Well my blog posts don't seem to be getting any more frequent yet do they. It's so frustrating because I haven't had Alexa here this past week so I expected to be raring to go with my crafting once I got my chores out of the way but ..................... no such luck! Basically, I think my mojo has gone into hibernation from lack of use, lol, and I almost gave up on my alphatags for the Chocolate Baroque swap this month. I had quite a few ideas for subjects to fit the letters O and P but just couldn't get them off the ground. Luckily, lovely Margaret who organises the swap and keeps us all in order gave us a few days longer to get them done as I wasn't the only one struggling and after several nights of faffing about I eventually got something fit to send off.
O is for Oriental, Offset, Oval
I used a piece of Chocolate Baroque design paper from one of their packs and stamped and gold embossed an Oriental style honeysuckle randomly over the tag. I stamped another CB Oriental image onto white card and coloured it with something I've not used in an absolute age - my Sakura sparkle pens. I'd forgotten how lovely the hint of sparkle is. I die cut it with a Nestability oval, inked the edges with Distress Ink and then cut a scalloped oval in co-ordinating card for matting. The final touch was something else I've had in my stash almost since I started crafting - the little brocade flowers! These were a QVC purchase which I never got round to using (like several others in my cupboards :( ).
P is for Pink, Purple, Paisley and Plastic
This one also uses CB Design paper but it was from the lovely paper pack we used to get with our Guild membership. I used a piece to cut the tag, blended Dusty Concord Distress Ink around the edges and then overstamped a paisley image using the same ink, stamping twice from each inking. I stamped the paisley mandala several times onto two different shades of purple pearlescent card and two different CB papers and finally once onto white card. I used Graphite Brilliance ink and clear embossed before cutting them out and layering them, using the white card one for the very top flower and leaves which I coloured with Sakura sparkle pens once again and attached with 3D foam pads.
Finally I stamped the mandala again onto clear shrink plastic, coloured with pencils, cut out and shrank it. I attached the shrink plastic embellishment with Glossy Accents and the main mandala with 3D foam pads.
I wasn't too sure if I was happy with my P tag when I parcelled them up but now I'm revisiting it after a few days (and the frustration levels have subsided, lol) I think I quite like it. Needless to say, the important thing is if the recipient likes it so fingers crossed.
Well I don't know if I'll get any crafting done next week as I have my DD and her two children coming to stay from tomorrow for 3 days (I'm looking forward to lots of hugs and cuddles, lol) and I will have Alexa everyday next week (more cuddles) then next weekend OH and I are off on a little jaunt to my Goddaughter's wedding. I'll try to be back again with something this side of Christmas ............. speaking of which.......... EEEEEKKKK!!!!!
Have a lovely weekend all.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
17 comments:
Both of these are lovely Lesley and I hope I get one - I haven't had one of yours yet. I toyed with very similar ideas funnily enough but I did something very different in the end. I'm struggling with next month's already and Have to get them done as we go on our hols soon. As for Christmas - you are right... eek!!
Hugs, Gina x
two lovely tags. Certainly worth the push to get them done. I love the oriental one, and I've always liked the shape in paisley patterns. Enjoy all the hugs and cuddles. They are far more important than any of the craft. Kate x
Lesley both your tags are beautiful. I've always liked oriental themes and your colours are gorgeous, but I love the colours in the paisley one too. Hope you have a relaxing time with your family. Jean x
Hi Lesley, Totally fabulous tags, my favourite is the first, the jade colour and oval is beautiful, what a design!!!Pretty paisley design on the second, simply lovely:0) I hope you have lots of fun with your family and a great time at the wedding, Gay xxx
Lovely Lesley, I really don't know why you fret so, you know deep down that you will always come through in the end. Just believe in yourself more, take some inspiration from team GB & the other athletes & keep going.
Happy craftin
Rebecca
I think both tags are fab and your mojo is certainly pulling it's weigh as far as I can see. Hope you have a lovely few days with your family visiting.
Beryl xx
wow am loving your gorgeous oriental tag, both the image and the gorgeous backing paper. x
Wow wow wow these are both equally as gorgeous and can't decide which one I prefer...they are both brilliant for different reasons!
Love Lisa xxx
These are both lovely Lesley and I especially like the oriental one. I'm sure you will be pleased you managed to get them done - it would be such a shame having come this far into the year to miss out and not have a full set at the end. It is a struggle some months I know. Enjoy your time with the family and the Mojo never goes too far away even it it does hibernate every now and again!!
Lesley, you have done two lovely tags here after all your fretting, well done! I love the jade of the first oriental tag, just scrumptious with the gold. The oval is like a piece of porcelain. I love paisley designs and it works really well with the purple. Two classically inspired tags and the recipients will be delighted, I know I would be! Elaine xxx
Sorry i dont get to stop by here often, you're gonna have one hell of a tag collection when this alphabet is complete, i just love the oriental one x
Lesley, they're both lovely tags, and great ideas! You weren't the only one late, and I even forgot to photo mine I was in such a rush............Hopefully your family visiting won't mean all the craft stuff gets stashed away - enjoy all the cuddles anyway!
big hugs
xxxx
Funnily enough I too had trouble with these & though I had ideas they really didn't come together so I scrapped & restarted. I love your oriental tag with those little brocade flowers really adding such a lovely touch using the red. I almost used the Paisley Mandala but couldn't get it to work at all. Love your purple layering of cardstocks & that paper is very special.
Take care with all the bustle & enjoy the children.
Paula (PEP)
I'm not even thinking of that C word.
Well done on persevering, Lesley, they are both gorgeous tags. I love the Oriental feel of the first one and the purple is a lovely colour.
Life sounds very hectic. Don't wear yourself out although I know you enjoy spending time with your family. I hope all is good with everyone.
Enjoy the Wedding.
Hugs Lisax
Gorgeous tags, Lesley, love them both. So pretty.
I haven't been around much in blogland lately either. Busy with family and other things, which have to come first. I'm sure we'll both get back to it as and when. Take care, will try & email when I get a minute!
Hugs, Lynne xx
Hi Lesley I love both your tags especially the oriental. Both are gorgeous. I haven't touched my papercrafting for over a week. I can't put my needles down. Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. Take care love and hugs xChrisB
Beautiful tags x I've been struggling with them too to be honest xx
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