Christmas Tag–Jingle all the Way!

This one was really fun, as I sort of made it up as I went along. I wanted to create a marbled stain background using Picket Fence and Tarnished Brass. That done, I was looking for a good excuse to try the new Sticky Embossing Powder and Cinnamon Distress Dry Stickles, so this background seemed the perfect opportunity. I used the big flourish stamp from Tim Holtz.

I had a grunge board die cut reindeer left over from a previous project. He asked to be placed on the marbled brass, cinnamon-y background. But first, I stained him with Antiqued Bronze and then with Tarnished Brass. After applying a coat of Glue n Seal, I covered the reindeer with Clear Rock Candy Dry Stickles.

The wire ribbon (pleated along the bottom) and the jingle bells are from my stash.

I’m kind of liking monochromatic sometimes.

It was only after adding all  the elements that I decided on the sentiment. I like it!

Always frustrating to photograph anything with shine, but this side view gives a little better look, especially if you click on it to enlarge.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells!

Christmas Carols Tag

Sometimes “simple” appeals more to me than complex, involved, and complicated. I learned this background technique last year with Tim’s 12 Tags of Christmas—used Picket Fence Stain on the Kraft Resist paper. I stained the leaves and berries with Pine Needles and Festive Berries Distress Inks, using a nib brushed across the ink pads.

Christmas Tag–Snowy Winter

For the background on this manila tag, I applied Distress Stains randomly, directly to the tag: Brushed Pewter, Tumbled Glass, Picket Fence, and Weathered Wood.

I used the Dylusions Let it Snow Stencil and Perfect Pearls White Opal for the snowflakes. The grunge snowman was painted with white acrylic and then sprinkled with Rock Candy Dry Stickles while the paint was still damp. The edges of the snowman were inked with Brushed Pewter Distress Stain and Weathered Wood Distress Ink. The seam binding was stained with Brushed Pewter Distress Stain and Tumbled Glass Distress Stain.

For the bottom of the tag, I ruched the brushed pewter-stained seam binding.

Grateful Heart Art Journal Page

This page in my Inspiration Journal is an expression of my thoughts this Thanksgiving season. I was inspired by artful evidence for the techniques used here.. There is a lot of “sheen” on this page that doesn’t show in the photo, and that’s always frustrating for me. The harlequin pattern (from a mounted stamp, difficult to use on wonky journal pages!) is especially stunning in real life (using Lumiere Metallic Acrylic, Halo Blue Gold).

Christmas Tag—A Wintry Merry Christmas

Another tag inspired by Tim, I think. I’m starting to get my own ideas confused with all the inspiration I have seen in so many other places! I do know this tag started with dry embossing with the Tall Pines texture fade, with the flourish stamped with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink in the negative space. The little deer was cut from grunge board and then dry embossed (snowflake texture fade), inked with Tumbled Glass and then sanded and edges inked with Frayed Burlap and dabbed with white paint. I used Forest Moss Distress Ink with a nib to color in the raised pine trees.

The speckle stamp is one of my favorites, and I used it to apply gold flecks (Gold Paint Dabber).

I love the soft look of the Tumbled Glass, used to ink some of the background as well as to stain the ribbon.

Informal Concert-My Son and His Son

 

Mark and Conner presented an informal concert in their home last night. Among other pieces, they performed some of Mark’s original songs and arrangements, and two of Conner’s originals. Conner is amazing on guitar, and he hasn’t been playing very long. Incredible, really. What a blessing! Awesomeness—X2!

Christmas Tag-Old-fashioned Glass Ornament

Another Christmas tag inspired by Tim Holtz (12 Tags of 2010).

The ornament die (Tim Holtz) was cut from grunge board and then stamped directly with Festive Berries Distress Ink. I applied a heavy coat of Rock Candy Crackle Paint to achieve the cracked glass look. The metal clothespin is from Graphic 45.

Christmas Tag-Nutcracker Sweet (Graphic 45)

I love Graphic 45 papers, and I love Christmas, and I may have mentioned that making Christmas tags is my “crafting happy place.”

This tag was created from the G45 8x8 pad of Nutcracker Sweet papers. If you are familiar with this company’s papers, you know that each sheet of paper has its own name. I cut a tag from Clara’s Dream. For the little book, I cut apart the Festive Fairytale paper and made it into a book, adhering the back page to chip board for stability. I inked the edges of the book pages with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. The bottom strip of little nutcrackers (on blue background) was cut from Endearing Sentiments. The little Christmas tree was from the Holiday Magic paper.

The Christmas tree metal embellishment is from my stash, purchased several years ago. The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. (I am enjoying getting monthly goodies from their club.)

It’s almost impossible to see in a photo, but I used Ranger Distress Rock Candy Stickles to put a little dot of glitz on each of the little yellow lights on the tree, on the book cover and on the little tree paper element clipped to the top.

It’s okay if the glitz isn’t obvious on the photo—this tag will join my other Christmas tags on one of my Christmas trees, and the glow from the tree lights will almost certainly make it glisten!

