By Judi Kauffman for Elizabeth Craft Designs
Judi Kauffman is back with a batch of tags she calls Deco Delight, named after the new Elizabeth Craft Designs die set Tags & More 2 – Deco. Tell us more, Judi!
Thanks for inviting me back as today’s Guest Designer, Joset. Whenever I get on a roll in the studio I let projects take shape in my usual ‘By the Batch’ method. I’m madly in love with Tags & More 2 – Deco, so it was easy to keep going and going.
I started with the six tags that incorporate Kraft brown/dark brown 2-sided natural fiber cardstock – one with a pocket and five flat.
That led to a sheet of handmade paper and another pocket tag.
And that, in turn, led to the two tags that have more of a mixed media look (dark brown at the top, collage for the body of the tag, and dimensional flowers).
DESIGN STRATEGIES
Here are some design strategies to help kick start your tag projects:
* Six inches is a nice length for tags; experiment to choose your favorite dimensions. Samples shown range from 5” to 6.25”.
* Cut a longer tag if you plan to make a fold-up pocket. The pocket can be straight across or die cut for a decorative shape.
* Use the small label-shape die to cut side pieces for the pockets. They are both decorative and functional. Folded in half over the side of the tag, these pieces help keep the pocket secured.
* Cut reinforcements, corners, and label shapes from Shimmer Sheetz that has been altered with alcohol inks for a mottled effect. Back with Elizabeth Craft Designs’ NEW Transparent Double Sided Adhesive Sheet before die cutting and don’t forget to use the Metal Adaptor Plate! (The cutting side of the die faces the Adaptor Plate, Shimmer Sheetz is between the two – these layers go inside your machine’s cutting ‘sandwich’.)
* Embellish tags with a mix of:
a. Dimensional or flat elements like flowers, seashells or leaf peel-offs (on alcohol ink-altered Shimmer Sheetz, patterned paper)
b. Die cut Shimmer Sheetz or cardstock flowers (with leafing flakes for subtle sparkle and pattern)
c. Pre-printed sentiments
d. Peel-off or die cut sentiments
e. Torn paper collage
f. Use reinforcement shapes as decorative elements (hearts on ‘Love’ tag).
g. Save the scraps – leftover circles from reinforcements work as corner elements (‘So Very Thankful’ tag with seashells), as well as for flower centers and more.
* Look for Els van de Burgt’s YouTube video about Tags & More die sets, coming soon, to learn more about how these amazingly versatile dies work! (Scroll back through the Elizabeth Craft Designs Blog for more projects and tutorials featuring Tags & More.)
SUPPLIES
Elizabeth Craft Designs –
503 Transparent Double Sided Adhesive Tape Sheets
7018 Glitter Dots Peel-offs in assorted colors
Shimmer Sheetz in assorted colors
Peel-offs in various styles including 0437 Leaves, 2579 Crystal Flowers and 2575 Seashells
Dies in various styles including 730 Curvy Leaves, 729 Bunch of Flower 2 and 924 Crystal Flower Set 1
Other –
Jolie Collection die cut cardstock sentiments (Anna Griffin)
Leafing Flakes (IndigoBlu)
Alcohol inks in assorted colors, ink applicator tool (Ranger)
Cardstock, patterned paper, handmade paper
Foam dots
Adhesive-backed pearls and gems
Great tips…thank you! These are gorgeous…just stunning!!
Gorgeous tags and many great ideas! Those tag die cuts are super cool!
Great tag ideas, Judi! thanks for inspiring all of us.
these tags are gorgeous! thanks so much.
Many thanks – I’m so glad this batch of tags has been a hit! I ended my Sunday with another using Tags & More 2 – Deco, but this time two shades of pink and black, more feminine. I’ll share via the Elizabeth Craft Designs Facebook page. Hard to stop (they’re like potato chips).
I love the earthy tones you used. The metallic flakes are a nice addition. They really turned out nice.
I love the pocket!
What a great variety of fabulous ideas and techniques. Love your creativity, Judi!
So delightfully gorgeous and easy TFS
Thank you for the enthusiastic and positive comments! And a big thank you to Joset for letting me put so many projects into one blog post – For anyone who has not tried leafing flakes: Die cut a flower from cardstock that has double sided adhesive sheet on one side, expose the adhesive and use leafing flakes instead of Silk Microfine glitter, polish with a finger and save the extra flakes… (SO EASY and so gorgeous – Els made that flower and gave it to me for a present, I added the pearl…).
GORGEOUS! LOVE the tag dies and they really really really need to come live with me!! Thanks for the inspiration and for being an enabler! LOL
Out of this world ideas ! ! ! Love every one of them & THANK YOU FOR SHARING ! ! !
Such a great variety of tags. Thank you.
So many great ideas, Judi! What a pretty collection of tags.
The fold over tags would work nicely for gift cards. Love the earthy colors and textures. Thanks, Judi for more beautiful inspiration.