Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas Day 1

I know what you're thinking.... "She's been gone from her blog for a week and gone totally bonkers! That doesn't look anything like Tim's tag!!" ROFL!!  It's all about "improvising" peeps!! So I present my first Tim Holtz Christmas Tag, Day 1!

Okay, I was a bit dismayed when I first saw Tim's tag... I didn't have the rickety house, I didn't have the fence.... what to do?  But if Tim can use his Halloween house for Christmas, then I can use the birdcage as my house. Right? Right???? LOL!

So, if you'd like to hear it, here's the lowdown on what I had, what I didn't have, and what I used in its place....

For the base of the tag, I was pretty much set - had the tag, the Distress Inks, the snowflake stamps.  Didn't have a Ranger mist, so just used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Pearl.  So far so good.

Ah, the house.  Well, as you can see, I used a grungepaper birdcage.  I had the notebook texture fade, so ran it through that, then used regular old white acrylic paint since I didn't have the Dabber.  Sanded, distressed, misted.  So far, so good.  Now about those mica windows... didn't seem right to "glass in" a birdcage, so I used mica flakes on top of Liquid Applique to bring in the mica sparkle and also to add the snowy icicles that Tim created.

Obviously, didn't have the fence, either, but I still wanted to have something that was distress-crackled.  So, I crackled the bird.  (Kind of a long story there... didn't have any red crackle so used Picket Fence, then had to color birdie with Red Pepper Dabber - too orange - went over it with lots of other red inks till I got what I wanted.)  Since I was also lacking the dimension that was given by the fence, I had to improvise again.... by giving the little bird cage some tinsel garland, woven through the holes at the bottom.

Okay, next.... I actually had the mini holly garland (gasp!!), so could make the wreath.  Also gave the birdie a few leaves to chew on.  I did not have a Prima tree branch, so it was out to mother nature.... a little twig, holding up the bird cage, is what serves as my "tree."  Are ya with me?  Added some liquid applique and mica to that, too.

The ticket I had - wooo hooo! And I made an attempt at what I *thought* Tim might have done - used three different colors of embossing powder, which I tapped on using a plastic spoon.  Here's a close-up:
 We'll see what he has to say tomorrow.... Also had the mini paper clip (love those things!).

Finally, I had the seam binding, which I dyed just as Tim said.  But that star charm.... nope.  What I *did* have was some of Tim's foliage, and one of the pieces looks just like a sprig of holly.  The top of my tag was getting a bit busy, so I chose to hang the holly from the bottom of the cage.  I colored it with alcohol ink first ("Meadow"), but you can't really see it in the photo.  It could also look like a bit of mistletoe hanging from the bottom, if you have a glass of wine or two and squint, LOL!!!

So, there's my extremely improvised take on Day 1.  I know I won't be able to do them all (big family gathering this weekend, so I may go AWOL again for a bit), but this one was definitely fun.  I think not having the required elements actually made it a bit *more* fun, because there's more creativity to it.  Hopefully tomorrow's tag won't require so much "drying time" - if you're playing along, you know what I mean. :)


Ta for now!

35 comments:

Jacqueline said...

Well I think it's beautiful and this is the second tag Ive seen already with a bird cage!!

Hearts Turned said...

It's gorgeous, Jean! You don't want to do it exactly the same anyway! Love your work, my friend--always beautiful!

Stay warm & cozy!

Julie

Jamie Cox said...

Great job, love the tag, I really like the improv. I'm going to but the 2 babies down for a nap and then it's off to the craft room for me...

Suzanne C said...

LOL! Great minds think a like. Love your tag it is beautiful!

Daniele said...

great take on the first tag
hugs

Lisa Silver said...

I think you did a brilliant job on your tag! I had this happen to me last year with Tim's tags... I had to improvise my way through it. The best part about it... I found new ways to use supplies I already had.... sort of like a MacGyver for the stamping world! Haha!!

Hugs to you!
lise

Deb (dcorder) said...

I think this is brilliant!!! What a beautiful tag!!

G Peplow said...

Hi there, brilliant take and beautiful to boot, you're very inventive, Tim would be proud:0) xx

Larisa said...

Your tag is cute!!!
I made one too)) Welcome!

Linda said...

Fabulous job on "improvising"! Love your tag! Hope I can come up with something when I get home tonight!

Netty said...

Whats not to love about this terrific tag... I love your take on it Jean. Annette x

Dee in N.H. said...

I think it's gorgeous and you followed his instructions perfectly.
After all it wouldn't be much fun to come see a clone instead of this little beauty!

Lori said...

Well, you're not the only one improvising! I haven't even started mine yet, but I'm getting lots of great ideas looking at everyone else's! Everyone is doing a super job creating without having all the supplies, I just love that! Your tag is wonderful, you should be very proud of it!

Joan said...

love your tag and how you have improvised

Lynn Stevens said...

Just adorable!!! Love the birdcage, Its all so darling with your little cardinal!!

donna said...

Way to go. I spent all day making the house and fence because I didn't have the dies. I should have had your creative hat on. I love what you have made! See you tomorrow!

Carola Bartz said...

Your improvising turned out so beautifully! I love your take of the Tim tag!

Susan said...

nicely done, Jean...and it's all the better 'cause you used what you have.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Way to go!! love your concept of it.. that's what it is all about:)) come join us on our splinter group.. details on the side of my blog
Hugs x

Zue said...

What a pretty little tag!
Thank you for your comment..I am glad you liked my project. I still have not got my subscripion copy of Craft Stamper, so I went out and bought one. I adore your beautiful upcycled charity shop find. You made the front cover too. The colours you have used are just my colours and you give good advice on how to save some pennies.
Yours is a very inspiring project and I am going to give it ago..recycling is a passion of mine.
Had a dusting of snow.... could do with some more.
Take care and best wishes
Sue xx

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

Jean, I think your interpretation of Tims tag is genius. It's a house all right...just not a "people house." It's truly gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Your tag is gorgeous Jean! Love everything about it!
Alison x

Minxy said...

Oh i love your take on day one, you had the same idea as my friend, and i just love the tinsel and the twig holding the cage :)

ScrappyDandyDoo said...

Its fantatsic :D
I absolutely love your approach to the whole thing :D
Julie xx

Artyjen said...

Fabulous take on T!m's tag....it is the spirit of Christmas! Thanks for linking today...what fun :)
xoxo Sioux

Cath said...

Love your take on this tag. Thanks for the comment.

Cathx

Terry said...

Oh you are fabulous! Love the use of the birdcage die!!! The felt birdie and the garland trim is brilliant! Love this!!!!

Helen said...

I just love this, it is brilliant!

The Dolphin Inn said...

lol luuuuuuuurve your improvisation, the birdcage is inspired, cant wait to see your next one, thanks for sharing xxx

Fliss said...

Gorgeous! Love the improvising. The cage looks fabulous and love the red bird.
x

ScrappyPam said...

Right! I think you did a fab job!

flutterbycrafter said...

What a brilliant idea to use the bird cage after all it is a house for a bird. Love your take on it.

Anonymous said...

Sweet tweet of a tag!

2amscrapper said...

you're brilliant!

Jan Larson said...

I just LOVE this one! I think the birdhouse is a perfect substitute for the rickety house. Your ideas for improvising are just wonderful!