Recipes in four sentences

Monday, November 30, 2015

Soft and pretty Shabby chic gift tags...

 
We've been busy Christmassing here.
 
For us, that means putting together packages of gift wrap makings.
 
I find that so often, people get so caught up in buying the gifts, that they forget about the gift wrap, and gift tags and sticky tape, and ribbons.
 
This often means a last minute mercy dash to the stores, and we all know how that ends! Frustration, fights for a car park, and likely too much money spent.
 
So in order to make the gift wrapping process go more smoothly, we give the gift of gift wrap!
 
These sweet tags are what are called 'luggage tags'. You buy them here at Newsagents or Stationers and they're usually 5c each. They're also available online. They're made from manilla cardboard, like manilla folders used in offices and classrooms, and this great neutral colour makes them a wonderful background for anything that takes your fancy.
 
It's worth spending a bit of time preparing your bibs and bobs for a tag making session as the more little pretties you have on hand, the more unique and special your tags will be. Ours are never the same twice!
 
Here's what I did...
 
A few days before making my tags, I spent time hand dyeing rolls of white crepe paper streamers, tea dyeing paper doilies, and sourcing interesting looking wrapping paper from $2 stores in a couple of different patterns.
 
In my craft stash, I already had a French script stamp the width of the tags and almost the same length, to use as background, some diamante` stick on dots, and some pastel tulle ribbon purchased from Koch & Co, a florist supplier here in Australia. That was part of last years crafting frenzy and purchased on sale. You could also use bridal tulle cut into strips, but this just makes it easy. I always have lots of ribbons on hand so they were on standby too. There was also packets of Dylon fabric dye, that I currently use to dye muslin. As I only use a pinch at a time, there was more than enough left for this project, and some to spare. We love glitter as well, especially white or holographic glitter, so we got that out too. Of course we had craft glue on hand as well.
 
I separated my white crepe paper streamer roll into four lengths so I could have different colours and shades. I rolled them into loose rolls.
 
Now dyeing crepe paper is an idea I got from Annabel over at The Bluebirds are Nesting. You can see her blog over there on the right of screen. She dyes whole lengths of crepe paper and makes the most divine paper roses from them. Alas, when I attempted dyeing a whole length, it disintegrated when I lifted it from the dye solution. I must go back and read Annabels instructions again. You can see her roses and the instructions here.
 
To dye the crepe paper streamers, I filled my stainless steel kitchen sink to a depth that matched the width of the streamer, plus a bit, with hand hot water from the tap. I added a generous pinch of pink dye powder and swirled it to dissolve the powder. I then stood two of the rolls in the water, rolled edge down, and weighted them with a large kitchen knife, so they wouldn't float. I let them sit there for maybe fifteen minutes until I could see they'd absorbed the dye, flipping them over after eight to ten minutes to get both edges coloured. This method gives a dark edge, with a more pastel effect towards the middle.
 
I then lifted them from the water, and gently squeezed a little of the moisture from them. They'll be very fragile so be careful. And don't squeeze too much liquid from them, because that's your dye.
 
They get set aside now for 24-36 hours to dry well.
 
I repeated this process using a pinch of bright orange dye and the other two rolls of crepe paper streamer.
 
This is how they looked once dry...one darker pink, one lighter pink done second, and a really delicate peach colour from the orange dye. Vary the amount of dye according to the depth of colour you'd like.
 
 
Next I dyed some paper doilies with black tea. That's normal tea, nothing flash.
 
Again, I added tap hot water to the kitchen sink, and threw in half a dozen teabags.
 
Into the tea solution went the doilies, one by one, immersing them just so they coloured, then carefully removing them to a teatowel on the table, to dry out. Again they will be fragile so gently does it.
 
Here's how they looked...
 
 
I also printed off a sweet image of a ballerina on a sheet music background that we really liked.
 
Then off we went.
 
Each tag was started by stamping the French script as a background.
 
Then a bit of tea dyed doyley like a scrap of lace would be added, with other papers or embellishments layered until we were pleased with the result. Some images or shapes, were then edged with pearl paint.
 
A frill of tulle or hand dyed crepe paper finished the bottom edges, and these were then dipped in glue and glitter to frost the edges prettily.
 
Diamante dots were applied to disguise joins, ribbons added to the little holes, and we were done.
 
Each tag takes mere minutes once you have all your materials at hand, and my daughter and I made 30 in about half an hour.
 
These will be gifted 15 in a bunch, along with hand scribed lengths of Butchers Paper saying 'Joyeux Noel', and 'Merry Christmas'. Swathes of calico, muslin or pastel printed fabric will be included as gift ribbon. This is an idea I got from Annabel as well, that really makes this style of gift wrapping look very special indeed. Annabel uses old recycled sheets and stamps them with glittered chandeliers and crowns. Just gorgeous. You can see those here.

 
These are always welcomed as gifts in themselves, and you will not believe how many of my friends ask for these 'gift wrapping packages' each year.
 
You can customise them according to the occasion or season, and the recipients style or preferences.
 
These are particularly pretty I think.
 
What do you think?
 
...Mimi...
 
