On the 12th tag of Christmas

my inspiration tag

close up of the details in the background

the close-up of the tissue flower covered in German glitter

Once again, let me say thank you for stopping a moment, reading and hopefully finding something to help your daily living. I love reading the comments -it has been such fun tagging along with Tim and you. Thanks again.

Oh how I loved this tag..Tim's final tag was full of wintry wonderland feel. He did however use a frozen Charlotte (he calls them fractured, which for me is worse:) which is one vintage embellishments/ephemera that I can't seem to like. I am such a girly, girl that I loved my dolls to be whole - my sister on the other hand thought one of my baby dolls needed a haircut and to have her eyelashes plucked...that however is not about today's tag. We will save that story for another day when that is the topic at hand. Right now it's about this wonderful tag. I did have to make a few switches as there were a few things he had that I didn't know even existed. I must have been under a pile of paper, fabric or buttons when he introduced tissue tape paper. I immediately ordered some for me, on Santa's behalf of course. I did use the tissue tape for the background and it worked wonderfully. It is truly a fun tape that doesn't behave like tape. It's wonderful. My embellishments were different as I used a Christmas tree instead of poor frozen Charlotte...I do love how it turned out...here are a few tips for this tag.

*I used thin tissue that I use for wrapping. I made the tissue flower just as Tim had done, but then sprayed mine with a spray adhesive and the poured German glass glitter all over it. Beautiful if I do say so myself.

*I used real hymnal words from "Joy to the World" I thought it tied nicely with the tree and just the feel of the card.

*For the tinsel, I used the little bit of scrap yarn I had left. If you happen to see Fun Fur or something similar in gold/silver or metallic- snatch it up because it works great.

*Instead of leaves, I used scrolls from Tim's grungeboard line. They seem to work well behind the tissue flower.

Each day, I woke up and checked fb to see his post, then sat for a few minutes and saw his steps to his tag and then began to plan my steps. I would run back and forth from the house to the studio to grab just a few minutes here and there to work on each day's tag. I was determined to do each tag, each day and then blog about it that evening. As I was working today on this tag, I thought this is the last and final tag. I did it..I actually carried through and finished the projects at hand. Those particular thoughts, lead me to think of the Lord and how he begins a good work in all of us. Unlike me with projects everywhere, some almost finished, some barely started all beckoning for attention, The Lord begins and finishes what he starts. He understand the work that needs to be done and the wonderful reward that awaits us when the work is finished. I am so grateful that the Lord doesn't just add me to his "to do list" and hopes that he gets to me. You and I are at the top of his list each and everyday. He knows what needs to be accomplished for that day and if I am willing, seeking and learning, and open to his will, the work continues just as planned. I praise him for his wisdom, which is far greater than mine now or in the future. But each day, I can be confident that even though my to do list is still miles long, there is a list where I have been taken care of, sought after and loved. It takes deadlines, someone prodding or encouraging us to finish..For Paul it was his love for Christ that compelled him to keep the fight, run the race and finish what was started. I hope that in my life, it is Christ that compels me to finish the important things... Seeking his Word, loving my family, serving others and living for Jesus. I know That he who began a good work in me will see it through...

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion... "

Philippians 1:6

Once again, let me say thank you for stopping a moment, reading and hopefully finding something to help your daily living. I love reading the comments -it has been such fun tagging along with Tim and you. Thanks again.

On the 11th tag of Christmas..

my inspiration tag

close -up of Santa

On this Sunday, I hope you had a time of worship, reflection and rest. Even though Sunday is no longer the Sabbath, I believe the Word does encourage us to rest and reflect on God's love for us and what he has done for us and then we can go with renewed focus and touch others. While I spent time in my studio today, working on my take on Tim's tag, focused on the techniques today, I just couldn't get the hang of the UTEE with shrink plastic. I have used UTEE in the past and also shrink plastic (remember watching them through the oven door-wasn't it magical??) but never together. I liked the fact that today's tag was simple, not frantic, not too many steps--it was restful!! At first when I finished it, I didn't think it was that great..maybe too simple, not enough pizazz. But the more I look at it, while I am typing, a sweet calm comes over me. The gentle eyes of Santa, the soft background, the words "Peace, Love and Hope..." The words we all long to not just hear but to have those be evident in our life. Sometimes the simple things elude us in the midst of the busyness, the noise, the wants...But the Lord has told us several things that we must take to heart and hold on to and then hold out to others...

"The Lord blesses his people with peace."

