Maggie and I commented last week on how we would like to be freer, less controlled with composition, and just loosen up in general. I think this week's challenge was a great one to experiment with loosening up! I also wanted to try a more monochromatic look, as I usually use lots of rich colors and find myself adding more and more and more! :-) I was thinking about dried autumn leaves, old dried flowers, stained old lace...
Here's what I came up with:
I used torn paper that I had first embossed and sanded and added lots of vintage linen and lace shreds and bits. The leaf is also embossed and sanded - love that core'dinations paper! The butterfly and girl stamps are Oxford Impressions stamps from
The Austen Gallery. The girl is a "photo realistic" stamp and requires certain types of ink and glossy paper. Hard to believe it's a stamp, huh?
Here's another view, just of the tag:
Overall, I think I achieved my goals--monochromatic and a little freer on the style (if only in my mind)! Thanks for your encouragement and comments. I am looking forward to seeing what this creative and talented group has come up with this week!
BTW: I have a blog party that runs from Sunday to Saturday midnight. If you would like to link up any creations from your blog, please visit Inspired Sunday!
Laura
Wonderful tag and the girl stamp does look like a photograph
ReplyDeleteChrissie x
Lovely tag and stamp, enjoy your blog party! Valerie
ReplyDeletedelicate
ReplyDeleteBeautifully vintage looking. The girl stamp is amazing & how clever of you toknowhow to make it look like a photograh! Also, I couldn't help but notice that very pretty pot next to your tag. Is it an altered herb pot? How did you do that one? :o)
ReplyDeleteLaura, I love vintage so your gorgeous stamp appeals to me! Great monochrome look and just love all the elements you've used.
ReplyDeleteJuliax
A very beautiful tag with stunning elements! Carolyn xx
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Great choice of colors!
ReplyDeleteLaura this is wonderful! Photo stamps are a bit tricky but so worth it as your lovely tag demonstrates!
ReplyDeleteThis is a simply beautiful tag, Laura. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThe little bottle beside the tag is a repurposed salt shaker that has mica flake snow and a tiny Christmas tree inside. You can find details on my blog: http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2012/12/salt-shaker-christmas-ornament.html
ReplyDeleteLaura, this is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteOh! this is just so beautiful, I love the photo-real stamps and have one I picked up at a garage sale, but didn't realise you're supposed to use specific inks and papers - any tips? ! :0)
ReplyDeleteMany tips! lol! The most imp. part for me was to make sure the stamp is really clean by taking sticky tape and pressing onto the stamp surface and removing - like using a lint roller. Then stamp on glossy paper that is meant for stamping. I love StazOn Ink, but be sure the pad isn't really wet. I believe there is a tutorial on the Austen Gallery Web site (Oxford Impressions stamps).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
So Beautiful...Love it.. Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeleteLaura you nailed it with your beautiful tag this week! It just evokes 'faded Autumn' to me. And I LOVE that big grommet at the top!--where can I get some?
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure I branched out a whole bunch this week like I wanted too, aside from using crusty and tattered elements and not fussing over making them perfect. I feel I am still going the symmetrical-stacked safe route somewhat. This weekly challenge is good for me to try and break out of my ruts, though.
xoxo,
maggie
this is stunningly beautiful! xo
ReplyDeleteyou definitely accomplished your goal--stunning tag
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comments, everyone. I always feel so encouraged by you! The grommet at the top is unfortunately retired from Stampin Up, but "We R Memory Keepers" might have some.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, Laura - all the elements work so well together.Thanks too for sharing your tips, especially for people like me who know nothing about the intricacies of artful stamping.
ReplyDeleteThis is very pretty, love it! X
ReplyDeleteYou are right--I can hardly believe it is a stamp...amazing! Beautiful tag. ♥ Sandy Leigh
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