Oct 29 2008
Poppy Patch and Tying a Tag
While I had my soft chalks and Eclipse masking tape out for yesterday’s card I decided to use them to create another floral image, this time with my Poppy Patch set from Flourishes.
I made a 5 1/4″ square card with a simple layout since I had a rather large main image and such beautiful embossed paper in the background – something old from ProvoCraft. Thank goodness for the Cuttlebug these days so we can make our own embossed paper.
As I was preparing to attach my tag it occurred to me that a little thing like tying a tag may not be such a little thing to many new stampers who are trying to learn the ways of card making.
Frequently I’ll add a tag as an afterthought — ribbon is already neatly tied, ends trimmed and then I decide a tag would be a nice touch. This photo shows my tag tying paraphernalia. It’s nothing unusual — the card with ribbon attached, the tag and the cord I’ll use to attach the tag. Also included in the photo are my tapestry needles. They have a blunt end that won’t pierce anything; I use them as a tool to guide my cord through the ribbon knot.
I didn’t realize until after I’d taken the photos what a poor example this is for illustration purposes — the needle and the cord are the same color and nearly indistinguishable from each other. It’s what I was using at the time, though, so I hope you can make sense of it.
- I thread the tapestry needle with the cord as though I were going to sew with it.
- Go through the tag, front to back, leaving a tail hanging out the front of the tag, and then guide the needle and cord through the ribbon knot.
- Come back out through the tag so both ends of the cord are coming through the front of the tag.
- Tie a bow as shown in the photo of the finished card.
The tag will lay flat and snugly in place. I used the same technique to tie the tag on this card:
You can click the thumbnail to enlarge. Whether you have tapestry needles or not, the main idea is to secure the cord or thread within the ribbon knot and bring both ends through the front of the tag. That’s the way to get your tag to lay flat, facing forward rather than turning to the side.
I hope this helps someone — anyone. It was a revelation for me several years ago and maybe it will be for one of you today. Thank you for visiting! The Poppy Patch recipe is below.
- Stamps: Flourishes Poppy Patch, Hero Arts sentiment
- Paper: Bashful Blue, Neenah Classic Solar White, ProvoCraft embossed white (old)
- Inks/Chalks/Markers: Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
- Accessories: Ribbon, silver elastic cord, silver eyelet, 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ circle punches, spray matte sealer, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
What a great tip! Thanks for the explanation - it made total sense and now I know how to do it. Thanks again!
Wow…that’s a great tip. I have always just dealt with tags flip flopping around…now I don’t have to! Thanks so much for sharing
Oh, thank you so much for that tip. My tags always end up with a mind of their own! Beautiful card, Leslie. I love the softness the chalks provide.
It helps me tremendously! Thanks for the tip!
What a gorgeous card!! Love the colors, the beautiful background paper and the lovely bow. Your coloring is amazing no matter what medium you use! TFS
OOOH, thanks for that tag tip!!
Beautiful card as usual
Oh my, what a gorgeous card! (I know I keep saying that but it is so true). Love the poppy image, your great coloring, the cb embossing and the great tip for tying the tag on the ribbon.
Always a visual treat to see what you have created! tfs
Oh my gosh! I just made a bunch of cards yesterday and added a tag. Yours looks so much better I’m going to redo them. Thank you for the tutorial - loved it!!!!
Lovely card, Leslie! The poppies are absolutely beautiful–love your soft chalking and thanks for the tip on the tag! The embossed paper is beautiful and such a nice BG for the flowers!
“Gasp!” This is soooooo gorgeous! You’ve got the coloring gift!
What a gorgeous card. I think this one is the best yet. Love it!
This card is just gorgeous. I love absolutely everything about it.
Lovely card!! Great colours and great colouring too
Thanks for the tip on the tag threading - brilliant. Going to have to use it myself and soon! TFS and have a great day.
What is the name of that retired Cuttlebug folder? I am new to owning a CB and I love that folder.
WOW WOW WOW, perfectly beautiful! It’s just breathtaking!!!
I’m not sure I get the tag thing, but I’m going to try it! Everyone else gets it, so I may just be nuts! Where does the loop “behind” the tag go? does that hang from the ribbon, then you tie the bow? My OLD brain is just confused today!!!
Your blog is fabulous, and your creations are divine!!! You are on my MUST SEE list every day!!!
Thi is another gorgeous card…wow…so pretty, I love the tag on it, too!
Just fell in love with your card. Love all the cards you share with the world. Great idea for attaching the tag.
Shirley Lee
The tapestry needle is new to me. Thanks for the tip.
Beautiful shading on this gorgeous card! Thanks for the tag tips as well! They certainly will come in handy!
Thank you so much for the tip. As I am new to cardmaking any tips or advice are really helpful. I also like how you mention the size of the card as well. And of course, it’s a beautiful card - as all of yours are!!! Thanks again!
Beautiful, so soft and pretty! I love the colors, and appreciate the tag tips - another gorgeous creation! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
What an elegant card I just love the colors great job. TFS.
WOW - YOU are so smart; what a fabulous tip. AND beautiful card!!
Leslie, great tip. Here’s mine: when snail mailing card with brads and such, use corrugator on a heavy c.s., slip it over card front, both facing envelope back and voila! No torn envelope.
Super idea and I will definitely give it a try! Your card is beautiful!
This is scroll stoppingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, this is gorgeous Leslie, love your beautiful soft colors. Thank you for sharing your cord tutorial, I do the same thing, I always forget the tag and then remember after I’ve already tied the bow . . . LOL!
What a beautiful card. The colors are gorgeous. I also love your embossed background. It seems to really enhance your image. Great card!
WOW, this card is gorgeous!! Thank you so much for the tutorial also, it was VERY helpful! Very awesome card!
Thank you for thinking of us beginners!! I appreciate these tips - please know that it does help me improve the ‘finished’ look of the cards and therefore it looks more professional. Your card is gorgeous Leslie and even seeing the rectangle mounted to a square taught me another technique to showcase a beautiful image.
I just fainted…
Another beautiful card. Yummy colours too!
Many thanks for the tutorial, this is going to be so useful.
Marion, UK
How cool……..your tied tag is a revelation for me too. TFS and your beautifully colored floral card.
How sweet of you to go back and explain what appeared unclear to you, but you do such a good job that the explanation was wonderful and I ‘m going to keep this tutorial for referring to later when I have to tie a tag. It is so easy with the step by step and the photos. And that card is so pretty! Thank you! Linda Crowder
This is so, so beautiful…Leslie!! I love the colors you’ve used for your poppies, and your coloring is amazing as ever!! The embossed panel is so pretty, and thanks for the tag tying tip as well!!
Beautiful Leslie! I love it when you color flowers. Well actually I love it when you color anything!
This is a beautiful card! Love how you colored your image, and that BG paper is just gorgeous, but I agree…thank goodness for the CB. Thanks for the tieing tips…I always feel like I’m on the losing end of a wrestling match when I attempt to add ribbon or twine to a card. Maybe this will help.
Spectacular card and wonderful tute! I’ve been stamping for eight years and I hadn’t figured this out!!
Beautiful! Love the way you’ve coloured the poppies and the tip on bringing the thread through to the front….well you could have mentioned that a couple of years ago!! Would have saved me a lot of grief LOL! Awesome tip!
Beautiful Leslie!!
Your card is a spetacular piece of art! Thanks for the great tip on the tag too! I am saving that and using it for sure! Your artwork is always wonderful to look at!
Oh the colors on this are so imaginative and gorgeous. Love this beauty!
Beautiful card! Love the colors! Thank you for the nice idea with a tag!
Thanks for the tip. I always wondered if there was some trick I could use to make a tag lie flat. I’ll have to show this to my Stampin Up demonstrator.
Beautiful card. Your coloring skill is fabulous.
Stunning card! The purple is fantastic and I really love the embossed bg panel!
Just amazing to me everytime to see what beautiful work you do with chalk. Thanks for sharing your tip on the tag, will have to try that next time
Such a gorgeous work of art, Leslie! You continue to awe and amaze us all with your talent! And thanks for the tag tying tutorial (say that 3 times!). Such a perfect way to attach a tag and have it facing forward!!
What a beautiful creation Leslie!
Okay, I gotta tell you: I just went: Well, DUH!!! Why didn’t I think of that, I should have thought of that, I could have thought of that, I’m smart enough to have thought of that…. Of course, I didn’t think of it and have been fighting with tying my tags and so avoiding the subject!!! LOL!!! Thank you for the FABULOUS tip!!!
Sandra
This card is so beautiful - it just catches my breath!!! Your images are so beautifully colored, and those colors, oh my!!!! Love your tip on the hanging tag as well - very wise!!! Fabulous card and post!!!
How can I not LOVE this?! The purple and blue color combo is one of my favorites, and your coloring is spectacular! That pretty embossed white paper is the perfect background. And thanks for the tutorial on attaching the tag. I’m not too good at figuring those things out. Linda