dorthe

Sophie said...

Wow! Alison, du Liebe ...
Das ist ein ganz bezauberndes weihnachtliches Tag.
Die Farben sind so passend und fein.
Rustikal und fein zugleich...perfekt.

Herzlichst Sophie

chrissie said...

So many wonders all on my tag--it is gorgeous Alison. Great that you have used 'your' colours to create the tags.

Love Chrissie xx

Words and Pictures said...

Hello - in answer to Cynthia's question above, this was done on a jumbo tag. The official Ranger size #10 is 4.5 x 8.5 inches. I actually hand cut this one, so it's a tiny bit smaller than that, but close enough. I hope you find this, Cynthia - I couldn't find another way to contact you. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Alison x

Chrissy said...

I do love the blue and brown Alison and the dimensional snowflake is gorgeous..another wonderful tag.

Luv CHRISSTYxx

rachel said...

this is super beautiful - I adore the snowflakes alison - gorgeous xx

Helen said...

Gorgeous tag again, Alison! just been to see the original (as it were) and it looks so different in blue! I love it.

Meggymay said...

Another beauty of a tag. Great faux stitching, I did think on a first glance that you had used the machine. I think its a method I would stick to as well, sewing machines and myself are not a good combination of crafting tools.
Yvonne xx

Mrs.B said...

A beautiful tag Alison, love the blue background and the stacked snowflake looks stunning.
Avril xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oooh another scrumptious tag Alison, the snowflake really is the star of the show
Hugs
Donna xx

Marci said...

That Pion Design paper is gorgeous, isn't it? Your tag is beautiful with the blues and snowflakes, embossed and die cut.

Brenda Brown said...

Another beauty, you are on roll and in full amazing tag production xxx

sally said...

There's a blizzard a brewing in your neck of the woods! Gorgeous....may you have the White Christmas that you are obviously yearning for lol!

Sally x

Lauren Hatwell said...

Now have Shakin' Stevens earworm going round in my head... Beautiful tag and, as ever, thoroughly enjoyed my early morning stroll through your creative process. Thanks so much for sharing. Lx

Craftyfield said...

I have been missing an awful lot on this here blog! My... you've been productive and all these tags are so gorgeous. No green and red (not a fan either) but tones inspired from nature, lovely embellishments and, as always, a eye for design. It'll be such a wonderful collection at the end!

Hazel Agnew said...

Love the faux stitching, how clever! I have certificates in very messing sewing! I always need to go and write notes after reading your blog. Just love this Alison! Xx

craftytrog said...

I love your wintry blue tag Alison! Gorgeous snowflake too!
Alison xx

Willy said...

What a beautiful tag, love the details and messy stiches!!

sarascloset said...

Another snowy beauty and a lovely post! I could listen to you talk all day, Alison, but then I'd be distracted by your beautiful artwork! this is another favorite, and you have used those Pion papers in such a delightful way! I too have a few of them, on sale, of course, that I pull out and look at from time to time. I do not think I am worthy to use them. Maybe someday! Your stacked snowflake is so pretty, and now it moves to the top of my wish list! Just when I thought I had enough snowflakes! Just a beautiful tag, Alison! You sound so happy to be back full tilt at your craft table! Hugs!

sarascloset said...

PS You and I share a similar thought process regarding our sewing machines, but your "faux" looks fabulous!

Sandy said...

The first thing that came to mind when I saw your beautiful tag!
"Sleigh bell ring, are you listening, in the lane snow is glistening - a beautiful sight indeed"!!!!
Sandy Claus

Barbara said...

I say the same words : Wonderful!!!! Your design and your colors are outstanding! Thanks for joining us this week on Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! Barbara

Jackie PN said...

So glad you stuck to your guns and went with soft blues! Magical!
And I just love your faux stitching! heehee
hugs,Jackie xo

Redanne said...

I love the design of this one, the cool blue, the gorgeous stacked snowflake and the leathery sentiment, not to mention the beautiful doily. This is ONE beautiful tag Alison, reminds me of a cold, crisp winter day... Hugs, Anne xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Great snowy tag. I love that leathery looking greeting with the icy blues and that layered snowflake. I found some wooden snowflakes in a cheap bin recently and of course I had to get them to play with. Inspired by you, I'm sure.

The postman brought me a lovely parcel recently, oh yes he did! Such a thrill! Such wonderful goodies!!!!