happy holidays ATC...

first...

the back...

Ranger's brand spanking new manila ATC...

inked with stormy sky, forest moss & walnut stain distress inks...

my ATC stamp, used with coffee archival...

and the polka dots border is @ the top, stamped in jet black...

now this was different...

I had this little idea last year...

I tried it but didn't like the results...

so I trashed it...

but today...

I played & it worked!

this is an ATC I made using Claudine's sticky back canvas as a base...

I LOVE the natural...

it's precut & ready for action...

the backing is Ranger's new manila ATC...

they come in the original white too...

the tree is made from my scalloped corner stamp...

you'll need to stamp it 5 times on grungepaper with olive archival ink...

then cut out 2 full corners...

and cut the other 3 corners progressively smaller like in the photo below...

oh...

and use a scrap of grungeboard to cut the tree trunk (aka a portion of tim's alterations hardware findings die)...

ink the scallops with stormy sky on the front & ink all 5 with forest moss on the back...

then use jet black archival to stamp random backgrounds on the 5 pieces...

plan A was to have a polka dot tree...

like the original stamp ...

but plan B developed...

all by itself...

I actually liked the backs better with each layer having a different stamped background...

so...I went with plan B...

here's how to cut the scallops...

next take Claudine's sticky back ATC, remove the backing paper...

stick it to your craft sheet...

on a side note...

in the photo below you'll see that I have a small craft sheet on a clipboard...

someone cut into mine so I salvaged a section & it's actually quite handy, on a clipboard...

NEVER EVER CUT ON A CRAFT SHEET...

trust me, you won't be happy!

apply stormy sky & walnut stain distress inks right from the pad...

mist it with a bit of heirloom gold Perfect Pearls Mist and a few squirts of water from the mini mister...

I used my finger to blend the colors, then dried it with the heat-it tool...

it was too light, so I sprayed a small amount of sail boat blue color wash...

added a bit more water from the mini mister...

dried it again & I was satisfied...

it looked like this...

next...

stamp the script stamp with the gold paint dabber...

it takes just a bit of paint...

remember to clean your stamp...

then use Adirondack black pigment ink to stamp tim's row of stars @ the top & bottom of the ATC...

I lifted it off the craft sheet,

stuck it to the manila ATC, frayed the edges & then edged the ATC with the gold paint dabber...

(aka, my newest addiction)...

so now the ATC looks like this...

next, assemble the tree starting @ the bottom with the largest full corner...

the second layer is the same full corner...

then add the progressively 3 smaller layers...

form & shape the tree layers, I curved them up...

and from the side the tree looks like this...

what happened to the corners?

cool huh???

to make the tree trunk, emboss it with the woodgrain embossing folder...

ink with brushed corduroy, then ink just the raised areas with walnut stain on the blending tool...

add long fasteners to each of the holes...

tada...a unique tree trunk!

then...paint the grunge star with the gold paint dabber...

I learned @ Ranger U, that if you pounce the paint dabber it will create a cool texture...

(this only works with the metallic dabbers)

let dry...

I figured out that by rubbing the coffee archival pad over the dried texture, you can make it more vintage looking...

and coffee is the PERFECT color...

add a gingham bow to the tree trunk before gluing onto the ATC...

everything is held in place with Claudine's multi medium...

I like the matte...

the mini bottles are AWESOME & very convenient...

the word JOY is from tim's new salvage stickers, the seasonal ones...

just put them on black presentation board,

(framing dept @ HL)...

cut the individual letters, distress the edges with tim's sanding grip & add some walnut stain distress ink to the edges, with the blending tool...

add a little pen stitching around each letter...

add a grunge scrap under the O to raise it up...

then use multi medium to adhere everything to the tag...

it was fun to think out of the box...

making the tree was a blast...

especially since the idea worked...

this could easily be adapted to a card, if you aren't INTO ATC's...

it could be the main focus...

or it could even be an ornament for your tree...

it could be double sided, by adding the same 5 layers to the back of the tree...

try it...let me know how you do...

Mr. shipping & receiving said he wants to send more prize packages...

so...how about one for...

grandma m has left a new comment on your post "a color washed gift tag...":

Your tag is different and beautiful. Love it!!
PS
To my favorite artists....
Wendy and Tim ...Great minds think alike. Awesome reindeer tags, You too are geniuses when it comes to making ART.



Posted by grandma m to Studio 490 at December 6, 2010 7:45 PM

and one for...

Sherry Cheever has left a new comment on your post "a color washed gift tag...":

I absolutely LOVE this and especially the frame! TOO COOL!!!!!



Posted by Sherry Cheever to Studio 490 at December 6, 2010 8:56 PM

and another for...

rhonda said...

Simply stunning enough said!

December 6, 2010 1:27 PM

send us your shipping info @ wbv1213@me.com

and one last thing...

for those of you looking for Clearly for Art...

I just got word that it arrived yesterday &

it's back in stock here and also here...

and both received their restock stamp orders yesterday...

just incase you NEED any rubber...

art parts were restocked yesterday too!

so if you want to leave your wish list laying around to be...

found...

guys like hints...

lots on the to-do list today...

I'm headed to the studio to...

make (book #4) art!

wendy

a color washed gift tag...

Good morning!!

