Tags, Tears and Trades

My tag for May will surprise some of my friends and blog readers. I had to smile when Debbie told me on saturday that she thought of me when she uploaded her latest card as it was orange. It's good to know my aversion doesn't rub off onto my class members otherwise Grimsby could well be an orange free zone !

As usual I was inspired by the techniques my dear friend Paulien used on her tag especially the use of texture. Paulien used puffy paint to achieve hers, as I didn't have any, I substituted with Fluffy Stuff from Woodware, I must admit I liked it so much I got a little carried away and everything on my craft mat ended up receiving a liberal daubing. The little vintage ticket on the left of the tag was a free download from the very talented Miss Cutie Pie - thankyou for sharing hon xxx

The little birdie was an image I found from google, the flowers have been buried deep within my flower drawers for all eternity, I honestly never thought I would be using them, but they look really lush layered up and smothered in fluffy stuff.

The bird cage is a Marianne die that has also received the texture treatment and I have dangled some T!m baubles from the bottom.

The ribbons are dyed with distress inks - Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade.

You can see Paulien's tag HERE

And my friends who are also doing the tags

Anita's tag is HERE

and Nicki's tag is HERE

Also this week I completed my ATC's for the Stampman, these are actually for July - ooooh get me !!! a month early !!! The theme was Vintage, I love Vintage so this was one of my favourite themes to create and I can hardly wait to receive my swaps.

It is hard to see from the photo but the background paper has been distressed and spritzed with two shades of glimmer mist, the image was stamped with a sepia toned ink and the buttons are genuinely vintage mother of pearl, salvaged from a charity shop.

I also made a sympathy card this week. One of my class members has recently suffered a bereavement, I know nothing makes much sense when you are going through a loss but I guess it helps to know your friends are thinking of you, I always think a sympathy card is like a gentle hug in an envelope.

The stamped image is a cling from Hero Arts.

And a couple more flower photos, there is always a sense of serenity in a white flower I think.

Finally I would just like to say a massive THANKYOU to all my lovely class ladies. The past 6 months have been nothing if not a trial and I am so grateful for the patience and understanding that has been shown. I haven't lost any of my lovely loyal ladies, they have all come back to class, filled me in on all their news and made me laugh. They also made me realise just how much I actually missed them all. My classes kicked off on tuesday and it almost seemed like there had never been a break so THANKYOU all, I am so proud of the little crafting community we have fostered together xxx

Love and laughter

Tracey xxx