TAGS --- You're it !!

Cards are my comfort zone....I create one almost every day.. I have made small gift tags, decorated several notebooks and made a few containers at the stamping groups I attend. But this year, I happened to see a Halloween Tag Swap sponsored by Jess Kinderstampo -- officially  the Kinderstampo Julie Nutting Halloween Tag Swap.. We were to use a Julie Nutting paper doll stamp and the theme, of course was Halloween.. I had to make 10 and send them in when I was finished.. I would then get 10 in return from others in the Swap... I do not like to make the same card twice - exactly the same way - so I ended up creating 10 different designs. I wanted to try something new and was also excited to be involved in it with a group.. After some initial hesitation ( because I had seen some of the previous gorgeous tag swap designs ), I had a blast making all of them.. I thought of them as cards and this lessened my nervousness at sharing them with 10 other designers..I used transparencies, flowers, washi, Distress markers, ribbon etc.... And I am now officially in love with Julie Nutting's paperdoll stamps..

Gathering my supplies, choosing paper for the dresses... Oh, and gotta have my coffee. I used some of my favorite Graphic 45 "Steampunk Spells" paper. It was perfect !!

My Julie Nutting Paper Doll gals

I really had so much fun making these tags. They were all colored using my 

Ranger Ink / Tim Holtz Distress Markers

I will admit that when I sent them out after completion, I had a little tear in my eye.. It was like sending 10 little children to kindergarten for the first time.... Below are the tags I received in return... All amazing works of art. I challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone... Sign up for a swap, make something different, try a new technique.. You will be so glad you did !!

Thanks to Jess Kinderstampo for hosting this Swap and to the amazing Julie Nutting for creating such amazing stamps.