12 Tags of 2012 - April

I had a lot of fun creating my April tag for the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012.

This tag was a bit of a challenge in a couple of ways for me. I need to watch more of Tim's videos regarding how he blends inks. When he blends colors they all look so pretty and bright. When I blend colors I tend to get shades of mud. My other challenge was trying to include thrifted elements in the design.

I began by die cutting a tag using the Sizzix Tag & Bookplates die. I used the Fancy Frame Texture Fades to create the embossed pattern in the background. Next, I applied several colors of Distress Inks.

I die cut the bird and branch out of Grungeboard using the Bird Branch die. I trimmed off the bird and inked it separately. I glued the branch to the tag and then used pop-dots beneath the bird to raise it above the branch.

The leaves on the branches are vintage floral leaves that I had thrifted. I used Distress Ink on them to make them look a bit more weathered.

To create the title, I printed the word "Spring" on cardstock then die cut it with the Tattered Banner die. I inked it, folded it and used pop-dots again to give it dimension.

As a final detail I used a thrifted chain, a Trinket Pin and a thrifted amethyst bead as a decorative touch.

This is linked to:

Making the World Cuter, Rook No.17, Singing Three Little Birds, Sugar Bee Crafts, Tim Holtz and Vintage Wanna Bee