Tag Archives: Christmas Gifts

Make a Holiday Gift Box Using Vertigo Translucent Sheets

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By Neva Cole –

Vertigo is a beautiful translucent material to use in creating projects, in today’s tutorial, I am sharing tips and hints to make your project shine!  The perfect ink for this box is StazOn,  as it is the only ink that will dry on Vertigo and other plastics. 

Skill:  Intermediate

Time:  1 hour

Directions:

Step1:

Vertigo can be cut with scissors OR with a simple die.  Complex dies do not work well with most plastics, Vertigo included.
This particular box needed 8.5” by 5” section of Vertigo, 12” x 12” sheets can be purchased directly from Imagine Crafts website.  Recycled packaging may be substituted for Vertigo, however the results will not have the stunning effect the the patterns that Vertigo provides. The Pebbles pattern of Vertigo was used for my box.

Step 2:

Place a few drops ink from StazOn Blazing Red inker on a plastic surface to use as a palette. 
On the INSIDE  of the box use a cotton swab to color each of the pebbles from the center out. 
A little goes a long way with the translucent colors. 

Step 3:

Metallic StazOn ink is slightly less translucent than the other colors. 
To capture more shimmer, apply a drop or two of StazOn Metallic Gold on the INSIDE of the box
and move the ink with a cotton swab to color around the pebbles.

Step 4:

Continue to add StazOn Metallic Gold ink to cover the remaining areas of the inside of the box. 
Set aside to dry, as the Metallic ink is a bit thicker and takes a longer to dry. 

Step 5:

Using StazOn Jet Black, stamp the “Merry Christmas” sentiment on the OUTSIDE of the box.
This keeps the interior of the box ink from lifting and to have the correct orientation. 

Step 6:

Tear It! tape is perfect to hold the bottom of this gift box together. 
Assemble box and determine the best placement for the Tear It! tape. 
Unfold box and add Tear It! tape, my project called for five sections to hold the box in shape.

Remove Tear It! Tape liner and assemble gift box. 

Decorate with matching ribbon and fibers to close the top and keep your gift secure.

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Vertigo–Pebbles 12” x 12” sheet

StazOn Inkers–Blazing Red and Metallic Gold

StazOn Jet Black

 Tear It! Tape

Other:

Bakery Gift box die–Lifestyle Crafts

Cotton Swabs 

Sentiment–Christmas Blessings Taylored Expressions

Misc:  Gold Ric Rac and red fibers

Making Your Own Ephemera

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Ephemera Tag 1

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! Today I’ve got a fun tutorial that’s all about making your own ephemera. Ephemera can be ticket stubs, advertisements, postage stamps, handwritten letters, etc. It’s fun to use “found” ephemera, but it’s also a blast to make your own. You can feel free to follow each of the “steps” below, or just choose the ones you like. There’s no real order or correct way to make these elements, and you can use them on any of your paper-crafting projects. I just decided to go with a tag today. This particular project is great if you need to loosen up, break out of a creative block, or you just feel like adding to your stash. Just have fun with it!

*Some affiliate links are used in this post. That means that if you shop through these links, I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you. For more information, please see my Affiliates page.

 

Directions:

 
 

Ephemera Tag 2

Step 1: 

Grab some cardstock and a stencil, and start spraying them with Fireworks! Spray. 

 

Ephemera Tag 3

Step 2: 

There’s a lot of spray left on that stencil, so don’t waste it! Grab another scrap of paper and flip the stencil (wet side down) on to it to get the reverse design. You can use a brayer or your hands to push the stencil into the paper to transfer the color better. 

 

Ephemera Tag 4

Step 3: 

Still more on the stencil? Spray it with a little water to get the color moving and press it into a third piece of paper. 

 

Ephemera Tag 5

Step 4: 

Grab some rubber stamps that have fun designs (especially solid images like this one), spray your craft mat with another color of Fireworks! Spray, and ink up the stamp in the puddle. Stamp some scrap paper with the wet stamp. 

