OK I’m officially panicking now, I’ve just realised that it’s only 43 days to Christmas. That’s just 6 weeks! And so many things need to be done well ahead of then, like making and mailing Christmas cards and gift tags. No more procrastinating, I need to just get in the craft room and get it done. That’s not to say it won’t be fun, especially when I get to experiment with my supplies. Like the other day when I discovered faded edges…

PINE BOUGHS

This tag actually started with the Peaceful Boughs Stamp Set and a Soft Suede ink pad. I stamped two small fir cones on Sahara Sand Card, and the “Season’s Greetings” sentiment onto Very Vanilla Card.

Then I pulled out the coordinating Beautiful Boughs Dies. First I cut out the two fir cones using the coordinating die from the set. Then from some Call Me Clover Card I cut one each of the smallest and middle-sized pine branches.

Next I used the #C1 die (the smallest) from the Stitched Rectangles to cut out the sentiment. Then using the #C4 die (counting from the smallest up) I cut out some Seaside Spray Card.

By this time I thought I had everything ready and began to assemble my gift tag.

SIMPLE ASSEMBLY

I started by punching a hole at the top of the Seaside Spray piece using the oval hole option on the Detailed Trio Punch.

Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I attached the pine branches. Big mistake. The pine branches were just one solid colour with no texture! If I hadn’t already fixed them to the tag I would have sponged some ink onto them, but that wasn’t an option now. So instead I grabbed the dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker and carefully drew some extra colour on the branches. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better.

Then going back to the assembly I used liquid glue to add the pine cones. But something still wasn’t right. I’d chosen the Seaside Spray Card thinking it could represent the ‘sky’ behind the branch. But like the branches it had no dimension. I wasn’t having a good day, and Stampin’ Blends wouldn’t fix it either.

FADED EDGES DISCOVERY

So instead of Stampin’ Blends I pulled out my Whisper White Craft ink and some Stampin’ Sponge. I carefully set to work sponging the ink around the edges of the rectangular piece. I didn’t aim to get ink on the branches, but if it happened I wasn’t going to worry.

With the inking done I added my sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Then finished off by tying some 3/16 Braided Linen Trim through the hole at the top.

Then as I sat there I realised that the white ink was fading as it was drying. This is normal, but the result was a surprise to me. I had created faded edges! Why, when I’ve sponged edges in the past have I always gone with a darker ink shade? These faded edges were simply gorgeous, and I can’t believe I’ve never considered this before. In fact I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone else create faded edges either.

I’m so glad I persevered and just dealt with my issues as they arose rather than scrapping the design and starting again. Now to try out faded edges on other projects!

Meanwhile if you’re looking for more Christmas gift tag inspiration, check out these earlier blog posts:

• A snowman arms observation
• No peeking, oh go on then
• Fun among the mistletoe
• Christmas Gleaming sneak peek

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Peaceful Boughs Stamp Set and coordinating Beautiful Boughs Dies using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant that I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included both options below so you can compare the costs for yourself.