papertrey ink sneak peek - stocking prints

So today we jump from Halloween to Christmas and let me scare you a bit and let you know that there are 105 days shopping and crafting days left...!

Making handcrafted items for the holidays is something I like to do and even though I would love to spend hours and hours of each and every project, I need to be realistic and know that I just can't do it all and I need to decide which things are going to be quick and easy and which I am going to devote more time to. If you haven't already, it's time to make a list of things you want/hope to accomplish and break it down in this way.

One of the things I make every year, are tags for the gift drawing on my side of the family. What started as names written on paper evolved into these stamped tags that many family members use as the actual tag on the gift itself.

I have a number of tags to make and so I want this particular project to be quick and easy, but still look nice. Nichole's new set Stocking Prints, which will be available for sale on the 15th at Papertrey Ink, is so perfect for this project. There are 2 sizes of stockings in so many pattern variations. They are set up to mix and match the top cuff of the stocking and with all of the variety that Nichole included - the possibilities are endless...

I chose the smaller size stocking to do for my tags and filled a sheet of cardstock with stockings to use on each tag. To simplify my project I used a minimum of colors: Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, True Black and (of course) Fresh Snow.

This is just a taste of the variety of stockings you will be able to put together...! The 2-step stamping process goes so quick to stamp a number of stockings in a short amount of time.

I added the "secret santa" sentiment next to each stocking and then used the Giga scallop square punch to punch them all out. Punches are so great when you are working to mass produce a project - so quick and easy...

I inked the edges of all my scalloped squares. I love inked edges for quick projects - it gives your project more dimension without adding another layer of cardstock, thus saving you time!

When I am making a mass production project, I always do a prototype of my final project to work out exactly what I want to do. My finished tags are actually 3" x 3" cards so that I can stamp family member's names on the inside for the drawing.

After I have the prototype made and the paper and materials ready, I get to work. I used the new Vintage Labels set on the base of my card to frame the main image. I could have done a layer of patterned paper here again, but doing the stamping cuts out that step making my project continue to move along quickly.

All the tag bases are ready, I have a bit of trim to add to the main image with a mini stapler, and then attach the image to the base with some dimensionals.

One last step to add the names to the inside of the cards with another Vintage Labels frame and the Simple Alphabet set

Here they all are, ready to go for Thanksgiving when we do our drawing. I am ahead of the game and it was done quickly and really inexpensively at the same time. You can see tags that I have done in past years here, here, and here.

There are more sneak peeks in Papertrey blog land today. Nichole is sharing more about the Stocking Prints set, Beth, Dawn, and Melissa will have more peeks of their new sets. And Lauren will share more projects with her new templates! 

I will be at the online release party over at the Papertrey forums on the 14th 10PM-midnight EST. Please stop by and say hi!

Secret Santa Tag Cards

stamps: Stocking Prints, Vintage Labels, Simple Alphabet (Papertrey Ink)

ink: Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado, True Black, Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)

cardstock: kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink)

other: Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel twill ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Giga scallop square punch (Marvy), tiny attacher (Ranger), dimensionals