TIME FOR TAGS - USE WHAT YOU HAVE!

Hi Stampers!

Christmas certainly is on its way! One of my favorite Christmas projects is creating gift tags. There are so many options: use a die, a punch or neither; make traditional tags or peel and stick; for images use stamps, dies, or stickers; keep them basic or dress them up - it’s all up to you! When it comes to tags, you truly can use what you have! I like to make tags to give as Thanksgiving favors, teacher gifts, or just to have on hand in case someone needs a few! etc. Tags are always a welcome gift, and they get used! Tags can be a fun and relaxing project. You can work on them a few minutes here and there, and before you know it you have a nice selection of tags to dress up your Holiday gifts. Let’s take a look at today’s sample tags:

VIDEO

NOTES

* I used die cuts and put them on the tags with adhesive or foam tape. This allowed me to use one layer of cardstock for the tags. If you want to stamp images directly on the cardstock and color the images with alcohol markers, the tag will need a back, which is basically another tag adhered to the back side. Patterned paper tags will need a cardstock backing too. The backing covers up the ink that bleeds through the front of the tag, add stability to patterned paper tags, and provides a place to stamp the to/ from.

* It is okay to use stickers, rub-ons, and ephemera for images on your tags. I know some people feel that is cheating. I think it is smart. Using those items can save a lot of time! The Holiday Season is always super busy. If something saves a bit of time, I say go for it! You still took the time to create a handmade tag!

* Tag corners can be angled as some of the tags I made are. Corner punches of any design add a bit of pizzaz to the tags!

TAGS - STAMPS AND COORDINATING DIES WITH TAG DIE

I made these tags using a stamp set and coordinating die set called TINSEL TIME from Doodlebug Designs. The to / from is stamped on the back side of the tag. There are die sets available that cut various sizes of tags, and other die sets, like the one I used,  include a tag die. The tag dies are handy, but if you do not have one, no worries. Below you will find instructions for a template you can use to create tags very similar to the ones I die cut.

TINSEL TIME STAMPS & DIES

NO TAG DIE, NO PROBLEM - MAKE IT

It is easy to create a tag like the die used for the tags above. Start by creating a template. Start with a piece cardstock that measures 2” x 4”.

Measure from the top left side 1” over and 1/4” or so down. Mark this point with a pencil. This will be the spot you will punch a hole for a ribbon or twine. 

At the top left measure 1/2” down and mark. Now measure over 1/2” along the top, and mark. Do the same on the right side.  Use a ruler or other straight edge to connect the side and top mark on each side.  Cut along the lines.

Use a hole punch and punch the area marked. This creates a hole to thread through a ribbon or twine.

You now have a tag template!

For each tag, cut the cardstock at 2” x 4”. Use the template to mark the place to punch the hole and where to cut the angled corners for the tags. 

TAGS - STAMPED & DIE CUT IMAGES WITH RANDOM TAG DIE

Maybe you have tag dies, cut out some tags, and are thinking “now what?”  Just choose a favorite image 

and a small sentiment, and you have a tag! (Again, the to / from is on the back side of the tag.) I think these whimsical cat images are perfect for cheery tags. The stamp set is called Meowy Christmas. Coordinating dies are available.

MEOWY CHRISTMAS

COORDINATING DIES

TAGS - STICKERS, PATTERNED PAPER & A CORNER PUNCH

These tags were super easy to create. Each tag consists of white cardstock cut at 2” x 4”, covered with a piece of patterned paper also cut at 2” x 4”.  The images are coordinating stickers centered on a 2” square piece of cardstock, popped up on dimensionals. I used an n glued corner punch to cut the top corners of the tag. I marked the 1” point along the top of the card and dropped down about 1/4” to punch the hole. There are several companies that offer patterned papers with coordinating stickers or rub-ons. The paper and stickers I used are from Reminisce. 

OH CHRISTMAS TREE PAPER

OH CHRISTMAS TREE STICKERS

USE A CORNER PUNCH TO CREATE TAG CORNERS FOR THE 2” X 4” CARDSTOCK STRIP

TAGS - 2” X 4” PIECE OF CARDSTOCK

Keep things really simple by using 2” x 4” pieces of cardstock for tags. No dies or corners to worry about! You will need to measure over 1” and down 1/4” to find the midpoint to punch a hole for ribbon or twine. Another tip - snowmen, polar bears, and penguins require little coloring! Some penguins stamps fill in all the black area. Polar bears and snowmen look nice with a bit of shading done with a very light gray or aqua marker, but they look good without the shading too. I used two stamp sets with coordinating dies for these tags. One is from Scrapbook.com and the other is from Trinity Stamps.

