Authentique Masquerade Halloween Tea Tag: Halloween Week Day 5
Hello, Friends! This Authentique Masquerade Halloween Tea Tag is proof that the holiday is not just for kids. Who would not love to give (or receive) this “Tea Party in a Tag” treat? It’s assembled just like the Halloween Treat Tags that I shared earlier this week. And, it uses the same paper collection. Simply swap out the more adult “mask” themed papers and images for the too cute to spook ones.
Look at all the goodies you can fit inside the tag pocket! It’s everything you need to brew up a Halloween Tea Party for one. You gotta love that Halloween party image from the paper collection, too!
The back side of the tag is a clever little tea wallet.
What a fun way to say “BOO!”
I hope you’ve enjoyed Halloween Week. It’s always a little sad to put our fun Halloween papers away for the season.
I still have a couple of cute Halloween Pop Up Cards in my ETSY shopif you need a last minute card or gift.
Next week I’ll be sharing some beautiful fall creations. Then it’s on to a month of Christmas inspiration in November. What sort of projects and product lines would you like to see? Please let me know in the comment section below.
Little Birdie Crafts Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio Tutorial
Hello, Friends! Today I have a darling Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio tutorial to share with you. Our granddaughters love fairy gardens, and fairy tales and anything to do with fairies in general. So I’ve upcycled some corrugate packing material with my Little Birdie Crafts goodies. I had to pull my Mixed Media Boots out of the Closet of Shame for this project, which is always fun.
Meet Belinda. She lives in a shady forest glen surrounded by mossy rocks, blooming flowers and sweet little birds. Learn how to add all these layers and textures in the video tutorial. If fairies are not your thing, you could easily follow these steps to create a purely botanical tag folio. (in fact, I might just do that!)
TIP: Create a “cloud” for your fairy house with a layer of cheesecloth in the background. This adds dimension, texture and visual interest to the tag background.
TIP: Add natural elements like Spanish Moss and real feathers to your project. This adds lots of lovely texture and dimension.
Two Sides to Every Story
The back side of this Fairy Sparkle mixed media tag is a sweet little accordion style folio. This would be the perfect spot to save photos from a sleepover, tea party or birthday party.
TIP: Heat emboss a Little Birdie Chipboard Floral Wreath and use it to add details to the folio cover. A few Elira flowers add extra color and texture to the wreath design.
Add pockets and mini folios inside.
And of course I have some fun interactive features like this flap page.
Lift it to reveal this sweet little fairy in a jar. You’ll learn how to turn this fussy cut image into a tuck spot in the video tutorial.
It is no secret that I love a good pocket…especially a hidden pocket with a pull out page.
So I show you how to create this element along with a clever little tuck spot for these sweet images in the tutorial.
Fairy Sparkle Mixed Media Tag Folio Tutorial on YouTube
If you’d like to learn how to create this cute project you can follow along in this video tutorial. You can easily translate the steps and techniques for use with any other themed project. Just change out your paper and embellishments.
I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your next crafty adventure. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
If you’d like to view some of my past Little Birdie Crafts tutorials, please click HERE.
Little Birdie Crafts Poppies & Roses Altered Box: Good Things in Small Packages
Hello, Friends! If you love little things, then you are going to be very happy with this Little Birdie Crafts Poppies & Roses Altered Box. It definitely falls into the “good things come in small packages” category of crafting. Do you save cute boxes? I do. Seems like I just can’t find it in my heart to toss a well made box. I blame it on my mom, who used boxes to make everything from baby beds to bookshelves.
True story! When my little sis was born in the 60’s there were no fancy little baby seats. But my mom fashioned one from a cardboard box and pillows. She used one of my dad’s old belts to keep Sissie tucked in safe and sound! Ingenuity! Gotta love that.
When this same sweet sis presented me with a cute box of gourmet tea bags this Christmas, I knew immediately that I wanted to make it into some sort of project. So into the Closet of Shame it went. I actually painted all the edges of the 3″ x 3″ x 3″ kraft box with ivory chalk paint before stowing it away because I knew I would be more likely to use it if I’d done a little prep work in advance. Sure enough, as I was perusing the shelves this weekend, there sat the sweet little box, just begging to be used. And that’s how this project came into being.
How to Alter a Box with Little Birdie Crafts Poppies & Roses
This is a quick and easy project. You’ll need to change your measurements if your box is bigger or smaller than mine, but the process is the same.
First paint all the edges of the box, inside and out, with chalk paint. Set the box aside to dry and forget about it for 5 months.
Next, cut (6) 2 7/8″ square panels from the 6×6 Poppies and Roses Paper Pad. Ink the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink, or dry brush them with chalk paint. Or just leave them as they are. It’s all good.
