I'm happy to report that Sue came home from the hospital on Friday, and is recovering well. She was supervising her grandson, Gabriel, while he baked cookies. I'm looking forward to a play date with her soon.

As I wait in Chicago for my connecting flight home, I wanted to let you know I have so much to post in the coming days from our visit to Magenta this last week. My battery is low right now so it will have to wait until I am reconnected at home.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this posting from the Graphic 45 blog. The Christmas Emporium collection will be at Art 'n Soul very soon.

Today we're featuring some gorgeous Christmas Emporium tags and tutorial created by Nicole Eccles of our deisgn team. You're going to love these gorgeous and festive tags! Plus you'll learn a great technique for creating a beautiful aged look in a few simple steps! It's a winter wonderland of inspiration with the marvelous Nicole Eccles! Take it away, Nicole!

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"I really love the aged look of this technique, and it can be accomplished in only a few simple steps! Both tags were created using the same technique, with a variation of different ink colors.

 

Also for one of the tags I decided to keep the plastic window from the packaging and use it to create a little shaker box with a scene inside! Added some mica flakes for snow, and viola, instant winter scene!!

 

Great as package tie ons, place settings or even just a little note to remind someone how much you care! And who doesn’t love those little wonderful handmade touches at Christmas?" -Nicole Eccles

Step 1: Cut and Cover leftover tag with desired paper. I used Happy Holidays to start with a cream base.

Step 2: Using Scrapbook Adhesives Repositionable Dot Tape Runner, Cover the tag with repositionable dots to a desired effect. For these tags I covered them completely with repositionable adhesive.

This will act as a mask for step 3!

Step 3: Once tag is covered with repositionable dot adhesive, use an ink blending tool to blend Colorbox Decades inks overtop of surface of tag and adhesive. Blend to a desired effect, making sure to cover entire tag with color!

Step 4: Once Dry, using your index finger, gently rub away adhesive dots to reveal a tiny distressed polka dot pattern. Continue until all adhesive is removed, then decorate as imagined!

Here are some more beautiful glimpses of Nicole's wonderful Christmas Emporium tags! So lovely!

Santa Tag Supplies:

Graphic 45 papers:

Christmas Emporium: Christmas Emporium, Joyous Noel, Believe, Tis the Season

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Chipboard Tags 1

Hampton Arts: Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamps 3

Colorbox Decades Inks: Antique Moss, Triumphant Red, Photogenic

Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares, My Stik Repositionable Dot Tape Runner

May Arts: Black and White Ribbon

Ranger: Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Platinum Stickles, Xmas Red Stickles, Frayed Burlap Distress ink

Martha Stewart: Apron Lace Border Punch

Tombow: Color Glue Stick

Other: Leftover tag from Graphic 45 staples packaging

Shaker Tag Supplies:

Graphic 45 papers:

Christmas Emporium: Christmas Emporium, Joyous Noel, Believe, Tis the Season, Santa Express, Happy Holidays, All I want for Christmas

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Chipboard Tags 1

Hampton Arts: Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamps 1

Colorbox Decades Inks: Venetian Lace, Triumphant Red, Photogenic

Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares, My Stik Repositionable Dot Tape Runner

May Arts: Red and White Ribbon

Ranger: Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Platinum Stickles, Xmas Red Stickles, Frayed Burlap Distress ink

Martha Stewart: Apron Lace Border Punch

Tombow: Color Glue Stick

Other: Leftover tag and plastic window from Graphic 45 staples packaging

We want to thank Nicole Eccles for her gorgeous work today. We hope you enjoyed her fun tutorial! And thanks to all of you who stopped by our blog today.