Tim Holtz Tags of 2014 - August

Well August is nearly over, which means I finally am getting around to making Tim's Tag of the month. Nearly late, as usual (well, at least I am consistent...).

This month Tim challenged us to just follow our creative muse... since we are all individuals, we each have our own unique style. His sample tag is a mixture of colour, texture, steampunk and whimsy - so very Tim!

I gathered some supplies and got to work... er, FUN work! Again I set out to create two tags - one for me and one for display at The Scrapbook Cottage.

After cutting my tags from white cardstock using Tim's Tag & Bookplates Bigz die, I stamped various images in Archival ink - with the focal-point impressed over some tissue tape.

I broke out the Gesso and used Tim's Eye Chart stencil to mimic the same design in his stamp set.

Love the way it stays raised even after drying.

After swiping the tag through Antique Linen, Wild Honey and Walnut Stain inks, I laid another stencil (Dot Fade) over top and pounced some Walnut Stain Distress ink to create a dotted pattern randomly over the tag.

His rub-on sets are fab for finding a great saying... using his shears, I cut out "life observations" from the sheet. Good thing there are two sheets per package - I cut both out to use one on each tag! I added them to Vial Labels that were sanded and inked. I secured the labels and a strip of Film Strip Ribbon onto the tag with the Mini Attacher.

I also added a few metal embellishments: a Game Spinner arrow, Ring Fastener and chain (the latter two were inked with Tarnished Brass Distress Paint). I made my own "monocle" with two random round metal pieces I found in my stash:  one was an earring in a former life, the other a simple metal ring, attaching them to a round clear acrylic Ideology Fragments Charm using Glossy Accents. A few jump rings attached the monocle to the chain and the tag.

After gluing the tag onto heavier chipboard for stability, I distressed, inked and added some Vintage Photo Distress Powder (for a rusty texture) around the edges. The final touch was threading Black and Wild Honey Jute String through the tag hole.

I could have added more to the tag, but in this case, I think less is more... when I looked it over at this point, I declared it "Done".

I love the way the eye charts, eye, monocle and sayings all came together...

Which reminds me - I am really, really overdue for an eye exam and new glasses!