Tuesday 28 February 2012

It's Chocolate Baroque Alphatag Swap time again!

Hello Everyone,

Well, I've not been very creative recently I'm afraid.  A few family matters have been getting in the way recently but never mind my inks and stamps will still be there when I do get more free time.  I did, however, still manage to get my C and D tags finished for the Chocolate Baroque Alphatag Swap this month.  I haven't received my swaps yet but it's very exciting waiting for them to arrive  and wondering which ones I'll be lucky enough to get from the fab creations that have gone in our Photobucket gallery today.

Anyway, today I'm going to share mine with you and this is my C for Catkins


I started with a large tag (Tim Holtz/Sizzix tag die), patted a blue and a green Distress inkpad onto my craft mat and then spritzed with water before dragging my tag through the ink.  I then used an Archival inkpad to stamp the images from the Glorious Spring and Wild Meadow stamp sets.  I added a little colour to the catkin branch with a fine brush and distress inks and finally a touches of Stickles Diamond glitter glue here and there.  This was a really simple tag to do but I was really pleased with the little picture of the hare in his meadow.


My second tag for this month is D for Dancing Dragonfly


Er, confession time, lol!  I can't fully remember how I did this one :-)!!!!!!!  When will I learn to jot a few notes down before I send things off!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know I started off by spritzing lightly with a mauve and a green Glimmer Mist spray onto a cream tag and then I think I added a bit of colour with Cut n Dry foam from an inkpad but maybe not.  I then stamped the dragonfly and a small flourish round the edges using a mauve Archival inkpad and followed with the little quote using black Versafine.  I then stamped the dragonfly once onto pale green vellum and once onto pale mauve and each time embossed with an interference pearl embossing powder.  I then cut them out, added a little coloursoft pencil and then added a little Stickles to the wings, spreading it out with my finger.  The wet glue caused the wings to curl but when they were dry I found by embossing them lightly with a ball tool I got them to behave as I wanted and I layered them ontop of each other onto the tag just gluing the bodies.  I added the pearls as a finishing touch. 



Once again I finished these by the skin of my teeth and for March we have THREE letters of the alphabet, eeek!  I've started with all good intentions and I've already done my E tag but knowing me, F and G will be last minute again, lol!

Until next time, thank you so much for your visit.  Take care everyone and I hope the sun smiles on you.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Ooooo Lesley ... These are very lovely! Both so different too! Hope you find lots more crafty time soon x

Paula Whittaker said...

love the spring time feel to the first tag...gorgeous. Hope the family side of life works out soon.Thinking of you xx

Elaine said...

These are smashing Lesley, I love catkins they lift my heart this time of year, so I really love number one. The dragonflies are really delicate and pretty against the slightly bolder background. Great tags and lucky recipients who get these two.

Elaine xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh Lesley they are both gorgeous, very different in their feel but I really like them both equally well I think.
Glad you got at least a little time with your stamps and ink. Hang in there!!

veronica said...

gorgeous Lesley - really love the dragonfly one! have done my F and G tags - but not the E one yet, am trying to get ahead in the hope that i can keep up - the tags look great on the site don't they!

Kathryn said...

Hey they are both fabby...working on my next 3 too i was a bit late this month with c & d oops xx

lisa said...

Hi Lesley.
I hope you are doing OK. Everyone seems to be having a tough start to 2012, it's funny how these things go.
It's lovely to catch up with you and your tags are gorgeous.
I love the Spring promise of your catkins and the colours in your dragonfly tag are beautiful.
Good Luck with your next three. I'd be stumped thinking of things to go with each letter!!
Take care
Hugs Lisax

Paula (PEP) said...

I made it by the skin of my teeth with C & D too. E is going the way of D with two versions binned so far!! Learning much though.
I love your catkins with the little scene of the rabbit & how it heralds spring. The Dragonfly is very interesting with the colour combination & the collage effect of the multiple stamping. I especially like the way you used the 3 colours of pearls for each sequence. The text adds a lovely collage touch too. Hope things calm down a little for you too.
Take care of yourself midst it all.
Paula (PEP)

Netty said...

Both beautiful tags Lesley, x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Hi Lesley, I love you tags they are very pretty. I've also left you something over on my blog, if you would like to pop over and take a look.

Sue x

judith@poppy cottage said...

Hi buddy, lovely to see your tags. I really like the scene on your 'C' tag, the little hare is really cute, and the colours are lovely on this one. Those catkins look so pretty. The dragonfly tag is another really pretty tag, and the recipient will be thrilled to receive that one. The dragonfly itself looks a real labour of love with its shimmery wings. The colours of the tag are gorgeous.
Hugs, Judith xx

Aquarius said...

These are gorgeous - I never thought of catkins but so appropriate for Spring which is just around the corner. Glad I'm not the only one who forgets to make notes!!

Sandra said...

Hi Lesley. Beautiful tags. I love all the details and finishing touches you add. (And the catkin tag is even better in real life - I know cos I've got it!) Sandra

Val said...

Fabulous tags Lesley. Love those catkins.
Take care
Love
Valxx

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful tags! Love to see what images you pair up with your letters!

Sandra said...

Hi Lesley. I have an award for you on my blog! Saw, and bought, some lovely goodies off the Snazzy's stall at the Malvern Craft Show on Saturday. The owners said how lucky they were with you on their DT! Sandra

Unknown said...

Lesley these are super, love your work
Hugs Elaine

Sally H said...

So gorgeous Lesley! I particularly love the first. So reminiscent of the weather and light today.