Monday, December 12, 2011

The Finale: Day 12 Of 12 Tags

A bittersweet day since this is the last tag of  Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas series for this year. And, what a tag it is! Here is my comment to Tim that I posted this morning on his blog. 

From the deepest depths of my heart, I thank you and Mario for giving all of us crafty people pure joy from the dedication, techniques, inspiration, and gorgeousness your 12 Tags of Christmas, have brought us this year and past! You have blessed us all as well as brought us together by the uploading of tags (thank you Inlinkz) so that we may catch a glimpse of those we would otherwise never have had the chance to. It brings to mind a song I have sang in my head this whole 12 day period...We Are The World, We Are The People. And you, Tim and Mario, are the ones who have made this a brighter day!!! Merry Christmas and happiest of New Year's to you and yours!

I loved Tim's tag today. It was fabulous, but instead of replicating it completely, I wanted to finish off by making a tag that pays tribute to the real reason why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place. Jesus was born to the world so that He could teach, model, instruct, and ultimately save it! So many get caught up in the decorating, cooking, baking, buying, and receiving, that they lose all clarity in the true meaning of this whole celebration in the first place. It is a very easy trap to fall into, especially once you walk into a store.  I have had to remind my "gotta have it all" children of this several times in the past, and it seems to be sticking...well most days anyway! Enough of my soap box, but I give you warning now...this post is lengthy and you might not like some of the things you are about to see. 
My finale, tag 12, "A Savior Is Born".
I stamped my tag with every Christmas related sentiment I had and 1 Merry Christmas stamp that I really liked.
I wrote in all of Matthew 1: 18-25...The Christmas Story. This is the first time I have ever used my own handwriting for a background like this, but I could not find the stamp that Tim used today. I love how it looks though, and it's personal.
I used the plastic from a package of embossing folders to create a shelf that I could adhere to my tag.
I doubled it up to really keep it sturdy. I also doubled my tag up to strengthen it as well.
This is the finished background and I covered the shelf in tissue tape to blend in with the tag.
I was married right before Christmas and my mother gave us our first nativity set. I have treasured it all these years and put it out each Christmas. I have never liked the bright colors though, so I had a thought.
Here's the part you might not like...I coated it in White Picket Fence Distress Paint and then sealed it with Plastercraft Acrylic Gloss Spray Finish by Deco Art. I love the new look, and all the colors are toned down. It has a great crackled finish that I wish you could see better. You will probably not like this either...and I did call my mother for permission. I used a hack saw and cut off the tail end of the base of both Joseph and Mary, so that they could fit a little better on the shelf of the tag. It worked great, as the pieces are resin. There was no crumbling, just dust. I know,  I know, I'm crazy...right? When I have an idea, I commit...and besides...my mother trusted me completely!
I love how this turned out. It is the very best tag I have ever made, and what a great keepsake. I also love how the star charm turned out. I die cut the star with the plastic and stained in with White Picket Fence Distress Stain, then affixed it with the snowflake brad. Add blingy baubles made the tail of star shine. You might not see it, but there is a baby Jesus hanging on it too. How cool was it that Tim used stickles to create the dotted border? Love that accent!
The shelf worked perfectly after the bases were trimmed. Love the flower made from tissue wrap. What an awesome technique and so easy to do.
View from the top.
View from below.
This tag looks gorgeous on the tree! Thank you Tim for the inspiration!!! I am also submitting this tag to the Sunday Stamper Challenge...theme is Christmas, and to Simon Says Stamp and Show's projects with depth.

45 comments:

  1. what a lovely tag! The nativity scene is my favorite! all your tags have been beautiful!
    Kate

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  2. Anita, I really love this one. My favorite tag so far. You really outdid
    Yourself, way to think outside the box here. Jesus truly is the reason
    For the season!!!

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  3. I'm not a religious person, but your tag turned out beautifully. Love the Nativity scene and the changes you made to the characters. Just beautiful

    PS thanks for the nice comment on my blog. Have a great day.

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  4. I am almost speechless! This is absolutely amazing with the altered Nativity scene! Truly a work of art right down to the embellishments! I so have enjoyed this and the sharing aspect! What an amazing time we all have had thanks to Tim and Mario! Have a wonderful Christmas and don't be a stranger!

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  5. Stunning take on day 12 - love all your changes, such a beautiful piece of art! Looks lovely on your tree!

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  6. WOW completely over the top!
    Great Job.

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  7. You should be very proud of yourself. This is perfect-from your idea, your own writing on it, sawing up your heirloom nativity and painting it-good thing that worked out well, and putting it all together. This is one of the best tags of all!

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  8. I love this! Jesus IS the Savior of ther World - and to all who accepts His marvelous Gift! You did a fabulous job!

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  9. Thank you for posting this beautiful "true meaning" tag. It takes my breath away. Honestly, the frozen Charlotte doll kinda creeps me out and I wasn't quite sure where to go with today's tag. Such inpriration with yours. Again, thank you!

