here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Friday, December 16, 2016

Merry Christmas tag...

my friends at
 in Waxahachie, Tx. 
invited me to participate in their
 12 tags of Christmas blog posts...

make sure to visit & 

if you're lucky & live close by, 
Carolyn has everything you need 
at the shop, to create this tag...
and MORE...
L O T S more 
REALLY good stuff in her store...
(and she ships too...)

if you're not nearby, 
my links take you to an on-line source...

here's my tag...
it's metallic & quite hard to get a good 
straight on photo...
you see no shine on this photo...


but...
 tilt it a bit & now you can see the 
gorgeous foiled embossing powder...



here's the steps...

the tag is a new heavystock #8 tag
cut to 5 ½ inches tall...
I LOVE this new heavystock...
A   L O T !
the material allows the distress markers  
to blend perfectly!
what a dramatic difference it makes!

 I LOVE trimming my tags to 5 ½ inches...
try it! 
it totally changes the proportions...
I rarely use a full length tag...

make sure to save the cut offs for 
perfectly sized borders for your tags...
 and 
they make great sentiment strips...

I inked the script background with 

after melting the powder, I "warmed" it up again with the Ranger heat tool & quickly pressed a gold Ranger foil sheet onto the warmed embossing powder...
***remember***
foil sheets get applied
pretty color side UP...

the foil will stick to the warm powder & it releases when the embossing powder cools...
it's a super quick process...
5 seconds max...


you can reheat & reapply foil wherever you want...
I like it randomly applied & not entirely covering all the embossing powder...

with hints of the gold foil 
for a two tone grey/gold effect...

one little tip...
choose a fine lined 
background stamp image to foil...
solid/heavy images look overpowering for backgrounds...
just my opinion...

I've used these fine lined images 
on my CHA samples, with this technique
& they worked really well...
this looks extra cool with 
multiple foil colors!
old wood floor... subtle & awesome!
spatter... it's super cool too...

there are several color pack choices...
they are easy to use...
there's no static foil bits
 flying all over the place & 
the foil stays securely stuck
 on the embossing powder...

and another tip...

have your foil out & ready to go...
the embossing powder cools quickly...
but you can always reheat it & add more...

I inked over the tag 
with sky blue & potting soil archival inks...

those little bleached areas in the background are created with the lots of dots stencil...
just moisten the blending tool with rubbing alcohol & wipe thru the stencil to lighten 
the ink color...
I like the round guy for stenciling...
I use it for both adding &
 removing/lightening color...

I stamped Merry Christmas at the bottom with jet black & stenciled a polka dot border 
on the top of the tag...

the tag is edged with the tarnished brass paint dabber...

I hot glued a piece of tim's holiday trimming above the sentiment...
(might be discontinued?)
then added a small amount of multi-medium &  sprinkled on the rock candy glitter...

the chain is stamped, using jet black...

I die cut the stitched oval from heavystock, inked it very lightly with sky blue & just a little potting soil
 & added the stamped dots with watering can...

it's edged with the tarnished brass paint dabber & layered over another oval of the same size, 
to add a little dimension...

the mat mini pine tree is also foiled...

I inked the plaid background with fern green & embossed it with fern green powder...

I rewarmed the embossing powder & placed the turquoise foil over the warmed embossing powder...
(pretty foil side UP)

the tree then got inked with fern green...
it's popped up with 
onto the stitched oval...

I added a black mat mini heart to the base...

the mat mini star has a thin layer of multi-medium & then it was dipped into the rock candy glitter jar to add a bit of bling...

after it was dry, I wanted it to appear a bit more yellow, so after shaking the buttercup mica spray, I "painted" the star with a drop of the mica spray, using the detailer waterbrush...

a little pen stitching is my finishing touch around the tag...

and another tilted shot to show the shine & the rock candy glitter...



so there you have a fun easy technique...
and another way to use 
some supplies you probably already have...

embossing powder + foil sheets =
foiled embossing powder!

I've had some questions about when
 new product "peeks" will start...

