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I have seen many beautiful tags. Tim Holtz shows how to make amazing ones. I have pinned a nice selection, but always find myself thinking, what would I do with them? I know some of them could be used as gift tags, or bookmarks, but how else can they be used? Thanks in advance for sharing your ideas.
I usually cut the tag end off and mount the remainder on a card base. Sometimes I cut the tag up and use pieces of it on different projects. The only tags I keep intact are Halloween and Christmas tags, because I use them on special bags and gifts.
Tie two tags together - the decorative one on top and the plain(er) one for writing on behind. This makes a different type of card, and it can stand alone like a real card if you separate the bases a bit.
I also cut the tops off and mount that straight onto a card base.
But I just like to decorate my space with them. I make the Tim Holtz 12 Tags tags and I'm onto my third set now and each set is mounted/displayed differently.
Several years ago, 2010 to be exact, I became utterly inspired by some beautiful Christmas tags made by Dawn McVey. Below is a link to her blog with the tags.
I made sets of similar elaborate tags and gave them to special friends as an early Christmas gift. They were all thrilled with them, and we had lots of conversations about: which person was "tag-worthy" to deserve a fancy tag on their gift, lol.
Second vote for mini books, just put a brad or something thru the holes at the top and you instantly have a book. If they are tech tags then add some quick notes (hand written or cut and pasted from your computer) to the back for a quick ref how to booklet.
Several years ago, 2010 to be exact, I became utterly inspired by some beautiful Christmas tags made by Dawn McVey. Below is a link to her blog with the tags.
I made sets of similar elaborate tags and gave them to special friends as an early Christmas gift. They were all thrilled with them, and we had lots of conversations about: which person was "tag-worthy" to deserve a fancy tag on their gift, lol.
While I assume you were talking about a completed tag project in the opening post, I thought I'd give you another use for all those technique tags that are often accumulating in my work space. I have two small baskets full of tags that are inked, painted, glued...whatever. I will go to this basket of tags to search for something that may be useful for another project. For every completed tag I will accumulate about 4 tags that didn't fulfil my needs at the time.
The other day I made THIS card from my technique tag stash. I can tell you that the tag I cut up for the branch was a total fail as tag background, but perfect for cutting up for its final purpose. Since this card is effectively made from 'found' pieces I'd be hard pressed to recreate it as is.
If you'd like a visual on how I display some of my tags for room d�cor you can see a blog post I did about my Sizzix Tag die, HERE .
use them to decorate scrapbook pages, for smaller xmas ones i've seen advent boards out there using tags, and i've created oversize tags as a gift to be used as a wallhanging
Mini-books! They make the most beautiful books. You can also add them to your smash books, art journals and scrapbooks.
DeeAnn, could you please tell more about making books using tags? You might have some special ideas!! I would very much like to learn more about your tag books.
I searched the SCS tutorials several different ways, but didn't come up with anything like a mini-book. Someone else told about putting a brad or string through the holes of the tags, thus making a book...that is easy to understand. I also understand about using various techniques on the front of the tag and describing the process on the back of the tag.
Many thanks!
mcw519
__________________ mcw519 m Carolyn w
Fan Club Member
A couple times this past week, I've looked at a pack of Manila tags wondering what I'd do with them and I think, thanks to this thread, I'll take the leap into tag making! I love the ones I've seen and I think they'll be great to try out techniques without using as much paper as a card. : )
A couple times this past week, I've looked at a pack of Manila tags wondering what I'd do with them and I think, thanks to this thread, I'll take the leap into tag making! I love the ones I've seen and I think they'll be great to try out techniques without using as much paper as a card. : )
Oh definitely try it. It's not for everyone. I didn't get the attaction either but now I use them a lot and they are just so handy for trying out techniques. The number of times I have found the most ugliest of tags to be perfect for use on a card somewhere is staggering.
I've been experimenting today with paints and all of them are woeful, but I know I can die cut them up for something really unique.
I think the smaller size helps me feel less intimidated when I want to experiment much like an atc does. A whole piece of blank paper is way scarier sitting there on my desk in front of me.
DeeAnn, could you please tell more about making books using tags? You might have some special ideas!! I would very much like to learn more about your tag books.
I searched the SCS tutorials several different ways, but didn't come up with anything like a mini-book. Someone else told about putting a brad or string through the holes of the tags, thus making a book...that is easy to understand. I also understand about using various techniques on the front of the tag and describing the process on the back of the tag.