Psalm 29: 11

"Find rest,O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him"

Psalm 62:5

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love"
I Corinthians 13:13

When the Christmas season is over and others have packed up their holiday cheer, when their hearts of gratitude will come out again next year or when their thoughts will turn to Jesus again at Easter - remember that the Lord remains with us, his perfect peace is extended to those that love him, his perfect love is given to all and in him , we find rest from the wearies of this life. He refreshes us each and every day. Thank God for the simple, restful days for the frantic, difficult times come, you and I can reflect back on those daily gifts from the Lord. I love my tag not for it's intricacies, but for the simplicity, so alsothe days of rest - Simplicity!!

On the 10th tag of Christmas...

Today's Tag was an all time favorite. I love that Tim brought a technique that my mother showed me when I was a little girl. We now have so many tools, products out there in the market than we forget the simple things, the basis for art and the ability create one of a kind art. I did make a few changes-I made my own banner with a decorative cutter and folded the ends to create a banner. Of course, I love the roses wrapped with holly and some tinsel yarn (leftover from a crocheted scarf I made). The facets were so wonderful to make. The transfer technique use mailing tape (the clearer the better) and the image you want to transfer and warm water in a small bowl and a paper towel. To create this cut your image a little larger-then cover the image with the tape. Dip in warm water and begin to rub the backing away from the image. When you get a "squeaky" clean feel and nothing else is rubbing off, it's done!! You now have made your own transfer! I followed Tim's tag with adding the metal foil tape and it looks awesome. In fact, Savannah , my 17 year old, thought they would be pretty necklaces!!
I didn't switch too many things - the stamped sentiment instead of the alpha parts, the flowers instead of the bells. It was a great experience!!

Now for the reflection- While working on the transfers, I thought of how much my mother has taught me in art, crafts, being a woman, a wife and a mother. She has taught me so much about life and how to love God fully. I think that is why Scripture commends older women to teach younger women how to love their husbands and children, to manage their days, their priorities and to reflect the Lord in all that they do. No matter where you are in life, what season you are in there is always someone watching you, learning from you whether you realize it or not. take opportunity to see teachable moments- make them part of your daily speech, your daily activities-to put it simply in our daily living. I am also reminded that when we share what we know, what we have learned - the lessons will never be void. It may take years to see the benefits, to reap the reward but just as the tape transfer was taught to me when I was little, so were the lessons of kindness, service, commitment and the love for the Lord. Years later, the lessons that lasted are the ones which truly make a difference in my life. Love and commitment permeate my family, kindness is extended to all and the love for the Lord grows daily. It's great to be a life long learner, just make sure your teaching along the way.

"Teach the older women to reverent in the way they live,...to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,..." Titus 2:3-5

P.S. Here are a few more photos...I am on my mom's pc and it is alittle different than my mac -so I can't seem to move the photos around:) Enjoy

On the 9th tag of Christmas...

my inspiration tag

Here are a few close - up details..glossy accents on the letters,

the stamped tag and the awesome embossed background

Did you see the time I posted last night? Yes it was around 11:30 pm...My computer ran out of space - you could say I stretched it as much as possible. It wouldn't allow me to do anything. So off I went to the Apple Store on a busy Friday to see if the genius bar could figure out what I could not - which wouldn't take a genius--I am computer challenged but still attempt to learn and understand "to stretch my mind" as it were. The guy who helped me was wonderful -my computer still can't upload photos, save downloads or sync phones at this moment but soon when the apple guy comes to the house to give my computer more memory all be well. Wouldn't that be great for us if someone could add a ton of new memory space....On to the tag before I forget why I am blogging today....

Tim's tag took a walk through memory lane for me...I love to emboss!! And to layer emboss is a double treat and the effect is just beautiful. Of course, I didn't have the wonderful die he used -his Halloween candelabra. Who knew that you could use just a portion and get a candle that is perfect for the holidays...oh my list is getting longer for Santa.

On this tag, I first thought I would go french with the Eiffel tower and Joyeux Noel but it wasn't coming together. So I looked for inspiration and found it in a stamp... true gifts. Then the tag took shape. Here are a few tips for this tag...

*I embossed two cards, one for the background and one for the tag with the sentiment. I loved using the vintage photo on the saying and then trimming it to a fancy shape and then using the snow cap paint dabber for a little Christmas snow.

*This tag played to simplicity -not a lot going on but with the background technique - an amazing finish.