CHA is about 2 weeks later this year
(YIPPEE, so much better for us!)
so I'll be peeking new stuff 
after the first of the year...

we have some 
REALLY  
 F U N 
stuff coming...
wait 'til you see the new mat minis...
I'm over the moon excited about them...
they are simply
A D O R A B L E!
I promise!

new stamps...SO FUN...
new stencils...YES please!
new stamp-it stencil its...for sure!
and my MOST FAV stamp-it stencil-it EVER!
it's killer cool!


let's celebrate
THE CRAFTY SCRAPPER
(and the fact that I blogged)
 with a GIVEAWAY...

just leave a comment & 
I'll have Rick choose a random winner...

what will you win?

I'll send this tag and...

trust me...
I'll send a nice surprise package!

later today, I'll pop a quick video over
where you'll get a better look at how cool the foiled embossing powder looks...

 there will be an 
if you'd like to follow me there...
and have a chance to win
 a SECOND prize package...
I seem to be using Instagram much more...
it's quick & easy to post there...
I like it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and
thanks for the invite

it was fun to...

make art!
wendy








70 comments:

Diane Swanson said...

Beautiful tag! I love how you did this!!!💜

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous tag Wendy!!! Merry Christmas!!

Unknown said...

I can't wait to try this when I get home. It will be a lovely way to spend the weekend while I bundle up and avoid the snow.

Unknown said...

Love the tag and the techniques. Thank you for sharing . Am going to try this.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Can't wait to see the new products especially the Matt Minis. Great technique with the embossing powder. Tracy x

Janis said...

Totally gorgeous. LOVE the shiny foiling!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Jean said...

Wow- such details and layers. Love the sparkle! Thanks for sharing! Following over on IG as well!

fairygoth said...

Absolutely gorgeous! 🦄

Lynne Vowles said...

Fabulous, thanks for all the tips x

Unknown said...

It's stunning n unique!

Lori said...

Very pretty. Love this technique.

Kat said...

I love the look I have to have a little bling on everything I make, just gorgeous Wendy

Tona said...

I love your tag and can't wait to give this technique a try. Thanks for all of the great tips.

Sarah Biswabic said...

Wow! Your Christmas tag is stunning! I love it!!

SusanK said...

Very pretty holiday tag! In cleaning up my art space I found a nice supply of foil sheets. Looks like I might just try your technique this weekend since the weather is supposed to be so yukky.

txcn363@yahoo.com said...

Good Heavens! I didn't think your last year's Crafty Scrapper 12 Tags could POSSIBLY be topped, but Wendy...it looks like you took this one out past the STARS to get that beautiful sparkle, with those foils sheets! SOOOO creative!!! I can't WAIT to try to make this one into a card!!! (hopefully, it won't take me a year, this time! ;-)

Unknown said...

Wendy, you did it again! My favorite part is the foil over the tiny script writing. Love the tree with plaid stamped on it, such a good idea.
Happy winnings everyone!!!

Cardsbyangie said...

Fantastic! And such a thorough instruction x

Alyce said...

WOW!!! While I was reading your post, i was thinking how wonderful it would be to see the tag in person. I hope I"m the lucky person that receives the tag. Looking forward to seeing your sneak peeks!
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to the Madison show last month. Hopefully I'll be able to see you there next year!

Tracy Bollinger said...

I can't wait to try the foiled embossing powder. I just got an assortment of Ranger Foil Sheets a few weeks ago...destiny.

Star said...

That foiling is FABULOUS! Love it! I hope I'm the lucky one.

Kari said...

You are amazing, when I grow up I want to be just like you! Thanks for the idea and I am going home right now to give it a try.

Anne said...

As much as I LOVE embossing- you have made me love it even more! Using the foil is Genius!!! Pretty side up-love it!

Ohhh Snap said...

This tag makes me feel all swoony! I'm going to have to try this technique!

ruskingirl said...

Wow, what a beautiful tag. It is so shiny yet absolutely love the layers. Great job.

Inca Princess said...

Wow! So pretty! I'll definitely try this technique in the very near future!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! You are very talented!

jezebel said...

That is drop dead gorgeous, Wendy!! I will be trying this technique very soon. Thanks! Jen Johnson

Lisa H said...

Love this tag! and… I do have all the supplies for this technique! I will have to try it. =) Thanks Wendy and Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Happy holiday Wendy! The tag is gorgeous!

Debby said...

Beautiful! May need to make some of these as the weather is going to be frightful and the snow has already started!

