Tim Holtz's 12 tags of 2015, a new beginning

I was delighted to see that Tim is continuing this annual tradition. I joined in last year and had the most amazing creative journey learning so many new techniques. Do think about joining, it is such fun and he offers a prize to 12 randomly chosen entries every month so there is a chance that any one can win. I still have my fingers crossed to come out the hat at some point! You do not need to create tags, you can make anything. As I did last year I have decided mostly to make cards for special celebrations instead of tags but the odd tag may still feature. I have had no crafting time for over a week as we have been looking after my son's dog whilst he enjoyed a much deserved skiing holiday. 3 journeys up to do the walking and petting and trying to fit in going to work kept my Hb and I more than busy.

I was so pleased this weekend to finally get some inky time. I find crafting such a wonderful way to relax and really miss it when I get no time to play. Tim's January tag can be seen below.

and his brilliant step by step can be seen via the link here.

As I knew I would not have the time until this weekend to make my card version I decided to treat myself to some tissue wrap which I have been wanting to buy for a long time and I also bought a couple of the Distress stains.

For my card I was inspired to use the same techniques Tim used to make the background. He has made such lovely textures. I was also inspired to used the Tarnished Brass distress glitter and paint and the chit chat words. I also wanted to used the date 2015 but more numerically than Tim did. I made this card for my Hb's birthday card later in the month, as I did last year. I also wanted to add a happy birthday sentiment somewhere.

I know that last year you all enjoyed seeing my process so I will continue this year. 

I stuck some wrap to my card base, wrinkling parts of it to give some extra texture and then adding various distress paints using my fingers.

I then add some squirts of Vintage photo and Tarnished bronze inks.

I then continued to play and eventually dried everything off when I was happy with my backing card.

I don't have any of the alpha parts Tim has so I die cut my numbers in large and small 3 times and stuck them together to made them stand out on the card. I painted them with black acrylic paint and I added Distress glitter to the small ones and tarnished brass DP to the large ones.

I also used some chit chat words as Tim did but mine are related to celebrating my Hb's birthday. I also wanted to incorporate stars into my design but mine are brads which I coloured to match my card using alcohol inks.

I also decided to use my dymo label creator to make the words happy birthday

So armed with my components it was time to put on my artistic hat and play with my design. Here is my finished card.

I love this inky textured background
You will see the altered stars and and also some splashed of gesso I added as well as some remnant rubs.
I need to keep this one under wraps until 20th Jan, shhh don't tell my Hb ;0)

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2015 January
Inspiration Journal fresh start my fresh start is my first version of Tim's great inspiration challenge for 2015
Crafty boots out with the old in with the new my new are my new distress inks, paints and tissue wrap my old is the Dymo label make, I've had it for years!
Cute card ThursdaysWhat's new ...mine is the tissue wrap and new inks
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday something new my new is making my own version of Tim's alpha parts using die cut and paints.
Frilly and Funkie anything goes
Simon says stamp Monday make some new friends but keep the old my new are the inks and tissue wrap, my old are the number dies and my dymo label maker
Country view crafts use something new to you my new is the tissue tape and the new metallic DIs and DPs

So there we are, a new beginning for another year of creativity with Tim. Thanks for the journey Tim!

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x