here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

another fun gift...

happy holidays & here's another thanks for being blog friends...

this is another quick...
handmade gift idea...

start with a 4 inch length of tim's new trimmings...
the ruffled one...

wet it with water, then drop it into a sandwich bag & add 2 or 3 drops of espresso pigment ink reinker, & squish it around to alter the trimmings color...

when dry, stamp it with the polka dot stamp, using coffee archival...
let dry...

(every time I type RE-INKER, this machine changes it to reindeer & makes me laugh)

your trimming should look like this...
much more vintage...

or as dear Rick said...
"how did you make it look dirty?"...

it's all a matter of perspective...and choosing the right words!


use tim's new tag die to cut a tag & reinforcer from grungeboard...

use a scrap of grungeboard to cut just the top portion of the tag again...
it's about an inch tall...

since this is for a tote bag or camera case...
I wanted a smaller tag, so I cut the tag down to 4 1/2 inches tall...

here's a little tip...
if you lay the extra tag top upside down on the bottom of the tag, you can easily cut the corners for a perfect match to the top corners...

cut out & ink with vintage photo distress ink...
ink the back too, since a portion of the back will be visible when it's assembled...

use the blending tool & butterscotch pigment ink to ink the tag & extra tag top...
make sure to ink the back of the large tag too...

add some vintage photo distress ink around the edges to distress...

ink the reinforcer with forest moss using the blending tool...

use coffee archival & this text stamp to lightly stamp the tag...

use the scallop stamp with jet black archival to stamp the scallop about one inch from the top of the tag...

measure the exact stamping location with the extra tag top to make sure it's not going to be covered up...

use coffee archival with this background to stamp the extra tag piece...

add pen stitching detail around the tag edge...

your pieces will look like this...


use jet black to stamp "vintage" 2 times @ the bottom of the tag...

use jet black to stamp the polka dot border across the center of the tag...

use a post it note to cover the lower portion of the tag & stamp the polka dots again, above the words...

stamp the flower on grungepaper, cut out & ink with stormy sky...front & back...
then stamp using jet black...
with this background stamp...

stamp the leaves 2 times on grungepaper, cut out using just 3 of the leaves...
ink with peeled paint & forest moss...
stamp over the leaves with the text and jet black...

glue the extra tag top in place...
add the reinforcer...

add the trimming to the heart...
then trim off excess for a perfect fit...

add a grunge scrap under the heart before gluing it to the left of the tag...

form & shape the flower & leaves, then glue the 3 leaves under the flower & add the accoutrement button as the flower center...
add to the left side of the heart...

some satin cord is the perfect way to add it to a tote bag...

your tag will now look like this...


and a close up...



options for the back...
you can stamp any background stamp...
or write the recipient's name...
or stamp a saying...
or write a special message...

because this is made from grungeboard, it's nice & sturdy & will last a long time...

trust me...
mine travels everywhere with me & it's still looking' good after 3 years!

so there you have it...
a quick little gift for someone special...

it's fun to give & VERY fun to make...

news flash!!!
if you want to see more holiday art...
again with instructions...

check out Ranger's blog today for another holiday project...
ah...that one was fun too!

if you'd like to leave a comment here & again on Ranger's blog...
you just never know when Rick will be packing up more goodie packages!

time to head to the studio...

I'm workin' on NEW stamps...
(and art parts too)
so we can...

make art!
wendy

77 comments:

Kate said...

Lovely gift, oo and new stamps coming too!


** Kate **

lesleyworth said...

such a fab idea for a gift! you have given me a great idea for some items for co-workers! new stamps! WOOHOOO!

Artyjen said...

Sweet tag....Thanks for the how to :)
xoxo Sioux

Stephanie said...

That tag is darling! I love the design and the heart! The ribbon altered looks terrific! Very cute!! Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial!

Helen said...

Another gorgeous tag, love that ruffle. The Ranger art today is fab too. Already commented there... have a great day

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Fabulous tag Wendy, love the ruffly trim and your treatment of it :-)
Anne xx

Kathy Eddy said...

This is so lovely I wouldn't want to give it away. LOL I may have to try a few of these.

Lorraine said...

Gorgeous! I love seeing your creations. To me, they are works of art! Thanks for sharing!

dblanken said...

What a great gift idea - once again you did a wonderful job.

octlove said...

Luv the 'vintage' look you have given the ribbon. I must admit that I have been stockpiling it, plus I grabbed up a whole bunch of snaps, since you showed me their possibilities & they are no longer available…score!

