Monday 1 November 2010

The Poppy Tag

I took advantage of the less than brilliant weather yesterday to work in my craft room yesterday and finally finished the poppy tag I was working on - here it is:


(As usual I ask you to forgive the naff photography.)  On my last post I did about this tag I had got to the point where I had covered the cardboard tag with hand made Cosmic Shimmer card, stamped in black with a stamp that had writing design on it, leaves and ivy tendrils then embossed more leaves with silver. I then stamped the word 'Remember' in black and embossed with clear powder, then stamped the word again underneath. I then distressed around the edges with Tim Holtz ink, Black Soot. The poppy image that I had recently coloured with Aquamarkers, I distressed with TH's Weathered Wood and then edged with gold embossing.


The red and gold lace, black satin ribbon and black beads are from my local haberdashery - I think the lace might be Dovecraft. The poppies and cherry blossom are from Wild Orchid Crafts, as is the green and black crystal sprays.


The ribbon with the word 'remember' on it is from Making Memories and the oak leaves are punched out using an X-cut Botanical Embossing Punch. I've threaded a selection of matching fibres from my stash through the hole at the top.

On the back the only thing I have added are the words 'Lest we Forget' embossed in gold.

I made this tag to commemorate my two great uncles lost in World War II, one in the army the other in the navy. When I'm not crafting I am researching the family history and, sad to say, I knew nothing about either of these uncles until I started looking into the family tree in 2009. They were not talked about by the family - I can only imagine that the loss was too hard to talk about. My great-uncle Robert died in Hong Kong serving with the Royal Scots and is buried there. The other, James, was lost at sea, died in action on HMS Thistle which was torpedoed of the coast of Norway. They were both in their 30s.

The tag now has pride of place here in my craft room.

I'm putting it into the Ooh La La Creations Challenge - Remember, Remember

I made another couple of little cards yesterday but I'll show them in another post.

Bye for now
Elizabeth

7 comments:

lisa said...

Hi Elizabeth. What a stunning tag. I've just been catching up on how you made the background. Isn't it funny how invariable the things that turn out best are the things you think have gone wrong!!
The embossing looks gorgeous with the poppies and I love how it's got special meaning for you too. It's amazing how many people have lost relatives from the Wars when you start to delve. I found some too when we researched the family tree, fascinating stuff and very moving.
Can't wait to see what you do with all your woodland treasure, those photos are beautiful.
Have you tried putting flowers and leaves through the cuttlebug sandwiched between cartridge paper. They leave an amazing impression but be warned it's very messy!!!
Hugs Lisax

Carrie said...

This is a very special tag Elizabeth. It is so lovely to be able to commemorate the sacrifices that have been made for us by our loyal servicemen and women and your tag is a beautiful tribute xx

Wendi said...

Wow this is gorgeous, Poppies are one of my fav flowers and your colouring is beautiful
Thank you so much for sharing with us at ooh la la this week
Wendi

Christa said...

Hi Elizabeth , thank you for your kind comment at my blog. I allways like to "meet" new fellow cardmakers. So I have found your blog and you make beautifull cards ! I will often visit you. Love from Holland , Christa.

Jackie said...

Beautiful tag, I do so love poppies :o)
Jackie xx

Mau xx said...

what a gorgeous tag Elizabeth, I too love Poppies.
its amazing how things that start out as uncertain... turn out to be Wonderful Creations.
Its Beautiful!!!!
Hugs Mau xx

Hazel said...

Beautiful poppy tag - Hazel, OLL Guest Designer x