Ellen Hutson's 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Touch 2018: Tons of Techniques!

Welcome to this year's Ellen Hutson 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist series . . . my absolute favorite project/post each year! I'm so honored to have participated in this tradition for the past 7 years, since 2011! (You can find my previous year's tags by clicking (here -->) on the 12 Tags of Christmas category over in my right sidebar).

This year we once again have 24 designers paired up for each of the 12 days, to share their talents with you as we provide you with ideas for creating your own tags this holiday season! My partner in crafting today is the very talented Emily Midgett!  Please be sure to head over to her blog to see her take on today's theme!

GIVEAWAY:
We are looking forward to seeing what you are inspired to create from the tags/techniques/themes that are shared this year and we would LOVE to have you participate! Just look for the little “theme box” (below) on each post and use the designer’s tags to inspire you to join in the fun!  Remember to leave a comment every day sharing your appreciation with the artists (on the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog AND the designers’ blogs, too). In doing so, you will automatically be entered into the random drawing for a $25 gift code to the  Ellen Hutson shop!

Need a little creative encouragement to join in the fun? How about a $150 gift code the Ellen Hutson shop! (Imagine being able to shop for items on your wish list for free)!  To participate in our Feminine Twist Tag Challenge, please head over to this Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog post to find the guidelines to link up your fabulous creation(s)!

Now get ready for my tag filled with tons of techniques and one of my very favorite themes: Florals/Botanicals!

Here's how to make it, and the techniques used (bold products are linked below in the supply list):

First, I traced a #8 Manila tag onto #110 Neenah Solar White cardstock and cut it out.

Technique #1 - INK BLENDING: I used Distress Oxide inks in Tumbled Glass, with Iced Spruce towards the bottom to deepen the color:

#2 - GLITTER: After die cutting my ink blended tag with Essentials by Ellen Snowfall Backdrop, I added X-Press It Double Sided tape all over the back side of the tag, making sure to cover all of the holes well:


Next, I adhered the ink blended tag to a second tag cut from #110 Neenah Solar White cardstock. Then I sprinkled pretty Prisma Glitter all over the holes and I used my finger to work the glitter in to the holes, so the tape would hold the glitter:


That gives you a sparkly snowfall background!


#3 - HEAT EMBOSSING: One of my absolute favorite techniques -- probably the first one I ever attempted!  I say "attempted" because I bought embossing powder and Versamark ink from the craft store BEFORE I ever really started making cards or scrapbooks, going on the advice that I could use a hair dryer to set the embossing powder!  Needless to say, that was an epic fail!!  I learned my lesson and invested in a good heat tool!  First, I heat embossed this beautiful Season's Greetings sentiment from Concord & 9th's awesome Very Merry stamp set with Wow! Metallic Silver Sparkle embossing powder -- it has a gorgeous tinsel shimmer to it! I used my Misti for perfect placement. For the snowy edges of my tag, I swiped a Versamark pad around the edges, then heat embossed with this cool Hero Arts White Puff embossing powder -- it has a wonderful grainy/puffy texture to it!


#4 - COPIC COLORING: Next I stamped Concord & 9th's beautiful Songbird with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Neenah #110 Solar White cardstock. The pine cones were stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa and the pine needles in Memento Olive Grove. This Copic-friendly ink allowed me to add contrast to the pine needles with my Copics directly over the top of it. Then I colored the bird to resemble my Texas state bird, the Mockingbird, with these Copic markers:


#5 - DETAIL CUTTING: I won't lie, fussy cutting around this entire image took some time (while watching TV), but for a very special project sometimes I think it's very worth the effort!  A good pair of Precision Scissors is a must!

#6 - I don't know if you would call it a technique, but I rarely make a card without it: FOAM TAPE!  I popped the image up on X-Press It High Tack Double Sided Foam Mounting Tape and adhered it to the background tag. It gives wonderful dimension to any project!

#7 - DIMENSION - I applied Glossy Accents to the red berries, then lightly sprinkled on some glitter for a gorgeous sparkly 3-dimensional effect!

