Angelic tag tutorial

With a mountain of gift wrapping waiting, I wanted to add some handmade gift tags to my supply stash for easier wrapping.

 

No red and green here ~ something a little nontraditional in color ~ lavender and white.

 

 

 

Actually, it was quite a happy accident.

My toner cartridge was running out of ink and produced lavender images.

I loved the look and decided to keep them.

 

 

To make these, start with regular shipping tags from your local office supply store.

Brush a layer of gesso over them.

It does not have to be perfect - thick or thin layers - have fun with it!

 

Next, brush Tattered Angels Glimmer glaze (tinsel town) over the tag.

I also brushed some over the dress of the angel image.

 

 

Apply Stickles {crystal} to the angel wings.

 

It is hard to see the shimmer of the Glimmer Glaze here.

Can you see a bit of the texture?

Gesso is great for that!

 

 

While those are drying, grab a stash of trim, tulle, feathers

and some dyed coffee filters.

 

I used easter egg dye on these.

Also, if you scrunch the coffee filters while they are wet, they will leave a nice crinkled textured.

 

Die cut or hand cut wings from the coffee filters.

 

 

Snip some book page scraps to adhere to random spots on your tag.

 

Once the book page scrap is on, apply the coffee filter wing to one side.  Layer a smaller feather on top of the wing.

 

Add some dimensional stickers to the back of the image and adhere the image to your tag. 

 

I looped some tulle and white tinsel then tied them both with vintage lace.

 

With a stash of kraft bags and tags, you will have your gifts wrapped in no time!

 

 

Happy wrapping!

xo's ~ Heidi

The librarian's lament

Pull up chair, grab your fave beverage . . .

(I am having Diet Cherry Coke, love love love)

Do you ever notice that anything tastes better when sipped from a vintage glass?

The Dutch girl is one of my favorites.

What have you been up to?

And me?  I have been upcycling (torturing) some books.

I needed some decorative books but have not had time to go shopping for the right color.

(funny, but yes, I shop books for either content or decorative properties, I can't help it).

In the spirit of "getting things done", I decided to makeover my books with a swipe of the paintbrush.

Yeah, I could have just covered them with paper but I didn't want to go shopping for that either when I have a paint brush and paint right here.

Here is what I had to start with.

(not quite the look I was going for)

By the way, these are also my project books.

Project books?  Yes, the ones I . . . um . . . tear pages out of for any random project.

Have I mentioned I love storing art supplies in the open if I can make it look pretty?

Gesso, I love you.

Even though gesso is a prep medium, I love it as a paint.

(a little more toothy and rough)

I gessoed both books.

You will notice the gesso could not keep some of the dye in the red book from seeping through.

I don't mind though, I love pink! (this is more of a peachy pink)

As I am writing this post, a thought occurred to me.

You could stamp or paint words on the binding to coordinate with your decor.

Or for each season even.  Gesso, paint, repeat.

Much better, don't you think?

Wishing everyone a great week!

xo's ~ Heidi

Cutie Pie Couture

Do you have a special cutie pie you would like to make a gift for?

or maybe even a grown up version for yourself {wink, wink}?

Here is a somewhat simple rosette you can make not only as a pin/hair clip but also as a bow for cute gift packaging!

Gather your supplies:

Fabric

Fabric scrap for center

Needle and thread

Circle template of your choice (Nestibilities, Cricket, margarine tub cover)

Fabric scissors or pinking shears

Beads or button for center

Pin, hair clip and felt for back

I know this fabric is a little springy ~ use what you have if you want to reduce

your stash.  Have an old outfit your cutie pie can't wear anymore?  Upcycle it by using the fabric, buttons and trims for your projects.

 My cutie pie loves pink so lime green paislies and pink it is!

I chose pinking shears because I love the sawtooth look.

(see the fringe on my previous post?  I {heart} my pinking shears!)

Very important!  The circle template you choose will be the diameter of the finished product so consider that when choosing your template.

I chose a spool of ribbon.

I folded my fabric at least twice to reduce my cutting time.

Use a pencil {I like the mechanical kind} to trace around your template onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Can you see the line?

It does not have to be dark or complete, just enough for you to follow when cutting.

Use your pinking shears or cutting shears and follow the pencil line.

Cut out 7 circles.

Lay the first circle on your workspace (right side up).  This will be your base.

Pick up another circle and fold in half (wrong sides touching wrong sides)

Fold in half again to make a pie slice.

Next, pin your pie slice to the base.

{are you still hanging with me?  ;-)  }

Fold the next circle into a pie slice and place it under the flap of the first pie slice {about half or a quarter to the inside}.  Pin in place.

Add more pie slices, pinning as you go.

{are you starting to see the cutie pie fluff?}

Once all of your pie slices are nested and pinned, tack down each pie slice towards the point or center of your brooch.

Next, add your fabric scrap to the center.

I used a little bit of lace.

Then, stitch your beads or button to the center.

Finish off by adding felt and pin and/or hairclip to the back. 

So cutie pie sweet!

Don't forget!  If you make hair clips you can clip them to your gift bag for

a one-of-a-kind gift packaging.

If you hit any bumps in the road, you are welcome to contact me

at sugahbeez@bellsouth.net and I will be happy to help.

Thanks for visiting me to day Sugahs!

Have a wonderful day!

xo's ~ Heidi