Papercraft Goddess: Tim Holtz 12 Tags May 2016

This month, it's tissue tape resist technique and tattered florals.

Using the antichrist of all crafting materials, the MISTI, (I'll elaborate...don't worry) I stamped this negative image several times on tissue tape, until I got the image to really pop. I also cut stars from tissue tape and adhered them to the tag. Then, I used white embossing paste and a few different stencils. Using stains and brass spray stain, I created the tag. Afterwards, I stamped a flower/vine image and substituted tattered floral flowers made from Tim's papers. The leaves as well. Using red stickles, I jazzed up the flowers a bit. I also used Tim's stars-offset-to leave some of the tissue tape exposed and used a Dresden gold frame, that I painted silver with alcohol ink, I put it around the image and trimmed tape accordingly, using sponged ink to cover traces of where it was. A metal tag, blotted with three different kinds of alcohol ink and distress ink crayon finished it off.

While I love the color and images, etc., I feel it's so empty!! I tried arrangements at the bottom of the tag, fabric, sequins, everything! But it was just too much. So, I sucked it up and erred on the side of leaving more background exposed and giving each element its due.

For a long time, I fought the power of the MISTI. Sure...I saw it in use and saw how dang convenient it could be, but I was able to stay strong and stay away. Besides, I told myself, I'm not stamping a whole lot anymore, so why would I need one??

Then, I saw how you could create perfectly centered AND straight sentiments and/or images, then I saw where you could actually overstamp if you had a 'not so great' image the first time. Pretty soon, I began dreaming about a MISTI, and how it would solve all my life problems. On top of that, everyone ELSE had one and, dang it, I HATE being left out!!!

I was so excited when it came! I set it to the side and spent several days looking at it, but unsure what to start stamping. By this time, I'd moved from making cards to a lot of 3D chipboard based products and ATC's. But I KNEW I'd have something to use it for, eventually. But in the meantime, I decided it would work perfectly to put over pieces that I'd glued together and needed to dry flat.

Soon after that, my MISTI served time as a containment unit for tiny things I decided against using but was too lazy to put away, a fan for those occasional hot flashes and a support for my coffee cup. The fact is, I've had the dang thing for 3 months and I FINALLY used it. For this tag. And when I was finished overstamping it in archival ink, I returned it to its original job of supporting my coffee cup WHILE pressing glued pieces flat.

I wish I could say, with confidence, that my MISTI will become a tool that I use a great deal one day. I've thought about selling it, but it works so well as a presser/storage unit/coffee cup holder that I'm not sure what I'd replace it with should I manage to get rid of it. So, despite my better judgement, I'll hold onto my mini MISTI for now. I may even go berserk and purchase the REGULAR sized MISTI!

Just one more inch and my laptop height will be perfect.