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Tuesday 13 January 2015

With thanks!

Hello everyone! So happy you decided to come and visit.

Today I am sharing a tag wallet made as a thank you for a beautiful Christmas tag I received quite unexpectedly.
This is one of my favourite projects to do. The wallet is made from a size 12 manila tag folded in three.

Here you can see it folded open, I'll show both the front and the back:



One of my plans for this year is to join more challenges. Probably one of the most popular ones in the UK is the Paper Artsy challenge. I have never taken part, but this year they are going to have a slightly different format that appealed to me much more and I loved the theme of the first one "Fragile Papers". So I will use this project for my entry to the challenge.
Here's a quick description of how I made this and what I used.
1. I covered the inside of my size 12 tag with a thin layer of gesso, then added scraps of Tim Holtz Tissue wrap and some old book pages using gel medium.
2. Next I added colour with the help of some Fresco Finish paints, I used watered down Chocolate Pudding, French Roast and a little bit of Sage, blending it all with the help of a brush, baby wipe and my fingers.
3. Next I added scraps of the the top layer of a paper serviette. This is not something Leandra mentioned in her description, but to my mind these fit totally into the fragile paper theme and I happen to love using them.
4. Some more paints were added to blend them into the background.
Here are some close ups:
I added some stenciling still, using a Tim Holtz stencil and some Geranium Archival ink. I love how the text on the tissue wrap can still be seen through the paper napkin, - one of the joys of working with translucent layers....

As this is a thank you wallet, I added the word thanks with some letter stickers. Here you can maybe just see how I also added some old book paper and more stenciling of course.

The outside was done slightly differently:
1. I covered the whole outside with Sage Fresco Finish.
2. Next I added some sprays with a mix of Tim Holtz Distress and Lindy's Stampgang Sprays.
3. Texture was added with my favourite stencil of the moment, Memorybox Lathenay.
4. More colour was added with a mix of Sage and Inky Pool paint and another scrap from a paper serviette was adhered to the middle section.

And some more close ups:
The middle section, to which I added a word sticker still
The front flap, with some ribbon and a flower plus a couple more word stickers, sorry you can't read the second one, it says inspired of course.
The wallet closes with a little magnet. I also added a little stamping, using a Prima word stamp, stamped in Sage Fresco Finish. Like usual the texture was highlighted a bit with Treasure Gold, this time I used Pewter and Indigo.

Well, that's it, - hope the recipient will like it (it will be on its way by the time this post goes life). And as I said I will be adding this to the Paper Artsy Fragile Paper Challenge. My inspiration mainly came from Leandra's introductory post and video.
I am also going to add it to the Thats Crafty challenge where the theme is "something Blue"

50 comments:

  1. Astrid- these are gorgeous!!! I want to go and make one right now!!!
    Debi xx

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  2. What a great idea, never seen one of these before! Love what you've done with it. Carol x

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  3. Just lovely.
    Where do you buy your Tim Holts products from?

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  4. Am so glad i will be seeing you join in the Paper Artsy challenges Astrid, Fragile Papers are your territory and no one could do a better job!

    Your wallet is stunning, love the step by step and truly fantastic use of your Fragile Papers
    :-) xxx

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  5. What a beautiful thank you gift, Astrid. I love your use of the napkins. I use them too and I love them. The wallet is really lovely.

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  6. Beautiful in all ways.....it is a great entry for the PA challenge! I recently tried the serviette technique based on many of your past works, and love it for the transparency and the artwork I could never reproduce on my own :-) Still working the page, as the color from my vivid floral image seemed to overwhelm the rest of the page - you've given me some ideas to try here. As always, thank you!

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  7. Stunning tag wallet, Astrid. I always love to see how you have created fabulous textures on your art piece. Love that vibrant blue and silver color combo.

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  8. What a great project dear Astrid!! I really love it, great original shape for a card to and and to give as a gift, great colours and texture, you really are a real artist!!

    Greetings
    MAria

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  9. Wow!! Such a beautiful Thank You gift Astrid!! Once again I am gobsmacked by your wonderful colour palette and all the fabulous techniques you've used here. So beautiful!! I'm sure your friend will treasure this!! ox

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  10. WAUW you´ve just done it again Astrid and made a true masterpiece. And as usual it´s filled to the brim of stunning details and used loads of fancy techniques all over it, and the result is totally jawdropping. I´m in total awe about this beauty project here again. It´s a very lucky lady, who´ll recieve this treasure, that´s for sure. You ARE the master here. Have a wonderful week hun.

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  11. Fabulous project - and useful too! Loving all that texture.