Gail LaCroix said...

What an absolutely gorgeous tag! Thanks for sharing all the steps to create one.

suzy0820 said...

I love this tag, beautiful!!! I need to try this...

ann barnes said...

This is so lovely! I am definitely going to try that foiled embossing powder, it is so subtle and classy looking! Thanks!

Staci said...

Stunning tag, just love it!

Karen Stevens said...

Foiled embossing embossing powder.....pure genius!!!! Thanks for sharing and I can see shiny things in my future!!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! If love to try the foil technique!

Harley Girl said...

I love this tag, love the techniques!

Jeanne Kelly said...

You make it look so easy Wendy! Love your art.

kittenkohl said...

Thank you for sharing your step by step! Easy to follow and such a pretty tag!

hennessp said...

Love the tip about reheating the embossing powder and applying a foil sheet, never would have thought of doing that, thanks

McStamper said...

Love your beautiful tag.

Rhonda said...

Such an awesome tag!! Can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for the chance to win. :o)

Roberta S. said...

This is a very cute tag. Thank your for sharing how your created. Looking forward to trying this with my tags.

Wilma said...

Again a very beautiful tag. Like every detail of it and thank you so much for the step by step.
Merry Christmas to you and Rick!!

Debbie said...

What a beautiful tag! It really says Merry Christmas. Im off to the Crafty Scrapper to get everything to make a tag. Thanks for sharing.

betjunroe said...

Wow--I love this tag Wendy! The foil technique is awesome and I can't wait to try it. Looking forward to more blog posts and sneak peaks from you. Merry Christmas! Bette

Kathi said...

Beautiful tag. I will have to try this! Thank you for sharing.

Dakota Bear said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dakota Bear said...

Gorgeous tag! It makes me want to try somethibg similar on this snowy day.

Brenda said...

I want to create like that! Love everything about it!!

Jean Bullock said...

Beautiful tag even without the glimmer. Glad you showed us the card from the tilted views so we could see it. Well done.

Nancy in CA said...

Love the tag. Anxious to try this great technique. Now on to Instagram to watch the video. Thanks for sharing.

Nancy in CA said...

Love the tag. Anxious to try this great technique. Now on to Instagram to watch the video. Thanks for sharing.

Jane said...

You are amazing. How brilliant is the foil over embossing powder. I am rushing into my craft room to try it right now! I love the way you teach us to what we already have in a different way. Merry Christmas.

Christi Conley said...

Ohhhhhhh - I adore this tag - it looks vintage but very fresh - I'd frame it and hang it all year long! I love your posts - you always teach me something new :)

Maryjo Monterosso said...

Such a beautiful tag and wonderful directions on how to replicate.

Diana @ Playingwithoutlimits said...

Love that you are such and out of the box thinker and so you invent so much fun stuff!

Discover the Silver Lining said...

Love this idea! This technique has just been added to the playbook! Thank you so much for your talent and inspiration ~ Happy Holidays :)

Marci said...

I love the foil technique! It is so pretty, as is the whole tag.

Judy Williams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Judy Williams said...

What a wonderful technique! Thanks for explaining it in such detail.

Nox said...

Beautiful - love that subtle metallic gleam

Deborah Adams said...

I absolutely love all the layers Wendy. Would love to see you collaborate with Sizzix to release the no.8 tag die & your cut down tag & pieces with a stitched edge. This would be to die for. Just saying & wishing! You have definitely inspired me to try out these techniques. Thankyou.

Brenda said...

I absolutely love the foil technique! I'll be making a trip to see Carolyn soon after Christmas! Looking forward to the new products.

{VICKI} said...

WHAT A WONDERFUL TAG!
THANKS FOR SHARING
THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN

Erica said...

I LOVE this technique! I will be using it many times!

Felicia said...

A GORGEOUS tag in true Wendy Vecchi style! Thanks for the opportunity! Merry Christmas! :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Holy cow...I had to scroll a mile to comment...that's awesome! I ADORE your tag Wendy...every detail...so you and so perfect. I am so glad you said yes to the tags...lol. Merry merry Christmas to you and yours!

Art By Wanda said...

LOVE this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I missed the chance to win a Wendy created tag :-(