Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tags and Masking

I never really make tags because I never really think of using them for anything.  This idea of attaching a tag to a gift when you accompany the gift with a card anyway, is all new to me, but I do like the concept simply because it means I can craft some more! And yes, it does look cute and neat!

As some of you who regularly visit my blog may have realised by now, I have a tendency to be long winded about things, there is always a story before the real story.  And tonight is no exception, especially since I am not tired yet (10h26pm), hubby is away and my gorgeous daugher is in la-la land.

So, I was in the process of making a card with lots of masking etc...and was not able to finish it because the background stamp I have ordered did not arrive tonight as I had hoped beyond all hope after much delay.  Apparently it's stuck in the snow somewhere between Alabama and Houston, Texas!  I guess that can happen!

So, while I was allowing myself to be a little upset I thought that I could use my card idea but on a smaller scale, hence a tag, and with a different background stamp. And here they are:



This set uses the masking technique.  So I first stamped and embossed the Butterfly Flowers from Hero Arts, and then I masked them off and stamped the Old Letter Writing from Hero Arts in Tea Dye Distress ink.  The flowers are coloured in with distress inks and pearlized water.  The paper is water colour paper. And yes, the water colouring is not perfect, just the way I like it!

And this set is not masked.  I first stamped the entire tag with the Old Letter Writing background stamp and then stamped the Butterfly flowers over it.
Paper: Watercolour paper
Ink: Tea Dye, Forest Moss, Dusty Concord and Wild Honey Distress inks, Versafine Onyx Black, Copic Markers (for the ribbons)
Stamps: Hero Arts
Other: PTI Die for the tag, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, Hero Art Black Gems, Black Enamel Accents, Clear Embossing Powder, Pearlized water, White ribbon from my stash

I ran out of those little black gems so I just used the Black Enamel Accents to make the additional two I needed for the lavender butterfly.  I also inked around the edges of the tags with Tea Dye Distress ink.

I think these are pretty.  But, I have no idea what I am going to do with them, maybe just give them away to someone who can use them.

Ok, now I have a question. The watercolour paper I have has a smooth side and a rough side.  I stamp on the smooth side because that is the only way I can get a good impression.  But I am wondering if one is meant to watercolour on the rough side?  Does anyone know?

Right, let me go and craft a little more seeing as I am drinking coffee, bedtime will not be coming soon!  Thank you for visiting and for leaving me so many wonderful and encouraging comments!

17 comments:

Virginia L. said...

I really love these, Brenda! You can attach them with gift items or give them to book lovers! I think it is more proper to watercolor on the smooth side, but sometimes a textured look is nice, too! So it really doesn't matter... I think( I could be wrong!!). BTW about the oranges in my blog, my SIL send me the e-mail about these cool food photos, I just love them and used the photo when it suits :) Glad you like it!

Barb said...

Brenda, the watercolor paper that I buy is the same on both sides(rough or a bit textured.) So I would assume you would want to do the watercoloring on the rough side. Give it a try on a smaller piece and see what you think. Now, about these gorgeous tags, girl! I love them! I can just imagine a beautifully wrapped birthday gift with one of these attached! Gorgeous colors and love the text!

Dawn T said...

awesome tags Brenda. Love how you did them so colourful. I too am never sure what to do with tags... I have about 10 sitting here looking all forlorn!!! And I can't answer your question re watercolour paper as I also wonder myself!!!! I'll be back to see if anyone answers.

Rosemary said...

woweee, brenda!! your tags are gorgeous! they are just amazing. for the record... i don't often make tags, either!

Michelle said...

amazing job, Brenda!!! I think this is your best work to date!! I love them!!!

Clare said...

These are just too pretty! I love the distressing and colors!
About the watercolor paper, I don't know for sure, but I've always stamped on the rough side, just because I like the texture. :)

Tiffany Ervin said...

Aww....GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!! I keep staring at these, beautifully done and such exquisite details framed inside each tag!

walchowDesign said...

You are so cute with all your stories and I love reading them which also gives me a chance to get to know you a little bit more (hope I'm not scaring you) Anyway, back to those lovely tags. They are absolutely gorgeous and love those coloring too!

Jane said...

Gorgeous tags! LOVE them.
By the way...you won my Love Rocket digi stamp...email me!

Anita Rex said...

Hi Brenda! I think your supposed to use the rough side, when I took a HA class at Scrapfest we used the rough side to ink up and spray with perfect pearls. That's what I do. What a pretty tag set, it's so delicate and perfect! :>

Tracey said...

FABULOUS masking technique and beautiful tags!!!! Attach them to a gift with a message on the back :)

Kelly Latevola said...

Brenda these came out just lovely!!

Heather P. said...

These tags are simply gorgeous!!

Lin said...

Really lovely tags, Brenda - and congrats on the HA tweet!

To answer you question about sending out lots of Valentines, I send to my parents, my sisters, my kids, and good friends, shutlk-ins......anyone who I want to feel special on that day!

donna mikasa said...

Beautiful tags, Brenda! Great masking, too! They're little gifts in themselves.

rkramadh said...

I found your blog via HA site where I saw your gorgeous tags. I am hooked with that color combination. I am new to stamping but have a million ideas in my head :) To my eyes, I can't tell the difference between masked tags and unmasked ones. Is that masking technique explained somewhere please? I will be back to check your old posts, you have a great site!

Brenda said...

This is for rkramadh - thank you for visiting my site. Here is a great tutorial on the basics of masking, it's really easy and you will have such fun using this technique. Go to this link at Splitcoaststampers:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/masking_basic/
I hope you get this. I found your blog, but I see it's pretty lonely and unused and I had no way of leaving you a message there.
Take care, Brenda