I suddenly realized how close Christmas is, and that I better get on with wrapping presents up.. but no gift tags!
I wanted handmade tags, but as I would need quite a lot (I have got most of my family multiple little presents this year), I wanted to be able to make a bunch of them quite quickly and easily.
I started with cutting out some snowflake topped tag shapes using my Silhouette Portrait. The tag is a free download from Monica’s Creative Room. Monica has very kindly posted many fantastic free cutting files, thank you!
Monica’s Cutting Room free Tag cutting file Link – in the first set of tags
You could also die cut tag shapes, use a template, cut simple tags shapes manually or use ready made tags.
I used 160gsm high density white card for mine, so they were not very thick.
Next I stamped on a simple Christmassy greeting. My stamp was from a set given free with a craft magazine last Christmas. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink, but coloured ink would also look great.
Then I used two rolls of cheap Christmas sticking tape. I got mine in my local Wilco but you can buy it in many shops at this time of year. Mine is shiny, but washi tape would work just fine too.
I put down a bit of the red and white diagonal tape, which I also cut diagonally. Then layered a short piece of the Christmas tree motif tape partially over the top. I trimmed any bits that were sticking out.
Next I squeezed a thin line of gold glitter glue above the tape. Put it somewhere safe to dry, glitter glue can take an hour or two to dry properly, and goes everywhere if you get anything on it before it is dry.
I used Glitz It glitter glue from DoCrafts which is amazing value and looks lovely. You have to have some bling at Christmas, don’t you?
On the reverse I stamped a To and From, and a little rope motif that happened to be on the same sheet of stamps as the To and From. To make the stamping quick and easy I laid the stamps out on the tag, then pressed my acrylic block on top to pick them up. Then I inked and stamped them as if they were one bigger stamp.
And now my tags are all ready to string onto some red and green baker’s twine, or perhaps paper ribbon, and tie to my parcels. I will write the names of the recipient etc with a Zig Millennium pen.
You could embellish these tags more if you have time. You could add a bit of colour with alcohol markers, or edge the tag with an ink pad for a bit more definition.
You could also add little 3d embellishments such as buttons, beads or mini wooden shapes. The stamping could be embossed for a bit of dimension.