Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Class Review: 12 Tags of Christmas

Before we're through with December, I thought I better write my Christmas class reviews.  Even though Tim Holtz's Twelve Tags of Christmas is not technically a class, it definitely has that feel.  Each day, between Dec. 1 and 12, Tim posts instructions for completing a tag using a variety of products (especially his signature products).  This is the third year in a row in which he has undertaken this project and the first year that I haven't finished all twelve tags.   The bloom was a little off the rose for me this year, I think, because so many of the tags featured products that I don't own - especially his die cutting machine and dies.  Although Tim encourages participants to substitute other products, I found it difficult to do in this situation. Also, it struck me that a large portion of the tags used variations on these materials.  In the past, almost every tag featured a different technique So, this was not my favorite 12 Tags of Christmas, but I did enjoy making my tags, revisiting some old techniques and learning a few new ones.  Plus, it's all FREE!  Hard to be too critical of a free sharing of information. Something new for this year were videos.  I love listening to Tim Holtz talk about how to create and so would play them for background, even if he was describing how to use a machine I didn't own.  His voice is so calming and supportive that it increased my creative enjoyment. As always, alternative viewpoints welcomed. Overall grade: B.

11 comments:

MonicaB said...

The tags you completed are beautiful. I can not rate the "class" this year because I didn't do any of the tags. Very unlike me, but life got in the way. I think I would have had the same issues you did because I noticed I didn't have a lot of the materials he used or good substitute for them.

Sian said...

Rinda - what a perfect phrase "the bloom was a little off the rose" - I've never heard that before and I really like it.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

How fun to see all your tags gathered together in one shot, Rinda. They are so pretty!

Terry said...

I did not even start the tags, so my blooming was way off. Kathy and Donna have started a 12 Tags of Christmas from the beginning if you are interested. Since I have never done the tags, I am starting from the day one! Beautiful grouping of tags and I BELIEVE the grade is higher than a "B."

Anonymous said...

I don't own many Tim Holtz products so I've never considered this project. Even though the bloom may have been off the rose, you created some lovely art!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Very pretty tags!

humel said...

Your version of the tags is gorgeous - I can relate to what you say about not being sure how to substitute when he uses certain of his own products, though. I always love the idea and follow with interest, but I haven't yet made any myself!

Becky said...

I love your tags!

scrappyjacky said...

The tags are gorgeous,Rinda....and like Mel....I always follow his tag making....but have so few of the products that find it too difficult to join in....funnily enough I do have a die cutting machine and dies....it's everything else I don't have!!!

Amy said...

The reality for me is that I would struggle to make even one tag - such is the paltry state of my embellishment stack! I really admire the things Tim does but I don't follow closely enough to get super involved .. despite less blooming this past year I think you have done a really great job with the tags you have completed Rinda!

Heather said...

They are beautiful tags Rinda. Im not a Tim Holtz fan so I gave up following his blog but I remember admiring the tags last year & if I had some of the embellishments I may have had a go. Its just the spraying/misting/layering thing that fazes me!!
Keep up the good work xx