#8 - SNOW EFFECT - I added Nuvo Crystal Drops in Gloss Simply White on the top of the branch and to some of the greenery, then sprinkled on some glitter, for another neat snowy effect!

To finish the tag, I created the hole reinforcer by first coloring Copic R27 onto white cardstock so it would match the other reds in my tag. Then I punched the largest hole from my Crop-A-Dile into the red colored area, then used a 1/2" circle punch around the hole. Finally, tinsel string was tied through the hole.

GIVEAWAYS:

Don't forget to leave a comment below here, and on the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog. In doing so, you will automatically be entered into the random drawing for a $25 gift code to the Ellen Hutson shop!  To participate in our Feminine Twist Tag Challenge, please head over to this Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog post for all of the details.  

Thanks so much for joining us today!

SUPPLIES:

Songbird, Concord & 9th Clear Stamps Very Merry Sentiment, Concord & 9th Clear Stamps Snowfall Backdrop, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Tumbled Glass Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Iced Spruce Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad, Olive Grove Memento Ink Pad, Rich Cocoa Memento Marker, Love Letter Memento Marker, Pistachio VersaMark Ink Pad Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk Ranger Inkssentials Surfaces, Manila Tag #8 COPIC Sketch Marker R27, Cadmium Red COPIC Sketch Marker BG53, Ice Mint COPIC Sketch Marker YG95, Pale Olive Fiskars Deluxe 12 Inch Paper Trimmer with Aluminum Cut Rail My Sweet Petunia MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2) Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round Inkadinkado Embossing Magic Bag Hero Arts Embossing Gun (Wagner) WOW Embossing Powder, Regular - Metallic Silver Sparkle Hero Arts Embossing Powder, White Puff Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops, Gloss White Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter Crop-a-Dile Eyelet & Snap Punch X-Press It High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape, 1/2 in X-Press It High Tack Double-Sided Tape, 1/2 in EK Tools, Precision 5 Inch Scissors with Sheath

Comments

[Denise KW]

1.

Your tag is so beautiful!!! I don't know if I would have the patience for the fussy cutting though bc when I make tags I make several. You did a magnificent job though. Thanks so much and have a blessed Christmas.

[Joan B]

2.

this is stunning. wow you are so talented

[Meghan Kennihan]

3.

I LOVE your coloring and the tag is STUNNING! I love the sparkly ribbon at the top!

[Mary W]

4.

So beautiful - I immediately wanted to see how you did it as I would love to copy for a little Christmas picture to hand in my bedroom. All your details really made a huge difference, especially the fussy cutting - so worth it (easy for me to say)!LOL

[Helen]

5.

Just love this tag and your hair dryer story. Your coloring and fussy cutting are awesome. Your attention to detail, so inspiring. Glad I'm not the only one who buys crafting materials way before I ever actually use them -- like heat embossing products! tfs

[Michele K. Henderson]

6.

Wow! What an amazing tag! I love the color and the look of this beautiful bird on a branch! This is SO pretty!

[Deb R]

7.

very nice, love the coloring you did and the glitter shiny accents

[Carla Hundley]

8.

Oh my, how gorgeous
this tag is! I love
the stamp and your
coloring. And all
the glitter!
Carla from Utah

[Mary Holshouser]

9.

The tag is gorgeous.
This would be one to give to a
friend/family who would appreciate
it and treasure it. I would be
thrilled to see this tag on one
of my presents. thanks for
sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Bobby]

10.

This isn't just a tag. It's a work of art.

[Carolyn Keierleber]

11.

Your tag is so fabulous! I like the idea of working glitter into the die cut holes. Nice extra gift for someone!

[Betty]

12.

gorgeous tag, Sharon - love all the extra touches like the glittery snowflakes and the snowy edges and especially your wonderful coloring!

[Andrea D. La Vigne]

13.

Sharon--your tag is beyond words! I love the coloring on the image (love the image period!). Great color scheme, too. It just looks so elegant and vintage-y. Definitely a tag for a VERY special person's gift! :) ~ Andrea

[Denise Bryant]

14.

Lovely tag with gorgeous details and coloring!

[Kelsey Thomas]

15.