Dorothy said...

Great vintage look Wendy!

rhonda said...

I so look forward to seeing what you make,thank you for sharing your awesome talent with us!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Luv this GF, what a great idea, I know exactly who I'll make this for, thanks. Just all the Wendy touches, perfect! Also luv the calendar at Ranger! xxoo

Martha Richardson said...

Such inspiration...

Larajc said...

love your tag! It would be pretty on almost any gift!

Lillian Child said...

This is a whole lotta creative goodness - your tutorials are so easy to follow. Hoping Santa fills my stocking with Studio 490 and Ranger products for 2011 creativity!

Unknown said...

Love the tag, and never thought they would hold up on luggage pieces. I will have to try it out. Thanks for the inspiration!

bruss said...

Love your style, and the way you have cut down the tag to make layers. Really fun! You are inspiring.

Cim Allen said...

I love it !! The ribbon looks so pretty "dirty" :) Thanks for another great idea !

Jenna said...

Dirty is good!!!

Chirpin Is Fun said...

love the smaller tag! New stamps are exciting too!

Liz in MO said...

Very, very,.very cool. I don't get the reindeer comment???? huh???? I'm confused. Love your ideas!

Juel said...

You have made my morning just a little bit better with such a wonderful tag!

bthomas141@tampabay.rr.com said...

Such a stylish and useful tag! Perfect for a suitcase, making your's easy to identify. Thanks for sharing.

Marissa said...

Such a great tag! I love the colors you used. My guy always searches for the right words too. Last night he said the paper ornaments I was making were "nice" but maybe not as "substantial" as he would normally think of an ornament so he would have to "repurpose" it. :)

Primitive Seasons said...

Wendy such a quick and simple idea and it turned out so fab! Love the idea of altering the trim. SOOOO cool! You are the best!

Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

Diana said...

okay.. so i have to confess.. i LOVE your art.... i know you already have heard that millions of times i am sure.. but my confession is i was forced to share your talent with others. i have been keeping you a secret from my scrappy friends.... no more.. i just couldn't do it!!!!

man i hate sharing sometimes (LOL)

i adore your work!!!! thank you for inspiring us

Lori said...

Great idea, as always! Love it, and will definitely have to put it on the "to do" list.. lol..

Marijane said...

Oh boy, a double dose of Wendy today!!! I can't wait to make my own luggage tag. So cool and will really make my bag easy to spot....and what a great gift for friends that travel.

To Liz in Mo...I think when Wendy types reinker (which is often) her spell check (in it's infinite wisdom) changes it to reindeer. At least thats what I think. It confused me too at first.

Unknown said...

I love that tag, Wendy.

Annette Goodey said...

A really great idea making a most acceptable gift. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa Somerville said...

Wonderful vintage tag, love what you've done with the ribbon!

Kathy said...

Great Projects on yours and Rangers Blog site. wonderful inspirations for the holidays.

Babsarella said...

Love this great idea!!! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!!

Linda R said...

Yes Rick (Mr. Elf) we like everything to look grungy and dirty. New stamps - YES - means more background stamps - means NEW BOOK - keep working Wendy (Mrs. Elf) we can't wait to see what you are up to.

SusanK said...

Hmmm...I sense an art overload this month! But what a fun way to be creative and share with others! Cool tag and love the Advent Calendar!

Debby said...

Cool tag! You could add an envelope or something to the back to maybe create a gift card holder? Will have to see..... Thanks for the ideas.

sue said...

What a great idea. I thinking everyone I know has a camera bag.
Thanks!

Karen said...

Great idea for a gift! You could really personalize it. Beautiful vintage look too. The "dirty" vs "vintage" made me laugh!

Becky T. said...

Thanks, Wendy, you are the best!! I love it! :-)

~* steph :) *~ said...

love your tag, wendy! wowee, it's packed with awesome techniques. the results are beautiful. love the idea of using grunge board to make it sturdy! thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day! *hugs* steph :)

Sandi M said...

Adorabel tag Wendy - that ruffle adds so much!

Meme said...

I love dirty stuff! Super fun tag! Love that trim!

Tona said...

Love it! I especially like how you dirtied up the ribbon ;)

slbt17 said...

Lovely tag! are you considering doing a 12 tags of Christmas too?
Thanks for all the inspiration Wendy ...
Sandra

Dawnll said...

