It's a kind of magic !

Yes, I admit I've been listening to Queen's greatest hits :)  However, if you try the technique that is this week's Grungy Monday challenge, you'll see why the title is appropriate. I've used resist techniques with paint and embossing powder but they're not as magical as using Claudine Hellmuth's Studio multi-medium matte: You cannot see anything as it dries flat and invisibly, then you add Distress Ink and WOW!
Just as magical is how I've used the still unavailable Sizzix Umbrella Man die designed by Tim Holtz! It was actually a demo piece that Pete Hughes of Sizzix UK gave me at the NEC trade show in February. He demo'ed the die and embossing folder in the Vagabond machine so I popped it on my tag with some 3D foam. So, without further ado....

As this tag is definitely not a card, I'm also entering it in the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge.
Apart from the medium and die-cut, I also used: Ink-essentials manilla tag; dictionary page; foam; Tim Holtz Sizzix 'Townscape' die; Distress Inks in Stormy Sky, Broken China, Dusty Concord and Black Soot; Tim Holtz idea-ology 'Trimmings' ribbon coloured with Distress and Tim Holtz sentiment stamp with black Versafine.