This is a gorgeous tag! :) I love everything about it. Thanks for sharing!

[Debbie]

16.

Out of all the tags so far, yours just blew me away! Although I can’t imagine my fussy cutting would compare to yours lol!

[Mindy Drummond]

17.

WOW, there are simply no words for your tag today, it is a work of art! Thank you for sharing your tag and techniques for making it. I won't be able to even come close but you have definitely inspired me to try one like it (wish me luck lol). ([email protected])

[Emma Sleppy]

18.

Beautiful card and that fussy cutting looks like a die. Great Job!

[Kirsty Vittetoe]

19.

What a sweet and pretty tag!!!!

[Bunny]

20.

This is a beautiful tag. I love the DOX colors that you used. And your story about the dryer............yikes, that sounds like some of the mistakes I made in the beginning. What can we say? Girls just wanna have fun!

[Isabel Z]

21.

This is stunning!

[Pai]

22.

this is stunning! your coloring gives it such dimension!

[Beulah Bee]

23.

My favorite!!

[Tami B]

24.

Your tag is gorgeous!

[Sharon Harnist]

25.

What a wonderful compliment ... thank you SO MUCH for making my day (week, month)!!

[Sharon Harnist]

26.

Thanks so much, Beulah!

[Sharon Harnist]

27.

Thank you, Tami!

[Sharon Harnist]

28.

Thanks so much!

[Sharon Harnist]

29.

Thanks, Isabel!

[Sharon Harnist]

30.

Thanks so much, Mindy (and good luck)! :)

[Sharon Harnist]

31.

Many thanks, Denise!

[Michele Clay]

32.

Sharon, this floral tag is absolutely stunning! Thank you for the details on making it!

[SmilynStef]

33.

Love how you got the glitter into the holes for a sparkly sky.

[Becky H.]

34.

This is so pretty. Fantastic idea on the snow fall and glitter. Your so good at the copic coloring. The extra time you took to fussy cut really paid off to make this a beautiful winter tag.

[Debbie F.]

35.

I just love the way you colored the bird on the branch. And with the background ... stunning! I don't mind fussing cutting at all. It's something I like to do while watching TV. I find it relaxing!! Thanks for sharing your stunning creation.

[Denise Mlady]

36.

This tag is just gorgeous! The coloring is fantastic. Thanks for the step-by-step that shows all the details.

[Beth Williams]

37.

Your tag is truly beautiful. I'd put it in a mall shadow box and display it every year. No copics here-but think I'll try it with my Prismacolor pencils.

[Louanne Collins]

38.

Wonderful tag! Love the glittery effects!

[Marisela Delgado]

39.

OH.MY.GOODNESS. Your tag just blew me away!!!! Fabulous!!

[Kari VanNoy]

40.

This is absolutely gorgeous. Your coloring is beautiful and I can’t stop staring at that bird!!

[Jeannean Marshall]

41.

Wow! I totally appreciate all the steps to your tag! A masterpiece to treasure!

[Lucy E.]

42.

This is such a lovely,
Classic and colorful
tag! The background
is awesome and the
colors are so realistic.

[Wendy]

43.

Oh my! Your tag is so beautiful and elegant! thank you for sharing

[Daniela May]

44.

This tag is gorgeous Sharon - love your work

[Beverly Sizemore]

45.

Beautiful tag! Thank you for sharing how you did it in all the photos.

[Sue D]

46.

This is gorgeous--love all the details.

[Andre M.]

47.

So pretty! Thank you for sharing the detailed steps to recreate this beauty.

[Karthikha Uday]

48.

I just lovvve your gorgeous creation!! So beautiful it is!

[renee milner]

49.

Howdy from a fellow Texan! Your tag is absolutely stunning and I really like the pops of silver you used on it. Thanks for sharing all the details of how to make it--the snow is really pretty and I wouldn't have thought to add it like that.

[Sue VanDeVusse]

50.

This is stunning! You have so many details to this gorgeous creation making for a beautiful tag. I love how you die cut the falling snow and added glitter and the snowy edges look amazing. Never thought to use the Nuvo for snow on branches, must remember this one. Thanks for the inspiration!