12 Tags of 2012 - May

One of my favorite things about following along with Tim Holtz' 12 Tags challenges is the motivation to try something new. This month's biggest challenge for me was having to pull out the melting pot! I will tell you a little secret: I have had one for years and used it once. Yes, once. I don't know if it's that I feel like it's a hassle, or that I'm afraid to burn myself or what. I just stuck it in a cupboard and forgot about it. Tim's tag was just the incentive I needed to get it out and dust it off.

As you can see above, I'm not done with my wood block phase! I thought with all the 3D elements on this month's tag, it would be perfect to make it into a piece of chunky art.

Of course, I also had to try a few tricks! I decided to try and make my own roses using the Sizzix Tattered Flower Garland die. I would say I had mixed results. Much like the time I tried to make my own Tissue Tape, I'm not sure it's really worth the effort! It was fun though, and I think they ended up looking like little poppies. Please ignore the random glops and goobers - I'm new at this!

I totally adore this part! After seeing Tim's tag last night, I started thinking of how I could interpret it - using his elements and techniques, but making it my own. I decided to replace the stamped dress form with one cut using the Sizzix Sewing Room die. To give it a little interest, I cut off the stand and made one with wire.  I also replaced the measuring tape ribbon with a vintage one. My flowers came out so orange-ish that the other one clashed too much! Another thing I added was a little postal stamp - it's from a clear set I found at Hobby Lobby, but you can find the red rubber version on Tim's Shabby French set. I am really wondering why I don't have that one yet...it's going on my list!

I am still having a love affair with Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Back Canvas! For my dress form, I adhered it to Grungeboard and cut it out, then inked the edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. It seemed too bare....hmmm...what to do? I spotted my new Wallpaper stamp from Stampers Anonymous on my table and was like, ah ha! I stamped it onto the canvas with Jet Black Archival ink. It still needed a little something, so I added a button that was stamped with a text stamp from the Papillon set, inked and then embossed with UTEE. I added a couple chunks of the amber UTEE that was left over from the flowers. I might be addicted to UTEE buttons now!

One of the other fun things about Tim's tags is that there is always an unexpected element. In this case, it was the little spool vase. I have a ton of vintage spools I've collected over the years and found the perfect one. The problem was, my husband was at work and I would have to figure out how to shave it down somehow. I was going to use the scroll saw, but the little guide thing was too low and I couldn't adjust it. Then I spotted his big grinder...hmmm...Tim did say that he sanded his flat, right? So, I fired that thing up and went to town. Done! I added a little paper lace and an Idea-ology Wire Pin and I was finished. I did find out later that you're not supposed to use the grinder for wood. Oops! Too late now! :)

If you'd like to purchase anything I used, it's all available from Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember, you can use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order!

InLinkz.com

Thanks so much for stopping by - enjoy the rest of your weekend! I'm off to a Greek Festival to eat some spanakopita!