Christmas Tag-Peace on Earth

 

Inspiration from Tim Holtz

12 Tags of Christmas 2010

Christmas Tag-Snowman Under Ice

 

Inspiration from Tim Holtz’s 12 Tags of Christmas 2010…

Last year I had so much fun making Christmas tags, following along with Tim’s 12 Tags of Christmas 2011. Tim is not doing 12 Tags of Christmas this year, but I decided I wanted to return to my “crafting happy place” by using some of his tag inspirations from previous years to make more tags for this year. I can never stick to exactly what Tim does, but I like to see how I can make it work for me.

We have a new tree for the lower level, and I look forward to using all my Christmas tags for decorations on that tree!

Masculine Art Journal Page

The “inspiration” for this page in my Inspiration Art Journal was a coffee mug that my husband loves.

I used paints (two shades of yellow) as the foundation layer, and then brayered over it all with white paint. I stamped the border with Archival Coffee ink and then used pieces of tissue paper and various background stamps.

I have some important strong men in my life: my husband, my son, my grandson, and my brother. I am so thankful that this verse describes each one of them. I think the corollary of this verse might be: “Blessed is the woman who is surrounded by men of this description.”

Veterans Day 2012

In my heart today, I am honoring two family member veterans, my husband Russell Ford and my father, R.V. Wilson, Jr. Russell served in the USMC during the Viet Nam War (spent 13 months there, 1968-1969). My father served in the Army Air Force and was overseas during World War II.

Russell Ford—USMC, Viet Nam

Training exercise in Quantico, VA.

Viet Nam

Summary of Russell's Service Record
Job Classification:  Logistics/Supply/Platoon Commander
Enlisted:  January 1967, at age 21, as an Officer Candidate in the United States Marine Corps
Training Camps:  Officer Candidate School, Quantico, Virginia (Sep-Nov 1967); The Basic School (also officially called Training Battalion School), Quantico, Virginia (Nov 67-Apr 68); Supply/Logistics School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (Apr-July 1968); Embarkation School, Camp Butler, Okinawa (Mar-Apr 1969)
Overseas Duty:  Viet Nam:  1st Battalion, 13th Marines, 9th Amphibious Brigade
Departure Date:  August 20, 1969
Port of Departure:  El Toro, California
Stationed:  About 10 miles west of DaNang, Viet Nam
Return Date:  September 7, 1969
Port of Return:  Los Angeles, California
Medals:  Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat "V", for performance of duties in Viet Nam
Ribbons: National Defense Medal, Republic Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm & Frame, Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/60, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 stars
Release from Active Duty: July 27, 1970, as a 1st Lieutenant
Promotion to Captain, USMCR, 1 March 1971.
Honorable Discharge from USMCR:  August 2, 1974, as a Captain

While in Viet Nam, Russell received at least one "Satisfactory" Supply Inspections (A "Satisfactory" was only given to a supply section where no errors were found. This report was very rare.)

The following was the exact wording of the letter recommending Russell for the Navy Commendation Medal, dated 8 Nov 1970, using information from a letter dated 24 June 1969:

"Lieutenant FORD served as the Supply Officer, First Battalion, Thirteenth Marines from 23 August 1968 to 3 September 1969. Throughout this period he displayed a high degree of professional knowledge, resourcefulness and leadership in the performance of his duties. Working tirelessly with strict attention to detail, he ably directed and supervised all functions of the battalion supply operation within this command. Lieutenant FORD's task is further complicated by the constant transfer of accounts between this battalion and the Special Landing Forces, this he has accomplished with the minimum of difficulty. By his efforts the supply posture of this organization has continued to improve and the recent Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade Commanding General's Inspection rated the supply section as Satisfactory with no Discrepancies. Lieutenant FORD exhibited excellent leadership and organization ability which contributed greatly to a well organized and responsive supply operation. He is a quiet diligent worker who is an inspiration to all that work with him. Lieutenant FORD also serves as the Battalion Fiscal Officer and an indication of his managerial excellence and keen foresight is his supervision of an annual budget in excess of $660,000 with an ending balance of less than $2,000. Upon returning from Embarkation School, he was assigned the additional duty as Battalion Embarkation Officer and as a result of his knowledge, guidance and firm initiative, the embarkation portion of the Ninth MAB inspection was also found to have no discrepancies. Lieutenant FORD's superior professionalism, resourceful initiative, cool efficiency under pressure and loyal devotion to duty are in the best tradition of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service."

R.V. (“Red”) Wilson, Jr—US Army Air Force (USAAF), WWII

Daddy and some of his B-24 Flight Crew

Military Information taken from "The Fighting Men of Arkansas" published by The Arkansas Historical Institute in 1946 (book owned by Dorothy Mae Varner Wilson and passed down to Robert Keith Wilson),  p. 558. "S/Sgt R.V. Wilson, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. R.V. Wilson, Sr., was born March 19, 1926, in Omaha, Arkansas. He attended Blue Eye High School and the University of Arkansas. Entering the Army Air Corps [US Army Air Force] July 11, 1944, at Little Rock, he received preliminary training at Sheppard Field, Texas, and attended Service Schools at Tyndall Field, Florida; Lamare, California; Tonopah, Nevada; Mt. Home, Idaho and Topeka, Kansas, qualifying as turret gunner. After a year and a half in the United States, Sgt. Wilson departed December 17, 1945, for Le Havre, France, and served in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany. Promoted to sergeant January 29, 1946, he is now in Istres, France, as clerk in Hq. 306th Bomb. Group H. His home is in Helena, Arkansas, and he is married to the former Leona Cox."

