When looking through the Stampin’ Up! Up! catalogue it’s easy to be drawn in by the fancy dies. I find that’s especially true if the dies coordinate with a stamp set. But what about those ‘boring’ sets, you know the simpler shapes that are designed to be universal? If you’re like me you’ll get them because you know they’ll be useful, but then rarely use them. Take the Stylish Shapes Dies, I’ve had these for quite a while, but only today did I make something that made me go “wow!”

SIMPLE SHAPES
I began by pulling out the #6 (largest) circle die from the Stylish Shapes set. Then I used it to cut out some Balmy Blue Card, and a pretty pattern from the Countryside Inn Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. To create my tag base I simply fixed the two circles together back-to-back with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).
Next from Balmy Blue Card I cut two banner pieces using the narrower dies from the Stylish Shapes Set. Using liquid glue I fixed the longer of the two banners across the front of the patterned circle. Then, after folding the smaller banner in half, I attached it to the top of the circle with Mini Stampin’ Dimensional on each side. Finally I threaded some white twine through the folded banner and tied it in a simple knot.

That just left the sentiment to do and for that I turned to the Very Best Occasions Stamp Set. After stamping “happy birthday” onto a scrap of Thick Basic White Card I cut it out using the #2 circle from the Stylish Shapes Dies. Then I added three small green embellishments from the Festive Pearls pack (one to hide a little inky spot!). Finally I attached the sentiment to the banner layer with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and my unusual tag was complete.
I’m really pleased with how this gift tag turned out using very simple shapes, and it’s given me lots more ideas. Is it too early to start my Christmas crafting?
For some card projects using the Stylish Shapes Dies see these earlier blog posts:
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