Monday 30 July 2012

A Trip To Europe On A Tag. . . . . . .

The challenge at Artful Times is to make a tag and the theme is to show a trip to Europe - really like this idea.

 I chose to go to Paris and Rome on my tag. I have been to Paris a number of times and it never fails to engage me. The whole city is vibrant, colourful and so wonderful - I'm happy just to walk round and soak it all up - I don't perhaps walk quite as far as I used to but I have a good try before demanding a sit down at a lovely pavement cafe. . . . . (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)!

This year I was able to realise a long held dream of mine which was to visit Rome. My husband had been away for a very long time and one of our treats when he returned was  to spend some time in this most beautiful city. I know it  will always be my most favourite European city. There is so much to see and just walking up an ordinary back street you will be greeted with the most amazing architecture - love it!! Luckily I found lots of 'watering' stops here too!

The biggest problem with doing my tag was that the only stamp I have which was of use for this theme is very small and includes images from other cities too. I tried to get round this by including some relevant background stamping from a variety of stamps I have. I've included two very tiny stamped images of iconic landmarks from each of these two cities - both of which I have visited so they do hold personal meaning to me.

Here's the tag I've made:

The completed tag with stamped background.

The first city on the journey is Paris. Both the chosen cities have been featured on die cut hearts which  have been inked according the flag colours for that country. The stripes were achieved using masking tape and distress ink. Both hearts were then coated with crackle glaze and lightly inked when dry. Each heart was manipulated into a domed shape - not easy to see here - and attached with foam pads so they sit proud from the background giving a 3D effect.
The letters were embossed and then cut out, inked and some gold embossing powder randomly and sparingly applied. The landmarks were both stamped, inked and cut out.

The Rome heart was created in the same way as described above.
The ribbon at the bottom was coloured using distress inks in the same flag colours used on the hearts. I then put a gathering thread along one edge of the ribbon and pulled it up into reasonably even little folds or pleats before attaching it to the base of the tag. The same ribbon has been used at the top of the tag but has been left flat.

The tag was inked and stamped using various colours of distress inks and appropriate images.  There are postmarks, landmark images and even a French lady with her address. . . . . !!

One of the Tim folders has this little 'Paris' section, so after embossing, I cut it out, applied distress ink and some randomly placed embossing powder.
I really enjoyed making this piece - not sure what it is about making tags but I like them! Trouble is, what do you do with them afterwards, if you're not sending them to someone?? No idea at all!




23 comments:

  1. Love this tag, it's of 'unobtrusive' beauty and I like the muted color. Love the accents with the hearts and the ribbon :-) and you reminded me of some suiting stamps I nearly have forgotten ... I'll see if I'm able to come up with sth. too.
    Great work. Have a great week, Suzanne

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  2. Lovely tag, love all the techniques you have used. Hmm, what to do with them? I use some instead of cards, or swap them from time to time, some get used as bookmarks if they are flat. Valerie

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  3. I just love the hearts in the colours of the flags - an inspired idea!Especially against the neutral background. Fab!

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  4. Love this tag...love Paris too !Yet to make Italy but its on my list of things to do....

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  5. A wonderful tag Julia incorporating Paris and Rome :)
    Thank you for sharing agian with us at Artful Times
    Von ♥

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  6. I plan to hang future tags in our RV. The last RV was huge and had padded walls. All postcards from swaps were pinned up. you could make them into a book and you put on a coffee table. i actually have friends and neighbors who look at all my stuff. On the other hand a stash of made tags can be used for notes or or in place of birthday, etc cards. mail mine in clear envelopes.

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  7. Really a great tag Julia
    Love the way you used the hearts with the colors.

    Greetings Janny

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  8. Hi Julia, first, thank you for liking my blog enough to follow it, I am now following yours too :) Love the tag you created, am so jealous of anyone that gets to visit Paris like you do! That must be so awesome, even if you can't walk as much, just sitting in a cafe somewhere with the view of the Eiffel Tower must be glorious!! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina

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  9. Hello Julia, what a great trip...and even a real visit to Rome, I never saw it in real, but you must have great memories forever! The tag is great, love the collaged stamps, hearts and colors.

    greetings, Alie :-)

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  10. Hello, found your blog from your post on Ellen's blog. Love the tags you made! I am following you now so I can enjoy some of your creative talent!

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  11. Well as ever your tag is just stunning. Loving those hearts and the fact that you have used more muted colours for the background to make them stand out even more. The level of detail you put into your work is astounding and I'm sure anyone would be thrilled to receive one - could you mount them on DL cards? Anyway, please keep doing what you do as those of us in blogland love to see your work. Hugs, Buttons x

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  12. Wow Julia, stunning tag. Love your Paris and Rome hearts. Thanks for travelling around with us this week.

    Sam - Artful Times

    xxxx

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  13. Hi Julia, Another stunning tag. Love the images you have used as a background to those hearts, really makes them pop!
    Avril xx

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  14. A great tag, the hearts are fabulous.

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  15. Another awesome tag Julia! And next time, you will be so near, please come to visit Slovenia! You are welcome! Hugs

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  16. Such a lovely tag! And even if you didn't have the 'right' stamp, you made a great work anyway!

    I'm glad you enjoyed your visit in Rome :-)

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  17. Hi Julia, your tag is simply gorgeous, love all the elements and the red,white and blue ribbon at the bottom is a fantastic way to finish it off. I love it - a lot! Thanks for your visit and for following me, I feel honoured as I have looked through your blog and you do amazing work. I am following you too now. Anne x

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  18. Julia, your tag is spectacular! I love that crackled heart and all the embossing! Thank you for visiting me and following, I am now your newest follower!

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  19. Hi Julia this is a stunning tag. Like Terry, above, I just love the hearts. TFS crafty hugs Annie x

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  20. The hearts colored in the country's colors is brilliant! I love that! Fab tag!

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  21. Who would have thought you could fit entire Europe on a tag lol; ). I love it!! Great grungy vintage feel ;).
    Ps. Thank you so much for the congratulations wishes! Mwah! x

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  22. Love the contrast between the muted colours of the tag and the hearts/flags that are so vibrant. What a fabulous idea. A superb tag.
    Thanks for sharing with us at Artful Times. Hugs, neet xx

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  23. Love the way you have used the muted colours. great tag. Fracnesca xxx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax