Happy Black Friday! I kept my tradition of staying AWAY from ANY stores alive today:D I just can’t deal with crowds but I have to admit it looks like it might be fun to get together with girlfriends and hit the stores at midnight when they open…getting up at 4am is not for me, I’d have to stay awake LOL! If you braved the stores I hope you got what you were after, now you deserve to relax and look down upon the rest of us sorry lot who still have shopping to do. Well, I stayed home today and worked on some handmade gifts, well packaging them anyway…
My husband took one look at that ands said “so, you’re giving away yarn for Christmas?” Nope, it is a cleverly packaged scarf that looks like a ball of yarn, neat huh! “yes, dear, looks great” Well, I’m sure my auntie who does not read my blog will love it:) While I was at it I made tags, and tags and more tags!
I was beginning to worry that my stamps and ink were feeling left out lately due to my obsession with paint and yarn so I had to play with them. In the midst of my madness I turned on my video camera…
I was also worried that you might think I was a “put-together” organized crafter so to put those ideas to rest I thought I’s let you see my mayhem and offer my tips for making fun gift tags.
- Pick a theme, I chose knitting/sewing but you could pick “birthday”, “Christmas”, Halloween” or what have you:) Grab stamp sets that fit the theme and waterproof black ink.
- Pick a color combo. I chose purple, olive and turquoise, you might look at paint chips or magazine ads for inspiration. These are the color you pick for markers, inkpads or pencils. Neutrals like brown and grey are OK to add to the mix!
- Cut up some light-colored or white cardstock or watercolor paper and get to it already!
To make the slip on bread tags (I had a die from Sizzix to make mine but it is old and probably discontinued) you can punch a hole with any small hole punch like a heart or flower then cut a slit from the edge of the tag to the hole, easy peasy and you can make it whatever size you like!
You can make a batch of tags for upcoming birthdays, Christmas or any holiday and always have a tag on hand AND it is a great way to get to know your stamps too! Thanks for “visiting” with me tonight and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
Those are all such good ideas. Thanks for taking the time to share.
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Oh good, I’m glad I’m not alone in my “stay home and do something fun” Black Friday tradition!
I really like the idea of using small punches to make slip on tags — I always have a hard time getting the tag exactly where I want it if I try stringing it on before tying the bow…
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Hey Lindsay! Love the tag ideas!
At the risk of seeming like a crafty stalker, I have yet another question for Ask a Crafter. I would like to make small tiles using dichroic glass. I know there’s a kiln involved & the glass is quite expensive. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Shaking my Pom poms for the dynamic duo – you both make me laugh so hard & I learn so much from you. Arigato!
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stalk away LOL! What size tile to you wan to make?
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I wish I was half as talented as you) Love your crafts
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Hi Lindsay great video full of fun ideas. I love your tags and the use of little punches so you can hang them from a ribbon. Could you suggest a good pencil sharpener? I hate the ones I’ve tried that just chew up the wood and break the point. I agree that your beautiful knitted items have a greater value then $$$
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I use small handheld shaperners. I like the triangular one by Faber Castell, it opens in the center and has 3 sized holes, let me try and get a link: http://www.dickblick.com/products/faber-castell-grip-trio-sharpener/ I don’t use electric sharpeners on my art and colored pencils because it can overdo it and break the leads. I bet most good handheld shaperners will suit you fine though:)
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I have not had good results with the small Fiskars sharpener and several other small sharpeners….I think I hold my pencils at an odd angle??? Anyway, the solution to my problem with sharpeners is the DAHL 155. It looks like an old fashioned pencil sharpener you used In Grade school. You can pinch the top levers to insert your pencil a little or a lot to hold it In place…then you are hands free off the pencil to turn the handle to sharpen your pencil…can even do a rounded end. It will sit on your desk….works like a charm EVERY time….cost around $25….a lot, unless you can’t manage to use the other types. Electric is NOT your answer unless you want to see how fast you can chew up a pencil – LOL! Hope this helps!!! I did get my Dahl 155 with a 25% off coupon….so shop around!
Jan Castle
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Loved being let in on an average everyday crafting session. Thank you!
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Like you I don’t like the crowds. I have never been shopping on black Friday. Usually to worn out from cooking. I am like you on tke knitted and crochet items no one wants to pay for the time and love you have put in your craft. I have given away lots of afghans in my life. We have an auction at our Tennessee Water Well Convention for college scholarships and I have donated afghans and shawls for the the auction. Makes you feel good to see your craft make money to help a child’s education. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
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Charming, Lindsay. Not only a handmade gift, but handmade gift tags make such a sweet gifting.
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I like the hand-held punch you used for the tags. Would you please tell me where I can purchase one?…..the one with the longer slot.
Thanks.
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it is a heavy duty hanger tab punch from McGill,, I got mine when it was 50% off at Joann onlne, wait for a sale because it is $60 regular price, it is 40% off now though:) http://www.joann.com/mcgills-5-16in-hanger-hole-punch/2030880.html I do craft fairs and this is great! I think papertrey ink makes a die to make the card with a hole like that this might be cheaper though.
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Thanks, Lindsay. I am unable to find the Papertrey die so I think I’ll wait for a better sale at Joann’s.and buy the hanger hole punch. Love your tag video.
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Love watching you being crafty . Nice job on the tags…I love seeing you make stuff in real time versus the smooth perfectly edited videos–I find them boring and uninspiring for the most part.
When I was at World Market I noted all their tags because of this video. Great tags but $3 for 6?…too much money when I can make them for pennies AND have fun. I smartened up too—am making Xmas tags to match my gift wrap. Often I have plenty of tags, paper, ribbon, etc but none of it goes together.
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where did you get the stamps in your post? Love them! Love the tags
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there was a variety, stampin up, impression obsession, papertrey ink and The paper studio:)
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