Silver Snowflake Tag

Here's the final tag that I created for Christmas last year.  It's definitely one of my favorites.  I can never resist sparkle!

I cut the tag using Royal Velvet cardstock and the Berry Wreath Tag die from Papertrey Ink.  I sponged Royal Velvet ink all around the edges to add texture and depth.  I cut the gorgeous snowflake using the Pieced Snowflakes die from My Favorite Things.  It's sized perfectly for this tag.  Don't you just love that silver glitter paper?

For my sentiment, I cut a white banner from the Tag Sale: Quilted dies by Papertrey Ink and stamped on it in Royal Velvet ink.  The sentiment is from Merry Little Christmas, an old set by Papertrey Ink.  After that, all I had to add was white ribbon.

I hope you have enjoyed my series of these five Christmas tag designs!  It's always a joy to make them each year.  (when I don't wait until the last minute, of course)  I'm glad I got them done in time!

Stamps:  Merry Little Christmas (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Royal Velvet (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Royal Velvet (Papertrey Ink); Silver Glimmer (Stampin' Up)
Misc:  Berry Wreath Tag die, Tag Sale: Quilted die  (Papertrey Ink); Pierced Snowflakes die (My Favorite Things)

Bunny in a Tangle Tag

Isn't this image fun?  It's from the All is Bright stamp set by the Cat's Pajamas.  It probably wasn't the smartest idea to pick this one when I was pressed for time, but I couldn't resist it paired with this funny sentiment from Dear Santa by Avery Elle.

I stamped the bunny on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers.  Remember that I make four tags of each design!  It's an annual mystery tags tradition that I have done with my kids for years.  Since three of my kids are now adults and only one is left at home, it's one tradition that will end eventually.  (sniff)  It was so awesome to have everyone together for Christmas last year!

I stamped the sentiment in black ink and then mounted my white square onto a Pure Poppy cardstock tag cut with the Tag Sale: Quilted die by Papertrey Ink.  I don't think you can see it well in the photos, but I added Glossy Accents on each lightbulb.  I love the extra dimension it gives them!

This time, I used silver ribbon to finish the tag.  Stay tuned for the final tag tomorrow!

Stamps:  All is Bright (The Cat's Pajamas); Dear Santa (Avery Elle)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Paper:  White, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Copic:  0, C1, E30, E42, E44, R20, R29, BV29, YR18, B05, YG17
Misc:  Tag Sale: Quilted die (Papertrey Ink); Glossy Accents; silver ribbon

Bell Tag

On to the third tag design!  I pulled out an old Papertrey Ink set called Bells and Boughs for this one.  I embossed the two bells in gold and stamped the bow in Pure Poppy ink.  I just had to use classic colors!

I used the Tag Sale #4 die by Papertrey Ink with Kraft cardstock for my base.  It's one of my favorite dies.  I sponged it with Sweet Tooth ink to soften the edges.  I stamped a sentiment from Winter Scripty Sayings by Lawn Fawn across the bottom in black ink.

For my greenery, I cut Pinefeather cardstock using the Funky Floral #1 dies by Tim Holtz.  I love this pine sprig and wish it had a twin that curved the other way.  I improvised by simply bending the paper to lay the way I wanted.  I tied on some gold ribbon to finish the tag.

Stamps:  Bells & Boughs (Papertrey Ink); Winter Scripty Sayings (Lawn Fawn)
Ink:  VersaMark; Onyx Black (VersaFine); Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink); Sweet Tooth (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Kraft, White, Pinefeather (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Bells & Boughs dies (Papertrey Ink); Funky Floral #1 dies (Tim Holtz Alterations); Tag Sale #4 die (Papertrey Ink); gold embossing powder

Snowflake Ornament Tag

This tag design was fun to make and didn't actually involve stamping at all.  I've had these Stitched Ornaments dies by Lawn Fawn for a while, so it was definitely time to break them in!

I cut the ornament from Hawaiian Shores cardstock and adhered a silver glitter paper topper.  I don't have the snowflake dies from Lawn Fawn that are sized perfectly for these ornament dies (yet), so I used a small die from Stylish Snowflakes by My Favorite Things.

I used the tiny silver glitter paper circle left from cutting the topper in the center of the snowflake and then added little dots of Frosted Lace Stickles around the central design.  White ribbon finished off the tag nicely.

