Valentine-themed Technique Tags

I'm back from CHA as of last night. Had a fabulous time, and promise to share more photos in addition to the ones I've posted on Instagram and Facebook all weekend. Seeing the new products is great, of course, but it really is all about connecting with people that I enjoy the most. But more on that in the next day or so.

Today it's all about laundry, grocery, and getting settled back in.

I realized that although I had promised to post my Valentine-themed tags on my blog, I ran out of time before I left for CHA so I'll share those with you today. My Friday Follies group will be making these technique-filled tags this month. I'll share the basics here and save all the details for my class members.

We'll be using Ranger's #8 size tags and lots of techniques from both Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry online courses and Ranger University, which I attended back in 2012.

Tag #1's focus is "Distress Ink - Perfect Distress" and features the Festive Gent which I've altered a bit for my Valentine's theme...

Since I never got to use him during the holidays, I simply altered him so I can use him anytime of the year.

The base is layered with shades of pinks and reds (Worn Lipstick, Victorian Velvet, and Festive Berries Distress Ink), stencils and stamps and Perfect Pearls.

Now he carries a heart box of candies for his true love.

Tag #2's focus is "Distress Stain Brayering."

The stains are mostly Victorian Velvet, then Festive Berries and a bit of Antique Bronze.

The images are stamped with Archival black onto Ranger's manila cardstock, then cut out closely and inked around the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

After more stamping on the tag, I began layering the stamped images.

Even though the stamps come from different sets, they work together perfectly. 

Tag #3's focus is "Texture Paste Resist" (which I sort of made up) loosely based on some of Tim's resist techniques.

Here's a look at the base as I applied the texture paste through the stencil.

Die cuts with stamping, embossing (the bee) and spritzing (the leaves). 

Layering tissue wrap and the leaf die plus coloring with Distress Inks starts to make things look more interesting.

Popping up the bee with foam tape gives great dimension. Some final touches and this one is done.

Tag #4's focus is "Faded Layers" which is one of my favorite techniques. It's subtle here. Can you tell where it is?

First, the base is simply cut from a sheet of Seasonal Kraft Core, then sanded and inked with Black Soot.

And here's the technique mentioned above. I like how this turned out so much, I now use this image as my iPhone's background screen.

After stamping the clock, I used my Movers and Shapers circle die to cut it out.

A grunge paper pocket watch embossed with gold and adorned with remnant rubs, added spinners and other embellishments. Done.

The rest of the details are left for my class. I hope this has left you with a bit of inspiration. My tags will be fun to use on Valentine gifts, on card bases, or I might just make a seasonal banner with them. Who knows?

Thanks for stopping in today. Would love to hear what you think.