Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Tag Tuesday/Tim's Tag - Day 12

It took me an extra week or so, but I finally finished the last tag of Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas. Woo hoo! I have had a great time creating these tags - I can't thank Tim enough for sharing all of his wonderful techniques and inspiration with us all.

In creating the Day 12 tag, I discovered a pretty cool technique! I don't have Tim's ornament die, so I knew I would have to substitute something for that. After seeing that the Tag Tuesday theme was Silver or Gold, I decided that I would use the bird and cage and try a little experiment. My friend, Candice, had taught a project at our local stamp club using this die (I don't own it...yet) and had given me a couple extra birds. I traced one onto Grunge paper and finished it as Tim shows (except I didn't use enough Rock Candy crackle paint!). The cage was also from Candice and had been cut from cardstock.

I wanted my birdcage to look like real metal, so I embossed first with silver embossing powder. After that, I added some clear UTEE and embossed that. The reaction between the two powders revealed the color underneath (kind of bronze-ish). Very cool! After it cooled I covered it with black acrylic paint - just like my frames - and then wiped it off. The resulting finish looks just like tarnished silver. Oooooohhh...I love it! I had been on the fence about getting the bird and cage die, now I am definitely convinced that I NEED it! How awesome would this be as an ornament?

If anyone is interested in a tutorial - let me know! I just need to get that die or have someone cut me a few birds + cages.

16 comments:

  1. Shelly, this is gorgeous!! I'd love a tutorial and be more than happy to cut you some dies!

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  2. WOWSERS, Shelly, this is awesome!

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  3. Your technique on your birdcase is amazing. Came out really, really, well. I love the hanging calendar with Christmas embelishments just hanging from it. Cool!

    (I'd be happy to cut you some birdcages, let me know if you'd like grungbeboard, cardstock, etc.)

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  4. I swear you are the McGyver of the crafting world! Amazing, as always!

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  5. Your tags are wonderful, Shelly! Love the bright red bird in the 'ornament' cage....

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  6. Darling tag, love the birdcage in silver.

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  7. Gorgeous tag, Shelly. You are incredibly talented, no doubt about it....

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  8. Wonderful tag.
    A Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  9. beautiful beautiful. Here's to playing more together in 2011.

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  10. Awesome! Thanks for sharing how you got that cool look! Will have to try that one! Beautiful tag!

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  11. Hello Shelly,

    I love the result of your experiment !
    This birdcage looks a hundred years old and very precious silver :)

    When I saw your technique on your frames, I used it too and I like the result. So, thanks for sharing !

    greetings from Belgium
    Inge

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  12. All I can say is WOW!! What an incredible tag!!

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  13. I would love to see more photos of the steps, so I would like it if you did a tutorial. I don't have the die yet either so I can't help you there, sorry.

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  14. thanks to your comment on my blog i'm discovering yours and gosh, i love your art! those tags are awesome, i love the way you give them your own twist! i'd love the tutorial for the metallic looking birdcage too!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!