It is certainly the season to be thankful so just in time for the holiday, I created this thankful tag book. The idea is that while your family is gathered for the holiday, each person writes down what they are thankful for. It becomes a wonderfully treasured album to look back through each year!
The pages on the inside of the album are made from Tag Envelopes (one for each year) and each envelope contains tags for each member of the family to write on (you can click on any photo, for a larger view).
To start, I inked the Tag Envelope with Broken China Distress ink on the areas the patterned paper wouldn't cover (since the Webster's Petite Paper is 6" and the Tag Envelope is 6.50", not including the flap):
Then I lined the inside of the envelope flap and covered the outside of the envelope with patterned paper (Webster's Postcards/Cherry Pie Petite Papers). Here are each of the tags I created for my family:
Basic instructions will follow; these are the inks I used on each tag:
Tag 1 (Gary) - Broken China, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Espresso (Lined Paper), Stream (dandelion)
Tag 2 (Alix) - Worn Lipstick, Dusty Concord, Fired Brick, Watermelon (Writer's Block), Purple Twilight (flowers)
Inks:
Tag 3 (Sharon) - Tattered Rose, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Espresso (Lined Paper), Cranberry (flowers)
Tag 4 (Alyssa) - Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy (on tag edges & Writer's Block), Terra Cotta (flower)
The basic steps for each tag are:
Step 1 - Using first ink, add color on about half the tag (in whatever pattern you'd like), using Ink Blending Tool.
Step 2 - Add next ink to the remaining uninked area.
Step 3 - Add darkest color to edges of tag.
Step 4 - Stamp journaling lines (I used Writer's Block and Lined Paper backgrounders) onto tag with Adirondack dye ink.
Step 5 - Stamp flowers (I used Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I & II) in a contrasting color, using dye ink.
Step 6 - Add name and year with label maker.
Step 7 - Tie ribbon through tag hole (Webster's Classic Trim and Holiday/Winter Trim).
I used the back side of each tag, too, so we'll just have two tags in each year's envelope (which will keep the book not quite as thick). But you could make separate tags for each person, if you think they'll have a lot to write!
For my cover, I used Craft-A-Board and cut it to mimic the tag envelope shape. It ended up measuring approximately 8.25" long and 4" tall. I covered it in more Webster's Petite Papers (Magical Wishes/Sweet Life) and stamped Kim Hughes' "thankful hearts" (from Fall Silhouettes) in the center of the cover (with Cranberry Adirondack dye ink). Then I cut out the bird from another piece of this paper pad and added it with foam tape to the center circle.
More of Webster's wonderful trim (brown lace from the Classic trim package) finishes off the cover. Then I bound it with my Bind-It-All, using 1/2" Antique Brass wire. I know we will enjoy looking back through this book each year and reading what each person was thankful for. Having two young children, this will no doubt prove a bit hilarious at times! But wonderful to see it in their own handwriting. We can also tuck some photos of the day inside the envelope, too.
If you happen to not celebrate Thanksgiving, you could always make this book and use it year round -- maybe having an envelope for each month and writing what you were thankful for that month.
We are thankful for YOU coming to visit us today (and every other day of the year!) and hope you are enjoying the store's anniversary celebration this week before enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with your families next week. Take care!
Stamps: CHF Backgrounders Writer's Block & Lined Paper. Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I & II, Fall Silhouettes
Paper: Large Manilla Tag #8, Webster's Petite Pages-Postcards/Cherry Pie & Magical Wishes/Sweet Life
Ink: Ranger Distress Inks: Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy, Broken China, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Worn Lipstick, Dusty Concord. Adirondack dye inks: Terra Cotta, Espresso, Stream, Cranberry, Watermelon, Purple Twilight
Accessories: Craft-A-Board, Ranger Ink Blending Tool, Tag Envelopes, Webster's Classic Trim and Holiday/Winter Trim, Bind-It-All, Bind-It-All 1/2" Antique Brass Owire
