Given that my living room is getting painted next week...and a host of electrical stuff will be going on as well...I'm not able to decorate the house for Christmas. Which is quite infuriating seeing this is the first year I've had a blog! So a wreath on the door and a garland or two will probably be the extent of yuletide decorating shenanigans at the tranquil townhouse. Never mind...my substitute for Christmas decorating has been to make these...
The 'peace' will be part of a garland, but I also thought it would be nice to make my own gift tags for Christmas presents...so I did that too. Here they are waiting to dry...takes 24 hours or so according to the packet :)
Inspired by this magazine article (in December Home Beautiful)...
...Nellie's clay tag tutorial... and Ness's examples...I thought, why not give it a go! So I did. Here's the bits and pieces...sorry, not a very glamorous shot of all the makings...but I was well and truly over it by the time I took that pic :)
The neutral colour DAS clay was much easier to use than the red...and I also used this Fimo light...which is certainly much lighter (but I forgot to take a photo)...it was pretty good to use as well.
I just rolled the clay out with a rolling pin, cut out shapes with cookie cutters or in the case of the rectangular ones, a pizza cutter to cut the shape, and then used a variety of stamps and inks to press on to the shape. Make a hole with a bamboo skewer and it's done. Easy! I bought the clay from Eckersley's Art and Craft, some of the stamps from there as well, or from Lincraft...and the pen (see below) from Riot Art. I'm sure Spotlight would have all or most of this as well but I couldn't be bothered schlepping over to Queanbeyan! Apparently once they're dry you can smooth the rough edges with some steel wool, but an emery board would probably be good...and easier. I'll have to do that tonight once the tags are dry.
The lovely girl at Riot Art assured me that this pen will write on the clay once it's dry. My intention is to do the whole to/from/with love etc thing on the back of each tag. Because you never know...some of my family and friends might get a whole lot of presents from other clay tag making people, not just from me! Hard to believe I know :)
p.s. I'll be having a Christmas giveaway on Monday...might fling a few of these in :)
Kerry, you have done a fabulous job! Doesn't the text look brilliant as well? And here's me thinking I was pretty hot just making some paper tags! Clearly the bar has been lifted!
ReplyDeleteAren't you a clever girl! Hopefully people will use the tags as Christmas ornaments afterwards as they are pretty enough for that. Love the birds and the butterflies with the writing. Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteFabulous job! I have been very tempted to make these for a while, but have completely run out of time this year. I'll stick to my paper tags this year and think about it earlier next year! They are gorgeous, and I hope their recipients appreciate the effort gone into them! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteKerry, your gift tags looks great.
ReplyDeleteWow, They look amazing. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Kerry,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the quick tutorial and sharing your own beautiful creations.
It's going to be lots of fun wrapping your gifts then seeing the delight of all your 'giftees'.
I'm sure many of these will become beautiful tree decorations next year.
Felicity x
Oh Kerry,
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me.....I never thought that there were enough hours in the day to do all the things that you do. You really put me to shame.
It was Ness who started me blogging.....I came across her blog when looking for something and saw 'create blog' at the top of the page.
Your tags are brilliant....as is everything that you do. You can just turn your hand to anything, you clever thing you! XXXX
Wow Kerry they look fantastic....your family will love them. You are so very clever. Have a great day. Kym x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, well done.....I love that you just try anything and it always looks great. Very personal to, I am sure your family and friends will be very impressed.
ReplyDeleteFantastic - please count me in for that giveaway I'd LOVE some stunning gift tags like that.
ReplyDeleteThese are so very cool, Kerry! I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find all of the makings here, but I wouldn't mind winning a few! ;-D
ReplyDeleteSeriously, they are all fabulous, I really love the doves! I want to see your garland when you have finished! How fun!
XO,
Jane
They look wonderful Kerry! Love the green birdies :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kerry, wow they look fabulous! I guess it is my turn now... I have all the gear finally and just need to do it!!!! I love all of your stamps and I too also hope people appreciate your generous efforts at Christmas. Nice job! ;-)
ReplyDeleteKerry you are such a clever thing! They are wonderful and as soon as the shops are all open again I'm off to see if I can get some clay, What fun, can you make your own shapes?
ReplyDeleteHope it's dry for you and the storms missed, we haven't had the anticipated big, big wet yet maybe it's going to miss us!!!!!
I tend to want to make rude messages with materials like this...
ReplyDeleteOh Kerry, I've been making clay tags too after the HB inspiration but yours have put mine to shame, they are gorgeous!!!! I used the Fimo brand - spotlight and ekersleys were both sold out but gone mine from lincraft. I'm sure all your gift recipients will love their lovingly made clay tags :) Jxx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Fabulous, Kerry! I LOVE the birdy tags! Thank you for sharing how you made them...I am off to the hobby shop next week to see if I can get some DAS...if not, my Aunt is going to have to brave Spotlight at Queanbeyan for me :D Oh and I am off to buy that issue of HB...how did I miss it! Can't wait for your giveaway, lovely lady. Huge hugs ~ Txx
ReplyDeleteThey look fantastic Kerry. I love how yours turned out and now I want to make more like yours. I love the writing and butterfly stamp especially. I will have to go and grab one of those pens from Rio art, so good to know. xx
ReplyDeleteWow! I've seen Ness'tutorial and now this fantstic post! I really want to try them!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Mara
I read that issue as well and have been beavering away making tags. I need to make some more. I love your stamps. Very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteFinally a moment to comment on this fabulous post. You're an absolute gem for sharing this, Kerry, and also for introducing me to sweet Nellie (what rock have I been hiding under?!). We hope to make some with the pixies on the weekend. If they're half as gorgeous as yours, I'll be chuffed. J x
ReplyDeleteHi Kerry! THANK YOU for this tutorial on making clay tags! I Ness got me thinking about making my own, and Nellie was a huge help, too! I've got almost all the supplies and I'm so anxious to start! Yours turned out just perfect! Your fam will be so happy to see them on their gifts! :) I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Kerry, these are awesome! I love them, what a fantastic idea. I would be just as excited about the tag as I was about the gift :)
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