Silhouettes Easter Tags

by Nathalie

I wanted to share with you these Easter tags I created this morning.

Click on photo to enlarge

This is how I made them:
1/ I cut tags out of pastel cardstock scraps using a regular shipping tag as template
2/ I googled "bunny outlines" in Google Images and after resizing three I liked in my Word document, I printed them on white paper
3/ I then taped the white sheet on top of black polka dot paper (from the March TTT kit #2) and, using a craft knife, cut the outlines (into both papers at the same time) to create the silhouettes. (I do not own a die-cutting machine or bunny shaped punches but you can probably do the same thing with those tools)
4/ After creating my sentiment on the computer I printed it directly on my tags (you could use a stamp here) or you can bypass the sentiment all together, especially if you plan on using the tags on a layout.
5/ I glued the silhouettes on each tag and punched a circle in matching patterned papers to use as paper hole protectors. Punched a hole in the middle and attached some string.

Aren't they cute? :) Happy Easter!

Making your own Glimmer mist

I love Glimmer mist and love all the different colors there are to offer. Of course I do not need a big bottle of all of them so I recently learned a way to make my own mini mist. No first off I want to start with saying that I did not come up with this on my own a scrappy friend of mine taught me and then I googled it and there are all different ways to do it. This I think is the best way to do and the most reliable as it is Tim Holtz way of doing it! (So it's got to be good right?)

The supplies:

• Package of Mini Misters (by Ranger and you can find them at Micheals. You could also use a spray bottle from the travel area of a store but it would not be as fine of a mist)
• Perfect Pearls (use a coupon on these at your local craft store. I bought the metallics but they have colored ones too. Make sure it is Perfect Pearls as they already have a binder in them.)
• Ink droppers with dif colored inks (I suggest the Tim Holtz Distress ink refills. There are lots of dif colors you can choose from and then you can also use them to reink your distress ink pads. Do not use alcohol inks. Some people say they have used paint but I don't think that would work very well.)
• Water
  

The steps:

• Put 1/4 teaspoon perfect pearls in your mini mister
• Add a couple drops of ink
• Fill with water leaving about a 1/4" room at the top for air
• Swirl the mixture until combines (swirling instead of shaking helps ensure you don't clog your mister)
• Now spray to your hearts content. I used mine to make this fun tag for Christmas

Tags

Here are a couple of ideas to use up the tags from your scrap pile or inspire you to purchase or make your own.

I have seen tags used in a couple of layouts as a backdrop for large titles. Adhere three tags behind your title and then add your title on top. It's that simple. If you don't have enough tags, simply trace one of the tags on to your scrap paper and cut it out. Punch a hole at the top and now the problem is solved!! If you don't have tags you can always create your own with a ruler/straight edge (create a rectangle) and finish it by cutting off two corners at the top.

Here is an example of using tags as a backdrop:
For added inspiration you can also organize small tags in to a circle to create a sun, flower, etc.

Here's an example of how to create a sun to incorporate on your layout:
I hope you are inspired to use tags on your next layout!

Tag Ideas: transparent tags!

by Nathalie

This month, I wanted to play a little with my Transparent Touches transparencies* and I came up with the idea of making tags that would fully use their transparent aspect. You will see below what I mean. I framed (on both sides) and decorated each transparency but did not add any paper on the back of them. That way, they have a fun "see through" look (not easy to capture on photos).

Click on any image to enlarge it

They will be of great use on my kids' teacher's gifts and I hope they are giving you some ideas to use your transparencies!

* all the transparencies are available for purchase in the Transparent Touches store.

Christmas Tags

All Christmas packages need a fun tag attached saying who it's to and who it's from. Instead of using the generic stickers you can buy at the store why not make your own out of your scraps! Not only will it add a fun flair to your package but also help use up your scraps.

For my first two sets of tags I used scrap pieces of cardstock that I cut into 2.5"x3.5" rectangles and then snipped the top two corners. I added strips of patterned Christmas paper to the bottom and embellished with shapes cut from patterned paper or cut out stamped images. Then i punched holes at the top and tied with ribbons.

Tag set #1:

Tag set #2:


For the last two sets I used a to/from circle stamp that I had but this same technique could easily be done by using letter stamps and just stamping the words to/from next to each other and then using a circle punch to cut out. Or you could hand write the words or use rubons too! After wards I mounted the to/from circles to a bigger cardstock circle and then mounted that on an even bigger patterned paper circle. Then I embellished them with cut out shapes from patterned paper or cut out stamped images embellished with Stickles! Punch a hole in the top and tie with ribbon.

Tag set #3:

Tag set #4:

Can't wait to see your Holiday tags too! Post them in the Off the Page thread of the TTT Message Board.