Now, cut (6) 2 3/4″ square panels from another 6×6 pattern. Use these to line the box interior.
Then trace the little tabs on the sides and closure onto a piece of printer paper. Use this as a template to cut out designer paper for those areas on the box.
Fussy cut a border from the 12×12 paper pad. Adhere this around the middle of the box like a belt. It will be a little bit short, so start in the center front and wrap around the sides, ending up on the front of the box. We will cover the gap, so no worries.
Now, attach crochet lace with 1/4″ Scor-Tape above the fussy cut border.
Alter mini bronze box feet with Little Birdie Antique Gold Metallic Wax. Adhere to the bottom of the box and set aside to dry. I use my Dries Clear Adhesive for this task.
TIP: Set the box upside down while the feet are drying.
The Fun Part: Decorating the Box
While the box is drying prepare the decorative elements.
Fussy cut flower clusters, wreath, door, and butterflies from the 6×6 pad cut apart page.
Accent the Ornate Clock Chipboard with Gold Metallic Wax. Back this with a couple of layers of waste chipboard or foam adhesive. Cut the wreath in half and adhere behind the clock so that the flowers can be seen.
Next,alter the grass chipboard with Glimmer Moss Metallic Wax. Cut apart.
Locate some pretty red Little Birdie Flowers. I used Meadow Red and Candy Embossed Daisies.
Once the box feet are dry, arrange the elements in a way that pleases you.
To make the box lid stand upright, use this clever trick I learned from my crafty pal, Ginger Ropp. Wrap a panel of chipboard with designer paper. Then adhere along the back side of the box.
Creating the Tags and Tag Card
I decided I wanted to fill my box with a trio of decorative tags. Two of the tags are just simple tags that I made by cutting 2 3/4″ wide cardstock and decorating with designer paper. I staggered the height. The first tag is 2 3/4″ x 4″. Make the 2nd tag 4 1/2″ tall.
How to Make a Tag Card
Here’s how to make the 3rd tag.
First cut (2) 2 3/4″ x 5″ panels of cream cardstock. Crop out the corners with a corner punch.
Next, cut a 1 1/2″ x 4″ strip of designer paper from your scraps. Score this at 1/2″ and 1″. Now fold to form a little hinged spine.
Adhere the left hand flap of the hinged spine on one tag and the right hand flap on the other.
Then cut a little strip of designer paper to cover the the inside center of the spine.
Next, cut panels of designer paper to fit the tags. Remember to crop out the corners to match the tag base.
Now adhere the patterned paper panels to the tag card.
Create a little pocket on the right hand side to hold chocolate or a gift card.
Cut apart one of the journal cards from the 12×12 collection and use it to decorate the inside of the card.
Use a scalloped punch to cut out one of the small doilies from the 6×6 pad.
Punch holes in the tops of the tags and decorate with ribbon, charms and flowers.
Trim journal cards from the 12×12 pad to fit the tag fronts.
Extra Goodies
Since I had more room in my box, I also “gift wrapped” a little cookie in a punch out doily. A scrap of designer paper makes a cute bag for a honey pouch. One of the tags has a tea bag attached to the back side. The other is backed with light colored wood grain so that a note can be written. And I dressed up one of my vintage silver spoons with ribbon and a posy.
This makes such a lovely gift! It is not expensive to make, and you can honestly put it together in an afternoon. It’s great for Mother’s Day, birthdays, party favors, bridal showers…just change out the paper to match the occasion.
I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks you can use in your next crafty adventure. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment box below. You’ll also find a linked supply list below this post.
Button Farm Club January 2020 Kit Reveal: Carta Bella Home Again Altered Etcetera Tag & Folio
Hello, Friends! I’m so excited to share my Button Farm Club January 2020 Kit Reveal with you today. This idea has been rumbling around in my head for weeks, and I’m truly tickled with result. It’s home decor, it’s an organizing tool and it’s a folio all in one. I think you are going to love this Carta Bella Home Again Altered Tim Holtz Etcetera Tag & Folio!
If you’ve never worked with a Tim Holtz Etcetera Tag before, you are in for a treat! The tags are made from thickboard: a thick sturdy surface that is perfect for collage, altering and embellishing. The small tag we use in this project measures a generous 5 1/2″ x 10″; a perfect size for home decor. And what collection could possibly be better for home decor than Home Again? The fresh farmhouse vibe, the pretty patterns and the soothing color palette are delightful to work with.