 

Ephemera Tag 6

Step 5: 

Apply Kaleidacolor inks to cardstock using your favorite method. I used the Fruitcake palette on my Gel Press with a brayer. Then, take a stencil and apply VersaFine Clair ink on top using a sponge dauber or cosmetic sponge. 

 

Ephemera Tag 7 

Step 6: 

Run a piece of cardstock through an embossing folder. Then ink the raised areas with Delicata Ink for shine.

 

Ephemera Tag 8

Step 7: 

Stamp out a sentiment with VersaMark Ink and use your favorite Mboss embossing powder on it. For texture, tear the edges and ink them with Rich Cocoa Memento Ink. 

Step 8: 

Take some old book paper and flick Fireworks! Spray on it to get different sized droplets. 

Step 9: 

Stamp some small geometric shapes and die cut/fussy cut them. 

Look at all the ephemera we’ve created by just using scraps!

 

Ephemera Tag 9

Step 10: 

Die cut a large tag out of cardstock. Start laying your ephemera on to the tag to see where you want your pieces to be. 

 

Ephemera Tag 10

Step 11: 

Let pieces hang off the edges of your piece. You can cut them off later, if you wish. Don’t be afraid to move your elements around, cut them, tear them, etc. 

 

Ephemera Tag 11

Step 12: 

Use different types of adhesive. I like using Tear It! Tape for the embossed layers, wet glue for flat layers, and foam tape or squares for elements that I want raised. I also love to use On Point Glue for sequins and rhinestones, which I added after I had all of my paper elements adhered. 

 

Ephemera Tag 12 600

Here’s the finished tag. Again, make this however you like. It doesn’t need to be for the holidays, it doesn’t need to be a tag. Just grab a bunch of supplies and play. Whatever ephemera you have leftover can be used at another time. 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray in Cottage Ivy, Lady Bug, and New Sprout

• Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa

• Kalediacolor Inks in Fruitcake

• VersaMark Ink

• Mboss Embossing Powder in Rose Gold

• VersaFine Clair Ink in Rain Forest

• Delicata Ink in Golden Gliz

• Tear It! Tape

• On Point Glue

Other:

• Stampers Anonymous: Bold Tidings Mini and Mod Cactus

• Sizzix: Tag Collection #658784, Kaleidoscope 3D Embossing Folder 

• A Colorful Life Designs: Sweater Knit stencil, Make Some Plaid stencil

• Doodles Paper Playground: Bold Rhinestones (I only used the red) 

• Simon Says Stamp/CZ Design: Hex Yeah (discontinued)

• Scraps of cardstock, old book paper, etc. 

Make a Faux Watercolor Poinsettia Gift Tag

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Poinsettia Tag 1

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! This is the time of year that people get really into making tags. Tags for gifts, tag books, etc. Today I’ve got a fun way to use Memento Inks to make them look like you’ve watercolored, but you didn’t need to work as hard. We will be using a layering stamp set to create the focal point of the tag. I used Poinsettia Parts from Stampendous.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 10 Minutes, plus drying time between layers

Directions:

Poinsettia Tag 2

Step 1:

Using an acrylic block or stamp positioner, adhere your most solid layer.

Poinsettia Tag 4

Step 2:

Ink up the stamp with at least 2 colors of Memento Ink. I used Sweet Plum and Lady Bug.

Step 3:

Spritz the inked stamp with water. Let the colors start to run together, but don’t spritz the stamp so much that the colors become totally washed out.

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Step 4:

Carefully flip your stamp over on to a piece of watercolor paper. Gently press the stamp into the paper and leave it there for a few minutes. You can even add something heavy on top if you want more consistent pressure.

Poinsettia Tag 5

Step 5:

Repeat Step 4 with any additional parts of your image. I needed to add a leaf and another petal. I used Pear Tart and Cottage Ivy for the leaf. Let all of the “watercolor” layers dry thoroughly before moving on.

Poinsettia Tag 6

Step 6:

Stamp the top or detail layer with VersaFine Clair ink in Nocturne.

Poinsettia Tag 7

Step 7:

To add additional detail, you can apply some ink to your Craft Mat and spritz with water, then apply with a paintbrush. Here, I used Dandelion and Morocco to color in the center of the poinsettia. Fussy cut the stamped image.

