PEP tangles - my Zentangle Inspired Art blog

Monday 22 October 2012

Victorian Vintage Valentine Alphatag

It's quite amazing to think there are only four letters left for our Baroque Guild Alphatag swap. For this one I actually started out working on vignettes but they rapidly turned themselves into a Victorian Vintage Valentine.

Interestingly I found I was consolidating some of my discoveries (see here, here & here) with watercolour paper during my tangling course: both my main image & the two small roses are coloured using Walnut Stain Distress Ink (inkpad & Marker) but the lady is on hot press & the small roses are on cold press watercolour paper (see below for specific details). On the cold press paper I could manipulate & move the ink about far more freely than I could on the hot press. I suspect this will vary between the brands of watercolour papers too. A working knowledge of not only different materials but different brands of the same materials is really being brought home to me.

front of tag
close-up of upper section showing tone on tone
background stamping
 close-up of main image - angled to show glittering
pearl jewellery, hair & hat adornments
close-up showing wet embossed letter "V" & watercoloured
roses plus both pleated & unpleated lace trimming 
back of tag
close-up showing paper pierced & inked scallops of
theme panel plus tone on tone stamping

The lace around my image was pleated & secured by snipping from the bottom up to each eyelet & then making a tiny pleat as I secured each section onto the image panel using a combination of red line tape in small strips & tacky glue. Another die-cut oval (this time from some sturdy cardboard) the same size as my image panel was then attached across the whole of the back to provide both a neat & a flat finish for attaching the whole panel to the tag,

Recipe
Stamps Chocolate Baroque UDLGW0093 Ornate Alphabet (letter "V"), UDLGW0095 Rose Set (small roses), UA6SP0141 Victorian Ladies Accessories (image) & UA4SP0242 Harlequin Rose (tone on tone stamping).
Inks VersaFine Vintage Sepia (background stamping), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (images & inking various cardstock edges), Emboss Tinted Stamp Pad with Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder (letter "V").
Markers Walnut Stain Distress Marker, Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll Pen, Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, White Pentel K118 Hybrid Gel Grip Pen.
Cardstock Dark brown & white from stash,  Daler-Rowney Langton 300gsm Hot Pressed Extra Smooth watercolour paper & Winsor & Newton Cotman 190gsm Cold Pressed/NOT Grain Fin Watercolour Paper.
Die Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die - Tag & Bookplates, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals Small.
Punch Woodware (scalloped squares).
The pearl hearts, lace & ribbon are all from stash.

16 comments:

GinaA said...

This is just gorgeous Paula, the background for the cameo is stunning and I love the colour, even the pleating on your cameo is perfect. A superb Tag.

jackiescrafts said...

This is beautiful Paula I hope I get one f your tags before the end of the year as I've not had one yet

Jackie x

Jean said...

Paula this is a fantastic tag, I love the subtle colour and the lace trimming is pretty, altogether a very elegant tag.
I love your U tag as well, the silver flowers are fantastic.Jean x

Elaine said...

A beautifully constructed tag as always. Great detail, all the elements work so well though out and colouring subtle, but perfect. The finish with the lace is superb, something I always struggle to get to my satisfaction. Elaine x

Aquarius said...

This is beautiful and such subtle variations in the browns and creams. Interesting observations on the behaviour of various papers/pens etc.

Sally H said...

A real beauty, Paula! The shades you achieved in the colouring are so much like sepia photographs. Gorgeous tag

Elaine said...

Stunning Paula! Definitely one of my favourites out of all your tags.
I love the shades of brown (Walnut stain is probably one of my most used shades) and the lace makes the whole tag feel so delicate and feminine.

I think the watercolour papers vary from brand to brand. Personally, my favourite is a hot pressed paper, I can blend and blend and blend some more without the paper 'bobbling'. I think it all comes down to personal preference and which techniques you are using on the paper.

Big hugs
Elaine xxx

Elizabeth Allan said...

Paula it is so fascinating to study your tags. This Victorian piece is stunning with all the textural elements working in perfect harmony. The little white hearts having the tiny beading which complement the lace and background stamping.

veronica said...

gorgeous Paula - you put so much work into your tags, and it really shows in the results!

xxxtglxxx said...

This is a delightful tag Paula! :) Perfect image and I love what you have done with the lace! :)

Off to take a mooch at your other blog now! :D

hugs

xxalisonxx

Deborah Frings said...

Paula - this is just lovely. I really like the vintage look to the tag and the pretty lace trim. You've made some fabulous tags over the year. Looking forward to seeing the last few!

Cathy A said...

Paula there is so much rich detail in this tag, from the tone on tone stamping to the lace frame, it personifies Victorian elegance.

~ Ali Robertson ~ said...

This is wonderful Paula, a stunner

Hope you are well

Ali x

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Paula such lovely techniques and love the vintage colours you used.
Suexxx

alexandra s.m. said...

Beautiful work Paula.
Thank You for thinking about showcasing every single detail about your project! and thank you for playing along with my giveaway.

Good Luck to you~

craftimamma said...

This is so pretty Paula and once again (I'm working backwards here) I love the tone on tone background stamping. The pleated lace around the cameo is really effective completing the look of a beautiful brooch. Gorgeous work as always.

Hugs
Lesley Xx