Printmaking Florals Background - Blank Tags

*This post contains affiliate links to Simon Says Stamp

A quick and easy project today.  One of the fun things about the Printmaking Florals Background is that the strips peel apart so you can use them separately.  

I thought it would be fun to create some 'blank tags.'  I confess to often being in a bit of a rush when we need to attend an event, and often I don't have a card that's quite right, so it's nice to have tags on hand that I can write a quick note on.  So, similar to blank cards, it's nice to have something that is genereic enough to use for any occasion.

For these tags I stamped a row of the florals at the top and bottom of my tag with white pigment ink.

The tags dies are from my old Classic Tag 2 set for Neat & Tangled.  

I had originally cut the top tag piece from white cardstock, but I felt like it was too much of a contrast, so I swiped my pigment ink pad over some kraft cardstock until I got the coverage I wanted and then die cut those top pieces out.  

The sentiment is from the All About You set and was embossed with Hero Arts white embossing powder.  Before I stamped it, I first set the pigment ink with my heat gun and used a powder tool.  

I love how the sentiment really pops because the other whites are just that white pigment ink on kraft so more subtle.

Super quick and easy!

Neat & Tangled June Release and Giveaways - Day 2

Hey everyone!  It's Day 2 of the June release at Neat & Tangled.  Today we're showing off my latest animal head die.  Like the Panda Die, this is designed to make really quick one and done cards, but you can also definitely make it more complicated/detailed.

First up, a really simple card.  I used some older Simple Stories papers, die cutting the dogs head.  This was then backed with some dark brown cardstock.  I added some white gel pen accents to give the face a bit more dimension and pop.

The sentiment is from Clearly Canine, a new 3x4 sentiment set that coordinates with the Dog Die.  It was stamped on one of the banners from the Scalloped die set and layered over a couple of more banners cut from patterned papers. 

I also added some die cut star clusters cut from patterned paper using the Lucky Stars die.  

I also created a a tag.  This time, I used the negative cuts.

The die was cut from white cardstock, and then I colored the pieces with Copics. 

These were adhered onto a tag cut using the Classic Tag 2 die set.  I also added some bits of patterend paper also cut using the Classic Tag 2 set, and then added some stars, again cut using the Lucky Stars die as well as some stitching.

Finally, I stamped a sentiment from the Clearly Canine set and added some gel pen accents.

Be sure to head over to the Neat & Tangled blog to check out what of the rest of the team created and to win a set for yourself.  I'm also going to be giving a set away.  To be entered, leave a comment here and on any of my release week posts.  Head over to my instagram account (@mprantner) and leave a comment on today's post over there for extra entries.

See you back here tomorrow!

Thank You Tags and Sale

Hey guys!  It's been quiet here this week.  Lots going on - some projects I can't share until later, including Neat & Tangled June release projects, and lots of designing happening.  Can you believe that we're already working on our last few releases of the year?  It's a little surreal to be working on Thanksgiving and Christmas product designs when school is still in session, but that's how the cycle goes.

Anyway, I really wanted to just make something for fun last the other night, and this is what I cam up with.

I started by cutting a couple of the large tags from the Classic Tag 2 set from Rustic White cardstock and then stamped them with the Art Deco background using Altenew Limestone ink.

Once that was done, I stamped one of the images from Altenew's Floral Shadow Stamp Set in Silver Stone ink.

I wanted to add a bit of detail to the image, so I added some gold accents with a gold Wink of Stella brush pen.

The sentiment is also from the Floral Shadow Stamp Set; I stamped it in Pure Graphite on one of the tags, but then it seemed a bit dark, so I used Industrial Diamond on the second tag.

I couldn't quite decide how to finish these off, so I split the baby.  The Classic Tag 2 set has a couple of dies that accent/reinforce the top of the tag.  On one tag I used just the round hole reinforcer in a gray cardstock.  On the other, I cut the larger reinforcement piece that covers the top of the tag from the gray cardstock and added a round reinforcer that I colored with the gold Wink of Stella.

