Birds & Words

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Woodlands & Tinsel Twine

'Tis the season!!  This has snuck up on me, anyone else feel that way?  All of a sudden is Christmastime and next its 2015 and whaaa?? How did this happen??

Our family is doing Christmas very simply this year and that feels very good to me.  Several of us do handmade Christmas and a Simple Christmas makes more time for that.  I've always considered the gift wrapping of gifts under the tree as part of our Christmas decoration.  Simple Christmas makes it possible to create really unique, artful and personal packaging for the simple offerings for friends & family.
The Woodlands & Tinsel Twine challenge is found on page 60 of Tim's book.  I created a tag for this challenge.  I used a vintage photo from Tim's Merriment Paper Stash of a Christmas parade.  This float features Santa and a whole bunch of children, but only one is looking at the camera.  This little girl was the most interesting face to me and I wanted to feature her, even above Santa!!
I used Adirondack Pearl Paint Dabber on the photo on all the areas I wanted to fade or recede, so as to highlight my little girl.  I just dabbed on some paint and then rubbed it with my finger.  I used Stabilo All Pencil around the little girls head and then blended that out with water to create a shadow around her and bring her forward.
I sprayed the Woodlands tree with Iced Spruce and Peeled Paint Distress Spray Stain.  Are you IN LOVE with these sprays??  I want to drink them, which might make me sick, but also might infuse me with limitless creativity.  Mmmmmm.....  what to choose??
A couple of details:   I used some dots of Liquid Pearls on my trim to create faux pearls.  I love little touches like this that create tiny interest, but add to the piece overall.   This stuff is sort of slow to dry, but worth it.
This was an idea that I had that almost worked.    Liquid Pearls is a dimensional pearlescent paint.  I thought if it was dimensional, I could use it to pop out tiny cut out elements.  I should have let it dry a little first, tho.  These little cut out words flattened out the paint.  Next time, I'll let it dry a little and then lay down the  embellishment on top.
I was at a Whole Foods in the bulk bins (LOVE those bins) and saw these little paper bags.  The guy said I could have a couple of extra bags (do you LOVE people who give you paper??) so I used one to attach my tag.  That's the pretty packaging that will wait under the tree until Christmas morning.

This challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium.  Seriously, these guys are so generous with their bi-weekly $50 gift certificate for a random CC3C winner.  You should give them some love by doing a little shopping when you need some CC3C stash.  Why not?  'Tis the season.

The Curiosity Crew choice will receive this amazing prize pack donated by Tim Holtz Hizzelf, how cool is that??
Any questions about how to be eligible for these awesome prizes?  Check out Lovely Lady Linda Ledbetter's blog for all the deets.  Kneed knowledge of Tim's techniques or products to create with for challenges?  Check here to get your very own Tim-signed copy of Compendium of Curiosities III.  And last, but not least, be sure and leave a comment on all Curiosity Crew blogs to maintain your eligibility to win a CC3C prize for the AWESOME art you'll be entering.  We can't wait to see it!  Go for it!  YOU are an artist!

39 comments:

  1. Cheryl, you're a riot to read! However, don't look to me to stop you from drinking the sprays....I'd be right there chugging with you, like liquid pixie dust o' creativity!
    Your tag contains oodles and oodles of eye popping goodies, great techniques and a fabulous design, but what I love most is that Christmas is going for simplicity this year....that's a fabulous thing!
    Lisa x

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  2. Love that you do homemade gifts, we do too! This tag bag will be the envy of all the other gifts under the tree!!!

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  3. What a super idea of making your tag the decorative part of the packaging!

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  4. oh my! All vintage-y and everything..I so love the vintage images, the lace, and the adorable tree.. beautifully made Cheryl!

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  5. What a fantastic idea for such a beautiful tag... the little girl is adorable, love the lace and the tree skirt OMG too cute... but of course THAT tree needs a fancy skirt... it's so VINTAGE ... love it !

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  6. whatever gift you put in this will have to work really hard to outdoo the packaging!

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  7. Cheryl, great techniques and tag. Amazing way to use this technique

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  8. I want someone to give me paper bags! Sweet project. Your tree looks festive and ohhhh so pretty.

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  9. I love your idea of using the tag for the gift decoration as well. And such a beautiful tag it is. Whoever gets that will be the envy of all the other guests!!

