Today’s project is another one of those happy accidents that often happens as I’m clearing up after finishing a project. There’ll be scraps of card and paper on the desk and sometimes a stamp set or dies and I’ll just begin to play. This time it was a piece die-cut from Basic Black Card and a tiny black and white strip of DSP that got me started. Before I knew it I’d created a very striking masculine / gender neutral birthday gift tag.

WHITE ON BLACK

So the piece that started everything was some Basic Black Card die-cut using the square postage stamp die from the Snail Dies set. As I looked at the shape I decided that rather than having it as a layer it should become the focal point of my project. So that led me to my embossing station with the “Happy birthday” sentiment from the Happy Thoughts Stamp Set.

Using VersaMark ink I stamped the sentiment towards the top of the die-cut piece. Next I sprinkled the sticky ink with White Embossing Power and tapped off the excess. Then, after removing a few stray specks, I melted the rest using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

With the sentiment done I began to think about decorating the die-cut piece. I could have stamped and cut an image but instead reached for some white twine from the Essentials Baker’s Twine Pack.

Using Tear & Tape Adhesive I attached one end of the twine to the back of the die-cut piece. Then I wrapped the twine around the layer three times, using the notches on the sides to keep it in place. After securing the loose end on the back, I tied the three lines of twine together using a second piece of twine.

MORE SCRAPS

Now my focal piece was done it was time to make the tag base. Using my Paper Trimmer I cut a 3″ x 6″ piece of Basic Black Card. Then after scoring it at 3″, I folded the card along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

To turn the 3″ x 3″ card into a tag I needed the Detailed Trio Punch. I opened up the tag and used the oval hole option to punch a hole to the left of the crease. Then I threaded some white twine through the hole and tied it in a simple knot.

I was almost done, but thought it needed another layer to go under the sentiment. So I went back to my pile of scraps and found a black and white striped piece from the True Love Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. This scrap really was small, only 3/4″ x 3″ but rather than waste it I had an idea.

Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the DSP onto a 1″ x 3″ strip of Gold Foil Sheet. Next I fixed the strip to the tag front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Then over the top of the strip I added my assembled sentiment piece with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally I cut a 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ piece of Basic White Card and glued that inside the tag. With that my birthday gift tag was complete.

I’ve decided that I love the look of white embossing on black card and have no idea why I don’t do it more often. For another example, check out the birthday card I designed for my blog post Snail Dies but without the snail.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Snail Dies in a bundle with the coordinating Snailed It Stamp Set (not used today). This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore this option.

HEADS UP! – The True Love DSP is likely to be retiring soon with the January to June 2021 Mini Catalogue period ends. If you want this stunning paper you may want to order it asap.