Paper:  Hawaiian Shores, White (Papertrey Ink); Silver Glimmer (Stampin' Up)
Misc:  Stitched Ornaments dies (Lawn Fawn); Stylish Snowflakes dies (My Favorite Things); Frosted Lace (Stickles)

Tree Tag

We spent Christmas away from home last year.  Since my daughter Melody was graduating from BYU-Idaho on Dec 19th and my oldest son Matthew and his wife Meghan were expecting a baby on Dec 25th, it just made sense to stay in Utah for the holidays.  It was the first time we've all been together for Christmas in three years.  It's all this mom wanted!  Benjamin got home from his mission last November and it was wonderful to have him home.  We left him behind in Utah after the holidays so he could start college at BYU there in Provo.  He's lucky to have his older brother nearby.  Our little grandson Elliott was born a week early on Dec 18th so we got to spend lots of time with him before coming back.  This grandmother wishes they weren't so far away!

Anyway, I didn't get my Christmas tags made until the day before we left for our trip.  Talk about last minute!  This year I made five sets of tags.  I finally took pictures of them yesterday and will be posting them all over the next few days.  Here's the first design.

I cut a tag from Early Espresso cardstock using the Tag Builder Blueprints 2 dies from My Favorite things and layered a piece of Candlelight Chrsitmas paper on top.  I added a little Early Espresso over the tag hole as well.

I embossed the sentiment from Tag-Its #8 by Papertrey Ink with white embossing powder.  After stamping the tree from Chalet by Avery Elle, I colored it with Copic markers and cut it out by hand.  Then I put White Blizzard Nuvo Drops on the tree for some sparkle.  I adhered the tree to the tag and tied on some gold ribbon for the final touch.

Stamps:  Chalet (Avery Elle); Tag-Its #8 (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  VersaMark
Paper:  Early Espresso, Candlelight Christmas (Stampin' Up)
Copic:  C3, YG23, YG25, E44, E59
Misc:  Tag Builder Blueprints 2 dies (My Favorite Things); White Blizzard (Nuvo Crystal Drops); gold Wink of Stella pen; white embossing powder (Filigree); gold ribbon

Arcos Wrap Bracelet

I love to make things.  If fear didn't get in the way so often, my whole home and wardrobe would be handmade things.  I've been wanting to try bead-weaving for years.  If you don't believe me, just look at my bookshelf full of jewelry magazines such as Bead & Button, BeadStyle, and BeadWork.  I've daydreamed about it for ages.  I really admire all the beautiful jewelry designs.

I subscribe to Potomac Bead's channel on Youtube and when the Arcos Wrap Bracelet popped up, I immediately saved the link.  I loved the design and it looked simple enough for a beginner like me.  After stalling for months, I finally ordered the beads and took the plunge.  It was super easy to make!

I love how the design hints of butterflies.  I picked some gorgeous mottled blue/silver beads for my project.  I made the wrap bracelet twice, once for myself and once for my sister as a birthday gift.  She really loves bracelets and knew it would be a fun surprise for her when we went to visit family in August.

Well...technically, I made it three times.  When I gave it to my sister, it was just a bit too short.  I added an additional motif repeat and that solved the problem.  Glad it was an easy pattern!

Of course, I had to make a pretty gift box to hold the bracelet.  I used the same design as the one for my mom, just in different colors.  (see the previous post for more details)

Now I just need to pick my next bead project!  I had planned to make my mom a necklace and earrings set for Christmas, but completely ran out of time.  Life was pretty busy last year!

Stamps:  Hardwood (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Blueberry Sky (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Cocoa Bean, Blueberry Sky (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Gerbera Daisy dies (My Favorite Things)

Two Earring Designs...Double the Fun

I've had these two earring designs photographed since last August when I made them for my mother's birthday.  It's about time I got on here and posted them!  Look for several additional posts this week as I catch up with some of last year's projects.

I purchased a strand of lovely floral circle beads at either Michaels or A.C. Moore and they were languishing in my bead drawer for months.  I made simple earrings with the addition of some tiny clear crystal faceted beads.  I love this design and need to make a pair for myself!

I made an additional pair of earrings using some cool mottled green beads that I bought at A.C. Moore a couple of years ago.  I strung them with simple silver ball spacers.  Both earrings have a great summer vibe.  My mom really liked them!

Naturally, I had to create some packaging to gift the earrings, so I pulled out a nugget box pattern I got from Splitcoaststampers.  The depth is perfect for earrings once you add a little batting.

I stamped the Cocoa Bean cardstock in Dark Chocolate ink with the Hardwood background stamp from Stampin' Up.  It's one of my favorites!  I cut a layered flower from Raspberry Fizz cardstock using the Gerbera Daisy dies from My Favorite Things.  I then inked the edges to define the petals, as well as the flower center, using the matching inks.  Simple, but it makes a striking box.

Stamps:  Hardwood (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Cocoa Bean, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Gerbera Daisy dies (My Favorite Things)