After Sugarwings went to bed last night, I made up a sample tag book to show you. Many were wondering what they would be like when finished. Well, no two will be just the same, of course, but this will give you an idea.
The 7 tags that I made last night will all be used as covers on the swapper's books. (sorry about photo quality, my better –not good, like my longed for Cannon Rebel, but better than this- camera is out in the car and my husband drove off to take Sugarwings to her Hippy Chick Mommy's house.)
This is the back side of my 7 tags. Notice one isn't covered? I will ink it up a bit, but not all tags have to be finished on each side, that is the swapper's choice.
Also, note that the tags are similar sized, but not exact? I tried to make a variety of sizes for the sample book, so you'd get an idea of how varied the actual book will be. With so many artists participating, it will be a potpourri of sizes and shapes. Just as long as you stay near the target size, you'll be fine with your tag.
Just as I expected, this swap was a good jump start for me. January is a sluggish craft time for me every year. I have lots of things coming up that need to be planned and worked on, but I simply wasn't facing any of it. Plus, it was all vague, out there, in the future stuff.
Committing myself to possible dozens of tag book covers, well, that got me going. And I have noticed in my life, that the more I do, the more I WANT to do. If I get away from my studio for a few weeks, like I just did over Christmas and New Years, I need a push to return. Then, I am firmly lodged in there and can't be removed.
Good timing for me, my sweetheart is leaving for Virginia today. He will be gone 12 days, so I needed a project to do while he was gone. Since October, we have been together pretty much all the time. He has been able to work here from Kansas, or I have traveled with him to VA. We'll have an adjustment period to deal with. Sugarwings will too, her Pop Pop is a big factor in her life. Last time he was away, she called him and said "I want Pop Pop at the DOOR not at the PHONE."
I will miss him as much as Sugarwings does.
But I have my blog friends, and all these projects (Miss Frenchie's, a new web site, an Etsy shop to fill).
Some of the tags I make to cover the books will be copies of my originals, but knowing me, I'll make quite a few originals. Each book will be tied up with vintage ribbons, like this one is, and will have the tiny, heart shaped, "Puppy Love" tag attached, as well as maybe some charm or other goodies. I ordered lots of vintage gum ball dog charms in pretty colors of plastic and have lots of little brass charms, as well as other tidbits to dangle here or there.
So, remember to not add anything to the TOP of your tag. You can add what ever you want to to the bottom, and have it dangle there, if you want. Ruffles, ribbons, charms, etc. That will make the book more interesting.
Here is a photo of true Puppy Love to inspire you. Teddy and Twinkle all cuddled up together, back in their free spirited days before they became parents.
There is still room in the swap, I might be crazy to commit myself to so many covers, but hey, that I just how I roll.
Your tag books look like so much fun. And the puppies are adorable.
Enjoy your crafting time!
Lorrie
Hi Karla!!
The cards are very pretty.
Adorable the small dogs.
Pretty week
Love the Puppy Love and your sweet Tags!
I can’t wait for your new shop to open. 🙂
Janis
Hi Karla, Is it too late to sign up for the swap?
So much fun!!!
Thanks for showing the tags. I am a’workin’ away on mine.
Isn’t young love just like that? Then the babies come along and reality hits.lol
Love the tag examples. I’m planning mine already. Can hardly wait for the completed tag book to get back to me. Thank you for being the hostess, Karla.
Karla, you are adorable: the picture of the new parents in their “free spirited” days…LOL…i LOVE the puppy love tag, that image is SO adorable and i just love the color {of course} and the paper you used!!!
Love the covers you’ve already made. Sign me up for this swap, please Missy Karla! It’ll be fun to have a surprise in the mail during the bleak, dark, winter. I’ve been enjoying all the cute puppy-pics too! Keep ’em coming!!
Kathy in Chicago
Your tagbooks are adorable and just what I need to get out of this winterblues! I tried to email you 3 times yesterday that I want to join, please. I hope that the third mail arrived. Teddy and Twinkle are sooo sweet! Have a nice weekend, hope you don’t miss your husband too much.
Karla, your tags a absolutely gorgeous. I can’t even pick a favourite. I will look forward to seeing all the talent that comes with this swap.
Great picture of the two sweet dogs.
Hugs Karen
Karla! Thank you for sharing the pictures, as I say about some people, I was a little “hard of understanding”! (Variation on “hard of hearing…?, never mind, I imagine you get it…you’d be surprised at how many people just look at me funny…) Anyway, I don’t really have “stuff” to participate, but what fun! Please share photos as they come into fruition. I thought that Twinkles went out to be bred? Or am I confused and Teddy is not yours? Oh my goodness. We had a big gas leak in the house yesterday and maybe I am not so unaffected as I thought…Warmest Regards from your good natured but slightly addle-pated (possibly even slightly Pixilated!) friend, Bobbi
Karla, thank you so much for posting these. I was excited before about this swap, but now, seeing these covers, I’m beside myself.
Dawn
Karla , your tag covers are wonderful, Ms. Creativity. Teddy and Twinkles are so sweet. Just can’t beat that puppy love, can you? I hope the time goes by quickly while hubby is away. Have a good evening.
Jean in Virginia
These look too special to even use!
Is the swap full? If not, I would love to do it! karen….
OK, now I’m really excited about this swap! Your covers are incredible–but I wouldn’t expect them to be anything but that:)
Hi Karla
Is there still room to participate?? If so, i will need an address to send them too!
thanks
Rochelle
The tags are beautiful Karla – wish I could join in the swap. I’ll have to wait for the next one.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Great idea for a swap. Sign me up. The puppies and the parents are so cute!
Oh my goodness. I just saw your precious puppies. I so want a puppy. We have been looking since before Christmas…but no luck. I wish I could see yours. How precious!
If there is still room, I’d love to join the swap…Looks like it’ll be fun and it’ll get me crafting again….
I love it that I am below Stephanie O. I am so thrilled to be a part of this swap!! Can’t wait to start. Love the tag book you put together…it is so fun!
XO~Hope
Your covers are adorable!!!! I can’t wait to get started! Love the pups and I can’t get enough of their adorable pictures.
These are so lovely. We are going to be spoiled with this swap. I can’t believe so many people signed up! 🙂
As usual Karla you inspire me! I know what you mean about needing a little push though, I joined a Round Robing, turned into fat book swap and had to do 16 pages which have now inspired me to do 160 different things!! What is the saying, ‘if you want something done, ask a busy person’ Very true I think…..Kiss Noises Linda Lilly Cottage.
Oh puppy love! Rachaelxo