Gift Tag Tutorial

These are so super easy and quick! They just require some paper punches. If you wanted to make even easier ones you would only need the large "gift tag" punch on the far left. I also used my snowflake punch and the small hole punch to make them a little spiffier.

First, just punch out your gift tags using the large punch. Make a lot in various colors.

Next, add your embellishment. In my case, I used the snowflakes.

Then glue together. I did two versions - one using the punched gift tag glued on white paper and then one white gift tag with the punched-out snowflake glued on it.

I plan on making quite a few more before the holidays. I have a "God Jul" (Merry Christmas in Swedish) stamp that would look cute on the gift tags too. I need to try that version yet.

Last, use your small hole punch to make a hole on the right side to fit ribbons and such. This step is totally optional as you could just as easily glue or tape these directly on your gifts.

Can you believe that Christmas is almost here?! How did that happen so fast?!

Wedding favors...

This week my mom and I have been busy making prototypes of the tags that will be on the candy boxes (for the candy table we're having for the wedding favors). This is the one I like the best. I bought that super fun scalloped punch from Country Needleworks here in town, and even if I don't end up using it for this, I will definitely use it later.

You also may have noticed that the stamp I used here is not the stamp I originally was going to use. Unfortunately, through the chaos of packing and unpacking, I have absolutely no idea where I put it so I had to order a new stamp. I love this one too though so it's really a win-win situation. :)

New toys

Time is flying around here. I can't believe my last post was over a week ago, where has time gone?! Japan is keeping me busy, I'm trying to cram in all that I can before I head back home in just 1 short month.

One of the things I've packed in already is stocking up on Japanese craft items. I've been searching for a "handmade" stamp that I could use for tags when I do another craft fair and I finally found [a reasonable] one! I've found a few others but they were over $10?! No thanks.

This little gem came with another stamp, both for $5 - success!

I'm looking forward to stamping away to my heart's content making cute little gift tags! I want to do the Los Angeles Unique LA craft fair again. My roommate and I did the Holiday fair 2 Christmases ago and had tons of fun! It was our first craft show ever and I loved it. I've been wanting to do another ever since.

Anyway, back to Japanese craft items. Washi tape. I already have quite the variety ready to take back home with me but when I saw these adorable Spring designs I snatched them up.

Washi tape is so versatile, you can jazz up just about anything with it.

I had a washi tape giveaway a while back and posted various ideas of how to use it.

I love the little flags, they would be adorable in cupcakes.

And since Easter is just around the corner, I love this idea from the blog To Be Charmed:

I will certainly miss all the super adorable Japanese craft supplies. Luckily there are quite a few Etsy shops that sell washi tape and Japanese fabric!

A Swedish stamp set

I found this precious little stamp set yesterday - I'm in love! I've actually been on the lookout for a "Tack" stamp for a while so I was so surprised to find this one here in Japan. I thought for sure I'd have to order one online or at least look somewhere in the states, but here it is!

And not only does it have a "Tack" (which means thank you in Swedish) stamp, but it came with the cute little bird stamp on the right too!

So I tested them out...

...and liked what I saw!

I'm going to have a lot of thank you notes to write after the wedding and I think this stamp will prove to be very useful.