Category Archives: Times Nouveau

Graphic 45 Staples Tags Are the Bees Knees Tag Card with Times Nouveau DCE

Hello, G45’ers! If you love tags, you are going to love today’s post. I’ve pulled out one my Times Nouveau DCE, some Staples Tags, Distress Oxide Inks and lot of other paper playthings to make this fabulous The Bees Knees Tag Card.

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 beautiful shaped edge and vintage metal grommet makes 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. Tuck a decorated tag into a card to be used as a bookmark, and you’ve just turned a card into a gift. Set them on a small easel and use them for home decor. 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.

From Tag to Card: Let the Adventure Begin!

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. Distress Oxide Inks joined the party, making things even more lively. I even found a way to work a hidden tag pocket into the design.

The Bees Knees Tag Card: Creating the spine

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.

The Bees Knees Tag Card: Pockets, Tags and Folios

Tags and pockets just go together. I turned this fabulous image into a side pocket for these two little folios. Photos, journaling or gift cards can be tucked inside. I love the little banner/paper clip embellishment made with scraps. When paper is this fabulous, you want to use every little bit!

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.

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.

It’s the perfect spot to tuck in a hidden tag pocket and treat!

Chipboard Tags Come Along for the Ride

You can use the chipboard elements that come with the Deluxe Collector’s Edition to make fantastic embellishments for your card. I glued the tags back to back, then hitched them to a Tim Holtz Swivel Clasp.

The tags are reversible, and I love the motion they add to the design.

Other Tips and Tricks

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 or soiled as you work on the inside.
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.
I like to back laser cut tags with black cardstock to make the stylish font pop off the page.

Are you inspired to break out your pretty G45 papers, Staples Tags, scissors and glue? I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List

Graphic 45 Products:

G45 Times Nouveau Deluxe Collector’s Edition
Staples Ivory Large Tag Album
Cheers, Party, Celebrate Ivory Tags
“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

Buttons and Bows: Graphic 45 Times Nouveau Tag

RRR Challenge: Buttons and Bows/Times Nouveau Tag

Hello, Ribbon Lovers! It’s time for another fabby challenge on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog. This time, Bonnie has challenged us to include Buttons and Bows in our projects. This is right up my alley! I’ve been itching to play with my Graphic 45 Times Nouveau Classic Collection, so I dug that out along with stunning ribbon from RRR and a few fun embellies. Honey, this tag is the Bee’s Knees!

Vibrant colors and vintage images make me happy, happy! And just look at all the fun layering! The base is a Graphic 45 Long Staples Kraft Tag that I covered with black background paper from the collection. Throw in some fussy cut images, die cuts, glittered chippies and gorgeous ribbons and I’m in heaven!

The bow cluster on this tag is total glam! I created a triple loop bow with Old Gold Shimmer Satin Ribbon. Just look how it pulls out all the gorgeous shades of gold and butterscotch and yellow in this tag!

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Fanciful Elements were coated with green glitter to complement the greens in the tag, the center of my flowers, and the leaves. A real vintage stick pin adds an extra layer of style to the tag.

Buttons and Bows is the Name of the Game!

Vintage style buttons are displayed down the side of the tag, leading the eye right to this adorable button topped pull out pocket. You know me and my pockets….I gotta have ’em somewhere. (Do you think it’s because my Mom never let me have pockets in my clothes when I was growing up? She said they weren’t ladylike.)

Graphic 45 Staples Policy Envelopes are soooo cute! I decorated this one with some ephemera from the collection.

The Policy Envelope contains a couple of small tags joined with black burlap string. You could easily tuck a gift card, personal note, small chocolate, tea bag…even cash into the Policy envelope. It’s a great way to turn the tag into a full fledged gift. I topped the tag with more of that luxurious Old Gold Shimmer Satin and a loopy bow tied with black burlap string. Do you think this tag meets the Buttons and Bows Challenge?

Now it’s YOUR turn! Create your own Buttons and Bows project and link it up over at the RRR Challenge Blog. The Design Team will be stopping by to take a look and leave you some love, which is always fun. Plus, three of your excellent projects will be chosen by the team and you’ll receive a winner’s badge to proudly display on your own blog. You can find all the details HERE.

Yeah…I love me some buttons and bows!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Steampunk Ideas Man Birthday Card

Steampunk Ideas Man Birthday Card with Graphic 45 Times Nouveau

Hello,, Ribbon Lovers! August is birthday month in our family. We celebrate FIVE birthdays this month,! Two of those birthdays are for our sons. Our eldest son was truly the Leader of the Pack for our 5 children He always had some grand plan in store for his siblings. Sometimes it was building an Olympic Village in our backyard. At others, it was building a set for a play. Or constructing an elaborate Lego village. Whatever idea he had, they followed along with great expectation and enthusiasm. He was our “Ideas Man.” So in honor of his birthday, I created this funky Steampunk Ideas Man Birthday card.

Isn’t it playful? I used the monochromatic papers from Graphic 45’s Times Nouveau Classic Collection. Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Gears texture Sheet, and a Steampunk Gentleman add to the fun factor. And of course, I tied it all together with fabulous Really Reasonable Ribbon.

These bold green ribbons are from the Autumn Colors Ribbon Club Assortment. I love the way they echo the colors and designs in the papers. To make my border, I layered two strips of Kiwi Green Diamond Satin on the left hand side of the card. Then I placed a strip of Kiwi Green Square in Square Print Satin between the two. This created a sort of tiered border.

Natural Burlap String makes a great masculine bow. I brightened it up with a scrap of the same Kiwi green ribbon and a custom button. To make the button, glue one of the images from the Times Nouveau punch out sheet in the center of a wood button. Custom embellishments like this add so much to your design.

A Look Inside The Steampunk Ideas Man Birthday Card

A stamped sentiment, a fun pocket and a little tag make the inside of the card almost as much fun as the outside.

There’s plenty of room to tuck in a gift card or cash gift. I want to add a personal note to the card, so I’ve lined the back side of the tag with ivory paper.

I hope you found some inspiration here today. Making masculine cards is something I truly enjoy. This is one of my faves for its whimsical design and playful nature. I’d love to hear what you think in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kathy by Design

Custom Paper Art for All Occasions