Queens And Crowns. . . . . .

Seems a very long time ago since I did a post - life gets busy, inspiration runs dry and there are so many things to concentrate on all at once!

I've also been involved in a card swap with the theme 'Pirates' (more of that another time!) which stretched me beyond belief but I didn't give up and managed to produce an idea - eventually.

Something more up my street is the fun challenge over at Hels Sheridan's blog with the theme 'Queens and Crowns'. I decided to make a tag but had to cut a larger sized one to accommodate the dress form.

Simon Says Stamp And Show have an 'Anything Goes Theme' so I would also like to show my tag there.

As a one time Textiles teacher, I never seem to use fabric in my paper crafting so this time I got out the calico and the stamps and the results of my labour are as follows:

These are the main elements I used to make the large tag. I put the white die cut and the stamped fabric there to show how I arrived at the finished, clothed dress form. (I made it up then realised I hadn't taken the photo. . . . !). 

The completed giant tag.

I stamped the patriotic designs onto calico using Stazon - it didn't bleed into the fabric- phew! The 'sash' obviously says 'Keep Calm and Carry On' but I particularly like the words shown here!! I wrapped some netting around the shoulders after draping the calico to imitate a dress and bodice. The beaded pin was a later addition  and is supposed to be a sceptre - with a stretch of the imagination! The dress form was inked with walnut Distress and then covered by a second acetate die cut to add shine.

I added a crown at the base of the tag to add to the 'Royal' feel. It was originally silver but I coloured it using some alcohol ink and gold mixative. I used a Dylusion stencil to imitate a tiled floor using scattered straw Distress Ink so the dress form looked as if it was grounded.

This image shows the background I created using Distress Inks, shimmer spray and stamped images. The crowns are done using coffee Archival ink and the circular stamp uses scattered straw Distress ink. The lovely ribbons pick up the tones used on the tag and were given to me by my crafting friend BJ - thank you!! The sentiment is again stamped on calico which has some interfacing on the back to help give it shape. Finally, the tag was inked around the edge with walnut Distress Ink.

A change for me - hope you like it!