Are you ready for a fast, easy and inexpensive – but really lovely – DIY? It’s a fun and very simple idea: make your own gift tags and wrapping from lovely magazine pages.
If you’re anything like me you’ll probably have an ever-growing stack of magazines that take up a lot of room but you find it hard to part with them. When the stack gets too high I make myself sort through them. Put the kettle on or grab a sparkly cold drink and sit on the floor with your pile of magazines on a quiet afternoon. It might feel a bit indulgent but remind yourself that you’re actually decluttering, upcycling, creating, and having some ‘me’ time all at the same time! Leaf through the mags and tear out inspiration images and file them under whatever’s applicable: storage ideas, renovation inspiration, colours, hairstyles, etc. And create a pile of tear sheets of lovely photos for a craft file. I do keep some magazines – the ones that have too much goodness in them to tear up – all the others go in the recycling after I’ve removed the inspiration.
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To make gift tags you’ll need:
* Lovely magazine or catalogue pages
* Light weight card
* Pencil
* Ruler
* Scissors or a craft knife and cutting mat
* Glue
* Paint brush
* Embellishments like glitter, washi tape, stickers and mini pom poms
Start by identifying the best area(s) in each image. My number one tip is to make yourself some cropping guides. They are basically just big ‘L’ shapes cut out of paper or card. Move the cropping guides around the image until you’re happy with an area to use for a gift tag. Rule a line around the area and cut the tag out.
When you’ve cut out a number of tags glue them to the light weight card. Cut the tags out and punch a hole in the top if you wish.
Now break out the glue, glitter and embellishments. Apply glue with the paintbrush, following the shapes in the images or you can create a pattern like polka dots or stripes. Then sprinkle the glitter over the glue. Tap the tag so the loose glitter falls off. Add other embellishments like small circular office stickers or washi tape.
You can use large images for wrapping like the hydrangea image I used in the two photos above. If the photo isn’t large enough combine it with a piece of coordinating gift wrap. Write on the back of the tag, find some lovely ribbon, lace or twine and wrap a beautiful gift with a handmade touch.
This tutorial first appeared in my ‘Make Me‘ column on Decor8 on 09 August.