HELLO WINTER STAMPS

HELLO WINTER DIES

FROSTY FRIENDS FOREVER STAMPS

FROSTY FRIENDS FOREVER DIES

SNOWFLAKE EMBELLISHMENTS

TODAY’S EASY TAGS

There you go. . .a few ideas for creating some simple, but cute tags. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time. . .

Stamp Happy

Kim

 

CARD KITS FOR SWISS VILLA VISIT - ASSEMBLING THE CARDS

Hello Ladies and Stampers!

Today’s post is for the ladies of my church’s Women’s Missionary Union, but everyone is welcome to read it. This post accompanies the video of the same title, and it is a continuation of my previous video.  I will put a link to that video below. We’ll take a look at the elements in the cards kits and review each card, and the contents of the kits. Here is a look at all the card designs:

PREVIOUS VIDEO
 

TODAY’S VIDEO

ASSEMBLING THE CARDS

HELPFUL  TIPS

* ORIENTATION (for cards in this collection)

   Portrait  - the card fold is on the left and the card opens from the right

   Landscape - the card fold is across the top and the card opens from the bottom.

* INSIDE GREETING - Cards 1, 2, 3, & 4 have pre-stamped greetings inside. Before adhering anything to the card open it to be certain the greeting is oriented correctly.

* FOAM TAPE & FOAM DOTS - Images and greeting with these adhesives on the back should be placed on the card once all other pieces are adhered to the card base. It is sometimes a challenge to get snail adhesive on an uneven or bumpy surface.

* MISCELLANEOUS 

   - Card designs are guidelines. If someone arranges the pieces differently - no problem.

   - Once a card is finished it can be put back inside the ziplock bag with the envelope.

   - I will have a few tools to help remove the backing from the foam tape and foam dots (if needed)

   - Five card designs are created so that on each card the design is the same, but the papers and patterns are different. 

   - There are 7 card designs - 3 for Thanksgiving and 4 for Christmas

   - I have a total of 80 cards. If there are 20 residents they will have the opportunity to make 2

     Thanksgiving cards, and two Christmas cards. We might need to tweak that number once we get

     the final head count.

   

CARD DESIGN 1

Portrait orientation with pre stamped greeting on the inside and on the outside panel. Adhere turkey with the tape runner once the background panels have been adhered to the card base.

KIT CONTENTS

CARD DESIGN 2

Landscape orientation with pre-stamped greeting inside. Adhere middle panel to card base, then adhere the image and greeting by removing the backing from the foam tape and foam dots. The pumpkin and greeting can be placed as shown or the pumpkin can be on the right and the greeting to the left. 

KIT CONTENTS

CARD DESIGN 3

Portrait orientation with pre-stamped greeting inside and outside. Adhere the panels to the card base prior to adding the pumpkin image (it has foam dots on the back). The narrow panel can be placed more to the left or to the right and the image can be move to the left or right - it’s a personal choice. 

KIT CONTENTS

CARD DESIGN 4

Portrait orientation with pre-stamped greeting inside. Place image on card once the panels are adhered to card base.

KIT CONTENTS

CARD DESIGN 5

Landscape orientation. There is a matted greeting to adhere inside the card. Greeting on front of card can be placed in the center or to the left or to the right.

KIT CONTENTS

CARD DESIGN 6

Landscape orientation. There is a matted greeting to adhere inside the card. The greeting for the outside should be placed once both panels are adhered to the card base. It can be placed in the center or to the right or left.

KIT CONTENTS

CARD DESIGN 7

Portrait orientation. There is a matted greeting for inside the card. The greeting should be adhered after both panels are adhered to the card base. The greeting can be placed in the center or where ever desired.

KIT CONTENTS

There you go. I encourage you to watch the ASSEMBLING THE CARDS VIDEO  a couple of times. I have kept the cards simple, but interesting. There are a variety of greetings and patterns for participants to choose from. Samples of each card design will be available, but it is fine to allow for personal choices. I will have adhesive for everyone, a couple of tools in case someone needs help removing backings from the foam tape or dots, a receptacle to collect all those backings, and spare envelopes. 

