Today I started out to make a shaker gift tag with Ice Stampin’ Glitter. I’m really happy with the results but now I don’t know If I’ve made a tag or a decor piece. Maybe I should let you decide…

FEELS LIKE FROST

This tag all started when I found a small scrap of paper from the Feels Like Frost 6″x6″ Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP). To make a shaker tag I had to create a frame and decided on the Stitched Rectangles Dies for that.

Making the most of what I had, I found the largest die that would fit the scrap of DSP. That turned out to be #5 from group C (counting from the smallest up). So I went ahead and cut out the DSP and a piece of Whisper White Card with the die. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the DSP to the back of the die cut piece. This would form the back of the tag.

Next I needed to create the frame. So I placed the same #5 die on some Whisper White Card and then nested the #4 die inside it. The die cut the card. Now I had my frame and a spare piece from the centre that I could use on another project.

Finally I had one last, but very important piece to cut out, the Window Sheet. So I cut that out with the same #5 die.

SEASONS GREETINGS

It was only at this point that I decided I would need a sentiment. I debated exactly where that would go and in the end settled on stamping it directly onto the DSP.

After looking through the Itty Bitty Christmas Stamp Set I chose “Seasons Greetings”. It was small enough to fit inside the frame but in a really pretty font that suited the scene. So using Night Of Navy ink, I stamped the sentiment.

Now it was time to start putting it all together…

First I used Tear & Tape Adhesive to fix the Window Sheet to the back of the frame. The tape was a little wide so I placed it onto the frame with the excess towards the outside. Then I removed the backing paper and folded the excess back onto itself. Alternatively I could have cut off the excess with Paper Snips but I wasn’t in the mood for that fiddly job.

Next I needed to prepare the scene piece with some Foam Adhesive Strips. I began by cutting the strips to fit around the edge of the scene, then fixed them all into place. It was important to make sure that there was a snug fit at each join to ensure none of the glitter would escape. In fact, when all the strips were in place I went back and added a teeny tiny dot of liquid glue at each join just to be sure.

TIME FOR THE GLITTER

Now I was ready to pull out my Ice Stampin’ Glitter. Well almost.

First what I needed was my secret weapon, an Embossing Buddy. In order to make shaker frames work there needs to be no static electricity present. Otherwise the loose pieces just stick together and to the Window Sheet. So I began by wiping the scene piece with my Embossing Buddy. Then I wiped the back of the Window Sheet too.

It was only at this point I remembered I was making a gift tag, and I had no way of attaching it to a gift. Not to worry, I simply took a piece of Whisper White Baker’s Twine and using Tear & Tape Adhesive fixed each end down the side of the frame. Once again I folded back the excess adhesive so it went over the top of the twine as well.

My final task was to add the Ice Stampin’ Glitter. First I removed all the protective paper from the Foam Adhesive Strips around the scene. Then I carefully placed about a 1/2 teaspoon of Ice Stampin’ Glitter right in the centre of the scene. It’s really important to do this using a spoon or something similar to keep the glitter well away from the exposed adhesive.

TIP: I’ve found that removing the adhesive backing and then adding the glitter was easier than trying to remove the backing with the glitter already in place. This it because the paper can move while you’re removing the backing and cause the glitter to jump. You know that when it does the glitter will undoubtedly aim straight for the exposed adhesive!

Finally I placed the frame and window sheet over the top of the scene, and pressed down firmly onto the Foam Adhesive Strips.

I must say I really love the effect created by the Ice Stampin’ Glitter. It’s quite coarse and very different to the Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter I’ve used on some recent projects In fact it is simply perfect for winter shaker scenes like this one. What do you think?

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Itty Bitty Christmas Stamp Set in a bundle with the Christmas Layers Dies. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. Although I didn’t use the dies on today’s project I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you were interested in it.