July 11, 1944 - Enlistment date
June 28, 1946 – Discharge
Note from Barbara (Wilson) Ford: My brother Keith has compiled this list of Daddy's medals/ribbons (from notes he obtained from Mother, Leona Cox Wilson):
American Theater Campaign Ribbon
EAME Campaign Ribbon (European/African/Middle Eastern)
Good Conduct Medal
Victory Ribbon
Overseas Bar
Army Occupation Ribbon (Germany)
Aerial Gunner's Badge
306th Bombardment Group
367th Bombardment Squadron
Group H (H simply stood for "Heavy")

Note from "family military expert," Keith Wilson, 3-23-2009:
"[Daddy's] primary aircraft was B-24 Liberator built by Consolidated Aircraft. Secondary, and much less flying time for him, was B-17 Flying Fortress, built by Boeing. Both had the Sperry Ball Turret, which was his gun position (Sperry later merged with Rand to form Sperry-Rand.) His position was also called the 'belly gunner'. The ball turret required someone of short stature because it was so confining. That's one of the reasons he was in that position."

Daddy passed away April 23, 1988.

Let us never forget the sacrifices made by those who have answered the call to serve, to preserve and protect our freedom. I am proud to be the wife and the daughter of such men!

Altered Board Book DONE!!

Here is the last layout in the minibook for my class. This one uses another of my favorite verses, and in fact I used this text for a song I wrote a few years ago.

It was really fun to take this children’s ABC board book and cover each of the “pages” with either paints or book text or patterned paper (or some of each!) to create a completed “album” of some of the verses that I want to remember to “think on.”

Altered Board Book Page

As a bonus assignment in the online Scrapbooking Your Faith class I am taking, I am creating a minibook called “Think on These,” filled with some of my favorite Scripture verses. For this particular minibook, I am altering a children’s board book. After this page, I have only one more layout to complete the book.

There are two concepts I love from this verse: His compassions never fail. Even better, His compassions are new every morning (I love the idea of a fresh start every day—He will never tire of my need for His compassion!).

Thankful Tag and Minibook Page

I enjoyed making my version of Tim Holtz’s November Tag (12 Tags of 2012) and incorporating it into my Scripture Verse of the Month Minibook for the challenge at Split Coast Stampers.

The background colors are from several Distress Stains and Inks (Rusty Hinge, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Vintage Photo, Bundled Twigs). The ribbon was inked with the same stains. The leaf was stamped with embossing ink, heat embossed, and then ironed (inside thin Kraft paper) to remove the embossing. The word “Thankful” was cut from one of my Cricut cartridges and then smeared with Clear Rock Candy Stickles. The little pumpkin and acorn (Movers and Shapers dies) are cut from grunge board and then finished with TH’s Shattered Stains technique.

I love Thanksgiving and look forward to more projects with that theme!

Grandson’s Honor Choir

As a mother and a grandmother, it has often been (and is) my blessing to attend events where my children and grandchildren are performing in select groups. Saturday was such an event. Our grandson was a part of the 11th and 12th Grade District Honor Choir Concert, presented by The Missouri Choral Directors Association and the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association, held at the Pattonville Performing Arts Center in St. Louis.

Prior to the performance, the conductor invited parents to take pictures. So, I was able to catch Conner in a smile that is not typical of his “performance mode.”

This Honor Choir is made up of Juniors and Seniors in the St. Louis Metro Area who auditioned for this choir with a contest-style solo. He was one of only two tenors from his high school. They performed five numbers, and the quality of the performance was incredible.

Also attending the concert were Conner’s parents and his sister Tory, home from her university for the weekend. She is always so proud of her brother!

I think only a grandmother can fully understand the true blessing it is to be one. My grandchildren are such gifts from God!

Altered Board Book Page-Be Still

Okay, I admit to being extremely task-oriented (that’s the nice way to say it). But after this page, I am going to take a break from this project before finishing the last two layouts in the “Think on These” minibook I am making in Courtney Walsh’s Scrapbooking Your Faith Class.

I really didn’t have a song in mind to go with this Scritpure verse, but I love music on my pages (because I love music, hello), and a quick search found there is actually a hymn with the same words as the verse. (I figured).

Claudine Hellmuth paints: Painterly Pink and Pastel Yellow and Sable Brown.
Treble Clef cut on Cricut from Quarter Note.
Ribbon from PaperTrey Ink.
Can you tell I got my new Bow-Easy and NEEDED to tie me some bows!

Yep, need this reminder every day—but especially today. BE STILL, Barbara. He is GOD (and oh by the way, YOU’RE NOT!)