Last tag of 2014

Hi All: Obviously this is my 12th tag for the 12 tags for 2014 which is the monthly challenge on the Tim Holtz Blog (timholtz.com). for this tag I didn't have a few of the items and so I improvised a little. I had to go hunting through my craft room which this month was a chore. I did the background technique which I totally love. I had the blue but not the silver so I tried using tarnished brass, even though the combination is pretty it wasn't the look I was going for so I did a total color change. I used peeled paint and tarnished brass. I really liked this combo. I then pulled out my tattered poinsettia die and went that way. To add a pop of color I went with red and silver accents. I sprinkled on my distress clear rock candy glitter. and done. And for my silver an idea-logy wreath . Hope you like it.

Noel CC3C #17

Happy Holidays Everyone: Seriously finding time to craft this time of year is a challenge !!! I really need to start my Christmas cards in August!! But I had to do this challenge. I had this log plaque in my stash, it inspired me to make a woodland scene. Hope you like it. . For this challenge I used some of the new distress stains- Peeled Paint and Walnut stain. I also used Walnut Stain distress paint for my letters then sprayed them with walnut stain spray and perfect pearls. Then I flicked Picked Fence distress paint everywhere. You can get all these items and more from the Challenges awesome sponsor- Inspiration Emporium (www.inpirationemporuim.com).

Jolly CC3C #16

Hi All: Here we are at the end of the 16th challenge for CC3C. Yep here I am at the last minute trying to finish. Seriously time management is not my friend lately!! I did a tag because this technique is so fun and easy that i just kept making backgrounds with it. Next thing I know I 10:30 pm central time and all I have is backgrounds. for this tag I used the festive stencil, evergreen and festive berry ink, embossing powder, Christmas word band and the stamp from the retro Christmas framelits set. hope you like it. If you want to get any of the items I used please check out this really fun website The Funkie Junkie Boutique (www.thefunkiejunkie.com).The have a great selection, tutorials, and a awesome blog. Seriously check them out

Braided layered leaf card

Hi all: It's been a month since I've really been able to do any crafting. Since I hadn't made my November card for Tim Holtz's 12 tags of 2014 and today is the 30th of November I figured I better get to it. I didn't have a few of the items he used so I improvised. I turned my tag into a braided edge card. hope you like it. I totally love these layerd dies that come with the texture fade.

Altered Book Cover

Hi: As you know I'm always looking for challenges. Lately I've been leaving things until the last minute. This isn't good because I tend to get into my projects and time gets away from me. This altered cover I was making for 2 challenges. OOP's missed a deadline, because I got into making the pages. ugh. Fortunately one of the challenges - Simon Says Monday Challenge ( http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/) is still open. This weeks challenge is anything goes. I altered this Tim Holtz cover using his Paper Stash collection. Hope you like it!! This is the front cover. This is the inside of the cover and some of the pages

Spider Elixir 12 tags 2014

Hi Everyone: Yep Halloween is right around the corner!! Since I live in a neighborhood with a ton of Trick or Treaters we are stocking up on the candy. I decided before the mad rush of getting ready for the busy night sets in I'd best get my October tag done for the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014. Fall is my favorite time of the year. So orange and purples for me. My tag show the spider going for the bottle of spider elixir. So the items I used are Spray stain- antiqued bronze, Ink- spiced marmalade,seedless preserves, and vintage photo on the edge. splatters stencil, archival ink jet black, texture paste, glossy accents, a mask sheet , Apothocary rem ant rubs, my stamp is Piosonsketcher stamp from stamper anonymous, alterations die cuts- tiny tabs and tags, and spider & 31 mover and shaker. Thanks so much

O is for Owl Birthday Card

Hi All: A few months ago I got to take a class from Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs) at my local stamp store Stamp Asylum. She was amazing!!! One of the items I fell in love with and had to have was this owl die. I made this card that I'm entering into Simon Says Monday Challenge www.simonsaystampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ This is a pop up card using the Lorna Label PopUp and the Poppy the Owl dies. Hope you like it.

