Mixed Media Butterfly Tags Add Sparkle to Any Gift

These last minute gift tags came out so cute, I wanted to share the idea with you.

You can use precut card stock shapes, cut your own by hand or die cut them like I did. You can do the embossing the old fashioned way as well; but that would be a bit tedious.

With the right equipment, these cards are really quick and easy.

I used:

• Xyron Creatopia to both cut and emboss the butterflies
• Cuttlebug Cut and Emboss Butterflies set
• Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink Vintage Photo
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Earthtones Alcohol Inks and Applicator
• Dr. Ph. Martin's inkPak Iridescent Paint Pad in Bronze
• Studio g (mini) Alphabet Stamp Set
• Pitt Black Superfine Pen
• Scraps of white card stock
• Hole punch
• Gold cord

How I made the Butterfly Tags

Position a scrap of card stock on the die cut plate and run through the die cut machine. Repeat for as many tags as you want.

Position each butterfly in an embossing folder and run through an embossing machine. The Cuttlebug Butterflies set comes with four different embossing designs.

Rub distress ink around the edges and over the embossed side of each tag to darken.

Use the thin felt applicator to dab alcohol inks randomly around the edges and over the embossing. [BTW, I re-use the felt pads.]

Stamp the person's name across the butterfly’s body. Outline the letters in black to make them stand out.

Punch hanging hole in each tag; thread with gold cord; and tie the tag to the gift.

One thing I would do differently next time: decorate both sides as shown here, but always stamp the names on the debossed side.

I don't like the look of Martha's and Christina's names just pasted on top.