Tag Ideas by Chrystal Riddell

I love doing this section because it always makes me stretch a my comfort zone a little bit. When crafting, I tend to think bigger is easier. A 12x12 page or even a 5x7 card is much easier for me to do than the little things.

I started by using my favorite big tag template to make an over-sized "teacher tag" that I'm sure will be used soon enough! I left the ribbon long in case it needs to be tied around something later. I found this "tag template" attached to our Christmas tree last December, and it promptly found a home on my scrap table.



Once I was motivated, I remembered that the TTT pocket blocks are just that--sized for a library pocket! This "toddler" block was the perfect fit for the wild thing chipboard. This will go in a ziploc with coordinating paper, so that next time I pull it out, I have a ready-made page embellishment!



Next time you have a few minutes, pull out some paper scraps and your transparency stash and see what you can do to get that next page jump-started. Tag, you're it!

Tag Ideas ~ Inspired by clothing tags!

by Nathalie

Recently a friend of mine challenged me to create something based on a clothing tag. I loved the idea, especially since I often keep the ones I like in my stash "just in case"... so I created a tag! Then I made another one, and another one! :)

Here are my three examples, the top one in each photo is the clothing tag and on the bottom, the tag I made based on it.

"Bracket Blocks: Thank you" transparency available here

"Halloween Thought Block" transparency available here

So before you throw away the tag from your last purchase, make sure to have a good look at it! It might bring you an idea for a card, a tag or even a page!

Tag Ideas by Chrissy

Do you have extra scraps from a fabulous TTT Kit? Well, use those scraps to make some great tags!! Here are some examples from tTT April Kit #3!

Tag Ideas

Tags by Natalie

Like me you probably have a few of those big bags full of kit leftovers and scraps. Well, as we love "to use up that stash", I was determined to use only those for this assignment. Also, instead of just making tags to embellish my pages, I thought about giving them an added purpose: to hide the journaling. Every once in a while, we all like to write details or feelings only intended for our subject... or sometimes, it's just fun to have an interactive piece on the page.

So here are my three examples of hidden journaling tags and pockets:

This one features a TTT transparency called "Friends Thought Block" available in the TTT store:
Here is all of them together:

Tag Ideas

Supplies:
MME glitter shapes
Winter patterned paper
Ribbon
TTT transparencies
Other: (stickles, buttons, etc.)

Have fun creating some wonderful, winter tags using TTT's winter words, titles, and phrases transparencies. All you need to do is adhere winter patterned paper to a pre-cut tag, embellish as you wish, and finish with a transparency!!

Here are a couple examples:

Tag Ideas by Chrystal Riddell

Next time you only have a few creative minutes and don't want to start a page, pull out your TTT transparency stash and see what catches your eye. For these little quickies, I had some die-cuts and paper scraps right next to me, so I got right to work. For the "Girl" transparency, I knew I had paper to match these die-cuts, so I wanted to make a page accent I could add to a page later. I simply layered the flower and leaf flourish, added the transparency block with glue dots, the letters and rhinestones. Voila! I knew I could always use a birthday tag accent, and this one can easily be added to the handle of a gift bag. I used a leftover phrase cut from an 8 1/2 x 11 transparency, then built the tag out of paper & ribbon scraps, die-cuts, and rhinestones. Go ahead and tie the ribbon knots loosely, that way when you're ready to use it you can untie them to attach it to the gift bag. Just write your message on the back!

Tag Ideas by Chrissy Greenman

While I was in Michigan this summer I decided to take pictures of all of the houses that reminded me of my childhood. I created this tag album to showcase those houses. I used one tag as a pattern to cut the pictures and patterned paper. I typed my memories from each house on a transparency and attached them to my album. I punched holes in each tag and attached them with a metal ring and ribbon. Then, I decorated a library card to hold my album. I love the TTT transparency on the front. It works perfectly for what the houses look like today in ’08. I also typed a description of my album on a transparency and attached it under the TTT transparency.

Tag Ideas

Tag Ideas
by Chrystal Riddell

With Summer in full swing, you probably find yourself busier than ever with kids' activities, trips to the pool, and backyard BBQ's. Here's a few quick and easy tag ideas that could be put together in 10 minutes or less. It's ok to cheat! I started one with a pre-cut tag and the other one with a die-cut journaling spot and just added leftover sticker scraps. Just a fun, fast, and easy way to make your goodies a little more personal.

The "Slice of Summer" would be just right attached to some sort of hostess gift or your favorite fruit salad.

The "Home" tag is perfect for welcoming your new neighbor with some homemade cookies. Want to add a longer message? Add it to the front of a solid cardstock base and you have an instant card!