Sunday, January 10, 2021

A little crochet and a "tag" challenge...

This week saw me at home quite a bit, but somehow that didn't translate into much crafting.  I did do some crocheting on my chevron blanket, but I'll take another picture when it's further along. 

For some reason, this week I was inspired to give a whole new craft a try.   Jenny at Elephantz makes beautifully sweet embroidery patterns that I've admired for a while now, but this week she linked to a new challenge that just started up called 52 Tags hosted by Anne Brooke, a Textile Artist in the UK.  You can see more links at Jenny's blog above (and see her first tag), but I found this Youtube video that explains the challenge.

The stitching that will go into these is called "slow stitching".  Having watched a few videos I confess, I don't know how or why these are considered any "slower" than any other type of stitching or embroidery.  Shrug.  I suppose I'll learn more as I go along.  The real appeal of this challenge is that none of these tags are meant to take very long to make.  Truth be told, though, they can be as simple or complicated as a person wants to make them. 

Friday evening I made some tag bases from scrapbook papers that I have in my stash (using a brown craft paper for the back and pretty papers for the fronts):   

Just making these was kind of fun.  

Many people use pre-purchased tags, but I have so much decorative paper stashed, I couldn't see buying tags, and it was easy and fun enough to make my own.  It's actually interesting to see what some people are using as the tag base.   Some people have dye-cut machines they're cutting shapes out with.  I've seen hang tags from purchased clothing used.  One person is transforming a deck of playing cards into tags.  People are so creative...

At first I didn't think I'd manage to finish one to show today, but these were so quick to make, I actually finished two yesterday:

Tag 1 (the theme was "White"):




And Tag 2 (which I think was themed "Heart"):



If you're interested in just seeing a bunch of finished tags, the Instagram link is:  #52tagshannemade

We'll see if I actually manage to make a tag a week.    If I end up petering out, then the worst thing will be is that I'm left with a bunch pretty and fun paper tags to use for other purposes.  😊  It seems like a pretty low-risk investment on my part.







32 comments:

  1. One a week sounds pretty doable. And they may end up being a flock of very nice ornaments for the next Christmas tree. I hope you'll keep posting them as you make them.

    My neighbors still have Christmas lights and wreaths up from this one. I don't know when they plan to take them down, but I like the lights on these cold nights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christmas ornaments sounds like a great idea. Our neighbors are leaving their white lights up on their front porch for some length of time beyond Christmas, too. I will enjoy seeing them for however long they leave them up. :)

      Delete
  2. Oh what fun, the tags you've made are lovely, I look forward to seeing more. It's great to try something new. 🙂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think "something new" was probably why I jumped on it. I'm craving new right now.

      Delete
  3. Oh they are so cute. That’s a craft I’d not heard of, I best resist looking at the # otherwise I’ll be joining you 😆. I love learning new crafts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm discovering all sort of things people do with this slow stitching. Other than people referring to the mindfulness they get into doing it, I really don't understand the term. I get pretty "mindful" (or "in the moment", or almost "meditative") when I do any sort of hand-stitching.

      Delete
    2. Is it just because it is hand stiched maybe...not done on a machine? I am a slooow hand stitcher for sure...even when I'm not trying to be :)

      Delete
  4. Those are so sweet. What a great idea. They will make great tags for gifts. Then after the gift is opened a lovely bookmark to keep the memory alive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some people are writing on the backs and making these a sort of memento of the year, but I'm just writing on them when they're made, thinking I may want to write something on them later that is appropriate for a gift I may put them on (or a card I might slip one into). Or they may become another thing I store away for someone to find someday. I hope when that day comes someone is as delighted as I was when I uncovered some treasures of my MIL's. Having only sons, I suspect they may just be befuddled.