Poinsettia Tag 8

Step 8:

Apply Rich Cocoa Memento Ink to a background stamp. I used an older Stampendous stamp with sheet music on it. I like to flip my stamp up and apply my substrate (in this case, a tag made with Kraft cardstock) on top of the stamp. I press the tag into the stamp with my fingers. This allows me to place the tag where I want, and I don’t need to fuss with a large, sometimes unwieldy large stamp. You may also do this step while allowing your poinsettia to dry.

Poinsettia Tag 9

Step 9:

Ink up a blending brush with more Rich Cocoa ink and gently buff the edges. You may smear some of your stamped image if it hasn’t dried completely, but I don’t mind that look. It helps to make the tag look old.

Poinsettia Tag 11

Step 10:

Add a sentiment strip to your tag, adhere the poinsettia, and tie on some ribbon.

Poinsettia Tag 10 600

Now you’ve got a completed tag that you can add to gifts, use it as a place card at the dinner table, or even to decorate a card base. Experiment with different color palettes to get a wide range of looks. And remember, these techniques don’t have to be used only at holiday time! Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Memento Inks in Lady Bug, Sweet Plum, Dandelion, Morocco, Cottage Ivy, Pear Tart, and Rich Cocoa
VersaFine Clair Ink in Nocturne
Tear It! Tape
Craft Mat

Other:

Stampendous: Poinsettia Parts and sheet music Cling Stamp
Kraft Colored Tag
Ribbon
Blending Brush

Make Magic With This Merry Christmas Gift Tag

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by Jowilna Nolte

Make Magic With This Merry Christmas Gift Tag

Every year I make loads of Christmas cards, but this year I am creating tags for friends and family. A handmade tag is a quick and crafty alternative to attach to a gift and even packets of freshly baked biscuits. The tag is often underestimated but this will become my go-to way of adding a quick thank you to gifts – quick and easy to make with loads of impact.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Use a Jumbo dauber and ink the background of a tag using Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink.


Step 2

On the right edge of your tag use Memento Luxe ink in Rhubarb Stalk and add some darker shaded edges on your tag.


Step 3

On a sheet of smooth white cardstock mist Summer Sky Fireworks Spray. Use a soft paint brush and brush the ink across the cardstock.


Step 4

While the Summer Sky ink is still wet, use Lilac Posies and splatter ink over the base. Concentrate on certain areas more to get lots of ink in certain areas. Leave to dry.


Step 5

Once dry use VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink and stamp Christmas Bauble. Cut out and ink the edges.


Step 6

Use VersaFine Clair ink and stamp a Christmas sentiment repeatedly onto the colored tag.


Step 7

Use at least 3 colors of Fireworks Spray to add splats to the background and leave to dry or heat set using a heat gun.


Step 8

Adhere the stamped bauble, flowers and themed embellishments to finish off your tag. As an alternative layer two stamped baubles on top of each other using foam tape.

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Cardstock – White
  • Tag
  • Kaisercraft – stamp set
  • Little Birdie – Flowers
  • Charms
  • Bakers twine

How To Make A Mixed Media Gift Bag

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by Nadine Carlier

Mixed Media Gift Bag by Nadine Carlier ic

Ever get bored of store bought gift bags? Then all you need is a plain brown bag and some Imagines mixed media products to create a beautiful piece of art to wrap your presents in. I used Creative Mediums, Fireworks, irRESISTibles and StazOn Ink on my gift bag.

Watch my video tutorial below to see how I made my gift bag. Enjoy!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 min. plus drying time

Supplies

Imagine
Other

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Last Minute Gifts!

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Merry Wishes – Decorated Kraft Paperbag for Christmas Cookies

by Katharina Frei

Everybody loves Christmas cookies! With Christmas right around the corner, I love to have several decorated kraft bags at hand to give my homemade cookies to family, friends or teachers. A pretty packaging makes the cookies taste even more delicious, doesn’t it?

More Last Minute Gift ideas!

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