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  10. wow. I absolutely love your tag. What a wonderful keepsake to bring out every Christmas.

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  11. I love this beautiful tag. You took a lot of brave steps in altering your nativity but they have worked brilliantly. Great background too!

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  12. beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and thank you!

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  13. This is so beautiful, the native scenery is so much more pure in these colours. And from now on every year when you see this it reminds you of both your mother and T!m. Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece of art with us

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  14. WOOOOOOOW So ist eine großartige Arbeit!!!!!! So schön. Wie groß ist dein Tag?

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  15. This is so wonderful. I love the figurines and how you altered them. The background stamping adds to the entire theme of your tag. Really beautiful work and message. Thanks for joining the challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show.

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  16. ABSoLUTELY AWESOME!!! Tag 12 is your ULTIMATE Christmas tag. So much love went into this one. I am sure you and your family will have a wonderful Christmas!

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  17. Oh, this is just beautiful and I love that you used your own handwriting for twe background! So much meaning for you also using the nativity pieces. Very nice!

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  18. Beautiful! Love how you softened the figures and made the corrugate into the stable. Very lovely.

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  19. Wow Anita!!! Stunning- simply stunning.

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  20. Your tag is absolutely beautiful. I love what you did to the nativity set..totally awesome! Keep up the good work...that tag is going to be so meaningful to you throughout the years to come! You Rock!

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  21. This is a wonderful "treasure", simply adorable and will be with you for years to come. You have made a wonderful job of enclosing the nativity set in your tag and reminding us all of the real reason for celebrating Christmas.

    Wishing you a peaceful and blessed christmas. x

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  22. Anita...your Christmas tag is absolutely beautiful! I truly love it! I love how you altered the nativity scene with white to give it such a beautiful shabby chic look. Your tag background is just fabulous as well. And the silver embellishments just finish off an exquisite design. Thanks so much for sharing your work with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge. <3 Candy

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  23. Love the effect on the nativity pieces! Great idea! And never apologize for your beliefs...there are more Christians in the world than you realize! And we love that you are bold enough to do this and post it on your blog!

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  24. WOW!!! I absolutely love this and what an amazing reminder of what the TRUE meaning of Christmas really is! Beautiful work Anita!

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  25. Anita - I love it! Especially how you painted the Nativity Set. It goes perfectly with the rest of the tag!

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  26. Absolutely stunning! Love this tag, it is so creative with the own handwriting and the nativity set on a shelf. Love it! This is my favorite too.
    Thank you so much for your lovely comments also! I had so much fun coming here to see your beautiful creations! And I'll keep visiting :)! You have fabulous christmas too!

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  27. Wow and COR BLIMEY AND THRICE... this is the most stunning tag I have seen yet this Christmas.... I LOVE what you did with the figurines... they have an almost Lladro look about them! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper again this week... Corrrrr.... **wanders off drooling**

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  28. Wow! This is amazing. I love how you made it all your own and what a beautiful job. The nativity is a wonderful final theme.

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  29. Fantastic Finale tag!!!! I love your starting point stamping and writing for the tag base - the whole tag is just beautiful!

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  30. This literally took my breath away! It is a stunningly gorgeous tribute to our Saviour--and I LOVE this! Fabulous!!! Found you via Sunday Stamper! :)

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  31. This tag is absolutely beautiful! I love what you did with the manger scene!

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  32. WHat a beautiful Tag Anita! I love what you put o the raw tag under the tissue wrap. I also like the new look of your nativity set! ANd I am impressed that you were able to make a nativity scene in 3D to fit a tag! Bravo!

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  33. Oh, BRAVO Anita! You have created a sensational piece of art. What amazing creative vision you have to have been able to alter your precious nativity set like that! Every detail on this piece is just perfect, from the shelf to the tissue paper to the lovely star and bead element. I haven't made tag #12 yet, but your tag is definitely going to be an inspiration to me! So happy you joined in the fun with us this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show.

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  34. LOVE how you used the nativity set from your mom...and I REALLY love how you called her for permission...I was nervous for you until I read that you asked first - hehe!

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  35. This is beautiful! I never would have thought to use an actual nativity on a tag! I love it. My parents gave us an ornament and a nativity every year when we were growing up.

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  36. This is a fantastic tag Anita, very inspired and creative. All of you tags are beautiful.

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  37. THIS is over the top gorgeous!
    Thanks for commenting on my blog!

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  38. SO BEAUTIFUL!! I love how you really went all out for this one!

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  39. I am new to your blog and I just finished going through all 12 tags. I love them all but the final one is my favorite. It is stunning and it even brought a tear of joy!! I will come back and visit your blog often! Have a blessed new year.

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  40. I LOVE this tag!! You are so creative!
    Great work!
    Jane

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  41. I LOVE this tag!! You are so creative!
    Great work!
    Jane

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