Oh I love the dirty method- lol
I have some older ribbon that looks like this but still looks to new- perfect.

Julie said...

Sweet tag! Great info on making a tag and having the corners match! How many times I have tried to wing it making a tag and the corners don't match up! Ugh!!

Kat said...

Hi wendy,
another grate piece of art,

OOOOOOOOOOHH!!! the mention of you working on new stamps,
makes me want to wet myself with excitement (not literally but you know what I mean)lol
can't wait to see them.
Kat x.

Karen Goulet said...

I love grungeboard! This is a very sweet tag and a wonderful idea for a gift. Thanks Wendy!

Holly said...

Fabulous as always!! I love your instructions, you are wonderfully detailed! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

So neat. Love the tag and love all my things with the "dirty" look. Thanks for sharing the how to.

Louise

Renee said...

Super cute...and for whatever reason just reminded me of the coasters you did last year....gotta find that post!

Thanks!

Hels Sheridan said...

Totally awe inspiring art as ever Wendy... thank YOU for all the inspiration you give me... LOVE your art! I now can barely contain this excitement cos I just read you are doing NEW art parts... I LOVE art parts, they are THE BEST!!!! Have a grand day x

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is amazing, I love it!

Vic said...

I love it! What a great gift.

Nancy S said...

I love the tag! There are so many ways to take your ideas and style and make them our own. Thanks Wendy, for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

luv this cute gift idea...many travelers in our family...wish I was one of them!ha! and I totally am CASEing the one off Rangers blog..I know you won't mind ..cuz its so stinkin cute! another fabulous Ranger duo lol
xo cher

jan metcalf said...

New stamps before I tire of the vintage stamps?

Heidi Mireles said...

I love your tag. I need to buy your third book. I love your style. I guess I better go shopping.

Kim Costello said...

You had me at grungeboard tag, yum!!! FANTASTIC! Such creative and inspiring art I love the aged and 'dirty' trim, nice idea to stamp on it too!!! Gorgeous tag and ooooh loooking forward to the NEW stamps and art parts!
HuGs Kim :)

funkycrafter said...

lovely project. tough and girly at the same time. i can see doing the leathery looking and using masculine embellishments and giving it to guys as a luggage tag or whatever.

Marilyn L. said...

Thanks for sharing your projects with us. Wish I had the time to make art all day long!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

redmom said...

What a great little gift idea!! And I'm glad to hear that the grungeboard holds up so well!

Brenda B said...

OMG...did somebody say NEW STAMPS....can't wait Wendy!
And I also love your tag. I am always looking for an unique thingy for my luggage...going to definitely make my own luggage tag! Thanks for the great idea!

Angie Linton said...

Love this! I'm sure I won't have any time to make anything else for Christmas but I think something like this would be sweet for little Valentine's gifts. I love making little things for my family and a few friends for other holidays randomly. I don't do it every year or for the same holiday so it's always a little surprise and unexpected.

Tara Carpenter said...

I love the tag I want to make one for all my luggage!!! My hubby keeps telling me I have lost it but he would no longer complain that our bags look like everyone elses at the airport. Thanks again for helping get me out of the box

Anonymous said...

Well,that is just the cutest little gift! I must make it for all the travelers on my Christmas list......thanks for the inspiration!!!!!

jill j said...

I love the project! It will be perfect for all my little travelers! I really enjoy your blog.....it is so inspirational!!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Your tag is fabulous!

Dianal said...

Love this tag Wendy ... what a great idea with the ribbon .... love the dots on it now .. you've inspired me, I'm off to make ART!!!

Art By Wanda said...

I love the holiday ideas you give us before Christmas!!! This is wonderful!!! And your project on the Ranger blog is wonderful too!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to write out all the directions!!!!

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

Fab looking tag! So funny what Rick asked...how did you make it look dirty? LOL!

Kim said...

Cute tag...dirty ribbon and all!! lol I am heading over to the Ranger blog now to check out your project!! Thanks for all of the cute gift ideas :)

Linda Kay said...

Loved both projects! You just ooze creativity Wendy! Can't wait to see the new stamps! Life certainly isn't dull with your Rick around!

Kaye said...

Oh, Wendy, so lovely! The new ribbon is gorgeous...on tomorrow's shopping list! Thanks for sharing.

jill j said...

What a cute project and a perfect little stocking stuffer for the travelers on my Christmas list! Thanks as always for the great ideas!