PEP tangles - my Zentangle Inspired Art blog

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Yin Yang Yule Alphatag

My "Y" Baroque Guild Alphatag was initially inspired by my looking for tangle patterns beginning with "Y" in some of the Zentangle Books that Glenda stocks at Chocolate Baroque. In Zentangle 4 I spotted the Yin Yang Leaf. I then thought of a Fractal Tree, one thing led to another & as I was looking through my stamp reference file I caught sight of a Christmas tree image constructed from "Y" shapes. So, I acquired Yule as well. When it came to actually making my tag that particular image proved too large but I had a vague recollection that there was a branch with a bird image on one of Glenda's theme plates & found it on Sing Your Song. I used part of the image & decided to abandon Yule & just concentrate on using the Yin and Yang concept of dualities as in light (white) & dark (deep green). But Yule had other ideas: as I was looking through my Graphicus Guild (Chocolate Baroque's antecedent) papers for a suitable sheet I found one just the right colour green with snowflakes on - Yule in theme - & upon looking a bit more closely the snowflake is basically constructed from "Y" shapes.

front of tag
close-up showing detail Yin Yang leaves 
close-up showing upper wet embossed white tree panel
 & overstamping of patterned paper - the "Y" shape
is clearly visible in both
close-up showing central section with
 detail of Yin Yang symbol
close-up showing lower wet embossed green tree panel
& overstamping of patterned paper
back of tag
close-up showing paper pierced scallops & inked edges
of theme panel plus patterned paper background

The Yin Yang leaves & the symbol were hand drawn using a Whispers Brush Marker; the symbol's circular shape being obtained using a small punch.

The white tree was wet embossed onto dark green cardstock using the VersaMarker watermark pen & white embossing powder whereas the dark green tree was wet embossed onto white cardstock using VersaFine Olympia Green & clear embossing powder. Each tree was cut out (giving a whole new meaning to the term of "fussy cutting") & mounted onto a scalloped circle of the appropriate colour cardstock. I was really pleased with the dimension, shine & contrast achieved which can be seen in the following angled photographs.




Recipe
Stamps Chocolate Baroque UA5SP0255 Sing Your Song (tree) & UA5SP0368 Stained Glass Christmas (snowflake).
Inks VersaFine Olympia Green with Stewart Gill Ultrafine Embossing Powder (green tree), VersaMarker Watermark Pen with Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder (white tree), Memento Bamboo Leaves (snowflakes) & Cottage Ivy (inking various cardstock & paper edges).
Pens/Markers etc... Whispers Brush Marker, White Pentel K118 Hybrid Gel Pen.
Cardstock White & green from stash.
Paper Graphicus Guild Membership Pack.
Die Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die - Tag & Bookplates.
Punches Woodware (scalloped circles & scalloped squares), EK Success (small circle).
The gems are Anita's & the ribbon is from stash.

Challenges Entered
Stamping Sensations December Challenge - TreeMendous
Penny Black & More December Challenge - It's Your Choice

15 comments:

veronica said...

this is gorgeous Paula - love your ideas! The attention to detail is incredible too

jackiescrafts said...

This is fabulous Paula, you always come up with amazing ideas and your execution has been fantastic
Jackie x

Elaine said...

Very precise and clever work Paula. That fussy cutting is very impressive, love the yin yang theme and how you have carried it through the mirror colouring in the design. Elaine x

GinaA said...

A superb tag Paula, love your choice of backing paper and the theme is very clever, so much beautiful detail. Your fussy cut trees are Fab. I have not done any crafting or been online for a few weeks and won't have time to do much of either over the next couple of months but I hope to pop over on a regular basis to see what you are up to. Very best wishes G.

brenda said...

The reverse colour trees are so effective Paula and you know I love my trees. The stamping around the base is also very complimentary.

It's really great to see you at Stamping Sensations and Penny Black and More challenges this month, thanks so much to joining in.

B x

Gill said...

Paula, you are so clever with your ideas, not to mention the alliteration that always creeps in. I love this card.
Gill x

Aquarius said...

You've excelled yourself yet again in coming up with interesting words (and images) for this tag swap. I just love the way youy've repeated the yin yang theme with alternating your colours axs well - brilliant as always.

alexandra s.m. said...

Superb tag so well conceived!
Love the yule and the yin/yang, original and absolutely perfect!
Your choice for a monochromatic palette makes the ensemble very peaceful looking as well.

Thank You Paula!

pinky said...

Amazing tags, perfect for our challenge. Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
Pinky

Jean said...

Another fabulous tag Paula. I love your clever use of the letters and great attention to detail. Jean x

xxxtglxxx said...

Its so clever how you construct these tags Paula - from a diverse range of stimuli and inspiration :)

Love the crisp fresh colours of this and the ying/yang works really well.

You were right about the twine too - it was red and white ;)

hugs

xxalisonxx

Elizabeth Allan said...

Paula your used of the Ying and Yang concept through the whole design is fabulous. Loved seeing all the ways you used opposites to creative eye-catching details on this tag.

Sally H said...

What a really gorgeous tag, Paula! Love the bare branches, yin and yang style. Inspired! Thanks for joining in our tree theme at Stamping Sensations this month and good luck!

Anonymous said...

So beautiful!

susiestacey said...

Beautiful tag,.
Thank you for joining the Its Your Choice challenge over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x