Easy Mixed Media Tags

Hello crafty friends!

Making tags is one of my favorite paper crafts. Type "gift tags" in the search bar at the top right of this blog and plenty more tag tutorials will show up.

Today I am creating my tags from scratch or rather from one of my gelli prints. The paper I used is 160 gsm, as I find this is a good weight for making tags. Scroll down to watch the video, which also explains how I made the gelli prints. Be sure to read the info in the description box as well. Today's craft is all about layering. I adhered tiny paper scraps including ticket stubs, which I found in the back of a drawer the other day. Looking at the date...wow, they are so old :)

Here's a step-by-step instruction - unfortunately it was an overcast day, so the photos aren't the best.  Scroll down to watch the video, which is a lot brighter.

Step One: measure a rectangle 7 x 14 cm on the gel print, mark with a pencil and cut along the lines. 

Step Two: flip the tag over and using a set square align the top edge with a parallel line and until the corner meets the edge. Mark with a pencil and snip off. 

Step Three: Add stamping

Step Four: Add marks with crayons

Scroll down to watch the video in full.

Step Five: Glue down pieces of collage.

Step Six: Embellish with a focal image (leaves, flowers, animals, words etc.)

Step Seven: Loop a ribbon through the hole

Tip: Plan a gelli printing session a day or two beforehand, then flatten the prints with a stack of heavy books. This way they are ready to go when you decide to make those tags. Happy crafting!

DIY - Easy Valentine's Day Gift Tag

Hi everyone!

I'm back with a cute DIY idea for Valentine's Day. For me, this day has always been about spreading kindness, joy and love to all my family and friends. It's never been about just couples. While I endeavour to be kind all year round, I like the idea of a day dedicated to love. If you are thinking of gifting the special people in your life, why not embellish your gift with a handmade tag? Here's how:

Gather your supplies. You'll need a piece of white card stock or mixed media paper. The size depends on how many tags you intend to make and the type of tag punch that you may have. Alternatively, you can simply cut rectangular tags to your preferred size. Mine are 2.5 " (6,3 cm) wide and 4.5 " long (11 cm)

You will also need:

• a heart stencil

• super heavy white gesso

• a scraper (or old credit card)

• red acrylic ink

• spray water bottle

• alphabet stamps

• red stamp pad

• red ribbon

• scissors

If you have a tag punch, go ahead and make as many tags as required or alternatively cut rectangular tags. Next, line up your stencil on the bottom part of your tag and using the scraper thinly apply the heavy gesso. Make sure the hearts are filled in. Carefully lift off the stencil. This needs to dry completely. It will take a couple of hours, but you can use a heating tool to speed up the process.

 

Once dry, add a couple of drops of red acrylic ink onto the raised hearts and spray them with water. Move the tag from side to side to make the color spread. I placed some used copy paper underneath, so as to not get any paint on my table. Mop up any excess ink with a paper towel. Then set the tag aside to dry.

Now grab your alphabet stamps and red stamp pad. I have a set of silicone stamps, which I use in many of my mixed media projects. I placed my letters on acrylic blocks. If you have wooden stamps you can forego this step. I chose to stamp my word three times to the top part of the tag.

And finally, cut a piece of ribbon and loop it through the hole in the tag. If you have cut your tag into a rectangular shape you will need to punch a hole with a regular hole punch first. And now your tag is ready to attach to a gift! I hope you have as much fun to make these as I did ♥

Woodland themed Gift Tags • Easy DIY

Hello crafty friends,

after a scorching Summer the temperatures have dropped dramatically, and it's been quite stormy these past days with lots of rain. I guess Fall season is here!

I'm sharing a fun and easy DIY today. You can watch the YouTube video in real time here:

In step one I started by stamping one of my favorite text stamps in random areas on a plain, store-bought gift tag. You can use kraft paper ones or even cut your own. It's up to you.

I then went ahead and added the watered-down distress inks. You can see how I do this in the video.

After this has completely dried I then make some marks with wax crayons, because I just love using them, but you can use inks, markers, colored pencils etc.

I then glue down a piece of the tissue paper collage in olive green with gel medium, Mod Podge or other suitable glue.

I again let this dry completely before adding the next layer. You can use a hair-dryer to speed up the process. Then choose whatever paper embellishment you wish plus a tiny bit of cheesecloth to add some texture. This is optional or you could add a piece of jute or linen if you have that on hand.

Glue these pieces down one on top of the other and add a layer of Mod Podge on top. As you can see I have a bit of overhang to one side and some frayed edges, which I like the look of. Set this aside to dry. Tie on a gingham ribbon through the hole as the final step. Now do another one :)

DIY Rustic Fabric Tags

Here's another easy fabric-scrap-busting idea! Of course, the idea isn't original. There are tons of similar ones on Pinterest. I decided to go for the homespun rustic look :)

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Heute gibt es wieder eine einfache DIY Idee, welche gleichzeitig der Stoffresteverwertung dient! Natürlich stammt diese Idee nicht von mir - davon gibt es etliche bei Pinterest. Allerdings sind meine Anhänger im rustikalen Look :)

bunny fabric // Häschenstoff

You'll need // Ihr braucht

Kraft paper tags // Kraft Papieranhänger

Cotton fabric scraps // Stoffreste aus Baumwolle

Pinking shears // Zackenschere

Rustic Trims // Borten im rustikalen Look

Sewing machine // Nähmaschine

Basic sewing kit // Basic Nähutensilien 

How to:

1. Measure tags - scraps need to be slightly smaller to fit.
2. Iron fabric scraps and cut to size.
3. Position on Kraft tag and straight stitch, pivoting at corners. Remember to backstitch. I recommend using a strong needle suitable for heavy weight material.
4. Cut trim* into 20 cm (approx. 7.87") pieces. Double up and thread through hole. Pull the ends through loop and tighten. Repeat as often as you like :)

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Und so wird's gemacht:

1. Papieranhänger abmessen - die Stoffstücke sollten etwas kleiner sein.
2. Stoffreste bügeln und zuschneiden.
3. Auf Anhänger platzieren und im Geradstich steppen, an den Ecken drehen. Rückstiche nicht vergessen. Für dieses Projekt empfehle ich eine stärkere Nadel für dicke Stoffe.
4. Von der Borte* je 20 cm Stücke abschneiden. Doppelt legen und durch das Loch führen. Enden durch die Schlinge ziehen und verknoten. So oft wiederholen wie Ihr möchtet :)

* Trims kindly sponsored by leading German button and accessories manufacturer Union Knopf. These are premium quality cotton trims and come in natural and beige colours with embroidered leaf design.

* diese Borten wurden mir von der Firma Union Knopf zur Verfügung gestellt. Die hochwertigen Borten aus Baumwolle in Natur und Beige mit gesticktem Blattmotiv gibt es im gut sortierten Kurzwarenhandel. Natürlich lassen sich damit auch Bekleidung und Taschen aufhübschen!

I made quite a few of these! I have a whole box full of unique gift tags - simply write the recipients name on the back. Can be used as cute bookmarks too!

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Nun habe ich eine ganze Schachtel voll mit diesen rustikalen Geschenkanhängern! Beim nächsten Anlass beschrifte ich die Rückseite einfach mit dem Namen des Empfängers. Auch als Lesezeichen zu verwenden!

Happy crafting!