Photot Tinting CC3C#12

Hi again- This is the 12th challenge for CC3C. Crazy!! this time we are using Tim's photo Tinting technique. You can do so much with this technique. I choose to make a large tag. The Funkie Junkie Boutique is sponsoring this challenge which is just awesome. The shoppe is amazing! For this challenge I used several of Tim's products; found relatives,stars stencil,distress pens(black soot,ripe persimmon, and dusty concord), mini distress ink pads (spiced marmalade, seedless preserves). cheese clothe, huge tag, flower and gems from my stash made up the rest of the tags. hope you like it.

Haunted ATC cards

Hi All: While on Facebook I was invited to join a group called the Craft Hole. It is more like a crafting community, so far I love it. I'm a rookie so I'm trying to feel my way through. There are administrator's that find and assign the challenges. I like this because it takes me out of my comfort zone. I've heard of ATC cards but it wasn't something I'd ever done. Here's my first attempt.

Fall Butterfly Box

Hi All: I'm having so much creative fun following along with CC3C challenges over at lindaledbetter.com. We are now on challenge 11. This challenge is all about the effect powders. I went for the layered fall look in my creation. I love fall It is my favorite season. This challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium tell me what ya think!!

Vintage Christmas Class

Hi All: I wanted to post this before I forgot. The second class I took from Richele Christensen was called Vintage Christmas. These cards are so cute!! If you take one of Richele's classes you will totally enjoy it. I'm a little in awe; seriously she measures, cuts, packages, and gives you detailed instructions on how to make these cards. This is a ton of work!!! we arrive and we have 4 pre-packaged card sets Then in 3 hours they look like this. Thanks again Richele!!!

Die Cutting Magic

Hi Everyone: This weekend I get to take classes from the Amazing Richele Christensen- This class showed us ways to use the frameworks dies from Tim Holtz in different ways. If you get a chance you should totally take classes from Richele!! When you get there she has put together everything you need to make the cards. Here's what we made today. . I'm missing the finished 4th card we made today. I'll put it up later. Great class!!! Tomorrow I'm attending her Vintage Christmas class. Can't wait.

Harlequin Butterflies

Hey All: I promised myself I would get the Tim Holtz's September tag out by the 15th and here it is. It took me several tries to get this technique to look anything at all like Tim's!!! I still need to practice more; it's the swiping part thats giving me fits. I used the Harlequin stencil and Pink Sherbet alcohol ink for my background. the butterfly stamp at the bottom is from the Fairytale Frenzy collection from Stampers anonymous. The other one is also SA. I used the ranger alcohol ink card stock for this I tried just my glossy card stock it really didn't look as nice. for the flowers i used the Tattered Flower garland die strip. the alcohol ink for the flowers is as follows- butterscotch, pink sherbet, wild plum, and stream. hope you like it. I totally forgot I also used some Idea-ology remnant rubs.

Remiss

Hi Everyone: I've been a tad forgetful! I was so lucky this summer to take 2 classes with amazing teachers at Stamp Asylum in Plano Texa and I forgot to post them!! In July I took a pop-up class from the Awesome Karen Burniston from Elizabeth dies (karenburniston.typepad.com)!! Learned a ton and had a blast!! I forgot my camera. :( I know right! ugh. Then in August I took a folio class from the Amazing Paula Cheney (oneluckyday.net). yep I brought my camera this time. dropped it on the floor, had to put it back together but I brought it. this is Monica Smith and Paula Cheny. This is what we made . I'd show you the inside but ya I didn't finish. see ya next time.

Travelers clock

Hi All: I've been creating for all of the Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenges over at Lindaledbetter.com Of course it the last minute for challenge #10 so forgive me if this is a little short I need to post. I call my clock the Traveler the picture inside is my mom (Pearl) I love this picture!! My mom for as long as I could remember was a travel agent. She would go all these cool and exciting places. hope you like it. I painted the clock with barn door distress paint over gesso. used a few trinkets from my stash and so Tim Holtz paper with hotel names on it. And of course a cool picture of my mom Pearl. CC3C #10 is sponsored very generously by thefunkiejunkie.com.