You all know me so well…I like pretty…but I like practical, too. So I designed this tag with a big ole slash pocket to hold an altered notebook. It’s the perfect place to jot down a to do list, menu plans, emergency contact numbers, grocery lists….or a little daily gratitude journal. There’s room to tuck a pen into the pocket, too so everything you need will be right at your fingertips.
Button Farm Club January 2020 Kit Reveal: The Folio
The flip side of the tag houses a delightful tri-fold folio. You’ll learn how to paper piece this adorable little house on the cover…and just wait til you see what’s inside!
This sweet little folio is filled with flips, flaps, pockets, tags and room for loads of lovely family memories.
The waterfall feature will house (18) 4″ x 4″ photos. And the other photo spots are designed for photos ranging in size from 4″ x 6″ to 3″ x 5″. And, if you add a little bulldog clip to the sides, the folio will stand upright so you can display your beautiful family photos.
I think this would make a wonderful bridal shower gift, house warming present, birthday gift and…Mother’s Day will be here before we know it! The color palette almost reads as a neutral, so it would go with almost any home color scheme.
YouTube Video Tour
To help you get a feel for the flow and function of this lovely kit, I’ve created a very short YouTube tour.
What Comes in the Kit?
As always, you will receive everything you need to complete this project with the exception of your adhesive of choice and Distress Ink, should you choose to sponge a little on the edges.
Tim Holtz Small Etcetera Tag
Carta Bella Home Again Collection
1 sheet 12 x 12 Journaling Cards
1 Coordinating Solids Pack
1 6×6 Paper Pad
1 Chipboard Phrases
Little Birdie Heleen Amor Mio Flowers
Bay Leaf Seam Binding/2 yards
October Afternoon Buttons (blue/3 per kit/small, med, large if possible)
Farmhouse Small Notebook
2 pearl stickpins
Full color printed tutorial with easy to follow step by step instructions.
The price of the kit is just $39.99, which is a great value given the contents! The tutorial will give you some new techniques that you’ll be able to use in other crafty adventures as well.
The kit is available now at The Button Farm Club. This is a limited release, and I expect it to sell out rather quickly because it is so stinkin’ cute!
For those of you who have been asking for more card tutorials…stay tuned. There’s a birthday card kit in the works even as I write this. It’s going to be really, really cute!
I have spent a good bit of time imagining kits for 2020…and I am so excited to share them all with you as they are released. 2020 is going to be a year that just overflows with creativity. Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement in this venture. If you have kits that you’d like to see in 2020, please let me know, and I’ll take them into consideration.
Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag with Prima Autumn Sunset
Hello, Friends! Let’s cozy up with a cuppa and take a look at this Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag, shall we? Autumn is all about rich textures, beautiful colors and layers. I’ve incorporated all those elements into this lovely home decor piece.
Etcetera tags are huge. This “small” tag measures 5 1/2″ x 10″ and it’s about 1/4″ thick. A perfect size and weight for home decor, and able to stand up to mixed media techniques, these tags are a favorite base. I thought you might enjoy seeing how I prepared the tag base with mixed media supplies. So I put together a little “mini tutorial” for you.
Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag: Layer by Layer
Begin by painting the edges of your Etcetera Tag with DecoArt Copper Metallics Paint. Dry with your heat gun.
Next, randomly apply Versamark Embossing Ink directly to the edges of the tag. Then sprinkle randomly with Seth Apter Patina Oxide Baked Texture.
Now heat emboss, but don’t bake it all the way, as you will be adding another layer of embossing powder.
Let the first layer of embossing powder cool, the randomly apply Versamark to the edges again. Then sprinkle lightly with Emerald Creek Burnt Copper Leaves Embossing Powder. Heat emboss until you like the finish. This is a matter of personal choice.
I like to emboss my powders until they are like dark toast…not quite burnt, but rich and toasty!
Next, I cut a liner sheet about 1/2″ smaller than the tag. Collage paper scraps and fussy cut images in layers, stitch on the machine and you’ve got a great base to work with. There’s no real wrong way to do this.
Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag: The Details
Cluster images and elements together to create a focal point. This is important. The eye needs a place to rest.
This vintage curtain tie back is made of tin. I altered it with paint and embossing powders to add rich autumn hues. Then I clustered flowers and autumn leaves around it to blend it into the collage.
Top the tag with gorgeous plaid ribbon, curly ribbon, acorns and more flowers. The green balls are green peppercorns from my kitchen.
Autumn, Pumpkins, and You Etcetera Tag: The Flip Side
There’s a lot of great real estate on the back side of these tags. Finish the back side with a lovely little waterfall cascade. Just add photos!
I have a few of these tags scattered around my home as decor. This one sold in my Etsy shop. I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.