This is state of my desk for the last week, trying to create embellishments. First came the hearts, then banners, then pockets, tags, butterflies etc.
Finally pushed the mess aside, stared off into space for way too long and decided “Be Gone” procrastination and perfection and I climbed out of my rabbit hole.
First up, let’s make some envelopes to hold tags or hidden journaling. Grab a 6×6 piece of paper. Score at 1.5 and 1.75 on either side. It’s important that one side is wider than the other so it overlaps to form an envelope. Score at .5 inches on the bottom.
You don’t need a fancy scoreboard to do this, you can use the groove on your paper trimmer and a bone folder or any other blunt ended tool.
Cut where the dotted lines are, then place liquid glue or double sided tape on the bottom flap and the wider side of your scored paper. Fold along the score lines, first the sides then the bottom. Use a circle punch to make a notch.
Decorate the front of the envelope if you like and make a tag or journaling card for the inside. I die cut shapes from scrap paper and played with them. Not quite the right color? Get out your inks and change it! I also used the negative shapes to stencil hearts on my tag.
Another envelope features a distressed inked butterfly, gold rub-ons and pearls. My favorite features rub-ons, vellum, a heart, a word strip, and a tag with hand-writing. These envelopes are very versatile and can be made in a variety of sizes.
My next idea is to create a series of collaged tags to fit into all the envelopes we have made! Punch out some tags or use an existing tag as a pattern. Use stamps, rub-ons, stickers, torn papers, and fussy cut pieces. The idea is to play with our supplies, especially the neglected ones! The tag on the bottom center is made from a magazine page.
Last but not least let’s get into our washi tape collection. I bet most of us have a few rolls of the stuff in our stash. Here is my washi in an organized “Ladybugish” way.
I die cut a few hearts in both black and white as the background color affects how the washi may look. I began laying down strips of washi in a random fashion then cut away the excess. I was left with really cool heart embellishments. Circles, squares and other shapes are all fair game, just play right?
I also used washi strips on some tags and embellished with a butterfly. Speaking of butterflies look at these beauties-
I laid out acetate washi on black cardstock and die cut this butterfly. The results are stunning, there is a subtle sheen to this acetate which is difficult to photograph but trust me it’s gorgeous!
The last image is one of these butterflies gracing the front of an envelope with a matching tag inside.
I hope you try some of these ideas and remember Calvinball is in session till the end of March so create a few of these “point worthy” embellishments and get on that Leaderboard.