Pumpkin stamp card

Hi All: Fall is almost here!! I love the colorful show the trees put on!! Plus I just love pumpkins! I use them from mid-september through Thanksgiving for decoration. The trick is to keep those bold teenage boys from bravely venturing up on the porch- They grab them and throwing them in the street. Honestly I don't see the appeal. So it's STAMPember over at Simon Says Stamp (www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge) The challenge for this week is "Boldly go into STAMPember" I had to hunt because I really don't use large stamps, or so I thought. I found a Hero arts background stamp,and of course a couple of pumpkin stamps. The pumpkin stamps I used are Stampers Anonymous Halloween blueprint stamp and the other one is from Holly Berry House. I stamped them with Ranger Archival ink Jet Black ( the pumpkins that is) I stamped the H B H stamp 3 times and did the layering thing. I thought it looked lonely so I stamped the Tim Holtz SA Pumpkin split it in half and added it to each side. The back ground stamp is from Hero Arts I stamped with Adirondack ink - Meadow. then i inked the background up with distress ink- peacock feathers, stormy sky, salty ocean, and brushed corduroy. Then I attached my pumpkins, added a little bling. I hope you like it.

Curiosity Tag

Hello: Yep the last day to turn stuff in. I'm kinda on a roll. So this tag is for the Tim Holtz 12 tags for 2014 August. My goal is to have September done by the 15th. We'll see. I kinda mixed what I think is a combo of summer/fall colors. Even though this was last minute I loved these techniques. I used Barn Red, Peeled Paint, Peacock feathers, Spiced Marmalade, and Brushed Corduroy distressed stain makes up the background color. I used the measured, Latticework, and Holiday Knit stencil's with the texture paste. I stamped with the Tiny Things set, the quill stamp from The Chemist set, and The brick stamp is from Gabrielle Pollacco . Idea-ology- Tissue tape, gears, nub and the Discoveries word band. Distress embossing powder- peeled paint and milled lavender. I kinda decided I wanted more brown tones so I dabbed some gathered twigs distressed paint. I hope you like it!!

Craft Christmas Card

Hi All: Here I am waiting until the last minute. I made a large christmas card with my Holiday Joy by Tim Holtz Alterations. I sramped and cut out 3 each of the pine trees and deers. I colored them using my distress pens gathered twigs, vintage photo, and Forest moss. I put glossy accents on the antlers, and sprayed the whole thing with my new favorite Perfect Pearls mist Biscotti. I used Festive berries, Evergreen bough, and Picketed fence stain on the background. I then glopped on gesso for the snow effect. For the word Joy is I used the Festive Berries distress marker. For the background I used 2 craft tags and a smaller manila tag which I colored using Festive berries stain. I'm entering this in the the CC3C #9(http://lindaledbetter.com/2014/08/compendium-of-curiosities-3-challenge-9.html). This event brings out your creativeness!! It's awesome to see the other entries and each one of the crew members beautiful pieces of art!! Inspiration Emporium is a awesome sponsor.( www.inspirationemporium.com) Their giving away a $50.00 gift certificate. I hope you like it!!

Dragonfly Tag

Hi Everyone: Talk about last minute!! I actually made the dragonfly right away, then got side tracked by a couple of other projects. When I live in Colorado one of the things I noticed in the summer was the colorful dragonflies. They are turquoise,a shimmering green, with iridescent wings. So I created my version of a colorful dragonfly. Like a lot of you I'm on pinterest a lot; there this artist Jan Hobbins who's art I just love. She did this tag with blue and yellow it caught my eye so I tried to figure out which colors of distress ink she used. I don't think I have it yet! I used salty ocean and mustard seed distress stain on my tag. for the greenery I used Alterations spring greenery die cut with a green paper I had in my stash. Instead of making sand like Tim did on his tag I tried to make moss. I mixed glossy accents, peeled paint distress powder, a little black soot distress glitter, a lot of vintage photo distress glitter, and for the dew effect I used picked fence and walnut stain stickles. to top it off I made a little idea - ology flower, and a idea - ology word band with twine. Hope you like it!

