Tag You’re it! Tag Challenge Featuring Kathy’s Times Nouveau Tag Mini!

Hello, G45ers!

We are going to kick this week off with the perfect inspiration for this month's Tag Challenge. Kathy Clement's lovely Times Nouveau – DCE Tag Mini is a great example of how versatile tags  can be. Through the creative assembly of a variety of tags, multiple layers, and mixed media flourishes, Kathy has designed an outstanding card. If you have not yet heard about our monthly challenge for July, we also have full details below. Before all that, we want to announce this weeks blog prize…

This week’s prize package includes a Place in Time – Deluxe Collector’s Edition set, a 12×12 Home Sweet Home paper pad, an Ivory Mixed Media Album, and two Metal Staples – Shabby Chic Keyholes and Door Plates and Knobs, a value of $85+!  To enter to win just leave a comment below here on the blog and/or on Facebook.  The winner will be announced on Friday, July 14th’s blog post.  

The Bees’ Knees Tag Mini

By Kathy Clement

I’m a huge fan of G45 Staples Tags!  They come in many styles and sizes, which means you can use them in a near endless variety of ways.  The beautifully shaped edge and vintage metal grommet make them the perfect layering element on a card or layout.  You can string alpha tags together to make a pretty banner that spells out a special greeting, tie a decorated tag onto gift packaging to take it to the next level, or tuck a decorated tag into a card to be used as a bookmark to turn a card into a gift.  I’ve even used Staples Tags as pages in my mini albums.

These are thick, heavy tags, made from high-quality paper, which means you can layer them up with mixed media materials and use them as a mini canvas.  Add Distress Inks or paints to these tags to add that trendy watercolor element to your creation. There seems to be no end to the number of creative ways that you can put these workhorses to use during your crafty adventure time.

I’ve made a lot of tags along the way, but this time around, I wanted to try something totally different so I challenged myself to make a card using Staples Tags as the base.  I spent a delightful morning in my studio with a stack of Staples Ivory tags in various sizes and the ever fresh Times Nouveau Deluxe Collector’s Edition.  I took my Distress Oxide inks for a test drive with these lovely surfaces, and I even figured out how to add in a hidden tag pocket! I have to say, I think this tag card is The Bees’ Knees!” ~Kathy Clement
 

Tips:

1. You can turn a tag into a uniquely shaped card by creating a hinged spine to join two tags of the same size together.  For these long tags, I cut my hinge to measure 7” tall x  2 ¼”  wide.  Score this strip of paper on the short side at 1” and again at 1 ¼” .  Before you add the designer papers to the insides of your tags, glue the 1” strip on each side of the scored lines between the two tags, leaving a ¼” spine.  

2. I always decorate the insides of my cards first, and I followed that same process with this unique tag card.  This keeps the front cover of the card from being crushed as you work on the inside.

3. If an image (like the Bee’s Knees Postcard on this tag)  is too wide for your tag base, here is a simple solution.  Measure the width of your surface, then score and fold the image.  Add a decorative image to the flap, and you’ve just turned a dilemma into an interactive element.

4. Try using Mixed Media supplies on your tags to add an extra level of interest.  I used Distress Oxide inks to dress up the text area on both “Cheers” and “Celebrate” tags.  With ink or paints, you can add that trendy watercolor element to your creation and color match your papers every time.

5. Use Staples Metal packaging for the back piece of your tag card.  The heavy chipboard base will allow your tag card to stand up without buckling under the weight of all the card layers.  Sand the surface lightly so that papers will adhere and then go to town creating your next masterpiece.

6. I like to back laser cut tags with black cardstock to make the stylish font pop off the page.  

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Times Nouveau – Deluxe Collector's Edition

• Staples –  Large Ivory Tag

• “Cheers” Staples Square Ivory Tag

• “Celebrate” Staples ATC Ivory Tag

• G45 Tag Packaging from Metal Clock Keys

Other Products

• Petaloo Flowers

• Blue Jay Seam Binding Ribbon

• Burlap String

• Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Swivel Clasp

• Distress Oxide Inks: Broken China, Fossilized Amber

• Gypsy Laser Cuts Doily

• Novelty Buttons

• Non-Stick Craft Sheet

• Heat Tool

Thanks for joining us for this timely Times Nouveau – DCE Tag Mini by Kathy, and thanks to Kathy for providing such beautiful inspiration for this month's challenge. We are loving the submissions so far and cannot wait to see what else people come up with. It is so inspiring to see what people create with our products and we are so grateful to all the participants. Good luck and don't forget to comment on the blog and/or Facebook to enter to win this week's blog contest as well. 

Happy Papercrafting!