I’m having one of those days and it’s only just past 8am. I was trying to decide what to make and had in mind a feminine gift tag. The problem was that I’ve been a little fixated on the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set just recently. As well as making a variety of projects for my blog I’ve also been working on an article for Inspiration Canada. This is a monthly newsletter that’s sent out to every Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and I’ve been part of the writing team for almost 5 years. Anyway, in the end I decided to simply stop fighting butterflies and just go with the flow.

SIMPLE TAG BASE

I thought I’d keep the tag base fairly simple with some subtle details.

First I used my Big Shot and multipurpose platform to cut out a piece of Lemon Lime Twist Card. The detail around the edge was added at the same time by the B4 die from the Rectangle Stitched Framelits.

TIP – I label all my layering dies so that I can know which one I used in case I need to refer back to it. With the Rectangle Stitched Dies there are 3 distinct styles in the set. There’s one individual rectangle die that doesn’t nest with any of the others. I’ve called that die A (Alone). Then there’s a group of 4 dies that nest together, these are larger than die A, so I’ve labelled these B for Bigger. Finally in the set there are 8 more dies that nest together and so I’ve labelled these C (‘C‘ how many more in this group). Then within each of the groups I number them starting with the smallest. Does that make sense? Does it help?

Anyway, once I’d cut the tag with the B4 die, I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to attach an Old Olive Doily from the Colored Doilies pack. Then I trimmed the doily along the side of the tag with Paper Snips.

HINDSIGHT – After creating the tag base it occurred to me that I could have attached the doily to the card before die-cutting it. Then the stitching detail would have run through the doily too. Maybe next time..

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES

So now for the butterflies.

I chose the twin butterfly image with the open areas and stamped using Tuxedo Black ink onto Thick Whisper White Card. Then I stamped just the small butterfly part of the image once again.

I coloured the butterflies using the light and dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. Then punched them out using the coordinating Butterfly Duet Punch.

With the butterflies punched I could now see exactly where to stamp the butterfly bodies. But I was still missing the antennae.

To get them in exactly the right place I laid out the butterflies where I wanted them on the tag without glueing them down. Then one by one I lifted a butterfly and stamped the antennae onto the tag using Tuxedo Black ink.

I folded the butterflies along the centre, and with a little liquid glue along the fold I attached each one to the tag touching the antennae.

CUSTOM-COLOURED TWINE

Now all I needed was a way to fix the tag to a gift.

I started with a hole at the top of the tag added using the 1/8″ Circle Handheld Punch. I’d initially planned to use Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine, but decided it needed a little tweaking. I placed some twine onto scrap paper and coloured it using the brush tip of the light Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends.

To finish my tag I threaded the twine through the hole and tied it in a simple knot.

I love how this tag turned out and I without a sentiment it’s suitable for any occasion. When it’s time to add it to a gift I can stamp and add a sentiment then if I wish.

BUNDLE BONUS – Stampin’ Up! offer many of their stamp sets as a bundle with a coordinating punch or dies. Using the special bundle item number saves you 10% off the cost of buying the same items separately and is a great way to get more for your money. The Butterfly Gala Stamp Set is available in a bundle with the Butterfly Duet Punch. The Rectangle Stitched Framelits are also available in a bundle with the Amazing Life Stamp Set (not used on today’s project). You’ll see I’ve included links to the bundles so you can explore this option if you wish.

So now I need to do a few chores in anticipation of my latest order from Stampin’ Up! which is due to arrive today. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for a project featuring something new from the Occasions Catalogue.

In case you missed it, you’ll find more about the Butterfly Gala Stamp Set and other items that coordinate with it in my blog post Gingham Gala Suite Sneak Peek.

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