Leisure Arts - Paper Tags, Ornaments, Cards and Gifts

click on painting to watch it snow

A Winter's Eve

(Copyright: Susan Rios)

Susan Rios graciously allowed me to promote this snowfall painting, which can be purchased here.

Just to relax a little, I have made a few things that are quick, easy, yet beautiful, and can be used for children's activities or, with luxury papers, can make beautiful adornments for packages.  These little tags can also become ornaments or cards or garlands. These can be used year-round, in any season, for any occasion, with small changes.

They are only one-dimensional, which makes it a very non-stressful project, yet is quite luxurious and pretty.The paper bow instructions are in a previous post.

Print out the template on card stock, trace around it and use glitter glue to outline the pieces. These are great for tags or ornaments and can be stored in a zip-lock bag. Try making them in white, outlined in crayons. If you want to have a more sophisticated craft, outline white tags/ornaments in shiny white polymer paint. I've used children's construction paper to make the above gift tags.Some of these might make nice book markers, especially the candle.

This is a white poinsettia, but could be made light pink, as well. It can be used as a tag or added to several others on a ribbon to make a garland to drape across a mantel or window. It is cut from card stock, painted with a sponge brush and white Elmer's all purpose glue, and then drenched in clear crystal glitter. Puff paints, glitter, card stock and ribbon for these projects can be found in the Wal-Mart craft department.  Make a stack of paper and cut out several of the white poinsettia's at the same time. Glitter them or put a sparkly glue on the edges, tape a straw to the back of each one for a stem, and place a bouquet in a jar.  Add the leaves from the template pattern, by cutting them from green paper and glueing on the flower, on the other side, slightly showing from the front.  Make a huge poinsetta and use it for a paper fan.

 Right click on this template and print on card stock. Cut out the pieces and trace around them on interesting types of papers.  Add stickers or any kind of trims you like.  Use what you have in your home: cardboard from cereal boxes or other products, crayons, markers or pens.

Click for a larger view of Utopia sign

 You have probably seen words or word-phrases painted on metal or wood in shops, and here is a way you can make some of your own. If you have an old house, try making name signs for each room of your house, similar to the custom of  the bed and breakfast inns. Outline the edges and the words in glue, and then sprinkle glitter on it, or, use Polymer or Scribbles puff paint to give this project and embossed look.

Click for a larger view of Sunshine and Lollipops

Remember Leslie Gore's song, "Sunshine and Lollipops?"

Consider using the "whatever is lovely" verse from Philippians 4:8 for words and phrases on these sweet signs.

Take a shape you like, such as a little serving tray, or trace a square, circle, oval, or anything you have, on cardstock or poster board.

Try making up your own phrases, or use familiar favorites such as "Home Sweet Home," or "Enter With a Cheerful Heart."  Words like "luxury," "happy", "joy" and "enjoy" can be penned into the shape you choose, and outlined with embossing pens.  I saw one recently in a shabby chic shop that read "Be nice."  I've had a lot of fun making up my own, and you are welcome to print out what you like. Use them for tags, gifts, or sell them.  Just right-click and then "print."

Upper sign says "Pretty and Sweet," and lower sign says "See you in Wal-Mart."

Once or twice week, after I get caught up with some of my work at home, I look forward to going to WalMart to do a bit of grocery shopping, where I sometimes see other homemakers stocking up on food and fabric, so I made up this sign for a friend of mine.

I have heard young children say, "Can't we just stay home?" indicating how much they love their homes and their familiar surroundings, so I thought it was a cute saying.

Upper sign says "Let's stay home," and lower sign says, "I like it here, where it's cozy."

This one alludes to Mr. Knightly's remark about not going to Emma's party, because his dark, dreary looking manor in the background was apparently 'cozy'.  "I want to stay here, where it's cozy," he said.

Let's Play House, and Stay

Upper sign says "Welcome to My Dream World," and lower sign is "Enjoy Your Stay."  Both phrases could be made into one sign.

This one is dedicated to the homemakers who have been accused of living in a dream world. You could also pen, "My dream world is better than a nightmare," or something like that.

This sign says "Life is a garden of roses" and it reminded me of a poem that illustrates it:

This life that we're a-livin' in

Is mighty hard to beat:

You get a thorn in every rose,

But ain't the roses sweet!



Tea Time and Lovely

I included doilies in a favorite word plaque, because I have been researching the history of doilies, which were created by a 17th century draper named Robert D'Oilly. Doilies were a smaller, more affordable version of the long and heavy lace tablecloths used by royalty.  I have inherited some, and I display them in my home.

In the late 1800's several writers produced books about orphans (Anne of Green Gables, Pollyanna, and others) whose lives were so bleak,  they taught great lessons to grumpy, complaining, critical people. "Play the glad game," said Pollyanna.  After that book was written, critics of the time sniped  that people who had a Pollyanna attitude were simplistic and ridiculous, but in the end Pollyanna made life better for everyone around her.  In the book, Pollyanna was accused of spreading sweetness and light, a habit that is most appealing and needed today. These little signs are cheerful and easy to make.

The upper sign, "Utopia" is the easiest to make, and the lower sign, "Sunshine and Lollipops" is rather small, so it takes some careful outlining if you are using glitter glue.  These signs might look nice done in black and white and hung with black ribbons.

To make the hanger on the back, cut ribbon, or grosgrain ribbon, jute rope, string, yarn, wired ribbon, and tape it on the other side of the sign with a shiny clear tape.

Glitter from Dollar Tree seems to have more gleam to it than the expensive glitters, if you like that sort of thing.

These are thoughtful gifts to make, and work up quickly.