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Friday 30 December 2011

Happy New Year


Happy New Year 
   One of my final projects of the year and I'm really very pleased with it because I managed to both use many of the techniques that I learnt during the epic Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas and I used most of the gorgeous crafty bits that my wonderful daughter unexpectedly bought me for Christmas. 
   While we were in Hastings on our (much looked forward to) pre Christmas jaunt, we were wandering down the hill after visiting Hastings Museum on a dull and drizzly day  when the heavens opened up and let fly an absolute downpour of sleety rain, drenching us to the bone in seconds. Undeterred (but temporarily rendered Grinch like at the the prospect of Christmas shopping  in such grim weather and having just  slipped   over spectacularly on one of those metal utility thingies on the pavement,  landing flat on my backside in the street, hurting pride far more than bottom!) we popped into a store called ESK seeking shelter  from the apocalyptic elements.

Click on any photo for a larger image

 
















 
   Fortuitous or what? This unassuming store turned out to be an absolute Aladdin's Cave of eclectic goodness! My daughter,  quite undeterred by looking like a beautiful wet dripping swamp thing, managed to buy most of her remaining Christmas presents in less time than it took me to stop gently steaming  (yes, both literally from the icy rain and mentally because of falling over in the street)
   Then she found a craft section... honestly, it was like a scene from the film Hot Fuzz! One second she was with me; the next she appeared to be 20 metres ahead! I seriously considered the possibility that she might have vaulted over a display to get there before me!
   Wow! she went through it like Taz of Tasmania! by the time I negotiated my way round the stacks of product piled up chest high in the aisles and caught up with her, she was looking incandescent with pride, triumphant and furtive (never an easy combination to achieve) she had found stash for me!
   These were not secret presents, she gave me choices, we do not get to buy crafty stash often these days.. so each purchase is considered and relished, but there were no changes to be made, she sees colour and tones through artists eyes and her taste is infallible. 
    She was clutching.... A huge Anna Griffin lace stamp, a pad of Rich Cocao Memento Ink, 2 Stickles (Pink and Platinum) taupe embossing powder and a pack of gorgeous Shabby Vintage paper in soft pinks and browns by a company I had never even seen before, Craftworkcards. Knowing from the steely look in her eye (my side of the gene pool) that resistance would be futile, I gracefully allowed her to buy this huge haul for me. Knowing  these pressies had been purchased with money saved to buy herself a Christmas outfit, but instead, happily spent on me....made producing this tag the most happiest crafting experience ever!! God bless my loving daughter.

Wearing the hat!

I am entering this tag in the Sunday Stamper Challenge -week186 - Do anything ya wanna do
and the:
Simon Says Stamp and Show A Tim Holtz Themed Tag!

21 comments:

Virginia Nebel said...

Beautiful tag Anna!, and a wonderful story behind it. TFS.

Tomoe Inoue said...

how beautiful and gorgeous tag! I love all those metallic colour. it's really wonderful!
here, London too, gloomy and drizzly :(
but! your beautiful tag made me happy and feel warm!
Thank you for sharing!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Your tag looks wonderful, great elements on it. Thanks for stopping by and leaving lovely comments :)
Of course you can use stamps for the Hands Challenges. My hands aren't drawn, too, I've used rubberstamps by Dylusion.
Wish you a great weekend and a Happy New Year. :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

You had me in stitches laughing at the start and in tears crying at the last! I am sorry you fell but so glad you stumbled on the store, because this tag is over the top fabulous! Your gorgeous daughter does have a flair for art...she picked up great goods...and you produced fabulous results with it!!! Ice your backside and put a tally on awesome creative projects!

Yvonne said...

This is sooooo gorgeous, Anna!

なな☆ Nanahoshi said...

So beautiful! I love this tag! You're a wonderful holiday! As will be great year next year!

Hels Sheridan said...

Aw bless you, your daughter sounds wonderful... how's the bum now though? Don't you just hate it when that happens (to me, all the time being so clumsy lol) Loving your creative tag, looks amazing... thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper... Happy New Year! x

Hearts Turned said...

Hi, Anna! So lovely to meet you! Just saw your comment on my blog and had to stop by--so glad I did! Your tag is beautiful, your story wonderful & your daughter a dream! She reminds me of my girls--what a sweet, thoughtful girl she is!

I'll be following along right back--looking forward to getting to know you better...

Happy New Year!

Julie

Lisa Minckler said...

Well if falling on one's backside in the apocalyptic conditions deems the outcome of finding the mother load of crafty goodness, I'm all in!
What wonderful love and generosity from your daughter and that alone melts the heart, but your tag is divinely gorgeous. I do think you've made Tim proud. :)

Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog and I too look forward to the upcoming inspiration that you share in 2012. May it be bruise free however. ;)
hugs,
Lisa xx

Tomoe Inoue said...

‎..✫¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.✫
ღ˚ •。* ♥♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ . 。✰ •
*˛˚ ♥♥ 。 ˚✰˚ ° 。° * °♥ ˚。* °♥ ˚ •* °♥ ˚ •˛★* ✰♥
♥♥ 。✰˚ Happy New Year 2012 ˚ . ✰ •✰˚* ˚ ★ ˚
˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ ˚ 。✰ •* ˚
sending love and hugs to you anna!
Thank you very much for your kind words and comments.
You make me happy every day!
me either! it was one of the greatest pleasure in 2011 that I found your blog!

Unknown said...

Anna this tag is fantastic! All of the elements and techniques are so perfect. I love your story too! I fell in November and broke my ankle so I'm so happy you did not get hurt when you fell. Happy New Year....again :-)
hugs,
Ellen

Maria said...

Beautiful tag, Anna!! That's awesome you used some of the 12 Tags techniques along with some new goodies! What a lovely way to end 2011. May you have an incredible, creative, and blessed New Year!

Vicki Fraser said...

You write beautifully, and you are lucky to have such a generous daughter! Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog and good luck to win my blog candy :)

Sherry Goodloe said...

Happy new year! Your tag is simply GORGEOUS!
I am so happy you stumbled upon my blog so I could get over here to meet you ;)

I'm sure other people have told you this before, but if you don't write, you definitely SHOULD! You have the writing gene Anna. You're a great storyteller!

Unknown said...

Love your tag thanks for your nice comments on my blog!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Sorry to hear about your fall, hope you have recovered. Love your tag, must have been great fun to make with your new presents. Love the rich coloured flower. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge. Tracy x

Dr Sonia S V said...

Dear Anna such an awesome project and wonderful blog. Thank You for finding me and following me. I love your style too and have just become your follower too.
Wish you a Happy and Creative New Year
Cheers
Sonia
cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com

Ellen Taylor said...

Fabulously well written story and project! Your daughter sounds sweet! Love your tag and the beautiful sparkly flower!

Hearts Turned said...

Hi again, Anna! It's me, Julie (A Vintage Chic)--I just drew your name for my giveaway of the Crafty Secrets CD! But I can't seem to access your address, so would you mind sending me an email with your address?

So glad you won & I'll talk to you soon!

Happy New Year!

Julie

Hearts Turned said...

Oh goodness...forgot to give you my email address!

avintagechic2@yahoo.com

Thanks, Anna!

Julie

Lisa Somerville said...

Beautiful - fab detail!