As I worked on this tag, especially on the embossing technique, I began to think of all the things I have forgotten, the tips, the techniques, the tools - It was a great refresher. We all need to be refreshed from time to time. Perhaps now even during this what is supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year", remembrances come to mind, some happy, some sad, some painful. Stress reaches a high during this time with unreal expectations, lofty but unattainable goals, a lot of gift lists to fulfill without a lot of time or resources - Wouldn't it be nice to feel refreshed, renewed instead of run down and weary. Good news - just like Haggar in her time of despair, the Lord remembers us. - Not our flaws or our failures, he remembers our faithfulness. He looks upon us with love and kindness and renews our spirits and gives us strength to journey on but not limping from the heavy bags that weigh us down but with wings like eagles so that we may soar. So if this time of year finds you travelling down memory lane and you are in need of refreshment, no Starbucks needed - simply wait on the Lord and he'll be right over-

"..but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." --Isaiah 40:31

"A genrous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." --Pr. 11:25

On the 8th tag of Christmas...

my inspiration tag

a close-up of the ribbon,wire wrapped holly

Santa Claus!!!

A close up of my snowflakes and clock pieces

First of all, let me thank each one of you who might happen across my blog and stop in for a visit. I blog hop and sometimes leave comments or begin to follow but many times I just read and enjoy and move on. So if you are like me, thanks for stopping by and I do hope your time was well spent. On today's tag...Tim's tag was a little out of my comfort zone - actually a lot out of my comfort zone. It's funny how we gravitate to what is comfortable, fitting, goes with our sense of style, even in the world of art, especially in the world of art. Yet, I loved Tim's tag and at the same time, it challenged me to go beyond what I normally do. In fact for today's tag, I had very little if any of the things he used. I did have the inks, paper, grungeboard -but that was it! Still wanting to use his tag as an inspiration - I needed to reach way out...the finished tag still is as "Steampunk" as his but it does have some of the elements. Clock pieces, staples, a little more of an industrial feel than that of sentiments with flowers and fluff. So it was very fun and I loved it! My comfort zone just got a wee bit bigger. So here are a few switches...

*For the gears and watch pieces, I used a sizzix BIGZ die of a snowflake and then some smaller snowflake dies along with a silver and rhinestone brad (ok, so not so industrial, but I tried)

* For the stamp of the men, I most definitely did not have that stamp so of course I used dear old St. Nick with a little rhinestone on his cap and a little bit of snow cap paint around the outline.

*My 25 was used in place of his word element and I did add holly and some crystal chandelier prisms with the ribbon.

*For the ribbon, I swiped the distress inks that I used for the back ground and then misted with water, scrunched and heat set..and voila, custom colored ribbon.

This tag was a reminder to me that I can't always stay where I am comfortable, sure and at times even rest on my laurels. There are times in life that stretch us, make us grow and show us that we really can do more than we believe to be possible. Times such as births, family transitions, new jobs, new places, new people are some of those stretch times. My hands can turn the pages of the Bible and find people who were comfortable and then God took hold of their lives and stretched them to be more, do more and believe more. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Paul, Peter, Mary, Martha are just a few of those comfortable people. These people and many others, from scripture and even those in your midst are here to show us that God can accomplish the impossible- He has power that is limitless and righteous filled with love. He wishes to make us more than we think we can be- He chooses to take us beyond the comfort of what we have always done but to create what he knows we can do. Perhaps it as simple as speaking a good word to a stranger, giving of our time when time is precious. No matter what it is there is one thing that is certain, when God chooses to move in us it will be something we have never done and it will be quite comforting in the end as we know God is with us each step of the way...that is true comfort!

On the 7th tag of Christmas

my inspiration tag...

Can you believe it? I think I have posted more in the last 7 days than perhaps all year...This has been so fun!! I hope you are enjoying the journey with the tag art and the inspiration from the heart. It's amazing to me how we can truly see life lessons everywhere. Jesus was so good about teaching that to us, wasn't he? His stories and lessons were for all people, at all times and for all times. He spoke to us right where we live...OK more reflections later. Now for the tag....

Each morning I check Tim's blog to see what amazing tag he has created, what supplies do I have and of course, what I don't have -sometimes the latter seems to win out more times. Yes, for those of you who have been to my studio, you think that is an impossibility but trust me, it's true. I did love today's tag, the video he included and all the wonderful instruction. the inking and rolling of an unmounted stamp is incredible!! Of course, I had some trials and errors, but it was a great time of creativity, inspiration and reflection in the studio. Here are some tips and switches for today.

