Today’s project had a very vague beginning, I wanted to make a large gift tag. So with just that in my mind I started to look through my packs of Designer Series Paper (DSP) for a background. I often find that just looking at a DSP design will spark an idea, even if that paper never actually gets used. Today though, in the Mosaic Mood Specialty DSP I found a scrap that quite literally became the base for everything else I did this morning.

MOSAIC TAG BASE

The scrap of Mosaic Mood Specialty DSP I found was 2″ x 4″ so I cut a piece of Thick Whisper White Card the same size. Then I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to fix the two pieces together.

To shape the top of the tag I used the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch. Next I threaded some Whisper White 5/8″ Flax Ribbon through the slot at the top of the tag. To hold the ribbon in place I used Linen Thread to tie a small bow around the ribbon close to the slot.

With the tag prepared I then set to work on the sentiment.

CUSTOM EMBOSSING

I love creating embossed sentiments in colours that coordinate with my project. The tiles on this piece of Mosaic Mood DSP are Terracotta Tile, but I actually wanted something a little darker. So instead I turned to Cajun Craze.

I found the perfect birthday sentiment in the Painted Glass Stamp Set and mounted it onto my Stamparatus. I wiped a strip of Thick Whisper White Card with an Embossing Buddy to remove any oils and static, then stamped the sentiment using Cajun Craze ink. Next, taking care not to dislodge the stamp, I carefully cleaned the stamp surface with a Simply Shammy.

Using VersaMark ink I then stamped the sentiment again, right on top of the Cajun Craze ink. Then I removed the card from the Stamparatus and sprinkled the sticky ink with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Finally I tapped off the excess powder and melted the rest with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

With my Cajun Craze embossed sentiment done, I attached it to the mosaic tag using liquid glue.

FLORAL ESSENCE

For my focal image I turned to the Floral Essence Stamp Set and Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper.

To make sure I got a good image on the textured surface of the Watercolor Paper I once again used my Stamparatus.

First I wiped the watercolor paper using the Embossing Buddy then placed it onto the Stamparatus platform. Then I mounted the large open floral image onto the plate and inked it up with VersaMark. I stamped the image, reinked the stamp with VersaMark, and stamped again in exactly the same place. Then I removed the paper and sprinkled the sticky ink with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Finally I tapped off the excess and melted the rest of the powder using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

Then using the same process, I stamped and white embossed two of the open leaf images. I was now ready for a little painting.

I chose just three colours for my flower and leaves, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green and Pineapple Punch. First I pressed onto the lids of my ink pads to transfer some ink to the inside before opening them. Then to colour the image I wet an area with my Aqua Painter and picked up some ink from the lid of the ink pad. When I touched the tip of the Aqua Painter to the wet area, the water pulled the colour up the petals and leaves.

After I had completed the painting I let it dry a little, then added a bit more water and ink to make some areas darker. Then I set it aside.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Once the painted pieces were completely dry I used my Paper Snips to cut them out. I began with two leaf pieces, fixing them to the mosaic tag base using liquid glue.

Then I turned to the flower and even though I’d painted the centre I wanted it to really impress. So I attached a self-adhesive Perennial Essence Floral Center to the middle of the flower. Once that was done all that was left for me to do was add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the flower and attach it to the tag.

Finally my project was complete and I have to say I love it!

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