Tags are fun projects to create. I love how they are perfect for trying out techniques and nothing says special like a custom handcrafted tag on a gift. Today I'd like to share a trio of tags that I've had fun creating lately. Each tag has been stenciled and then embellished. I love creating with stencils. Right now they are super popular but I've been a huge fan of them for years. They make the most beautiful backgrounds!
To create these tags I've used some great Ranger Manila Tags. I've used the #8 size which is 6 1/4" x 3 1/8". It's a nice large size for creating on. If you prefer smaller or larger, Ellen also stocks various other size Ranger Manila Tags. Since I was creating a trio of tags, I wanted them all to coordinate in some way so I've focused on using a similar ink palette throughout the tags. Ranger Distress Inks work really well with stencils as I love how well these inks blend together. The Distress Inks I've used are Squeezed Lemonade, Crushed Olive and Barn Red with Brushed Corduroy to ink the edges.
The first tag I create was this lovely poppy tag. In Canada we celebrate Remembrance Day on November 11th each year. The poppy is a prominent symbol of remembrance and the gorgeous Poppy Fragments Stencil is just so stunning!
You'll notice this stencil is not a full background but rather, a single image. To use it just hold in place and carefully sponge ink over and around the poppy stencil. I've repeated it three times on this tag.
The softly inked poppies are just so pretty I wanted to keep this design to the minimum. Buttercup Liquid Pearls make the perfect subtle accent to the flower centers and add a pretty sheen and dimension to the design. Simply squeeze dots of Liquid Pearls where you want them and allow to dry.
Next up is the second tag I created. I love this Woodgrain Stencil by Tim Holtz. Woodgrain is such a perfect and timeless pattern and just by changing the color you can make it masculine or feminine in style. For this tag I've sponged on Crushed Olive and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks. I usually use at least two colors of ink when stenciling as it gives it more depth and interest.
Finally, my last tag. I love this Memory Box Pop Dots stencil. So pretty! I've taped this stencil down as it's much easier to stencil if you do so. I'm not sure if you can tell in the photo, but this stencil does not quite cover the bottom of the tag.
You can see better here once I've removed the stencil. It leaves a white section at the bottom of the tag. The challenge was to figure out how to deal with this section as I didn't want to just cut it off and make it smaller than my other tags.
I ended up tearing off the bottom white section and rolling up the edge. The tag was then adhered to another tag as it's base and then stitched on the sewing machine.
This tag was pretty as is but I wanted to add in some stamped accents. I've used the Avery Elle Laurels stamp set to add in a floral spray and the sentiment. The flowers and leaves are stamped in Avery Elle pigment inks so that they stand out well over the dye ink stenciled background.
Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! I hope you're inspired to try your hand at creating some tags and using some stencils!
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