      Delete
  5. Your tags are fun. I've been trying to get back into cardmaking but I haven't been motivated at all. I did clean up my supplies and got rid of some things. Everything else I hid in parts of our buffet, media cabinet, and end table so I could free up the cart for my sewing paraphernalia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These are a nice easy, quick way to do a little hand stitching. I've been wanting to do some stitching and embroidery work, but am in a mode where a large project doesn't really appeal for some reason. These fit the bill!

      Delete
  6. WOW. What a great new craft. Closest I've come is to trim Christmas cards into gift tags. I was able to have several such tags from last year's Christmas cards. I'm not a sewer so I don't have the fabric and lace stash to make such tags. But your are very beautiful. I'll look forward to seeing them and what recipients think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm anxious to try some of these. Like you, I often make my old Christmas cards into tags and I have so much fun doing that. Something about paper, scissors and glue just makes me happy.

      Delete
    2. I cut up Christmas card for tags, too. I enjoy paper crafting, but adding a little stitching mixes things up a bit. :)

      Delete
  7. Those tags are pretty. It is a great project for bits and pieces stash reduction. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to attempt to do them all using basically fabric scraps. And some of the laces I saved from my MIL's stash I went through last summer. The white one above was a shirt I'd bought at Goodwill, and I'd been saving just because it had sequins sewn all over it. It was a perfect background for the "White" tag. I'm now looking at clothing cast-offs with new eyes. ;^)

      Delete
  8. I love these tags and the entire idea of this craft! I definitely have the craft stash to make a bunch of these without even trying very hard. Finding time, of course, is another matter, but this looks like a good therapeutic craft to do and I might just have to make the time.

    And ... I spy some hem lace on that white tag! Both tags are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean - I have so much of this kind of stuff sorted out and stored neatly, it was just a matter of opening some boxes and playing around for a couple of hours. And then I put it all way until the next tag challenge presents itself (I think on Tuesdays). I remembered the tip you gave me about using that lacy hem tape! I imagine I will be using that one a number of tags before this challenge is over. I have some pretty colors of that stuff I'll, no doubt, be able to use as the challenge goes along.

      Delete
  9. I love the creativity of this project. Beautiful tags, and if I received one attached to a gift I would certainly keep it!! Great idea for recycling - and the person whose idea was playing cards as a base is very wise (she says because she has decks of cards missing one or two pieces!) Take care Becki. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Mary Anne. While, overall, I'm feeling better, there are days that are hard. A little bit of frivolous crafting is a bit of an escape, I suppose.

      Delete
  10. I, like everyone else, love your tags - can I fit in another craft?

    ReplyDelete
  11. The tag project sounds like such fun and I did toy with joining in but haven't (yet!!). 'Slow' stitching, as I understand it, simply means done by hand as opposed to by machine. The premise being that stitching by hand is more mindful and meditative. But who knows, I could be very wrong!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The mindful part. I have to say, it's very easy to become totally absorbed when making these little tags.

      Delete
  12. I have quite a stash of scrapbook stuff. I did ATC (artist trading cards) trades years ago. They are 2.5 × 3.5" and so fun to work on something small as a creative outlet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I didn't realize what a nice little project these small things are. Easy to stick with 'till finished, and not so hard to pick up where one left off either. So far, these are a perfect little project for my otherwise disjointed and distracted life right now. ;^)

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Thank you, Paola! So glad you see you were able to post! :) Thanks for being persistent.

      Delete
  14. Oh Becki your tags are beautiful! How nice! I think it's great that you took up a new hobby that you are enjoying!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rain. :) It's fun to do something new.

      Delete
  15. The tag idea is clever with all sorts of possibilities. Thanks for the inspiration!

    I am sorry about your recent loss. This has been an extremely hard time for more people than usual, so our prayer support for each other is vital. Thank you for visiting my blog and being an encouragement to me. Kind words are never wasted.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Truth be told, I think the hardest part for me would be making the tag bases! It's been many years since I did fancy stitching but I used to love it. Your first 2 tags are very pretty and definitely a heart healer.❤

    ReplyDelete