1 October 2012

Yes! Needles ARE leaves!!

So it seems a day in Blogland is a lifetime in real time! Just when you think you are up to date checking out what others have been up to, you go to sleep for a few hours (and I do mean a few - I'm no golf fan but the end of the Ryder cup was way too exciting to leave:) and wake to tons of new stuff! Although a little daunting it can also be exciting, especially at the beginning of the month when lots of new challneges are set.

Truth be told I had lots of fun with my latest tag so it fit three challenges (in no particular order) as a result;
First up, The Artistic Stamper Creative Team October Challenge - The Natural World sponsored by The Artistic Stamper (brought up the rear last month and got to the front of the queue this time! Yay!)
And last, but definitely by no means least, Sunday Stampers challenge - Happy Heart.


Linda Coughlin's Christmas tag challenge has seriously got me in the Xmas mood (yep, out of denial finally!) I plan to use all my tags on the front of cards this year - so a lot need to be completed. I find tags a useful way for trying things out, especially for backgrounds, and in this case was inspired by Anita Houston to have another go at Tim Holtz's alcohol resist technique (which has always failed dismally in the past for me). To get it to work properly finally really made me a happy bunny:)


The background used Oregano Ranger Alcohol Ink, Black Archival Ink (behind and on top of the acetate) and Ranger Glue n Seal to protect the acetate and make it matte.
The twine and ribbon are all from The Funkie Junkie Boutique, and the papers are Basic Grey Jovial (a bit of a theme throughout these tags).


The stamps are part of a Christmas set from Creative Expressions, and the holly leaves were sprayed with Cosmic Shimmer Mist - Golden Mint. Oh, and the final touch - yep, those are real pine needles to match the background stamping collected by my own fair hand on a recent dog walk:)

Now just in case anyone was wondering, pine needles are also classed as leaves, honest! Needles, the adult leaves, which are green (photosynthetic), bundled in clusters (fascicles) of 1–6, commonly 2–5, needles together, each fascicle produced from a small bud on a dwarf shoot in the axil of a scale leaf. A pretty tag and a spot of education, what more could you want? Hopefully to get crafty yourselves and take a trip around Blogland using the numerous links above to collect even more inspiration.
Happy crafting, hugs Buttons x

26 comments:

  1. Gorgeous tag Buttons ! I love the leaves and especially the pine needles ! Sue C x

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  2. This is gorgeous Buttons. The holly and berries look amazing and the pine needles are an inspired touch.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  3. wow your tag is totally fabulous Buttons, gorgeous design. xx

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  4. Fantastic tag, absolutely love the background, great technique.

    Sam xxx

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  5. What a fantastic tag, luv all your attention to detail and you have a wonderful blog header too. Ü
    Barb

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  6. How fab is that! Love the resist... and love the real needles... cool idea! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  7. This is so beautiful!! xoxo

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  8. Fabulous tag, you've created loads of texture. I thought at first that you had embroidered the holly leaves. and that background is fabulous x

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  9. Great tag - I love the alcohol resist technique, such fun!

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  10. Hi Buttons, you have certainly come up trumps with this tag, I think it is my most favourite tag - EVER! Whether it is because I love Christmas, or perhaps the colours, which are gorgeous, or the holly leaves and berries, or the pearls, or the finish, I'm not sure but the total package is one gorgeous creation....Crafty hugs, Anne x

    Thank you, as ever, for all your lovely comments too.

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  11. For a Christmas tag this is just wonderful your holly leaves have a look of felt about them, just love the whole thing :)
    Von ♥

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  12. Besutiful tag and what a gorgeous background. Love the leaves and your dimensional berries. Love the added twine too and both use wonderful autumnal colours. Thanks so much for,joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  13. Gorgeous creation...love the dimension on those berries too ;)
    Thanks for playing along at The Artistic Stamper again this month :)
    xoxo Sioux

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  14. Gorgeous tag! I so love your background. It's perfect for the cream trim and matting you've added to your piece. The holly and berries are so lovely atop that beautiful pine needle background. Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  15. Love this Buttons, a great design and fabulous techniques. Me too opn the Christmas wagon lol.
    hugs {brenda} xox

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  16. The holly is amazing Buttons and I love that little touch of tartan ribbon (or is it paper) that you stamped onto.
    Fabulous.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  17. Gorgeous tag Buttons, love the berries. Elizabeth x

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  18. Beautiful tag - love the dark background with the pine needles. Really sets off the tag and well done on starting christmas!!

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  19. This is absolutely gorgeous and thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper challenge :))
    Creative hugs
    Jennie

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  20. Again such a great tag, Buttons! I do recognize your story about the new blogposts of others :-))
    It's a never ending, but oh so lovely story, to read and watch..

    all the best, Alie :-)

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  21. Fabulous tag Buttons... I really thought those leaves were real... such an AmAzing job... I adore this tag, My favorite so far in blogland.. Hugs May x x x

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  22. My television never left the Ryder Cup...the whole house here are Golf lovers! I could not believe the change in leadership so quickly...wow! Congrats to your Europe...we were happy here too...love Rory and Graham is so handsome! Anyway, YES...needles are leaves, funny how that is. Just like a tomato is a fruit...still boggles the mind! LOL! Your tag is fabulous, and thanks for the shout out, and if I helped in any way for your Alcohol Ink to turn out I am DELIGHTED!!! It is a super hard technique to get! I totally love your needle image. Which company and what's the name of the stamp??? I love it! Your tag is absolutely rocking awesome!!!!

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  23. Gorgeous Buttons! I love the leaves they look really tactile and the berries are a wonderful splash of red. Inspired idea to put the needles with the ribbon - I love that idea very much.
    Juliaxx

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  24. What a great tag! love the alcohol resist technique you pulled off with those needles! Very pretty! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra

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  25. So gorgeous, Buttons! I love the rich dark colours of this - and the glorious ribbon/raffia affair at the top...a really great, natural, Christmas look!
    Alison x

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  26. Wowzersss love the needles and the colors fabulous Tag, thank you for sharing Hugs Terry xxxx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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