Let the Holiday Cheer Begin!
This time of year crafters begin to think of the Christmas goodness we will create for our own home décor and gifts for our family and friends.
This year I am joining fun challenge-the 12 Tags of Christmas sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Online Boutique. Once again this year, Linda will post on her blog-The Funkie Junkie- a new tag for inspiration for  12 weeks . Her first Tag #1 was posted on 9/23. You can play along adapting her challenge as you wish-so hop over to her blog for the complete details for This great chance to make some tags, cards or other projects for yourself or to make for gifts.
My first tag followed her example of using the popular chalkboard design, embellished chipboard accents, a button and red bow with a black and white
I love Tim Holtz's vintage Santa stamp so it had to be the focal point of my design. Found a pretty poinsettia stamp waiting to be used from my stash which complimented Santa nicely. For the background, I stamped a small snowflake with Archival Brillance White and used my speckled stamp also in white to add just a bit more interest. Little touches of silver Distressed Glitter and a dab of Viva Pearl Modeling Cream to accent Santa's beard and moustache. This cream is applied with a knife and adds just the right amount of texture and shine. Love to use Viva Modeling Creams with stencils as well. So easy to apply.
Finishing off my tag is a small vintage white button and red polka dot bow which was also part of Linda's original tag design. The red added "the pop" this black and white card needed to become festive for the holiday season!

I made a card from Linda's example too and love the simple beauty of its black and white glittery design. Again using the Archival Brillance White Ink, I stamped images onto black cardstock. Then mounted these cut-out images and glued them onto another piece of black cardstock for background. With my favorite Sharpie White poster pen, each image was carefully outlined. A bit of silver and candy cane red Distressed Stickles glitters were added here and there alone with some small bling diamonds and a button with a red twine bow similar to the one Linda used on her tag. Two chipboard holly branches were distressed with white picket fence distress glaze by Ranger and glued on for the finishing touch. I had so much fun playing with my stamps. The black and white challenge made me see their design potential in a whole new way! Thanks, Linda, for your great challenge and hosting this fun crafting holiday activity.

 



Now onto the next tag-the second in the challenge's series...can't wait to begin.