Perfectly Plaid Present cards

I have been playing with the Perfectly Plaid stamp set again. I had been looking on Pinterest, however, most of the cards use the punch and I wanted to create a few more cards using the Stamp Set. Also I have not ordered any Christmas Designer Series Paper yet, so wanted to delay the punch example cards until I have. I have not ordered yet, as I am a discount shopper rather than a purely business demonstrator, so I split my craft budget throughout the year.

I pulled out one of my favourite stencils called in the forest by a cute English brand called UNIKO and was playing with colour combinations. All the combinations that I have used can be found in the Colour Combinations Gallery.

Gold, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade and Sahara Sand

Measurements

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Outside and Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Outside and Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)

Outside and Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”

Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Garden Green and Silver

The video below shows how I made these cards.

Tips and tricks

• Ensure that the stencil is stuck down properly

• hold the stencil to ensure minimal movement

• remove the excess ink before using the dauber to ensure no stripy images

• ensure the twine is secure - otherwise will be loose and lines will not be straight

Evening Evergreen, Silver and Soft Succulent.

My favourite colour combination is Evening Evergreen, Silver and Soft Succulent. I can’t wait for my next order to do some more cards using this combination. What is your favourite?

Finishing Cards

Free as a Bird on a blended Misty Moonlight Background

I have to admit that I have a bad habit of not completing my cards, I either get distracted with another card idea or run out of craft time or energy.

Every now and again, I collect all my unfinished cards and cut lots of white panels to complete the inside of cards. I know some people also make matching envelopes, I make matching envelopes before I send the cards, rather than keeping a pre-made envelope with the card.

After making white panels, I pull out all the matching stamp sets and also any sets which match or work well with the original stamp set.

Dandelion Garden and blended stencil Background

I personally don’t think that it is necessary for every card to have a sentiment on the front, sometimes I send them without and add a sentiment to the inside of the card. Sometimes I add a sentiment later to match the occasion I need the card for. Sometimes it is easier to find the perfect card, rather than the perfect sentiment.

The video below shows my process and finished cards.

I now have more birthday cards for my collection and also some blank cards for emergencies. I still love the Free as a Bird card, which is your favourite?

Circular Acorn Tags

I thought that I would share some more tags today. I decided that I wanted something different to the previous tags that I have made using the Tag Topper Punch. I also wanted to use the last stamps in the Perfectly Plaid stamp sets, that I haven’t used yet, these are the two stamps which combine to create an acorn. I always try to use every stamp in the stamp set and provide examples with every stamp. I tend to use sentiments more than images but I think that the mini stamps and the Delicata Ink work with a combination of colours and mirri/foil.

I love that you can create the tags using any circles that you may have. I used the retired 2 1/4 inch. 2 inch and 1 1/2 inch circle punch to create the circles. I also made some with dies using the 2nd smallest, the 4th Smallest and the 5th smallest circle from the Layering Circle dies. I have cut out the largest circle twice, once in miri/foil and again in Basic white to ensure that there is a good base to stamp on for the to and from stamp.

This tag will work with any colour and also any small sentiment, the tag above was made using Magenta Madness and part of the sentiment from Perfectly Plaid, It also uses the 2 inch, 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch circle punch. Although these are retired they are available from other suppliers. You could also use any circles that you have.

I love these tags and they are perfect for adding to any presents. You could also make these for Birthdays, if you use a small sentiment. I love the Just Jade tag, I cant seem to put the colour down it is my go to colour, what is yours?

Batch Making Simple Christmas Tags

My last video showed how to make some simple tag topper tags to match some tissue paper which I have in my craft room. Todays video shows how I batch make tags, either to sell at craft fairs or to use on presents .

At Christmas I use so many tags and my family and friends need tags too. This often means that I need multiples to match my wrapping paper (or I buy wrapping paper to match my pre-made tags.) I find the easiest way to create lots of tags is to batch make them. If I make them one at a time it takes about 5 minutes. I created 12 in about 40 minutes by completing the tasks together.

Actions

1. Decide on a design

2. Collect all the supplies needed to create the tags - stamps, blocks, ink, Versamark, embossing powder, heat tool and ribbons/ embellishments.

3. Find or work out the dimensions needed for the tags

   Metric

   Shaded Spruce/ Night of Navy and Basic White - 5cm x 10.5cm

   Imperial

   Shaded Spruce/ Night of Navy and Basic White - Just under 2 inches x 4 inches

4. Cut all the tags (including the white for reverse)

5. Punch out all the strips using the tag topper punches

6. Using the Embossing Buddy or any anti-static tool (this prevents Embossing powder from sticking to places you dont want it.

7. Use Versamark to stamp the greeting

8. Add embossing powder ( tap or blow off the excess, you can also use a brush to remove the excess.)

9. Use heat tool to set/melt embossing powder

10. Leave tags to cool

11. Identify a white tag or backing for each tag (may need to trim off excess)

12. Stamp the to and from in chosen ink colour

13. Add glue to stick the tags together (trim off excess)

14. Cut twine down to length required for all tags

15. Add twine to tags

The video below gives a quick how to video.

Grouping tasks together saves time and enables a bit of choice as they do not need to be exactly the same. I have a few more tags to make and I need to find some suitable paper. I also use brown paper, I am pondering crumb cake tags, what colour tags will you be making?

Simple Tag Topper Tags

When wrapping Christmas and Birthday presents, I tend to use tissue paper to wrap them. A few years ago, I bought some gorgeous tissue paper in Paperchase one was purple (like Gorgeous Grape) and ones was green (it is very close Shaded Spruce.) My last birthday tags were inspired by the Gorgeous Grape tissue papers. This project was made to use with the Shaded Spruce tissue paper. Heat embossing is a perfect way to create easy tags which look super easy and wow people who think that they are gorgeous and complicated to make.

Measurements-

Metric

Shaded Spruce and Basic White - 5cm x 10.5cm

Imperial

Shaded Spruce and Basic White - Just under 2 inches x 4 inches

The measurement of just under 2 inches will ensure that the card fits in to the tag topper. Please do not add more than one piece of card in the tag topper punch as it will damage the punch.

The video below shows how I made the tags.

The tags can work in any colour, the picture below shows Highland Heather and Silver or Night of Navy and silver. It depends on whether you want a traditional or non traditional colour scheme for wrapping. I used the co-ordinating ink to the card stock, if you don’t have the same colour in ink, you could use any complimentary colour. Also you could use any ribbon that you have in your stash.

I love the Shaded Spruce tag but I think that the Highland Heather will look gorgeous on some white tissue paper with silver spots that I found in Home Bargains. What will your colour scheme be?