Swimming, Dancing, and My Girls

I am very proud of my two daughters, and truly believe they are God sent.  Although they are quite different in looks, temperaments and taste, I love them both the same.  To them, I dedicate this post.

© Arnoldo L. Romero
Abby is my youngest and the athlete in the family.  She is in her high school's cross country team, as well as in a city swim team.  (I designed the logo above for her swim team.)  She's quite good at both sports and has earned several recognitions, medals and trophies.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
Since Tag Tuesday's theme is Swimming, it was the perfect opportunity for me to make her a tag in honor of one of her passions.  I began by coating the tag using two shades of acrylic blue paint.  When it was dry, I taped a strip of beaded fringe to the bottom of the tag.  Then, I cut strips of a blue-green print to simulate waves, and glued them on the background.  I also punched three swirls out of a light blue print and pasted them between the waves.  I lettered in her name and dotted the waves with a silver Sharpie marker.  Next, I sketched Abby swimming with a pencil, inked the sketch, and illustrated it with water colors.  I attached the sketch to the tag with foam dots.  As a finishing touch, I made a tassel using 3 types of ribbon and a blue gem.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Carolyn Saxby and the other artists at Tag Tuesday for their continuous words of encouragement.  I am proud to be a part of such a talented team.  And Lynn Holland, if the team ever gets together physically, I'll be glad to bring a cake in celebration of having my "Seaside" Tag being post number 1000.  LOL!  (I am also submitting this tag to Take a Word Challenge - Blue.)

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
Ana is my oldest daughter and the dancer in the family.  She's been in ballet, jazz and tap classes since she was in second grade, and was a member of Dance Company in High School.  Due to the intensity of her courses at A&M University, she didn't take dance during her Freshman year, but hopes to join a team this school year.

Since Collage Obsession's theme is Dancer(s), it was the perfect opportunity to make her a tag in honor of one of her passions.  I decided to use the Play Date Cafe's PDCC #139 color story of gold, nude and silver, because one of her solos was to the music of "Black and Gold," by Sam Sparro.  I began by creating a background on a piece of black paper by doodling flowers using gold, bronze and silver Sharpies.  I cut it into strips and glued them on the tag, along with a piece of dictionary print featuring the word "splendid."  Then, I added a strip of gold rick rack, a strip of silver sequins, and a nude colored flower in the bottom area.  I also wrote her name with the sharpies and outlined it in black.  Next, I sketched Ana with a pencil, inked it, and illustrated it with sharpies and colored pencils.  I attached the sketch to the tag with foam dots.  As a finishing touch, I created a tassel using nude, silver and gold ribbons.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012
I am submitting the next tag to the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012 - July, who is celebrating the 4th of July with this month's tag.  I used all the techniques that Tim featured, but stapled an ATC featuring a watercolor marker scene I did of my girls with a tiny attacher.  I sprayed the ATC with a red mist and distressed the edges to fit the feel of the tag.  I also made a few changes in the embellishments.  First, I used a bottle cap with a ceramic star pin that my daughters used to wear when they were little.  I also substituted the metallic "4" with one of Tim Holtz game pieces; added color coordinated beads to the safety pin holding the Tim Holtz muse token; and used baker's twine, white ribbon, and blue rick-rack for my tassel.  I am posting my original sketch on the tag to the Twenty-Minute Challenge, and entering the tag to Simon Says Stamp and Show - Layered.


Thank you for stopping by my blog.  As usual, you are invited to leave a comment and/or follow my blog. Blessings and remember...
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands.How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. 
Psalm 127:3-5

Comments

Wonderful tags ... a beautiful way to honour each of your daughters. Your swimming tag is now gracing Tag Tuesday. Best wishes, Carolyn
Yvonne said…
Beautiful tag, Arnoldo!
I love the tag you made for Ana!! It's got some great movement and energy to it!
Donna B. said…
Great tags Arnoldo! Love the black background with the doodled flowers in the Dancer tag! Thanks for playing again this week at The Play Date Cafe.

I know you are very proud of your daughters. If you watch swimming in the Olympics you may see my brother. His name is Bob Bowman-he is the coach of Michael Phelps.
Kaylene said…
Great work and I am sure your daughter will love, maybe it will inspire her to take up dance again. Cheers
Glenda T. said…
Your tags are fabulous!!
Such a beautiful way to recognize your daughters in your lovely art!! ~ Blessings

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/
Your two tags are wonderful - each one so different, inspired by your daughters' different personalities. I think the July 4th sketch is amazing, so full of life and joy. Thank you for your kind thought over at Words and Pictures!
Alison x
Ruby said…
A great collection of tags, I particularly love your one for our challenge, it's fab! Thank you so much for joining us over at The Play Date Cafe this week!
Jinny Newlin said…
Such beautiful projects as always! LOVE the glittery trims and carefree image on our take! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at The Play Date Cafe!
Barb Cady said…
Such a lovely set of tags, glad that you did one for your other daughter and then Tims tag to celebrate both of them! (I am the mother of three girls, or should I say women now! )
Great work.
Winnie said…
You never cease to amaze me with your talent. I love your tags, and the one you did for the July Tim Holtz one just is awesome. I love how you draw! Love that you used a bottle cap that your daughter actually used to wear. What a great idea and way to make it personal. I am one of 3 girls, and have 3 brothers and when we are together we are all SOOOO different, but those differences are what makes us close.. We all bring something to the party sorta speak... Have a great day!
~amy~ said…
Awesome tags!!! Thanks for joining us at The Play Date Cafe!!
Excelentes trabalhos....
Cumprimentos
Suzanne C said…
What lovely tags. Such wonderful thoughtfulness with your daughters as inspiration for the tags. Beautiful layers. Glad you played along with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!
Unknown said…
Hi Arnold - you have been very busy making beautiful tags. I came via the Tim tags! I love the personal touches you have given this months tag. The splatters make fab fireworks which I believe are a part of your 4th of July celebrations.
SandeeNC said…
Love all your tags Arnold and the special nod to your daughters is lovely and heart warming! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)