CropStop: Follow Up Friday...Tag, your it!

This week I was inspired by all of the Valentines I have seen posted everywhere. Since my Valentine cards were finished a week ago, I decided I wanted to make a tag using some mixed media techniques.

What started as a simple Inksenntials Kraft Tag, became a rather embellished piece of art work!

I inked the tag with a few Ranger Distress Inks...Bundled Sage, Tattered Rose and Tea Dye along with Tsukineko Memento Desert Sand Ink.

Next, I gave the tag a couple coats of white gesso and while it was still wet, stamped a design on it using my Heartfelt Creations Burlap Background stamp.

If you try stamping in gesso, I recommend cleaning your stamp immediately as the gesso dries fairly fast and adheres something fierce!

When the gesso was completely dry, I stamped random leaves all over the tag with Tsukineko VersaMark Dazzle Frost. This is an oil based ink used for embossing. I sprinkled the stamped images with WOW Clear Gloss Embossing Powder and heated until the powder melted and became glossy.

You can see the sparkle from the VersaMark and the gloss finish of the embossing powder.

I inked over the images again with additional ink to highlight them a little more.

I spritzed the tag, white paper heart doily and a foam cupid cut out with Tattered Angels Red Passion Glimmer Mist.

Now, the details. I made a variety of die-cuts using my Memory Box and Boss Kut dies. I added more ink to add dimension and details to the die-cuts.

I also stamped and embossed some French wording that I have in one of my stamp sets.

In the upper right corner of the tag, I stamped and embossed the French wording again. Above it I added a "Love" sentiment sticker from American Craft along with some pearl hearts.

In this close up view, you can see the burlap background stamped impression in the gesso.

Then it was time to assemble the details and embellishments. I placed the leaves, fern stems, and heart borders in a cluster to the left of the tag.

In the lower right corner, I added the spritzed heart doily and a Boss Kut die-cut heart.

Next came my cupid embellished with Tsukineko Shimmer Mist and Ranger Tattered Rose and Tea Dye Distress Inks. I saved the negative cut out hearts from the die cut heart border and added a couple of them to the hairline of the cupid.