On a French Theme - Plaisir D'Amour

MUSLIN LABELS,  TAGS AND ALTERED BOTTLE

I've been getting a bit homesick, especially after finding a blog by Cindy, who lives in my former hometown in the New Orleans area.

So why the French theme?  I'm half Cajun French and New Orleans at one time was under a French flag.   So, French it is!   I even added a lovely French tune to play in the background named "Plaisir D'Amour," which I think translates to the Pleasures of Love.  I've loved this song since I heard it on one of my favorite movies, "The Heiress."

Also, I've gotten wonderful inspiration from two ladies who were stamping on muslin, making tags and altering bottles.  So I did some of each.  Check out the wonderful blogs of "Petite Michelle Louise," and "Cindy Adkins", on my blog list.

ONE SET OF "IMAGE TAGS" FOR STEFF'S SWAP

(Mailed Sept 20)

Whew! I've been on a roll....trying to get the last of my swaps finished. This is just one of the two sets of image tags that I made for Steff's swap. (Steff's blog is on my blog list to the right). I used multiple stamps on each of these tags to get the look I wanted. I LOVE the vintage monster stamp set that I got recently. This tag has Frankenstein and the Wolf Man. These monsters are from the old Universal monster movies of the 1940's. The other set (not pictured) has a "Haunted House" and an additional tag with a vintage witch and Frankenstein.

Each person in my group will get two tags and a charm. My tags are all packed up and ready to mail. Now I can get this craft stuff in some order........until the next marathon. Probably not real soon.

Two New Swaps, Two More Challenges

I joined Steff's "Image Tag" swap again this month. You can see my tags from last month in the photo to the right of this post. I haven't received my tags from the last month yet, but I'll post some photos when I can.

I also joined a new swap hosted by Allyson on YouTube. This one is for "Stick Pins." A different thing entirely. I have some attractive long glass beads that I want to use. I've seen reviews of Allyson's other stick pin swaps and they're unique.

I will post photos as soon as I have the samples done. I might take a breather after this.

Tag for Marie's August Swap

Mailed August 18th.

After much pondering, I came up with this tag for Marie's August Tag Swap. It is not original to use the Tim Holtz Caged Bird die set, but I was stumped. (see her "Art of Marie" blog at the right of this post).

I stayed within the "Nature" theme and somewhat with the challenge of using scraps. I used my scraps of glittered butterfly paper for the top and light blue cardstock for the background (like the sky). I stamped two trees, then placed the birdcage and bird on top. The bird is covered with scraps from an old dictionary that I got from the Thrift Store. I made the "Journey" ticket from left-over pieces of manila folders. I also added mini flowers to keep within the theme.

I used Tim Holtz's distress inks on the bird, ticket and basic tag. After all, we're having 105 degree heat outside.....AND I got dissss-stressed doing this dang tag!

You can't really see it, but I added a dragonfly charm on the fibers at the top. (It has a lobster claw clasp so it can be used on a bracelet later).

The back has an notched envelope with my info and I added a layered butterfly that I made from scraps.

WHEW!! This was a difficult but fun. I didn't feel entirely good about these tags because the idea is not original to me, but I gave it my best shot. I hope they like it! I just couldn't think of anything more authentic this time.

I have to stop comparing my work to more advanced crafters!!

My Finished Tag! "Petit Francais Enfant"

I'm finally finished with my tag for Arlene's June Tag Swap. Arlene is on YouTube at MyButterflyKisses12. She hosts a monthly tag swap for crafters. Each month there's a theme and there were two this month: "Postcards from Paris," and/or Vintage Collage. I actually did both. The front is Vintage Collage and the back looks like a Postcard from Paris, even with a Paris stamp.

This photo is the front of the tag, done in "Vintage Collage," but I also made it in a French theme. I have another photo to the side of this blog with more description. Another element that I added is a gauze look in back of the French Song. I stamped it lightly with French Script. It's barely noticeable on some of the tags. Of course each one will be a tad different because they're hand-made.

The tag just above the brown leaves says, "Petit Francais Enfant," or "Litle French Child."