PEP tangles - my Zentangle Inspired Art blog

Thursday 14 June 2012

Leaves & Ladybirds Alphatag

I find ladybirds & beetles absolutely intriguing & was delighted when I discovered that I had 3 different ladybird stamps amongst my Chocolate Baroque sets which I could use for my Baroque Guild "L" Alphatg. With a little tweaking of the stamps I could even colour the images authentically  (using information from the UK Ladybird Survey to identify the different species). The recent release of Sunny Sunflowers stamps gave me the perfect leaf images for a background.

front of tag 
close-up of upper section
close-up of lower section







close-up photos to show the shaping & glossiness of each individual ladybird            
 

back of tag
side view showing effect of light on the leaves
 stamped with Encore Champagne ink
close-up showing paper pierced scallops
of theme panel
Each ladybird was stamped twice so that the body itself could be cut out & shaped (using a ball tool) after colouring with Copic Markers. The glossy surface was achieved by heat/wet embossing with clear embossing powder & each body was then attached to its respective legs & head. The metallic backing of the 'Crystal Effects' sticker is a piece of aluminium foil.

Recipe
Stamps Chocolate Baroque UDLSP0200 Lily (pine ladybird), UA5SP0380 Fragrant Honeysuckle (7-spot ladybird), UA5SP0381 The Rose Tree (2-spot ladybird),  & UA4SP0390 Sunny Sunflowers (leaves).
Inks Memento Tuxedo Black & Bamboo Leaves, Encore Champagne, VersaMarker pen with Stewart Gill Ultrafine Clear Embossing Powder.
Colouring Copic Ciao & Sketch Markers (ladybirds); Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils with paper stumps & Sansodor (leaves); Inkssentials Black Enamel Accents (detail of ladybird heads).
Pens etc... Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Marker, Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, Black Pilot V5 Grip Rollerball.
Cardstock Whites, yellow & Moondust gold from stash.
Paper Graphicus Guild Membership Pack.
Die Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die - Tag & Bookplates.
Punches Woodware (circles & scalloped circle).
The 'Crystal Effects' sticker is Dovecraft; the ribbon & gems are from stash.

Challenge Entered
Simon Says.... Joy's Summer Inspiration
I was really struck by how the colours of Joy's Inspiration Board matched those that I used for my tag. Also the fact that the theme suggested by her board is 'Summer' which is really the only time of year that ladybirds (I believe they are called ladybugs in the US) are about.
Joy's Inspiration matches my tag though the former did not  inspire the latter but I shall enter my tag into the challenge & just request that I be advised if it is ineligible.

16 comments:

jackiescrafts said...

This is fantastic Paula and what an inspired theme for your tag. I love how you have got the ladybirds so authentic and the gloss on the wings is great

Jackie x

brenda said...

That leaf tag is so very effective Paula, the shading is brilliant and the perfect backdrop for the ladybugs.

I was so taken back by your comment on my digitalis and it made me realise how very right your are, the word of God indeed.

B x

Jean said...

Paula I love your beautiful shiny ladybirds, so authentic looking as usual.The colouring and shading on the leaves is perfect as well. I was thinking of ladybird for my own tag at first but I only have one set of stamps with one on and decided I couldn't do much with that. Jean x

Aquarius said...

You've done it again - thought of something for L which didn't even cross my mind. These ladybirds are wonderful in their authenticity and the leaves came along at just the right time for you. Fabulous tag for one lucky person - wondering what you've come up with for the other letters!!

Miranda said...

To use the L also....Lovely tag Paula! Like what you've done with those masked leaves! And the little ladybirds do pop out very nice! The previous sponged card is also a beautie! warm greet Miranda

Kathryn said...

Oh wow Paula this is stunning , love the ladybugs :)
Sorry I've not been round much busy busy busy :) xxx

Heather said...

Good morning Paula, the background paper is stunning but I love those gorgeous ladybirds - brilliantly decoupage, colouring and glossing, they look real and just 'pop' from the page.
hugs Heather xx
Thanks so much for joining the Simon Says Stamp challenge

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous tag Paula :-) the ladybirds look real ! fabulous colours and design ,,, and of course this is jut perfect for our challenge :-)

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge :-)
luv
Lols x x x

Elizabeth Allan said...

Paula the details of the ladybugs are fabulous. Love how you built up the dimension and then coated them. Very striking! The leafy background is the perfect home for these colorful embellishments.

Gill said...

Nice one Paula, these are lovely. You do have some great ideas.
Gill x

Elaine said...

Fabulous Paula.
The leaves on the background are the perfect setting...you can just imagine the little ladybugs on these leaves!
I love how you made the ladybirds, each one unique and distinctive with it's own markings, and the gloss on their backs is the perfect finish for them.
I love ladybirds Paula, though I can't take to the black ones, I much prefer the 7 spotted red ladybirds.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful tag.

Love Elaine xx

GinaA said...

What clever use of your stamps to produce the different Ladybirds, the cupping and embossing makes them so lifelike and I love the fall of leaves not only on the front but on the reverse - along with your paper piercing. A fabulous L tag.

craftimamma said...

Wow Paula, another stunning tag. My granddaughter Alexa adores ladybirds so she'd love this too. I also love leaves so this one ticks the right boxes for me. Fabulous work altogether Paula.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Unknown said...

They are really neat looking! They truly look like little lady bugs flew onto your project!:)....Love the 3d effect you gave them.

A beautiful and realistic creation! love it!
xx

xxxtglxxx said...

This is BRILLIANT! I love the fresh green leaves and a wonderful touch with the ladybugs :)

hugs

xxalisonxx

Anonymous said...

Oh Paula just love your ladybugs such a fabulous idea and making them all different with authentic colouring , brilliant. Suexxx