my inspiration tag...
Today's tag posed a challenge for me as I didn't have the Christmas Stamp (that Tim used), the distress re-inkers or the holiday greenery die but I did have the twine, the jingle bell and the inspiration. Also, in my studio are pounds of paper (all in nice drawers or piles of pads), drawers of stamps, inks and of course treasures. Believe it or not, I did have the cut and dry felt he used. I am so glad for a refresher course on how to use that stuff. Now I know why I bought it (a long time ago, I might add). So I'll be on the look out for re-inkers and cool stamps to use for the cut n dry felt. But I did have fun with my tag...So here are a few tips to get this inspired look...
*A long time ago in the stamping world, we used markers or inks to color the different areas of our stamps..so with inks in hand and a Christmas word stamp, I varied the colors of the words. I used muted tones as I wanted a soft effect.
*I sprayed the card with my own perfect pearl mist--In a small mister/sprayer bottle put water and 1 -2 scoops of perfect pearl (color of your choice). Spray paper and then heat with heat tool.
*For the leaves, I used leaves from a vintage wreath. The purpose of the wreath is just that--I use the leaves, flowers and yes, acorns when needed.
* Some prima flowers --ooh I love flowers!! and yes an acorn ( I have to admit that I thought it was a pinecone at first)...
*I inked the ribbon with my perfect pearl mister and then heat set it...Cool!!
a close up of the ribbon and the twine...
As I was working on this tag and looking back to tim's blog, I saw how neat his work area was and how his hands were free from ink and glue, how the pictures just captured what he wanted us to see....Contrast that to my work area....take a look.
Then I thought this is how life is...more like my studio than Tim's snapshot of technique and results. We do need technique, guidance and a place to learn. We need to see results, both positive and negative. But that can't be all of what we see. We need to see that real life can be messy, disorganized and that we all struggle to find the right balance, the right choice, the right piece, the right ink and paper that our life stories are written. It is the daily, the messy and the overwhelming that we must find the one who is our balance, our right choice our right peace, the one who has already written my life story...
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."
Hebrews 12:2a
In this crazy, messy, overwhelming season, may our gaze be not on the right tree, the right gift, the right outfit, but on the one who takes our overwhelming mess and replaces it with his perfect peace and makes my faith perfect and complete.
Blessings,
Chantal
Your card is very pretty. I also like what you wrote after the photos of your scrap area.
ReplyDeleteI love your tags! I also love the pictures of your messy studio cuz that is real life!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I also liked what you wrote about your scrap area and life. Sometimes we get so focused on the chaos that we lose sight of what's really important about this season. And who is important about the season--the Prince of Peace! Thank you!
ReplyDeletePS The tag is beautiful, too!
I just found your blog today! I am blessed with your message of faith! thank you :-)
ReplyDelete