Saturday 21 April 2012

Alphatag Time Again!

Hello Everyone,

Eeeeek!  Like everyone else who has posted on the blogs I've just been catching up with, I'm not sure what I'm doing now Mr Blogger has decided to change everything without a by your leave.  I'm almost dreading trying to add my pics but here goes .............

I normally wait until the recipient of my Alphatags for the Chocolate Baroque Guild Swap has received them but as I didn't post last months at all ............ forgot to take any pics, Doh!!!!!! ............ I thought I'd post April's a bit early and of course, no one knows what they are going to get until they drop through the letterbox.  It's the first time I've taken part in a swap involving so many people (er, to be truthful I've only ever joined one other swap for 5 peeps) and I have to say it's getting quite exciting waiting to see which ones I receive each month.  We have a lovely lady called Margaret who keeps us all in order (and that takes some doing sometimes, lol) and organises the swap itself.  I think she has the patience of a saint so thanks a lot Margaret.

H for Hyacinth


I used Pan Pastels for the background, enhanced slightly with Distress Inks on the edges.  I've only just acquired the Pastels and wanted to see how soft and light I could apply them.  It was actually quite easy but one little tip ....... I now keep a piece of paper or kitchen roll between my fingers holding my work and the work itself because the slightest trace of oil from your skin or anything else on your hands will attract the Pastels and it really shows up ............. hence the strategically placed flower and small tag, lol!  Actually they were part of the original plan but it turned out to be a necessity, Ha! Ha!  The design in the background is made by applying DIs through a pretty Viva border stencil/mask and for the first time ever I coloured with H2Os and was actually pleased with the result.  I also painted the vellum flower with H2Os too.



I is for Iris


Once again I used the gorgeous Pan Pastels for my background covering the whole tag with the paler shade and then using a deeper shade round the edges.  I stamped the image in Onyx Black Versafine and coloured with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils.  I finished off with a light spritz of Dewdrop Glimmer Mist but of course you can't see it in the photos as it's so subtle.The fancy corners are from a Spellbinders set of dies.



Once again I really enjoyed making the tags and although I want to experiment more with the Pan Pastels (which you can get from Snazzys together with any inks and the Viva border stencil) my initial reaction is that I like them .............. a lot!  They are a tad messier than working with my beloved Distress Inks but they wash off your hands a lot easier, lol, and they are definitely not as messy as pastels I've tried in the past, leaving only a small amount of powder on your work surface which is easily wiped up.  I also found that if I buffed them slightly with a piece of kitchen towel nothing came off afterwards and they are also very quick to cover a large area.  I definitely need to collect more of the luscious colours available.  As always for this particular swap the lovely stamped images are all from Chocolate Baroque

Next month's letter are J and K and I'm really struggling for an idea for J.  It's finding a subject for which I have a suitable CB stamp that is proving to be the greatest challenge so I'd best get my thinking cap on, lol!

As always, thank you for your visit which is very much appreciated.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx


20 comments:

Minxy said...

Very pretty indeed, im sure whoever receive's them will be thrilled x

Lynne K said...

Two gorgeous tags, Lesley. Love them both. I've never tried Pan Pastels, but they look very interesting - lovely results.

Hope you're ok. Sorry I haven't been in touch lately, will email soon.

Hugs, Lynne x

mamapez5 said...

These are both lovely Lesley. The colours on the iris are just beautiful. I'm sorry I haven't popped in for a while. Life seems to be getting in the way of my crafting right now, but I hope to be back on track soon. I hope you get some great swaps for these. Kate x

Jean said...

Lesley your tags are beautiful, I love the spring flowers and such gorgeous colouring.I have not used pan Pastels, but you have certainly achieved a lovely soft background with them.Jean x

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous Tags! I am enjoying the interpretation of the letters! Your backgrounds are lovely and thank you for the description. I hear people talking about them and was very curious and you helped me understand the type of medium they are. Beautiful flowers!

Paula Whittaker said...

pretty tags Lesley

Aquarius said...

These are both gorgeous Lesley and I'd not thought of either of those words for the letters. I'd be thrilled to receive either of them. Thanks for your lovely comments - you've been playing catch up!! I changed to the new Blogger interface when it was offered a while ago so quite used to it now but it must have been a surprise to suddenly be switched to it. I know what you mean about the tag letters - it is tying them in with CB stamps and products which often causes the dilemma for me.

Astrid Maclean said...

Gorgeous tags Lesley, love the subtle colours and how you have blended them. And your stamping is wonderful like always.

Thanks also for the pan pastel tips, have not really tried them properly yet but i can see as well already that I am going to need more colours...

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two gorgeous tags Lesley, I love what you've done with the pan pastels. I bought some of these myself at Ally Pally last week, but have not used them yet. I will bear in mind waht you've said about fingerprints.

Sue x

Elaine said...

Two great tags Lesley - I did iris too - tee hee. Love your backgrounds and beautiful colouring as always. I can imagine how soothing it was painting the hyacinth with the H2o's I bet it looks gorgeous and twinkly. I can't decide what I think about the Pan Pastels, but the colours are gorgeous and the coverage is so fast. Happy Sunday. Elaine xxx

veronica said...

absolutely beautiful Lesley - would love to get either of them in the swap! Pastels look lovely, am resisting them cos I have too much stuff already.......good luck with the next set, have plenty of options for K but haven't come across a suitable stamp for J yet!

Paula (PEP) said...

Love both of these - am resisting the pastels as there is so much else I need to get to grips with first .........
Working on Glenda's MCC Design Course so had to get ahead with "J" - not easy & most were binned!
I can't choose a favourite from these two - the pop of colour from the orange flowers is a wonder with the iris & I can feel the paperiness if the Hyacinth bulb. Gorgeous bit of stencilling.
Paula (PEP)
PS - I too am loving this swap: there's a real sense of camaraderie.

Sandra said...

Gorgeous tags Lesley. I'm sure you'll agree that some months are harder than others! Struggling with J - got some ideas but not the right stamps! Oh well a bit more shopping I expect!! Hope everything is OK with you, Sandra

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

Gorgeous Tags Lesley, super stylish, beautiful colors. Love it.
Lovely greet
Marja

snazzyoriginal said...

These tags are so pretty, especially love the Iris, lovely shade and beautifully detailed stamps. Spring heaven xx

Christine B. said...

Hi Lesley these tags are so lovely, your colouring is beautiful. Hugs x ChrisB

Beryl said...

These are gorgeous tags Lesley. Love the stencilling over the Pan Pastels - thanks for the tip re kitchen roll.
Beryl xx

lisa said...

These are both stunning tags, Lesley. I love that Hyacinth. Pan pastels are a new one on me although I have seen them in the shops but they give really beautiful results don't they.
Whoever receives these will be so thrilled.
Hope life is not too stressful for you at the moment.
Hugs Lisax

Gina said...

Hi Lesley, what lovely tags. Hope I am the lucky recipient of one. I have that iris stamp and it is one of my many favourites. But I didn't use it for this one; I went for I is for insects.
Reading the other comments it seems as if everyone is having fun with this.
Take care, I know you have a tough month coming up.
Hugs,
Gina x

judith@poppy cottage said...

Well, I thought that I'd commented on your tags my friend, so I'm playing catch up again! The Pan Pastels are lovely aren't they? I just love the range of colours, and the ease with which you can apply them. I agree about avoiding touching your work afterwards, and buffing with a piece of paper towel. You learn these things as you go along instinctively I think.

Both tags are so pretty, the H2Os look lovely on the hyacinth, and the Iris is in my favourite colours.

Judith xx