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  10. What a sweet tag/bag combination, Cheryl. Your little tree is super cute. Someone will be very happy with this sweet gift packaging. I hope your Christmas is truly simple and happy.

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  11. Cheryl...your little gift bag/tag is absolutely darling. I LOVE IT! I love Tim's photo images you've used in your background. So cute! The woodlands tree is a sweet little vintage masterpiece so perfectly placed on your bag/tag. And that gorgeous bow at the top is a gift in itself! Beautiful job, as always, Cheryl. <3 Candy

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  12. Beautiful! Love the 'nice' add-on... so sweet!

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  13. Love what you did with the little bag and tag ie. Great idea and super cute...

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  14. What a great idea to attach your tag to the bag Cheryl! Love your 3D tree attached to your lovely decorated tag!

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  15. beautiful!!!! Merry Christmas! =)

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  16. Cheryl, this was such a creative idea to use the tree on the outside of a gift bag! Anyone would love to receive their gift in this beautiful bag! The tree turned out great and the "nice" word on it adds a lot. Fabulous!

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  17. Cheryl, you have one great decorated bag! Love what you have done and that Christmas tree is such a festive treat! Love this!

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  18. Cheryl--This is the cutest Christmas bag EVER!!! I LOVE how you highlighted the little (NICE) girl--just too darn cute!! LOVE your Christmas tree--it's festive and fun!! XOXO-Shari

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  19. Oh, it's a gift bag! What a fun surprise at the end. I would love to be the recipient of this gift; it wouldn't even matter what was inside! Beautiful work.

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  20. So pretty and dainty. I love this project.
    Jess

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  21. OMG Cheryl this is BEAUTIFUL!! I love how you highlighted the girl and how cute is she. The ribbon is so elegant. You've done a wonderful job creating this bag. LOVE IT!! Karen.x

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  22. So sweet Cheryl...this is so delicate and dainty looking! I love it...Fabulously elegant!

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  23. Oh Yes, I am definitely in love with the stains too and I also adore wrapping gifts, my favourite part of Christmas! What a beautiful gift tag/bag, the little girl is adorable and I just love the sweet tree! Anne x

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  24. Love how you decorated the tiny bag with your tag!! Love the tree and ribbon, this is no ordinary tag!!

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  25. I got a chuckle out of your post and I never thought to try drinking my creativity. :) I love this tag and the way you highlighted that sweet girls face. Such amazing additions to this tag as well. Someone will be very lucky this Christmas! Thanks for the inspiration!! xx

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  26. I love that the first thing you see is NICE!. So funny. So me. Such a great piece.

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  27. Your tag is great, but using it to make a gift bag....even better! Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  28. Oh, that tag is so wonderful. Your use of the stabilo pencil to bring the little girl to the forefront was perfection. I love that you got free bags too. . .seriously, free paper rocks. Have a wonderfully, beautiful simple holiday!

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  29. Very beautiful! Interesting how you highlighted the little girl's face! Love your tree and so cool that you can attach it to the bag for a present. Love the tag! We'll have to check your tongue to see if you've been drinking the ink =) They do look yummy!

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  30. This has a lovely soft vintage feel to it , I think Christmas at your house must be very laid back. Simply gorgeous.

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  31. Oh! I love that you made this into a gift bag! What a great idea! Note to self...visit the blogs BEFORE I make my projects--after all, they are here to inspire! But I will have to save this great idea for another time.

    Anywho...I don't think you need to drink the sprays to be infused with limitless creativity...you already have that, my dear!

    Love all those wonderful little details you have put into this project. The Liquid Pearls are great on the lace...I must remember to use mine! Your tree is the perfect little vintage addition to this vintage scene--just gorgeous, Cheryl!

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  32. Wonderful and clever idea your tag/bag! Full of details, and so vintage! Beautiful! Barbarayaya

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  33. What a beautiful tag. Thanks for sharing the technique for making your little girl stand out in the crowd. I love the idea of a simpler and quieter Christmas!

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  34. The tag is gorgeous!! I never would have thought to make a tag. I love all the layering

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  35. Gorgeous piece, love the vintage image and your tree is gorgeous. This so reminds me of days gone by. Love it. Tracy x

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