Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

  For the  Tag Tuesday theme  " Animals, Wild or Tame ( no insects" , I made two small tags, both with my favourite collage material - postage stamps.  For the first one , I chose an Australian stamp , issued in 1982 , rasing the awareness of the endangered corroboree frog. Here is some information about it....  Corroboree Frogs are Australia’s most iconic amphibian species and amongst the most visually spectacular frogs in the world. They can be readily distinguished by the bold yellow and black longitudinal stripes on its top, sides and legs. Its belly is marbled black, white and yellow. Both the males and females have the same colouration but females are slightly larger than males. These frogs are found in marshlands and sclerophyll forests under logs, and subalpine bogs of south-eastern NSW and the ACT. Catching a glimpse of these stunning creatures is a rare and exciting occurrence. They are largely nocturnal but are also occasionally active during the day...

 These days, I am always late to the Tag Tuesday party, but here are my offerings for the  current theme. NUMBERS . I have interpreted this theme fairly loosely....  in the above collaged tag,  there are very small numbers on the green paper section, which is part of an old map, so the numbers are reference points.  I am also counting the numbers on the postage stamp.  And likewise for the other two ...and I am sure you also  spotted 8 on the one below.   While I was creating these, I was thinking of other ways to interpret this theme, and I just couldn't stop remembering one of my favourite TV shows....  how would you have interpreted NUMBERS? 

For the current challenge "The Sea"  at Tag Tuesday, I made a couple of  painted/ hand drawn tags . These were created from a piece of watercolour paper which had been sprayed with acrylic paint - blue, yellow and quinacridone gold. I then sketched over the top  , trying to follow some pattern created by the splatter and then add some felt tip pen lines  watercolour pencil to highlight the shapes. The tags represent the fantasies of the hidden city of Atlantis and a mermaid.  With this theme in mind, I also add a free motion stitched  tag I made  earlier this year for 29 Faces - 

With a rather late start to 29  Faces - an online challenge to create a face a day for the month of February, I  have a lot of  catching  up to do. To make it easier, I have chosen to follow a "Fairy Tale" prompt list and am drawing faces on small gift tags , and yet it is still a challenge. Fairy Godmother from "Cinderella" - "Even miracles take a little time."  Red Riding Hood  "Every moment is a moment when you're in the woods"  Sleeping Beauty " If you dream a thing more than once, it's sure to come true."  Snow White -"Remember you;re the one who can fill the world with sunshine"  Donkeyskin - "Virtue always triumphs" 

 Seasons - Watercolour and ink art tags by Wilma Simmons  I found this series of art tags in one of my boxes ( while searching for something else!)  - I made them in 2017, but have now released them for sale in my Etsy shop  ... These little art works can be used as  gift tags, book marks, decorative hangings, creative journal or collage elements, or even as an educational resource -  creative writing or story telling prompts .  Summer - art tag by Wilma Simmons  Autumn - art tag by Wilma Simmons  Spring - art tag by Wilma Simmons  Winter - art tag by Wilma Simmons 

  Today, the winner of the art tag giveaway was decided.... There were only 4 entries in this giveaway - a little disappointing for me but good for the four participants. Thank you Michele S, Gamarna, Annie Trish and Narelle for entering . This is how the draw was done. I put the four names on separate pieces of paper and folded them and put them in a jar. My husband Jim who is very trustworthy was given the task of pulling the first name from the jar and then the second.... THE FIRST WINNER IS MICHELE S!  THE SECOND WINNER IS NARELLE!  And because there were so few entries, I have decided to send Annie Trish and Gamarna a consolation prize of two tags each from the same series. I hope you will all like your prizes. Please contact me with your postal addresses. This set goes to Michele S  This set goes to Narelle. 

I have been informed that many of you have been trying to leave a comment, but have not been able to - so to make life easier, I will also accept as an entry  a comment on either of the blog posts, on  my Facebook page event   or on one of the Facebook  posts about the giveaway. Apologies, I can;t make it any easier than this ...   If you like one of these sets of art tags, I hope you are able to add you name to the entries somehow.

Set 1 - Seasons   Set 2 -  In Harmony A s a gift to the many people who followed the 29 Faces series last month, here is a thank you giveaway. You can win either Art Tag Set 1 -  "Seasons"  or  Art Tag Set 2 - "In Harmony.", as pictured. Each set comprises 4 small art tags  which have a bakers twine tie and and are blank on the back for your own message. The tags measure 10cm x 5cm (4in x 2in) and are suitable for gift tags, or for you to use in your own art journals or collages.    The two winners will be chosen at random at  12 noon, Tuesday 14 March ( Australian Eastern Summer Time) .. All you need to do is to leave a comment in the section below - with your name.  I am not asking you to provide your contact details  at this stage to ensure your privacy and safety.  However, the winners will be notified only via a reply to your comment,in a blog post and on  my Facebook page  by 1 pm on 14 March. Y...

Day 28 - 29 Faces Art Challenge ... Faces 28 & 29.  " Love is the harmony of two souls singing together"  and so ends 29  Faces for February 2017.  Thank you for following throughout  the month.. and here they all are .  Keep watching this space.... When I have put a few sets together, I will be offering some of these tags as giveaways from this blog. 

Eco Print art tags # Wilma Simmons  “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”  ―  Rachel Carson ,  Silent Spring Can you hear the songs of spring ?   ( Click here to see more eco prints) Eco Prints  stitched -#Wilma Simmons  Eco print tag -#Wilma Simmons

Fifteen minutes ago (5.15pm  Australian Eastern Summer Time), an independent competition official put all the names of  the blog/Facebook  giveaway participants  into a quirky container. A little shake to ensure all the cards are evenly distributed.   Just making sure - a bigger shake  Picking the first winner who is .... drum roll... Super Jen . Congratulations, Super Jen! .   Second winner is ... Carolyn  Third winner is Lululiz ... Thank you to all who left comments to be in the draw for this giveaway. It was so much fun that I think I'll have a few more before  the end of the year - perhaps with a Christmas theme, so be positive you could be the next winner. I will contact the three winners and will try to mail the tag sets off as soon as I get your postal addresses... Congratulations