Hello! I'm so excited to be a part of Bluebird Papercraft's Happy Homemaker Tag Swap! Let me tell you, this is one creative bunch of ladies. I feel very honored to take part. The idea is to pick a theme that expresses "homemaking" to you and then create two identical tags each month. At the end of the year, we will be paired up with one of the other swappers. We'll send one of our sets to our partner and receive a set in return. Also, we were challenged to make only one supply purchase and make it last for the entire year! I actually had recently purchased a giant super pad of gorgeous paper, so I took ten sheets out and I will use those. Then I treated myself to a couple of CD's of images since that is where I find my stash lacking. (Can't wait to get those!)
My inspiration for my tags are the resourceful women of World War II. I love the "We can do it!" spirit that they brought to the home front, whether it was serving in the Red Cross, working in a factory or tending to home and hearth. Often they were doing all three!
I hope to celebrate the way that these women used their resources to maximum effect. I know that I don't always use my resources as well as I would like, so I hope this will inspire me to do better. The ladies of the Greatest Generation are my heroes!
Since January is a time of new starts, and particularly our tag swap, this little cuckoo will be my sounding alarm. I also love the reference to the "little birdie" since it's a cheerful little bluebird behind this swap AND this is an image that she has graciously shared on flickr.
I cut the top of the tag to echo the rooftop of the little cuckoo's home. Because my printer insists on printing everything too dark, I cut out a circle of creamy ledger-type paper with pinking shears to set behind the clock and set it apart from the background paper. I also put a square of foam core under the clock to give more dimension. The writing on top is original to the image. The writing in the oval on the bottom, I added. I also added a pretty little gem to the center of the pendulum.I do love my tags. I know I still have a lot to learn and it will be fun to see how I improve as the year progresses, but for now, I am satisfied!
(Blogger keeps turning the image above on it's side! Why is it doing that?)
I love your tags too...they're wonderful. Such a sweet image and great colors. I love your theme and look forward to what you come up with next month!
ReplyDeleteYour tag is so cute and I love your theme!
ReplyDeleteWhat an imaginative theme. That little cuckoo is so cute. Great start, can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteI adore anything WWII themed. Good choice and that first tag is wonderful! I look forward to seeing what else you come up with!
ReplyDeleteCute, Cute, Cute! I love the cuckoo clock! Great colors!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Linda
I love the clock image. Just a great theme. Beautiful tag. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletewhat a great theme love your tag
ReplyDeletelizzi
I LOVE your theme!!! Your tags are adorable!
ReplyDeleteA little birdie told me to look at how cute your tags are! Love the coo coo clock, had one as a child and it reminds me of times gone by. Isn't lovely that not only do we get to see and enjoy the tags, but that they spark a memory. I love that! Can't wait to see how you progress with WWII, gonna be fun to watch. xoso Sandy O
ReplyDeleteOh Bettsi, I just knew your tags would be perfect! I love your WWII theme and the story behind January's tag-love it!
ReplyDeleteYour tag is so wonderful I love it and that choice of papers appealed to me the second I saw it. It will be fun to see what else you come up with during the year, I'm really loving this project.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tag you did. I can honestly say I never thought about the clock for a January tag but it is a fitting tie-in. Something I have discovered today is that I love all the participants blogs. They are full of inspiration and it seems that all most all of us have a passion for vintage. I look forward to the coming months and the new friendships along the way.
ReplyDeleteTime to Get Started is so perfect for January and the start of our year long swap. "We can Do It" is one of my very favorite posters from the WWI series and I love the attitude...your little clock and the background colors are great together.
ReplyDeletePerfect start of our yr long tag expo! I love you clock and the bird is adorable. It all looks wonderful together. xoxo Nancy
ReplyDeleteHi Bettsi~
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your tag and reading about your decision for a theme..WWII is a great idea! I also spent quite a bit of time looking at older posts on your blog and also visiting your Etsy store...such cute dolls!! I'm so glad you've joined this group...the swaps that Elizabeth hosts are always so much fun!
xoxo
Joyce
I love your theme and that clock is just precious! Beautiful tag!
ReplyDeleteYour tag is so sweet! The circle behind the clock was a great idea ... it really makes it pop and so does the little jewel in the pendulum! I love your theme ... it's so original ... and I can't wait to see the next one!
ReplyDelete