Tag Friday at A Vintage Journey

Today is Tag Friday at A Vintage Journey and it's my first time joining in with this event so I'm really honoured to show my tag along with the other Creative Guides. Whenever a month has five Fridays, a number of the Creative Guides choose to make tags. Anything goes as long as it is a tag and you should see what the other ladies have made for your inspiration!

Here's the tag I've made mainly using scraps (broken collar bones and crafting are not a match made in heaven!):

I've gone completely pink! I decided to use this month's 'Monochromatic' theme as my starting point. 

I've had these two tags hanging around for a while so thought I'd get them used up. The tag on the left was a try out of my one and only Distress Paint. The other tag was cut from a gelli plate print which didn't quite go as planned but which I held onto.

The gelli print was used to die cut various circle pieces.

The distress paint tag was given layers of pink toned stamping with various objects including credit card pieces, home cut stamps and bottle tops. I forgot to take a photo of the finished layers before constructing the tag - sorry!

A quick peek at the pink tones used in ink and paint along with two types of black ink for details.

Another discarded gelli print is used to stamp my chosen images onto. Thanks to Sam for making me buy these!! I love these Teesha Moore stamps.

The girl image is fussy cut and applied to the background. The white streak from the original gelli print has been left for effect.

The tiny girls were stamped just for their heads which are fussy cut and used as clock hands on the die cut circle pieces.

Another Teesha Moore stamp is used behind a die cut to complete the top of the tag. A piece of die cut scrap is used to finish the look.

My original inspiration came from a song I heard recently. Those of you who are of a certain age will remember the lovely Dusty Springfield who does a fab version of the song this line comes from. Any idea which song? The die cut has inked edges and the words are rub on individual letters.

The background layers can be seen more clearly here in the various pink tones along with black ink. The spiral type image is a home made stamp made by Kate Crane - so useful!

Detail image showing that white flash across the eyes - I just had to keep it!

This little face comes as a separate stamp. I really like how even a not very inspiring gelli print comes alive when stamped on.

I know my celebration of all things pink won't be to everyone's taste but I hope it inspires you to use that monochromatic theme and join in our latest challenge which is still live. Find all the details here. Thanks so much for joining me today.

Monochromatic. . . . . for A Vintage Journey

Morning everyone. Seems ages since I was here. Today sees the start of a new challenge at A Vintage Journey and our host is the hugely talented Tracy. Here's what she has to say:

'I love monochromatic themes in artwork; I love the balanced look it gives to a design. If you ever struggle with knowing what colours to use this should be right up your street, one colour alone or hues of one colour (plus black and/or white) - simple! Please just check that your entry is vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial or steampunk to be in with a chance of being a winner or Pinworthy mention'.

I love using just one colour in various tones and intensity to create depth so this really is right up my street! I decided to alter a notebook using tones of orange and some black. There is a little orange streaked yellow which has crept in so I hope I'm forgiven for that!

An altered notebook which has been kept neutral by using black. Layers of substrates coloured using tones of orange and various textures, die cuts, stamping, stencilling, gelli print and good old mark making.

Simple, kraft paper covered notebook containing lined paper.

A thick layer of black gesso is stippled over the front and back covers, both inside and out.

Colours used for spraying, stencilling, stamping and gelli printing.

Mediums used for adding black to project. Black modelling paste has been used but is not in the image.

Stipples black gesso was taken inside the book and colour plates are added for lists etc. The card has been sprayed with misters - the colours allowed to mingle to create tones of orange. Stamping is then added using Archival ink.

Four layers have been created to enhance the book. The base layer is a piece of card. The next two layers are greyboard and the final layer is card.

The base layer is a gelli print which didn't go quite according to plan. It has been cut to shape and stamped with Archival Ink.

The next layer is the first piece of grey board used. It has been stencilled with modelling paste and coloured with acrylic misters. It is then enhanced with stamping, stencilling and doodling.

The second piece of grey board comes next. This has been coloured with acrylic paints, spray misters and then stamped. The black stars are stencilled with black gesso.

The final layer is a section of gelli print. The movie star image comes as a collage and has been stamped and black embossed onto the print.

The punched flower is made from a leftover scrap which I couldn't throw away! The colours matched this project perfectly and the look is completed with a stick on gem in a soft orange shade.

Another piece of gelli print is die cut into a faux lace design and the edges - like all the edges in this project - have been swiped with black ink or paint.

The final touch is to add a little embossed black star which has been cut out and applied.

Many thanks to Tracy for a wonderful challenge this month, I loved it!

Our generous sponsor this month is:

The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Our winner will receive a $20 voucher to spend in this fab online store!

Please remember to see the wonderful inspiration provided by the other Creative Guides at A Vintage Journey - stunning projects one and all!

Thank you for joining me today. I am aware my blogging is sporadic at the moment but please bear with me. Have a great weekend.