die cuts

3 Fall Tags – 2026 Reveal

Hard to believe that we’ve been doing this annual reveal for 5 years now – and it’s been a fun way to celebrate the change in seasons. This year, I’ve kept each of the tags pretty simple.

Let’s get started with Tag 1

I used an image from Unsplash for the focal piece. The image has a bokeh kind of feeling to it and was perfect to use as a mask in the SCAL software. The tag shape is found in the SCAL library and the pumpkin colored side piece is embossed with an embossing folder called Burlap by Taylored Expressions. The piece is swiped with some brown ink. A bit of crochet thread, a sentiment and some sequins finish this tag.

Like I said, super simple and it would be perfect for a quick gift – bag or package.


On to Tag 2:

This tag was super simple – incorporating lots of scraps and files I purchased years ago. The leaves and stems are from SVG Cuts. All cut in white paper and then inked using re-inkers and the smooshing technique. Got my fingers a little inky as well! 🙂 After drying a very thin coat of pearl ex and gel medium were brushed on the leaves and stems.

The tag base is created in SCAL using some basic shapes and a couple of commands in the software. Super easy. The base is embossed using another folder form Taylored Expressions (Tweed). It’s pretty dimensional. It is inked with some distress inks and those lines just pop (embossing done horizontal).

The Autumn sentiment was created using a font from Lettering Delights (it’s been in my font folder for ages). It’s called LD Letterpress Inverted. Lettering Delights was one of the first sites I purchased things from after PC Hugware shut down. This tag is perfect for a bag or to snug into a fall themed gift basket. I think future versions will have different colors used for each of the letters. Time was short when creating this one — so it was all one color!


Tag 3:
The weather has finally settled into cooler starts and ends. It’s been fun to snuggle up with a good book and a hot drink on the weekends and even a few mornings.

This is a file I’ve used mostly for birthdays recently. It is pretty adaptable and thus it became a tag with a few alterations in my original file.

Textured paper for the card panel, pull, slide and additional leaves for the left side of this 3 inch wide tag. The base is white and inked on the edges for a little more interest. The image is from Creative Fabrica – and is meant to be used as a sublimation image. However, you can get a really good vivid print with most ink jet printers.

When you pull the slide:

No guilt feelings here! Enjoy every moment we have left — and do something you enjoy!

I’m looking forward to working on some Holiday Tags over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

from the crafting room

The last birthday card for the month of August. A little more tactile because the recipient is sight impaired. He liked it enough to keep it visible on his dresser.

A sample of a possible Christmas card with a tatted wreath embellishment. Still working on it… but I like it for the most part. I do have 8 wreaths of the 20 or so that I will need. I see another day of tatting in my near future.

A Pinterest inspiration — I was able to use some digital papers I had in my collection. Lots of print 2 cut for this one, but definitely worth it. I made 20 of these and have mailed all but 3 of them.

Grateful for the “stash” of cards — they’ve definitely come in handy during the first half of this month. I’m sending a few more out in the next 10 days – and from the looks of the stash, I’m going to need to rebuild again! Just a few birthday, sympathy, and get well cards left.

I’ve seen a similar design available in the die – but thought I might try to make one of my own using circles and not ovals. It worked easily in SCAL 6 using the Duplicate command and adjusting the vertical and horizontal spacing. I really like it. A few cut strips woven through the spaces make for a fun card front.

Testing the original cut. I like the results. And it’s a good way to use up some scraps as well.

And with the embellishments. Half pearls from Queen and Company. Ribbon is from the stash (Stampin’ Up!)

I think that’s it for today. I do have a couple more projects underway — but not far enough along to share yet. Maybe by the end of the month! 🙂

Have a creative week! Enjoy your time in your space or thinking spot! Fall is arriving as the mountain’s colors are beginning to change – we can see some orange and golds today… The reds should start showing soon!

that ornament file has a new life

With Christmas not too far away, let's just say, getting a head start is a good idea for this gal.  I should have started two months ago…. at least on my cards!  

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Pinterest inspired, this make was lots of fun and I even got to use some things from my stash and the scrap bin too!  
The file for the ornament is from Simply Crafty SVGs and the file I used for the H is from the 3D Letter SVG Kit at SVGCuts.com. (You get the whole alpha in the kit!) 

The 3d Round ornament gift box file was also used for some Halloween decor in my last post.  But I thought that changing it up to a bell would work too.  I did do a search for something similar in 3D, but struck out, so it was time to put things together to bring it to life.  

Bell

This is also where the paper yarn came into the crafting picture.  I needed something small to fit in the space between the halves of the ornament… but nothing seemed to work.  I tried wrapping paper around some cording, a pipe cleaner, and even designed a boxy trim – but nothing looked right.  While browsing the net one evening, I found a tutorial for making paper yarn.  The form I liked the best was using crepe paper and you can get about 9 yards of "yarn" from 1 yard of crepe paper when it's all spun.  I did need to get a drop spindle — but that was okay as I plan to use it for some other projects as well.  

Here's what my "yarn" looks like after it is spun.


Yarn

BELLS:  Once the ornament has been assembled following the video (here), glue the two halves together.  Get those edges close together.  When dry, you can apply the paper yarn.  I used Bearly Art craft glue to adhere the yarn in the area between the two halves.  

Decorate as desired. I used some die cuts (dies from Sizzix) and some wired ribbon I found at Hobby Lobby — yep, they're already setting their Christmas section!  

LetterH

Letter H:  Assemble the H according to the directions.  It really is an easy letter to put together.  Ink the edges of the H panel.  Decorate with a strip of black across the center of the H and add a second piece of black that has been threaded through the belt buckle.  I purchased a tin of buckles and frames from Oriental Trading quite a while ago and still had some that worked well for this project.  Adhere this panel to the front of the H and you're ready to display!  

As you can see, I made 3 of each – 3 bells and 3 H's.  You can display them in a several ways – and they'll be perfect for your holiday display this year and in years to come.  

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Happy Crafting!  Enjoy some creative time today and every day!