*I didn't have the stains for the tag, so I used my own perfect pearls mister (1-2 scoops of perfect pearls and water in a mister). My background turned out wonderfully. I love it!!!

*With the glassine paper, I had grand intentions... I purchased some of his glassine envelopes earlier and had no idea what to do with them. But when something says "TIm Holtz", I buy it. I did try his technique, I had all the alcohol inks, distress inks, heat tool but I just couldn't get it right-it wasn't for me. It was a no to the tag today :(

*LOVE the embossing in black!!!

*The things I used for trinkets and embellishments- floral christmas picks(Michaels 1/2 off!!), holly leaves in the "make it Christmas" section at Hobby Lobby, seam binding and then, I used my perfect pearls mister on ribbon and scrunched and heat set it. LOVE it!!

*At the top of the tag, I used a distressed gold medallion-first, punch a hole in center, align with hole and thread your ribbons through. I also found a little coper bell - who knew that was in my stash??

When the glassine didn't come together as Tim's, I thought to myself "I have the products, the tools, the knowledge, the experience and the desire..why didn't it work?" Too often in life, we are faced with the same questions- "I can do this, I am ready to accept the challenge, I want to help, serve, teach, I want to_________(you fill in the blank)." But for God's own choosing, it is not meant to be- we can be sorry, upset, downcast, angry or accepting. This is King David's lot- He desperately wants to build the Lord a temple (2 Samuel 7 and following). He realizes that he lives in a Palace made of Cedar and the LORD dwells in a tent. He has the resources, the tools, , the knowledge, the desire but the LORD says "Not You". Perhaps we would say it this way - "Thanks but no thanks." David at first is downcast but it doesn't last long - He knows that his son, Solomon, a man of peace, will build the temple, not a man of war (David). He accepts his limitations. He acknowledges the sovereignty of God and the praises him in the midst of his "No". My question for us is "Do we accept and praise him in the midst of our "No?" I hope that in my daily journey with the Lord that my praise is not conditional based on a yes but unconditional just as his love is for me, even when the answer is "Thank you for being willing, but not this time, not you."

Some may try the glassine and it will work beautifully, others will try and not yield the same results but rest assured your tag will be wonderfully your own. Some may try to accomplish certain things (perhaps things you want to do) and they will succeed and you will not, but rest assured that if the Lord is leading, your life journey will be your own just as he thought it would be- Wonderful!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."

-Isaiah 54:10

On the 6th tag of Christmas...

my inspiration tag...

I love how Tim changes the creativity each and every day. Of course, I think that is the definition of creativity. Yesterday the tag was all about transparency and what is going on in the back of our tag that shines through so that we see in from the front. It was a favorite of mine thus far. But today he focused on what is happening on the front - gaining a new color dimension with paints, dry emboss, then clear heat embossing...a simple element for the embellishments and it still amazes me on the results. I remember back around 20 years ago or so, I stood over my electric stove embossing 100 Christmas Party invitations ( I should have asked for a heat tool for that year's Christmas) ...When the powder turns that brilliant almost glass like look, time and time again, it still makes me think -"Oh, wow there it goes." I changed a few things from Tim's original but that is the nature of creativity and inspiration. Here are my tips and switches....

*Instead of Paint dabbers, I used alcohol inks. This was due to 2 reasons, as I was getting the dabbers out, many of them had dried out :( and of the ones I did have, the colors were not "Christmasy" -the inks worked out great!

* I used my stazon after I sanded some of the color away.

* I used grungeboard to make my letters and then painted them and added stickles and silver brads.

a close up of "JOY"

As I was embossing the tag, I thought of how that powder doesn't look like much, in fact it looks like it will just disappear but when the heat comes close, we see those powders become clear, brilliant and then add depth to that which is already there. It reminds me of those that uplift us by a kind word, a nice gesture or yes, even a huge undertaking to help us and bring out the best in us. I thought of the refining process of our faith that Peter writes about in 1st Peter. As we are refined like gold, we reflect his love, his nature. I love that the Lord brings us light and life. It is his light, when poured over us, reflect all goodness and grace. It reminds me of the love God has for me. I am again reminded of a song perhaps not so lofty as yesterday but appropriate none the less--

"'This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..." -- Are you singing along with me... I hope that your life reflects his light and that it brightens and lightens someone's else load. When Jesus, the King of Kings, chose to bring us light, it began in the manger. What a JOYful time of year this is.

"When a King's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in Spring."