E-Team Special Mission: Be Merry!

I'm always thrilled when a new E-Team Blog Hop rolls around, but I was over the moon when I learned that the topic this time is Seasonal Tags and ATCs. Yes, I've succumbed completely to Early Onset Holiday Syndrome, to the extent that I'm already drinking eggnog lattes and listening to Harry Connick, Jr.'s Christmas albums... over and over. I guess I just need a little Christmas. Right this very minute.

 Here's my ATC

And, here's my tag.

As with every E-Team Blog Hop, Daisy from eclectic Paperie has some prizes up for grabs, and all you need to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment at each artist's blog. Easy as pumpkin pie, and you have until Thursday, November 17 to get those blog visits in. Daisy will randomly choose three winners from among all the comments, and each will win an awesome "Be Merry Goodie Box!"

Remember to visit the eclectic Paperie blog, too. Leave a comment there about your favorite Thanksgiving dessert,  and you might win one of two $20 gift vouchers!

All winners will be announced on the eclectic Paperie blog on Friday, November 18.

The eclectic Paperie E-Team is:

Daisy Sparks, our Fearless Leader

Broni Holcombe

Latrice Murphy

Linda Duke 

Linda Ledbetter (That's me!)

Micki Harper

Sherry Cheever

Starla Nelson

I'm honored to be in such good company!

For my own Be Merry project, I went totally Ranger Ink/Tim Holtz (big shocker, huh?) ;-)

 1. Begin by stamping snowflakes from the Tim Holtz/Stamper's Anonymous Reindeer Flight (on #8 size tag) and Mini Holidays sets using Distress Embossing Ink. Heat emboss the inked images with clear embossing powder.

2. Smear a generous amount of Iced Spruce Distress Ink (from the limited-edition Winter Seasonal Distress Ink Set) onto a nonstick craft sheet. Spray the ink with Perfect Pearls Mist in the color "Perfect Pearl.

3. Drag the tag and ATC through the wet ink. Presto-change-o, the snowflakes pop! Blot off any pools of watery ink with a paper towel, and allow the tag and ATC to dry.

4. Grunge up the edges with a Tonic Paper Distressing Tool, then smudge Stormy Sky Distress Ink around the perimeter of the tag and ATC.

 5. Stamp the large Santa from the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Letter to Santa" set with Jet Black Archival Ink. Use little brushes to strategically apply Festive Berries and Evergreen Bough inks (both from the Winter Seasonal Distress Ink Set).

6. Repeat using the little Santa image from the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Holiday Wishes" set. Cut out both Santa images.

7. Cut the Christmas Carol sheet music image from the Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Seasonal Paper Stash, grunge up the edges with the Paper Distresser, and smudge Walnut Stain Distress Ink around the edges.

8. From there, assemble your tag and ATC using foam tape to give them some dimension. I added Idea-ology Baubles to the tag, and an Idea-ology "25" Plaquette to the ATC. The candy cane-colored string is Twinery in Maraschino Red.

Thanks so much for helping the E-Team welcome the holiday season! We're wishing you all a lovely time, lots of happy surprises, and creativity to last the entire year through!

Hugs,
Linda