These tags were quick and easy and using a MISTI perfect for mass producing, and I think they work well for a number of occasions.  You could certainly stamp a bunch of these out and then add the sentiments later.

Also, just wanted to let you know that there's a sale happening over at Ellen Hutson this weekend.  20% off any purchases over $75.  As I always like to remind folks, these sales are my favorite time to stock up on Copics.  Copics (including refills, nibs, accessories, etc.) are always 28% off at EH, and this sale will be on top of that, so  really good time to pick those up if you're in the market. 

That's all for me today, thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

*Affiliate links below to Ellen Hutson and in text to Neat & Tangled and Altenew stores.

Altenew Clear Stamps, Floral Shadow

Neat & Tangled Dies, Classic Tag 2

Altenew Crisp Dye Ink Pad, Limestone

Altenew Crisp Dye Ink Pad, Silver Stone

Altenew Crisp Dye Ink Pad, Industrial Diamond

Altenew Crisp Dye Ink Pad, Pure Graphite

Zig Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Tip Marker, Christmas Sparkle, Set of 3

Neat & Tangled February Release & Giveaways - Day 2

Welcome back for Day 2 of the Neat & Tangled February release!

Today we're showing off two of my new products: Panda Die and So Many Sentiments.  This Panda die makes me smile every time I look at it.  I tinkered with the expression for a while - I wanted him to be cute, happy, sad, serious, etc. all at the same time.  I really think he works for almost any occasion and my favorite part about him is how easy he is to use.  One cut and you're done.  This is perfect for mass producing - think birthday invites, thank you notes, etc.

So Many Sentiments was created to pair with the Panda Die, but really stands alone as well.  I wanted it to feature uplifting and encouraging sentiments.  I started by thinking of sentiments that I would use for my kids and added some additional friendship sentiments and a birthday sentiment to round it out.

For my first project I created a quick and easy 4x4 card.  I really wanted the face to be the focus, so I left a sentiment off of the front.  My plan is to stamp an appropriate sentiment on the inside when I decide to send/give it.

The card was so easy to make I ended up pumping out a quick set.  These would be perfect for lunchbox notes or as a gift set and they are so so easy to make!

Next up I thought I would create a tag.  I cut the Classic Tag 2 die from both black and white cardstock.  Then I die cut the Panda face from the white tag and layered them together adding a sentiment from the So Many Sentiments set.

Be sure to leave a comment here to be entered to win one of my new products.  Increase your chances by heading over to my post on Instagram today (@mprantner) and follow the instructions there. 

And don't forget to stop by the Neat & Tangled blog.  Danielle is giving away a set of these goodies on the blog there today.  See you back here tomorrow when we'll be showing off the rest of my new release goodies. 

N&T November Release Week Day 1 - Giveaways

Hey everyone!  It's a little crazy to think that we're in November and this is the last N&T release for the year!  I've got a bunch of new designs in this week's release and I can't wait for you to see them all.

Today we're showcasing a new sentiment set from Danielle as well as a new stencil set from me, Tree Duo.  Just like the Balloon Duo stencil we released in August, these are designed to work together, but you can certainly use them apart as well.  As an added bonus, they coordinate with my Scandinavian Prints Christmas set, which adds a whole other level of possibilities.

For my first project, I created some gift wrap.  I used some kraft paper (I have a big roll) and simply stenciled my trees on using a variety of Altenew green inks.  I forgot to take a good photo of the finished paper, but here's a shot I shared on IG as a sneak when I was working one evening.



I also added some stamped accents using Scandinavian Prints Christmas, but you could definitely skip that set.



To finish off the wrapping, I created a couple of thin tags using the Classic Tag 2 set and a sentiment from today's featured stamp set, Wishing You Love.



The stencil duo also creates easy CAS cards too.  This design is definitely mass producible, and nice and flat for easy mailing:



I used a combination of Altenew and Distress Inks on this one, and I was going to leave it more plain, but I couldn't resist some of those accent stamps in Scandinavian Prints Christmas.



The sentiment is from tomorrow's featured set from Elena.

