Well all the snow we had last week is fast disappearing under the heavy rain we have today. It looks like it will be a green Christmas here in Nova Scotia. Are you ready for the big day yet? Or have you, like me, still got loads to do? Once the present buying is complete, there’s the task of wrapping and labeling. So in case you’re running low here’s a DistINKtive® wreath tag idea using the Wishing You Well Stamp Set.

DISTINKTIVE WREATH

I began with the DistINKtive wreath image from the Wishing You Well Stamp Set. Using a Sponge Dauber I added Call Me Clover ink to the surface of the stamp and then pressed it onto a piece of Thick Very Vanilla Card.

Next I used a 2-1/4″ Circle Punch to punch out the wreath, and then added a hole at the top with a 1/8″ Circle Handheld Punch.

Finally I threaded a length of Whisper White Baker’s Twine through the hole and tied it in a simple knot.

DISTINKTIVE BOW

Next came the DistINKtive bow image, inked up with Lovely Lipstick ink using a Sponge Dauber. I stamped the image onto some Thick Very Vanilla Card and then stamped a second bow beside it.

After that I used Paper Snips to cut out one complete bow, and just the middle part of the second one. Then using Stampin’ Dimensionals I stacked the smaller bow on top of the larger one. The layered bow was then added to the DistINKtive wreath using Stampin’ Dimensionals with the centre of the bow hiding the hole in the tag.

FINISHING TOUCHES

To complete the tag I stamped the ‘seasons greetings’ sentiment onto a narrow strip of Thick Very Vanilla Card with Lovely Lipstick ink. Then using a Bone Folder I curved the centre of the strip, and curved the ends in the opposite direction.

I cut a V shape into the ends of the strip using Paper Snips then added it to the wreath with pieces of Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally I decorated my DistINKtive wreath with some Blackberry Bliss and Grapefruit Grove embellishments from the Faceted Dots pack.

I do love making my own gift tags and I love how this one turned out. I hope you like it too.

DISTINKTIVE STAMPS

DistINKtive stamps are a new style of stamp images from Stampin’ Up! They have the most amazing detail but I have some tips to help you get best image possible when you stamp.

DistINKtive images shouldn’t be over-inked. If your ink pad is very juicy you can apply the ink directly onto the surface of the stamp using a Sponge Dauber like I did today. Or you can apply the ink to the stamp with a sponge or sponge brayer. Alternatively you can move some of the excess ink to one end of the ink pad with the edge of a loyalty card, before gently tapping the stamp onto the pad. When you stamp onto the card or paper, be firm but gentle. If you press hard or move the stamp you will lose a lot of the detail.

My number one tip could really apply to any stamp you are working with. Do a couple of test stamps first to check that you have enough ink on the pad, but not too much. Then you can add more ink or use one of the methods I’ve described to improve the result.

Well that’s it for today. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for a very simple way to wrap those awkward shaped gifts.

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