 

43 comments:

  1. Those are so pretty! If I got one of your gifts I would treasure the tags and wrappers also. :)

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    1. What a lovely comment Debbie! Thankyou! Mimi xxx

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  2. How gorgeous, Mimi. I already have the luggage labels, bridal tulle, ribbon and paper doileys. Now to just put it all together when I get a chance.

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    1. Chel, they're so quick once you've got all your supplies together and it's such fun coming up with variations on a theme. Mimi xxx

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  3. BEAUTIFUL. I love it all and adore all things paper, stationary, tags, cars, wraps.... and so on. Soft colours really are heavenly too. Given the price of cards, tags and wrap this is a wonderful gift not to mention to have as supplies on hand.xxx

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    1. Dear Annabel, I knew you'd like them. The crepe paper and tulle ruffles are inspired by your posts of course! They really make a gorgeous gift. Mimi xxx

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  4. Gorgeous, I also love that you and your daughter made these together. Has given me an idea to make some of these with my girl. Always looking for new ways to bond and spend time together making memories. Lisa xo

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    1. Thankyou Lisa. Yes those days are precious now that she is nearly 16. Making memories is it precisely. Mimi xxx

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    1. Thankyou Patsi. That's a lovely compliment coming from someone who inspires me constantly. Mimi xxx

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  6. What a lovely idea! Your friends must be delighted to receive gift wrapping packages - I know I would be!
    Laurie

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    1. Hi Laurie. Yes they all love getting the packages. It's such a unique idea to gift the gift wrap! Mimi xxx

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  7. These are absolutely lovely. I agree with Debbie, if I received a gift with these lovely tags, I would cherish it.

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    1. Hello Sarah! I'm glad you think so. Thankyou for stopping by. Mimi xxx

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  8. Delightful! Always an inspiration! And what a great idea to gift wrapping and tags. Not to mention spending creative time with your daughter. Good memories and good insourcing gifts!

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    1. Yep. A bit of insourcing. A bit of bonding with daughter. It doesn't get much better. Thanks for visiting Teresa! Mimi xxx

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  9. So pretty and thoughtful, and practical as they would make great bookmarks as well.

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    1. So true Julie! Certainly too pretty to throw away! Mimi xxx

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  10. Your gift tags really are gorgeous, Mimi. You always do a beautiful job of combining everyday elements for an outstanding result! xx Fiona

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  11. Hello, What a cute and very classy gift tag idea! I will be saving this, and hopefully making them soon! Happy Holidays... Warmly, Roxy

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    1. Thanks for visiting Roxy! I hope you have fun with them. So much scope to be creative and make them your own! Mimi xxx

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  12. Gorgeousness! What a beautiful set of tags Mimi~ I always appreciate details too! : ) and I like that you shared your processes with us; Sure helps. Stunning results! Thanks so much. I'm off to take another look! ~Karen O

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    1. Thankyou Karen. I love anything pretty and delicate, and these look gorgeous against the plain background of the butchers paper. I'm pleased you dropped in. Mimi xxx

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  13. These are really unique and pretty! I have a family member who always spent more on the wrappings than the gifts and every Christmas it was so much fun and mysterious trying to figure out what was in those beautiful packages. I admire all the time and effort you put into making your gifts special. Thank you for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Hi Sandi. I know, right? It's crazy! I am a big fan of beautiful packages too, and am well known for my lavish gift presentation. But there had to be a better way than spending the equivalent or more of the value of the gift, on the wrapping! I'm glad you like the tags. Mimi xxx

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  14. Those are so beautiful! I LOVE shabby chic items. Great job on making them. :) I wish I could make some like that. :)
    Much love,
    Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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    1. They're actually really easy Ashley. I bet if you tried, you'd be brilliant at them. Love, Mimi xxx

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  15. Sweet Mimi, you have been in my thoughts for the last few days....how are you, my friend? Visiting you is always a highlight in my day as you bring me such joy. And I just love the beauty you hare :)

    Those tags are gorgeous! I am in love with the embellishments :) Thank you for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Have a blessed weekend

    Much love to you!

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    1. Stephanie, my lovely, what a delight to see you here! I'm glad you like the tags. Love, Mimi xxx

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  16. These are gorgeous! Such a wonderful job, not only for tags but could be used for Christmas ornaments as well!

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    1. Thankyou Cheryl, and yes you're right! Mimi xxx

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  17. These are simply gorgeous!!! :)

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    1. Thankyou JES. That's high praise indeed from you! Love, Mimi xxx

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  18. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop

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  19. How beautiful! I'd like to feature this post at Tuesdays with a Twist today! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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    1. How exciting Marci! Thankyou so much! Mimi xxx

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  20. What beautiful gift tags, Mimi. I have all the supplies on hand already - a low cost gift tag that looks a million dollars. I've Pinned for future reference and would love you to add this idea to the Ongoing Gift Wrapping link party at Threading My Way.

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    1. Hi Pam...I'm so glad you've stopped by! Yes I'll do that straight away, and yes, I think they're pretty too..Mimi xxx

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    2. Hi Mimi, I've featured your beautiful tags in a roundup of Christmas card and gift tag ideas...
      http://www.threadingmyway.com/2016/12/19-ideas-to-make-your-own-christmas.html

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I love hearing from you! I always respond to comments, so don't be shy! Mimi xxx