Tag concertina

This tiny tag concertina is a fast little make that can be tucked in an envelope along with a greeting for that extra surprise and smile.    

To create:

1. Wet watercolor paper with a brush or spritz with water. 

2.  Brush on Brea-Reese glitter ink. The micro glitter sparkles leaves a nice shimmer (which is hard to detect in the photographs). 

3. Experiment with wet on wet, dripping more ink on wet areas.  

4. Add highlights by dipping  a clean brush and plain water.  The plain water will “erase” or lighten the color.

5. Allow drying time. Use a die cut or a tag punch to make tags.  Position your punch to capture the most interesting part of your painting.   

6.  Add your stamped or digistamp images and some text.  Attach the tags with strips of washi tape or scrapbook paper strips with a glue stick. 

Create a stack of tags for later use.  Can also be cute as gift tags, hang tags on wine bottles or attached to a cellophane bag of goodies.  

Simple tags, clean and easy

One of my favorite quotes is from artist Joan Miro.

"The simplest things give me ideas." 

How true.  And I like keeping it simple. 

 

Here is a simple tag tutorial for the beginner stamper or just for a little creative pick-me-up. 

 

Recipe for simple tags:

 

•         Small  pieces of white card stock (3” x 5”)
•         Colorful scraps of paper and ribbon
•         Glue stick
•         Rubber stamps (these are all from Stampotique)
•         Copic markers or color tools of choice
•         Hole punch/ grommets if desired

 

Select a scrap of paper and trim to create edge of tag.  Glue in place.  For an option add an additional layer of paper and or ribbon. 

 

Stamp an  image on the tag.

 

Use the paper to guide you in color choice, add a pop of contrast or keep it monochromatic.
Punch a hole in the top center of tag, add grommet and color coordinated ribbon.  These can be further embellished but just sweet and simple as is.

 

If you want to “upcycle” repurpose the inside cover of greeting cards for your white cardstock. 

 

Make a stack of cards and set the materials out for the kids.  Decoupage a little box to store your homemade tags or package to give as a gift.   Simple?  Quite!

 

Happy Friday everyone!   J  

La Petit Boulanger

"La Petit Boulanger" has arrived in my Etsy shop!  She's been on the drawing table for some time, but I have finally managed to make a sample.  She's really pretty cute in a funky sort of way.

The little cake slice plant is a fun image in itself.  I've have made birthday gift tags with that little image alone and it works quite nicely! 

The background is a watercolor wet on wet technique, when dried it was then embossed.  The text image and other decorative elements will arrive in my shop soon.

Thanks for looking!