Merry

I have been busy with Christmas projects (a nice distraction between legal maneuverings). My holiday patterned papers are being put to good use - particularly those which are single sided. A 6x6 piece easily yields 2 fold over gift tags. I have combined a couple of papers from the same set, and used a border punch to create the tree order.

In continuing with the Double Embossing technique, I used a Christmas tree border folder with my Top Boss pad and Big Shot. The embossing powder is an abalone pearl I bought years ago. The color and texture always look better in person. I decided I wanted a lighter look to the embossed background (the card stock was a dark green from Club Scrap). So, instead of clear Top Boss, I used Colorbox white pigment ink:

I liked the look of this combination much better...so I made a handful more!

Double Embossing

Here is one of the many gift tags I recently made. The background was created using an embossing folder and heat embossing. I inked up the folder with a Top Boss embossing pad and placed a glossy panel into the folder (glossy side to the ink). I ran it through my Big Shot. After dry embossing, I dumped some (very old) Embossing powder onto the panel and heat embossed. The technique is known as double embossing. I had a fun time trying different combinations of card stocks, inks, and powders. The swirl tag was stamped with Pool Adirondak ink on a white scrap and punched out using a Stampin' Up punch.

Tag, You're It

Another fun little tag I made for a friend. Similar technique in that I created my own collage with winter/snow stamps and Distress Inks. The little round disc I bought years ago and used similar ones quite a bit. Then, they languished in my stash until just recently. I thought to imitate a little snow globe by filling the disc with glitter glue.

Tag Team

I have busy working on Christmas art - cards and tags, specifically! The cards are almost done and I am in desperate need to gift tags (especially since I need to get several packages in the mail!) I guess you can figure out what I will be doing today!
Earlier this week, a couple of my friends and I had our annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange. We call it "Christmakkah" - it was so christened many years before the TV show (The OC?) ever used it. I made a couple of tags early for Nancy and Tracy.

For this tag, I gathered together some small Christmas images and made my own Holiday collage. The background was colored with Distress Inks. The little charm is actually a green plastic disc game piece. The mini tree was stamped, the disc glued to the image and the then trimmed. I added foil tape around the edges. With all the fervor over Tim tags and his collage background, I thought I would make my own and save a few bucks! The greeting was stamped on a die cut ticket.

Tag Day 5

Yes, I am way behind! Today was the last day of the 12 tags of Christmas, but I am still plugging away. I had to spend most of today making Christmas cards (almost done). I like how easy it is to make adjustments based on the stamps and materials I have on hand. Although I did not have the metal numbers, I was able to get a very similar effect using grunge board numbers, Picket Fence Crackle paint, and Glossy Accents. I am still hopeful that I will complete the remainder of the tags before the end of the holidays!

Tim's Tags

It is that time of year for the Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas. Many crafters I know participated in it - I have only done about half. Of course, only four are completely done. The projects centered around the various grunge techniques using Ranger/Tim Holt/Stampers Anonymous products.

The above tag was one of my favorites. I did not have the exact supplies, but made due all the same. Notice the gold photo corner in the upper right? It is not a photo corner, really. I punched the shape from a small square of gold cardstock that had been run the the Sizzix in a Cuttlebug embossing folder. After punching, I rubbed a bit ink over it and glued it on. This is a very elegant and simple tag that can be easily reproduced in a smaller version.

Gift Tags

I have a couple (more) gift tag ideas using alcohol inks and metal. These 2 tags are made from Pre-purchased metal tags that I ran through my Sizzix in embossing folders.

The gold and pink colored tag was painted with alcohol inks to match the gift bag to which it was attached.

The red and white tag at the top was colored with alcohol inks using an applicator with felt attached. the strips were colored white with a paint pen. To tie in the idea of a candy cane, I stamped the small squares and attached with mounting tape. Easy and quick!