Painted Industrial Lamp

Hi all: So this is for CC3C #7 Painted Industrial. Last week I was wondering around the local thrift shop, and I spotted these lamp parts and thought I'd try to alter them. I grabbed a couple of other pieces to alter later and home i went. I ran the idea past my husband and got one of those looks, you know the whatever looks. went upstairs and got to work. first up get out the vagabond and off I went. I used foil tape from my hubby's supplies.I also used Black distress paint, glossy accents, and a couple of idea- ology gears. You can get these at Inspiration Emporium . So here are a couple of different pictures hope you like it. I still want to do something with the base. Any ideas would be welcome!!! I also realize I have to do something with the cord.

burlap panel

cc3c

Watercolor Butterfly

Afternoon Everyone: I created a tag for CC3 Challenge #5 The tag I used was a tag I picked up excess ink/stain with. I liked how it turned out so I kept it and stamped it with a little bee and flourish stamps. I'm pretty sure the majority color on it is Evergreen bough stain. I got my new Tim Holts Alterations layered butterfly die cut and had to use it. So as per the challenge requirements I went to page 39 in my book. I used distress pens- picked raspberries, peacock blue, gathered twigs, and mustard seed. Hope you like it!!! These items can be found at Inspiration Emporium - http://www.inspirationemporium.com

Butterfly box

Hi Everyone: A couple months ago my husband bought me a lot of cigar boxes. Lets just say I have a few. So I started playing with the French flights framelit set From Tim Holtz alteration line. And I kept looking at them and decided to use them as stencils. So for the cover of this box I used the framelit set in a few different ways. As a stamp, die cut, and stencil. Since I didn't want to wreck my framelits I cleaned them immediately. I also used several Tim Holtz stencils- rays, chevron,hearts, and dot fade. as well as distress pens, paints, inks. Hope you like it. i also used a knob from Idea-ology and embossing paste. p.s. look under the butterflies :). I'm entering this in the Tim Holtz tags of 2014 , Simon Says monday challenge , and Compendium of Curiosities challenge 4.

Tattered Rose hanging!!

Hi All: Over at lindaledbetter.com Linda and a group of her Awesomely talented friends are holding A -A Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge. This is the 3rd challenge. So in order to play along with this challenge you kinda have to have the book. This challenge is the Faux Tea Rose technique. I some what procrastinated this time, because I was a little intimidated. Finally after about 10 oops roses I finally made some that I liked. I made a wall hanging using the tattered pinecone roses. I used a piece of corrugated cardboard pealed off one of the outside layer used gesso and Peeled paint distress paint on it. Next I distressed a piece of Tim Holtz's Paper stash Wallflower Idea-ology paper inked the edges with brushed corduroy distress ink, and glued it to the cardboard. I ripped, stamped, and inked the edges from a scrap piece from the same page with the Wish stamp from the Stampers anonymous Good Thoughts stamp collection. I then adhered it with pop dots. I then cut, inked Sizzix dies- trellis, garden greens, and tattered pinecone. I of course had to add glitter to the roses. I glued everything down and thought I need more- so I pulled out my embellishment treasure chest and picked a couple out from the Idea-ology Nature adornment collection the butterfly and single stem rose. If you want any of these items you can get them at the Inspiration Emporium (http://www.inspirationemporium.com ). Hope you like it. I think this also works for the Monday Simon Says challenge- Magic. ( simonsaysstampblog.com/MondayChallenge. Hope you like it!

Artsy Tag

Hi All: This week I'm being a little more timely. The Monday Challenge for Simon Says stamp is themed Artsy So I used some Tim Holtz idea-ology products, distress ink and pens. I doodled a little and here you go. . As usual I would love your opinion.

Flowers

Hi All: So it is time for the Monday Challenge at Simon Says Stamps (WWW.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ ) This weeks theme is Flowers. .

M is for multiple items.

Hi All: This week I'm entering my tag into two challenges the Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge; and Tim Holtz's 12 tags of 2014 (may). The Challenge for Simon says was the letter M. I decided the letter M meant multiple items used. I did this by using multiples of my Charms or trinkets. The Assignment from Tim Holtz is to create a "creative composition". I feel this tag fits both challenges. I have to tell you I had to search for the shadow press. My favorite stamp store Stamp Asylum hadn't got them in yet :(. I check my usual 2 online sources-nada. Looked around and duh Simon Says Stamps thankfully had one of the sets. I only had to wait 4 days, which was awesome. Hope you like it.