I hope you had a GREAT arty weekend...

I DID!

I was up @ 4:30...

did this whole post & POOF...gone...

BLOGGER ATE IT...

the text & the photos were left...

the product links were all GONE!

I'm expecting COAL in my stocking after all the BAD words I said...

and I'll be lucky to get that!

needless to say, I had to walk away before I blew a gasket...

so...

let's try this again...

I got the final proofs for the next stamp release...

OMG!!! YIPPEE!!!

we'll have a few new flowers, a few new backgrounds, some images that work well with our current stamps, LOTS of new sayings (by request) & some images that offer some other options for creative play...

I think you'll be surprised...

that's it for now...

I am DYING to get the real rubber here & ink it

and make some projects with them...

I also created the first project for book #4...

it's amazing what a little brain activity will do...

the idea is so fun...

I flipped when it worked as planned...

the first project is way cool...

if I say so myself...

I'm still waiting for the final proofs for art parts...

those have me over the top excited too...

STOP THE PRESS!!! Matt just sent them!

now I'm REALLY flipping excited!

BETTER than I EXPECTED!

see...

you are NOT the only one waiting...

it's HARD...I KNOW!

ok...on to some art...

here's today's tag...

the inspiration for this gift tag?

I plan to wrap a gift in kraft colored paper & I wanted a skinny RED frame...

to play along...

gather these supplies...

Ranger's new small (size 5) manila tag...

which just happens to be a PERFECT fit for my giant background stamps...

I'm sure they made these just for me...

or maybe NOT...

a 1 x 3 Memory frame, from Ranger...

just the frame...no glass needed for this one...

grungepaper to stamp the holly...

with jet black archival...

cut out, then ink the leaves with forest moss distress ink & the berries with fired brick...

the cut & dry nibs works GREAT for inking tiny areas...

or to add shading...

use jet black to stamp over the leaves with the polka dots...

form & shape the holly leaves & assemble with a grungeboard scrap between the leaves to add dimension...

add barn door distress stickles to the berries & set aside to dry...

wish is from tim's new salvage stickers, the seasonal booklet...

put the sticker on black presentation board

(framing dept @ HL),

cut the individual letters and then use

tim's sanding grip...

to distress the letter edges...

then distress the edges more with vintage photo distress ink...

cut a chipboard scrap to 1 x 3 to fit the Memory frame...

ink the chipboard with vintage photo & stamp with the gingham background stamp, using jet black...

it's simple to make a RED memory frame...

or any color your project needs...

grab red pepper alcohol ink & the ink applicator, with felt...

add a few drops of the alcohol ink to the felt & tap onto the frame to color...

5 seconds & DONE!

on to the color washes!!

spray the tag with meadow & red pepper color washes...

mist with water from the mini mister &

just a squirt of the new

heirloom gold Perfect Pearls mist...

it takes just a bit...it's pretty concentrated...

I added enough liquid so that when I held the tag up to dry, the drips ran down the tag...

use the dashed lines background stamp with coffee archival to stamp over the entire tag...

use jet black to stamp the flourish on the right...

edge the tag with the gold paint dabber...

now it looks like this...

cut a piece of tim's new trimmings, moisten with water, scrunch it up & mist with red pepper color wash & a quick spray of heirloom gold Perfect Pearls mist...

set aside to dry...

when dry, I kept it scrunched up & randomly stamped over it with the text stamp, using jet black...

I wanted random text for a subtle vintage worn off effect...

what you'll notice is that Ranger's Adirondaack line is coordinated for ease...

red pepper color wash & red pepper alcohol ink...perfect!

now just assemble the pieces...

to add the chipboard scrap to the memory frame...

lift the little tab, open the frame enough to insert the chipboard, put the tab back thru the slot & close the tab...

glue the letters & holly in place with Claudine's multi medium...

to add the lace, I used Wonder Tape behind the frame & pressed the lace in place & trimmed off the excess...

glue the completed frame to the tag with multi medium & add the trimmings...

I think this will look good on a kraft colored gift package...

Now for some GIVEAWAYS...

first...ATTENTION MS FUNKYCRAFTER...

you left a comment that you won...

but we need your shipping info to send your prize...

todays winners chosen from the last post are...

Elaine A said...

Wendy -

This is just so freakin' sweet! I love it! It really would be a nice container for a small gift or money. But I love your idea of turning them into ornaments. I think they would look beautiful in a tree. Thank you so much for sharing this project with us. Just awesome! Have a great weekend.

Elaine Allen

December 3, 2010 9:01 AM

and...

Keely said...

Wendy, Thanks for the project!! I am in need of a couple of hostess gifts and the box would be perfect!! And I have your poinsettia stamp. woohoo!!!

December 5, 2010 3:22 PM

and...

Tara Carpenter said...

Next week what r u doing to us! I can wait week for more beautiful art like that!! I feel myself becoming compulsive with these blogs!!! What an awesome box I love it!!! I have so may ideas now on how to spin it! Thanks again for sharing-- and getting us out of the box no pun intended.

December 3, 2010 9:18 AM

please send your shipping info (wbv1213@me.com) & the head of shipping & receiving will get those postal...

that would be Rick!

on today's agenda...

I NEED to...

make art!

wendy

this better post or I won't even get coal...