Many thanks!
mcw519
I would love to help. Are you looking for a specific technique like binding the books. Let me know & I will give a good explanation.
I would love to help. Are you looking for a specific technique like binding the books. Let me know & I will give a good explanation.
All I can think of at the moment is to decorate two tags for a front and back & fasten blank pages between the two to be a small journal. I suppose the little journal could be a series of tags stapled at the narrow straight edge, the front and back tags fully decorated and the inside tags (the pages) decorated around the edges, leaving space for words or pictures. Or, bind the series of tags through the holes rather than stapling the opposite ends together. I have a dear, younger sister visiting and I just thought of making a title of "Remember When" and having the tag pages as a memory book of events one treasures from the past or events of any particular visit..
I guess my actual question is: What do you put into your mini-books and how do you bind yours? Do you use all tags as the pages or do you use lighter weight paper for the pages?
__________________ mcw519 m Carolyn w
Fan Club Member
The tag books I have done I usually just do whatever catches my eye. I have done books in all tags. I made a cute children's book in the nineties done in all tags. I made the tags myself backing them in chipboard so they would be sturdy for the little reader I was giving it too. I bound the book with ring binders so he could take it apart and play with the pictures. He loved that book until it fell apart a couple years later.
I have done a book where every other page was a tag. The other pages were little envelopes I created so the recipient could put memento's in the envelopes. I also bound that one with ring binders.
I have done an accordion style tag book. I created that one with my die cut machine. Too keep the book from popping open (like accordion style does from time to time) I created a band to put around the book. It was very pretty.
Most of my binding was done using an awl to punch through the pages. Then I sanded down the rough edges with my files. I had a Crop-A-Dile now to make the holes. I still use my awl because I have old bookbinding habits instilled in me.
I also have a Bind-it-All to bind the pages of my books. Tag books are beautiful when done with a BIA. I learned that trick from some of the book artists online.
I don't usually buy tags. I make my own so I can pick what paper weight I want to use. Some of my tags have been done with Georgia Pacific cardstock while others have been done with chipboard. I even made a felt tag book one time for a child. I sewed the binding for that book. Most of my older tags are hand drawn templates I have made. My newer tags are designs I made on my die cutters. I have a Cameo at that moment.
I have never stapled a tag book.
Does that help any? Questions just let me know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcw519
All I can think of at the moment is to decorate two tags for a front and back & fasten blank pages between the two to be a small journal. I suppose the little journal could be a series of tags stapled at the narrow straight edge, the front and back tags fully decorated and the inside tags (the pages) decorated around the edges, leaving space for words or pictures. Or, bind the series of tags through the holes rather than stapling the opposite ends together. I have a dear, younger sister visiting and I just thought of making a title of "Remember When" and having the tag pages as a memory book of events one treasures from the past or events of any particular visit..
I guess my actual question is: What do you put into your mini-books and how do you bind yours? Do you use all tags as the pages or do you use lighter weight paper for the pages?
Wow! These are some really great ideas. I hope I can find some pictures somewhere, so I can see some of these beautiful sounding creations. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
All I can think of at the moment is to decorate two tags for a front and back & fasten blank pages between the two to be a small journal. I suppose the little journal could be a series of tags stapled at the narrow straight edge, the front and back tags fully decorated and the inside tags (the pages) decorated around the edges, leaving space for words or pictures. Or, bind the series of tags through the holes rather than stapling the opposite ends together. I have a dear, younger sister visiting and I just thought of making a title of "Remember When" and having the tag pages as a memory book of events one treasures from the past or events of any particular visit..
I guess my actual question is: What do you put into your mini-books and how do you bind yours? Do you use all tags as the pages or do you use lighter weight paper for the pages?
I made a book of sayings/quotes that I did in calligraphy for a friend many years ago. She still talks about it. I keep some around to record birthdays and one has greetings I've gathered to help me when I'm stuck writing a card---especially sympathy, but other times, too.
Tags can be added to the pocket of handmade books as a fun interactive feature.
If the tag is big enough you could also add recipes. Great party favor at a bridal shower and you could encourage everyone to give their tag to the bride before they leave.
Last edited by stampin stacy; 11-06-2013 at 05:17 AM..
Please give ideas for tags