Last but not least, a card featuring the main sentiment from Wishing You Love.  Danielle does such a great job constructing these large handwritten sentiments and I love how this one just commands the whole card.




For my card I added a bit of stenciling from something you'll see later in the week.  The sentiment was stamped over top with Versafine and then clear embossed.  I then added a few star and sequin accents and stitching as well as some patterned paper mats.

OK, that's all I have to share today, but you'll definitely want to head over to the Neat & Tangled blog.  Danielle is giving away all of today's featured products.

I also have some giveaways this week.  To be entered to win one of my new release products, be a follower and leave a comment.  For additional chances to win, head over to my Instagram (@mprantner) and follow the directions there.  I'll announce winners on Friday.

See you back here tomorrow for more Release Week goodness!

Neat & Tangled September Release Day 2 - Giveaways

Welcome back for Day 2 of the Neat & Tangled September Release.  Today we're showing off a new set from Elena called Holiday Baking.  There are so many cute images in this set, and I decided to create a tag.  This would be the perfect touch for a holiday gift of baked goodies.

I used the Classic Tag 2 dies for my tag base and accents at the top.

There are lots of images in the set, but I didn't want the tag to be too busy, so I picked the big bear and gave him a little sidekick in the mouse who really wants to dip his spatula in the bowl for a taste.
The images were colored with Copics and die cut.  I added some bits of patterned paper to the bottom of the tag to ground it as well as some machine stitching as an accent.



I bet you'd love to win this set, wouldn't you?  Well head over to the Neat & Tangled blog as Danielle is giving away a set to a lucky someone.

I have some fun new products in this release, some of which you'll see tomorrow, and I'm going to be drawing some winners also.  To be in the running, be a follower and leave me a comment.  If you follow me on IG (@mprantner) leave a second comment for another chance.

See you back here tomorrow!

Neat & Tangled March Release - Day 4 - Giveaways

OK folks, it's the last day of our Neat & Tangled March release reveals.  Today we're showcasing three of my new designs.  First up is the Polygon stencil.  I love stencils and it's just so much fun to design them.

I'm showing off the stencil with a technique I've used before.  I selectively traced portions of the stencil and then colored them using Copics.  This is such an easy technique....the hardest part is coloring that initial line, but in terms of shading I really don't do much, I basically outline the image with successively lighter shades of color, making sure to overlap each layer, but really not blending a ton.



The sentiments are, of course, from the Awesome stamp set.

When I designed the stencil and showed it to Danielle she asked for a cover plate too, and really, who am I to argue with the boss?

The only tricky thing about the cover plate is that although the pieces look the same, there is variation in the size of the polygons, so if you're planning to inlay, try and lay the pieces out as they are in the cover to make the inlay easier.

I cut the cover from four different colors of cardstock, and then just randomly inlaid them to create a background.



The card was finished off with the Celebrate stamps and dies.



Since I had all those extra pieces, I created another inlaid piece, and then to really amp it up, offset the webbing/outline pieces on top to create something really dynamic.



The sentiment is from Planner Blocks, and I added a few sequins for some sparkle.

I didn't have time to do anything elaborate or fancy with the Tag set, but there are plenty of examples over on the N&T blog.  I kind of agonize over creating tags.  There are so many of them out there, and it's hard to create something that's versatile and unique.  I think you're going to like the size of the main tag.  It's large, but not too large to go on the front of a card, a great basic shape.

My favorite thing though are the two skinny tags that are wired inside.  I just love these skinny tags.  They are perfect for gift wrap, party favors/decorations, and if I was getting married, I would totally use these to tell people which table to sit at.

Also, those little enforcers at the top are my new favorite way of using up paper scraps.  I know no one else out there has a problem throwing out little scraps of paper, right?  Anyway, I just threw a few of these together so you could get an idea.



OK, I'm giving away some of my new products this week.  Just leave a comment here to be entered to win.  For an extra chance follow me on Instagram and repost my post there today and leave another comment.

Now hop on over to the Neat & Tangled blog.  Danielle is giving away some goodies and you definitely want to see what the team created.