My plan is for each of us to take a group of 2-3 and work with them on their cards. Introduce yourself, ask their names, and as they are working on the cards take a moment to get to know each person a little bit, and share a bit about yourself if you like. The goal is to provide a fun activity, and to visit with them. 

Are you familiar with the hymn, Let Others See Jesus In You?  That is my personal goal for this visit. 

Thank you all for participating and helping with the cards. I think the singing, and card making, and cooking eating will make for a great afternoon. A special thanks to our fearless leader, Sara, for arranging this outreach opportunity. 

That’s all I have. I will end this post with my usual sign off. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Hi Stampers!

You might have noticed my weekly posts have been more like every 10 -12 days lately.  All is well. I have been busy working on a couple of projects that required a bit more of my time than expected. I decided to share one of the projects as it could be something you might consider doing. So, what have I been doing? I have been creating card kits. These kits are not to sell. The ladies’ mission group from my church will be visiting the residents of a local nursing and rehabilitation center. Several activities are planned including the opportunity for the residents to create Thanksgiving and Christmas cards they can exchange with other residents or give to family members. Here are samples of some of the cards we will be creating.

VIDEO

OCCASIONS FOR CARD KITS

* Activity Booth at community fair or festival

* Project for church groups (to start or add to a card ministry)

* Social activity for senior centers 

* Birthday Party Activity (make cards to give to the birthday boy or girl)

* Activity for baby or bridal shower (make thank you cards the mom or bride can use)

* Craft activity for camps and retreats

WHAT TO INCLUDE

* A card base that is scored or scored and folded (white, vanilla, beige, or other light color)

* Panels, if they will be matted I suggest you pre-mat them

* A greeting that is ready to adhere

* A stamped and matted image or a die cut image (optional)

* Pre-stamp the inside greeting directly on the card base or stamp and die cut or mat to be adhered to inside of card

* Embellishments - adhesive dots, sequins, ribbon, etc (optional)

* An envelope

THANKSGIVING CARD KIT CARDS

NOTES

* I keep the designs simple, but interesting.

* I place items for individual kits in a quart size ziplock bag.

* I provide each person with adhesive. I purchased some small tape runners that were about $1 each. Here is the link:

   SMALL TAPE RUNNER

   (If the participants are young children glue sticks can be a good option.)

* I provide at least one sample of each card design 

* I try to have helpers who are familiar with assembling the cards.

* The number of card designs and number of cards each person can create will depend on the event, the number of participants, and time allotted.

CHRISTMAS CARD KIT CARDS

OTHER TIPS

* Allow for individual preferences - participant’s cards do not have to be carbon copies of the sample.

* Use various colors and patterns for each individual kit. Kits offer a great opportunity to use scrap cardstock and scrap patterned papers. The design can be the same, but the colors do not have to be.

* Put those dimensionals and foam tape to work. A bit of dimension adds so much to a card.

* Remember to be encouraging, and have fun.

TURKEY DAY

* Card Base - A 2 size - portrait

* Mat - 5” x 3 3/4”

* Focal panel - about 3 1/2” x 2 3/4” - Nested Wavy Dies ( Scrapbook.com)

* Turkey Die - Scrapbook.com.

THANKFUL PUMPKIN

* Card Base - A2 size - landscape

* Card Layout - # 2626 (see pages > card layouts on left side of this page)

GIVE THANKS

* Card Base - A2 size

* Mat - 5 1/4” x 4”

* Center Panel - 5 1/4” x 2”

BLESSED CHRISTMAS

* Card Base - A2 size - portrait

* Navy Panel - 4 1/4” x 3 1/4”

* White Panel - 4” x 3”

* Gold Embossing Powder

CHRISTMAS PEACE

* Card Base - A2 - landscape

* Card Layout - #2626

MERRIEST CHRISTMAS

* Card Base - A2 - landscape

* Layout - # 2623

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

* Card Base - A2 size - portrait

* Layout - #2624

TODAY’S CARDS

Today’s video and post is a bit different. I felt the card kit idea worth sharing. Card making is a great activity for many occasions. The kits are also a great way to introduce others to card making.  That’s all for today. Thank you so much for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim