Springtime Tag Tutorial

Hi it's Elle (empireofthecat) again and this time I have this Spring-inspired tag tutorial for you.

Spring is almost here or so I am told, so let's make something to welcome it!

We are going to be using a very large tag base, and this spring shapes chipboard set from GSL.  I am also using my precious Fresco chalk paints, some stamps and a few different mediums, so let's get started. These tags are BIG!  There's a ruler marking along the bottom of the photo if you don't believe me!

And this sweet spring shapes set has so many useful shapes included

I started by choosing and arranging the shapes I wanted to use on the tag and once I was happy with the layout, started to stick them down using Collage Medium and allowed it to dry.

Then I covered everything in white gesso.

Once the gesso was dry, I added a layer of crackle paste and left that to dry overnight.  Here's a close up of how it looked the next morning.

It was then time to start painting, and I had a colour palette in mind, so I pulled out some of my Paperartsy Fresco Chalk Paints and got started.

I covered the whole tag with this gorgeous sky colour.  Here's a close up of the bird again so you can see how it looks with the paint on top.

Don't forget to also decorate the back of the tag!  I painted this side with Stone paint.

Then when it was dry, did some stamping using this Rubber Dance set and some green Archival Ink.

Time for a stamping close up

 OK, so now it was time to get back to work on the front of the tag. I don't have any more photos of the painting process but you can see the colours I used here.  I also added some stamping of little dragonflies and text to the background using the same green Archival.

And another close up of that birdie and the paint splatters I also added to the tag.

I love this paint as it dries super fast so I could move on and find some ribbon to add to the tag. 

And here is the finished tag!

I hope you enjoyed this Springtime Tag tutorial, even though it may not feel like Spring outside at least you can look at this pretty tag and pretend :)

Elle
Empire of the Cat

PROJECT RECIPE:

GSL Cuts - Spring Shape Set D85B, Tag Set Super X Model: D92C
Paperartsy - Fresco Chalk Paints, various
Decoart - White Gesso, Crackle Paste
Tim Holtz - Ground Espresso Archival Ink, Collage Medium
Ranger - Archival Ink Library Green
Rubber Dance - stamps
Finnabair - stamps
From Stash:  variety of ribbons