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Thursday 28 May 2015

12 Tags of 2015 - May (and June and Dot)!

Some time ago my brother sent me some old family photos - we thought we had lost them when we moved but last week we found them again!(OK, so we moved 2 years ago - we still have unopened boxes!!!)
When I saw this photo of my Mum and her younger sister I knew I had to use it!
My Mum's name was Doris but had always been known as Dot, my Aunt's name was Pamela but she had always been known by her second name!
Of their three brothers only one was known by his original name!!
This photo was taken just after the Second World War when my Mum was about to get married. A time of uncertainty, neither of them knew that their future lives would turn out to be so different. I hope my tag reflects this.
As we were away at our caravan resources were limited - although I didn't have many of the products Tim used anyway (see Tim's here along with tutorial)  I think I will be buying ready made sticky back hessian(burlap)though - I used a scrap of fabric and stuck it to a tag but had a few problems!
I used some scraps on the top corner along with some of Tim's papers. The flowers are from the Tattered Florals strip die, coloured with distress inks and white pen, the leaves were cut from a magazine and darkened with Brushed Corduroy ink. I found the initial stickers and the clock in a magazine too.
I tried using ribbon but it looked a bit too heavy with the lighter fabric so added distress coloured muslin and some little bits from bracelets.
The words are from Tim's word sticker books - Chitchat and Smalltalk.
Despite their being separated for years, my Aunt went to live in Africa while my Mum and Dad lived on a low agricultural wage, they remained close. Both of them had happy lives and my Aunt still lives close to the home where they were living at the time of this photo.

Thank you for all the kind comments you have been leaving for me - the connection while we were away was worse than ever! I will be trying to visit before we go off to France but please don't think me rude if I have to wait until we get back!

Thanks, as always, for looking, Chris 

22 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Pretty tag and photo, Valerie

Pamellia said...

Beautiful tag Chris! I love the splashes of blue and pink amid all the neutrals, great contrast! It's so lovely that you used your own family photo, a wonderful version of Tim's tag! hugs :)

Gez Butterworth said...

Beautiful tag Chris. The flowers add a gorgeous splash of colour ♥

Thank you for making me feel better about packed boxes!! ;-)

Gez xx

Artyjen said...

Great thoughts behind your tag...I've just returned from France!!! Enjoy ;)
xoxo Sioux

froebelsternchen said...

Really beautiful tag .. fab photo as well!

Helen said...

What a gorgeous tag, and as Sioux says, I love the story behind it.. Hope you have a wonderful trip to France, take lots of photos - we don't mind how many you share when you get back! xx

chrissie said...

A wonderful way to use the photographs

Love Chrissie xx

Redanne said...

You certainly take after your Mum's side of the family Chris, I love the gorgeous photo and you did a brilliant job considering you didn't have any of the things Tim used. If you get some 'Stick'It', the new double sided adhesive sheets they work really well with burlap. Enjoy the rest of your trip! Hugs, Anne xx

Juliz Design Post said...

Such a personalised take on Tim's tag Chris and what a beautiful family photograph. Hope it brings you luck in the challenge.
Julie xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I would NEVER think you rude for not having time to visit, because you are always so good about catching up. Your tag comes straight from the heart, and I can tell. I'm truly in love with it, because you didn't give in to the madness of HAVING to buy everything Tim used to make your tag. I'm really impressed.

Now go pack and forget about us for awhile. But don't forget your camera and a small journal you like to write and draw in. We'll be here when you get back, to greet you with open arms and lots of comments on the many photos you will be sharing with us!!!

Lula said...

Gorgeous tag Chris and I love the photo!

Margik said...

Beautiful tag, Chris! Great version of Tim's tag. I love your family photo.
Hugs, Mar

sirkkis said...

Lovely supporting tag, Chris and thank you for your family history. They had hard time all over Europ in those sad days.
Have a happy travelling,
hugs xx

Meggymay said...

Beautiful tag and a wonderful family photo. Know what you mean about resources in a caravan and the internet connections.
Yvonne xx

Unknown said...

Loving all the layering you have put into this tag Chris, adore your take on this month's tag!
hugs
Georgie xx

Ruth said...

Beautiful version and a lovely way to cherish memories. Ruth x

JoZart Designs said...

That's so lovely!
Thanks for your comment and hope you have a great trip. Catch up when you return..... Bonne vacancy!
jo x

Words and Pictures said...

How lovely to use your personal photo and family story for the May tag. I love the tinting on the picture itself and vintage detailing in the embellishments. How funny that none of them was known by their first names. I had great aunts when I was little - Aunty Do, Aunty Ve and Aunty Ethel - I always used to puzzle over how different they were from the names of my generation.

I don't know what sorts of problems you had with your fabric, but if you glue it down with matte medium and then put a coat of the same over the top too before you start to play, it might help with the next one...
Alison xx

abby j said...

What a beautiful tribute...

~*~Patty S said...

Everything about this post and the beautiful tag you created with such a precious family photo really touches my heart ~♥~
Beautifully done in every detail.
Off to France...oh you lucky travelers you...sounds oh so lovely!
Hope you'll share some travel pics :-)
oxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris, what a gorgeous Tag. I hope you are having a lovely time in France.....Be in touch when you get back :) Lots of love xxxx

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