Flower

Hi all: Usually I enter the Monday challenge but this week I decided to enter Simon Says Wednesday challenge. Pushing it to the last minute as usual. I try to make it look like a flower in a vase. Tell me what you think.

5

Hi Everyone: Here I am at the last minute putting up my entry for Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and yes I'm too late. Oh well theres next week!!!!! I made a card where you had to use the number 5 as in 5 items, the number, tools, techniques etc... so i used 5 bullet points, and 5 sayings, stamped my butterfly and heart 5 times. event though I'm too late. . thanks for looking

Not so mellow yellow art journal

Hi All: It is in the 90's here today,which is normal for Texas in May. So for a little bit I decided to work on a indoor project. I like to enter the Monday challenge from Simon Says stamp. (http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/) This week the theme is "Not so mellow Yellow" so I had this art journal I got from Walmart and thought why not make this yellow. So pulled out the gesso and decide to make the back the front. used some stencils, embossing paste, distress ink, dylusion sprays, distress pens, die cuts,pearls and here you are. . Thanks for looking.

she's got wings

Hi all: Ya so got a new toy and had to play. I got the Megan stamp by Julie Nutting; so I had to play, I couldn't help it. I grab my Prima (julie Nutting) tag pad, stamped the first one. Found a page in Tim Holtz's 8x8 Menagerie pad, and stamped the dress, used the other side of the paper for the boots. Then I colored in the hair with gathered twigs and rusty hinge distress pens. added eyes. Pulled out another toy my Tim Holtz's idea-ology chevron stencil. I used the Tim Holtz's (sizzix) layered wings and honeycomb dies. inked my tag with peeled paint, rusty hinge, mustard seed distress ink. I then went around the outside with gathered twig distress ink. The wings I made with a piece of paper I said I wasn't going to use until I found more. Nope I didn't wait and now I have to go hunting. Hope you like it!1 :) . I'm going to enter this in the Simon Say Monday Challenge (http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/) The theme this week is winged thing.

Wish Tag

Happy April all: Here in North Texas weather has been eventful. 80"s warm for a couple of days then Hail storms and rainy and cold. So a little time to craft. This project will be entered in both Tim HOltz's tags of 2014 and Simon Says Monday Challenge http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/). So for this one I used one of the new Tim Holtz /Sizzix die cuts hope you like it.

rosette ribbon flower

Hi: If your interested heres the distress rosette flower I made. I took the Tim Holtz rosetted ribbon by idea-ology used the distressed marker spritzer with distress markers (worn lipstick, peeled paint, tumbled glass and applied it to the ribbon with the spritzer. It's really easy to use so if you don't have it in your stash I would get one. All you do is put in the marker of you choice and aim the spritzer to the area you want to spray. heres the ribbon and makers I used.. once I applied my ink I clippd the netting around the flowers so I could create my flower. I cut a circle out using a circle punch added the red line tape to the circle punch out and attached my ribbon. to finish it I adde a rose colored pearl from my stash. The tag is in the previous post if you want to see the flower. Thanks Chary

Spring Forward.

Hi : Have to admit the time change is one of my least favorite events every year. So I titled my entry for the Simon Says Monday challenge (http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)Spring Forward. Here in North Texas its still pretty brown. Like alot of the country we also have experienced a colder then normal winter so not a lot of color yet. This weeks Monday challenge is named D is for Distress. I love my distress mediums. So ya I used them all. My newest toy is the distress marker spritzer. You can be so detailed with it. I used the stampers anonymous tim holtz clock stamp, some crinkle ribbon, the flower i made , distress paint- Peeled paint, broken china, gathered twigs. Distress markers- vintage photo, seedless preserves, tumbled glass, worn lipstick and peeled paint. ink- broken china, peeled paint. gathered twigs. Hope you like it.