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  12. This is wonderful and a great way to say thank you for sure. It always sounds so easy when you say how you made something but the results are always stunning

    Love Chrissie

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  13. Astrid, you are the master when it comes to using paper napkins in your craft! The challenge seems perfect for you and this is a truly beautiful creation - the texture and the blues on the outside are just divine. Hugs, Anne xx

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous, Astrid, and so totally you. Why not enter it in the That's Crafty! challenge as the theme is 'blue'? http://thatscraftychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/blue-is-colour-challenge.html

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  15. I am impressed.. I so love this project of you !
    Fantastic Astrid!
    xoxoxo
    Susi

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  16. Stunning! I had to read how you blended this together so beautifully!

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  17. Such an amazing wallet Astrid! Every side has great details...compliments!
    greetings, Alie

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  18. A very beautiful wallet Astrid, love the memory box stencils they are brilliant. Dee x

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  19. Stunning Tag Astrid beautiful inspiration as always. Glad to see you joining more challenges look forward to your beautiful creations xx

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  20. Another stunning work of art Astrid! I love the shimmer on the front and the paper napkin idea is genius! Think I will look through my stash to see what I have! Thanks for the inspiration! until next time, hugs :)

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  21. A wonderful way to send a thank you note. its a beautiful tag book.
    Yvonne

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  22. Wow that is one nice and gorgeous way to say, "thank you." Astrid as always I love all the layers and gorgeous vintage coloring in your tag wallet! Love this and I know the recipient will as well! Hugs!

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  23. Astrid this is beautiful! I love what you did. (p.s. I also love your quote of the day - definitely words to live by)

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  24. Wonderful protect with fantastic color combinations and details, I'm really excited..
    Hugs Anja

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  25. What a fun project. All of your work is so beautiful. I just love that Wallet :)

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  26. Your wallet is stunning, dear Astrid,- so many tecniques in one , so much beautiful texture, what a wonderful Thank You-gift . And the paper napkins are the most fragile I can think of !!!
    Hugs, Dorthe

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  27. Love it! The paper napkin idea totally fits into the fragile papers themes.

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  28. Fabulous Astrid - gorgeous colours and textures and napkins were my first thought for fragile papers!

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  29. That's just a really wonderful tag and I'm sure the recipant will love and treasure it.

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  30. Must try one of these tag wallets some time, adorable project.
    Julie x

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  31. Love how you folded this into a little wallet. Ohhhh so pretty Astrid.

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  32. How gorgeous, just a delightful little wallet Astrid, beautifully decorated.....of course. Ruth x

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  33. an amazing tag wallet Astrid - really beautifully decorated - lovely! Big hugs Rachel x

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  34. Great wallet projects, love the techniques on how you created them, and yes I must try this year to do more challenges, at least one a month :) have a good week

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  35. This is gorgeous, Astrid! Napkins are a perfect fragile paper to use!

    Lucy x

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  36. Another beautiful piece Astrid ... Your textures and colours are so lovely

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  37. Stunning project! A tag wallet! Who knew?! ;) love the idea and your use of the papers and paints is out of this world! Xx

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  38. Another outstanding creation!! Love all the beautiful details!!

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  39. Stunning work of art Astrid, love how it all blends together so beautifully

    Joan

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  40. If I'd thought of the serviettes I would have mentioned them! You are not the only one who added them as a layer...and they work perfectly! I also forgot about crunchy waxed kraft! And the things you can do with THAT!!! But that is exactly the point of the challenge, do what comes to your mind! The tag is stunning Astrid! And the gentle watery layers of paint are delicious!

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  41. Absolutely beautiful, Astrid. The layering of the tissue wrap and the napkins is lovely, and the gilded texture on the front is wonderful. I got some LSG sprays ages ago, and still haven't even added water to them. This is an evil hobby!! Glorious thank you card, and so lovely to have you playing along at PaperArtsy.
    Alison xx

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  42. Wow, this is gorgeous - I love everything about it! It's a fantastic idea and I love the images and colours you've used - beautiful!

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  43. Absolutely gorgeous Astrid! You always do this type of layering and collage work so well and with such stunning results. I have used a napkin for my entry to the challenge too but without the skill you possess. Thanks for the sbs, it will help me to have another go at putting the rather large collection of napkins I have to better artistic use.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  44. Astrid your tag is stunning as is all your work!! I love the way you use colour blending them all seamlessly..beautiful!!

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  45. Beautiful! Love those colours! You've got me thinking about my napkins and tissues again!!! Chrisx

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  46. Stunning little wallet. Love the textures and colours on the front.
    Avril x

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