Hi everyone!

I have been playing around with mixed media for a while now and decided to share this large tag with you that I created using some fun mixed media techniques (that were new to me) and the gorgeous 3D orchid dies designed by Susan Tierney-Cockburn for Spellbinders.

Before I dive in, I want to give due credit to a couple of mixed media designers that totally inspired me to try some of this on my own, including Vicky Papaioannou (@vickyp_gr) and Lou Collins (@loucollinscrafts).  I know I still have a lot to learn (including a very healthy amount of patience) but I had so much fun learning and I am so pleased with how this tag turned out.

For this tag, I started with the background.  I used clear gesso to prime some mixed media paper that I’d die cut into a tag shape, then used a stencil and some crackle paste to get bit of texture on the background. 

While the crackle paste dried, I die cut the dies from the Timeless Duo set several times from the mixed media paper, glued the layers together, and primed them with clear gesso.

And while I was still waiting for the crackle paste to dry…

I die cut all the pieces for the orchids, stems, and leaves from the Susan’s Garden paper, ink-blended on a bit of color, formed them with Susan’s tools, and assembled the flowers.

And… still waiting on the crackle paste….

I decided to use my BetterPress plates to create a sentiment for the tag.

But the paste still wasn’t completely dry (although, much closer than it was before)….so…

I used my Distress Spray Stain to stain a bit of seam binding for a ribbon.

And, finally, the crackle paste was dry (in case you’re wondering, heating up the crackle paste to dry it will give it a different effect so that’s why I was (im)patiently waiting for it to dry on its own). Note: You can see the crackle in the small dots in the background of the tag on the images in this post.

I glued the scrolls from the Timeless duo diecuts to the tag and then sprayed the entire tag with a bit of water and some Distress Spray Stain.  I used my heat tool to dry the tag, then repeated the process, moving the color around here and there to get it into all the nooks and crannies from the crackle paste and around the scrolls.

Once I had the color intensity where I wanted it and the tag was completely dry (again), I added on my orchids, stems and leaves.  I also added a grommet to the top of the die cut to make it into a tag.

For the final touches, I splattered the card generously with white splatter and a small amount of black, then tied on the ribbon, and added the sentiment with a bit of foam adhesive. 

I truly had so much fun playing around these some mixed media techniques and products –  and combining them with my love for Susan’s 3D flower dies seemed like a win-win.  I hope you like this project and that it inspires you to try some fun new technique and maybe combine it with something you already know and love.  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed (even if you have to wait FOREVER for something to dry)!     

Have a wonderfully creative day!