Simon Say Monday Challenge: Tick Tock

Hi Everyone: This week the monday challenge is themed Tick Tock over at Simon Says Monday Challengehttp://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/). So I was thinking about time gone by. Where we keep the little momentos; the movie tickets, notes, jewelry, medals, just all the little things that tell the story of what happened at a moment we wanted to hold onto. So for this weeks Simon Says Monday Challenge which is themed "TickTock" I altered a cigar box to hold those little treasure As usual thanks for looking

Anything with Pearls

HI All: This week on the Simon Says Wedesday Challenge Blog http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/) the theme is Anything goes with Pearls. I totally had fun and used my Julie Nutting doll stamp, Marion Smith Mad Tea Party paper, some embossing paste, and of course Pearls. I used Turquoise perfect pearls mist, the original perfect pearls mist, some pearl stickers from my stash (I think from Michaels dollar bins), Burlap ribbon from Hobby Lobby. Also my background is distressed ink (worn lipstick, mowed lawn, broken glass, squeezed lemonade). I colored the lace trim with mowed lawn distressed ink. Hope you like it

Stamps

Hi All: I was on the Simon Says blog and looked at the Monday Challenge. The Challenge is we love stamps.http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/challenge-we-love-stamps/Well since over the years I have indulged in a lot of stamps; I decided this one is for me. So I moved the mess on my craft table over and looked for my (now) favorites. These of course change depending on my mood. One of my all time favorites is the Fabulous Flourishes stamp set and doodle heart stamp from Stampers Anonymous. I also adore the Felt with the heart stamp (dr1108) from Stampabilities. I used the tattered florals and mini heart from Sizzix's alterations line. From Ranger- distressed inks picked raspberry, festive berries. distress pens picked raspberries, peacock feathers, festive berries,and peeled paint. The antique crystals embossing powder and foiled tape. Also from my stash some charms and ribbons. Hope you like it.

Valentine with a twist

Hi everyone: I'm trying to keep to commitment to make something for more challenges. This one is for Frilly and Funkies Valentine with a twist.http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/valentines-day-with-twist.html) I love this website I visit it all the time. They do step by steps, and always have beautiful projects to view. The challenge is to do a traditional colored valentine ( pink,red, & white) but, no hearts. this took me the whole 2 weeks and I'm still not thrilled. but here it goes. opinions always welcome I went flower, lace, and birds (love birds) . The problem is I was totally too late. Oh well

Hi Everyone: Its February challenge time. Of course I'm entering one in Tim Holtz's 12 tags of 2014. I'm also entering this one in the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge) The rule for Simon Says this week is you have to use twine or string. So I'm entering my creation in both. For this challenge I used both green and brown twine. Stampers anonymous stamps, (Valentine blue print and a heart) pink chalk, grunge board (the glittered hearts) distress glitter-festive berries, distress stain pink raspberry; I mixed it with white gesso and applied it to my burlap canvas. distress ink worn lipstick and festive berries(both on the tag and the hearts on my burlap canvas. on the edge of the tag I used brushed corduroy distress ink. I used idea-ology ribbon on the bottom of the tag and inked it with pink raspberry distress stain. I also used idea-ology cream and red trim as a way to hang my canvas. on the tag i also used clear distress embossing ink and antiquities frosted crystals embossing powder. this was fun because I tried something a little different. hope you enjoy

January 2014 Tag

A new year has began and time for a new Tim Holtz's 12 tags for 2014. I've got to say I like this system better the the last. Although all the Christmas tags were wonderful because I got out more Christmas cards because I was was working daily. The one each month allows me to make something every month. I look forward to a new month because I like the challenges that Tim Holtz puts out there. This year I've decided to explore more paper crafting challenges. For right now though I'm showing you my entry for this months Tim Holtz's 12 tag 2014. I like using the foil sheets that inkssentials/ Ranger has out. I ran out though and was going to run down to my local craft store and grab some when my husband handed me a roll of foil tape. although thinner it is also fun to use. On this tag I used a lot of Idea-ology products. I used the large pocket watch die from sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations, All the gears, clock face, game spinners (which i used as the clock hands) , the black and beige trim, rub ons(top right corner) and the number stencil are all idea-ology. I went on quotes.com and found this quote "Lost time is never found again." by Benjamin Franklin. I used Glossy accents to make it shine. I have to tell you the peeling off of the foil from the grunge board took a little while, at one point I was tempted to just paint over it. oh I almost forgot I used Weathered Wood distress stain on my #8 tag. I know the picture has a little shadow play. I kinda like it though.