Spring Lilacs Tag by Anne Thompson

I know it is almost officially summer, but I couldn't resist one last Spring Lilacs tag! I've been revisiting my Distress Inks and reviewing techniques I learned years ago. This tag features four stamps from the SPRING LILACS Clear Stamp Set CL5199 and a Distress Ink Spritz & Flick technique.

To make a tag like this, ink up a large manila tag with ink blending foam tools inked with Seedless Preserves Distress Ink. Start from off the edge of the tag on a non-stick craft sheet or piece of scrap paper larger than the tag, working inward with a circular motion. Repeat until the entire surface of the tag is inked, adding layers on layers. For the water mark effect, spritz water into your hand (I just poured some from a bottle into my palm) and flick it over the tag. Let it sit for just a few seconds, maybe ten. Then blot the tag with a paper towel to create a color-lifted effect. (You may want to use a heat tool at this point if your tag is pretty wet and you don't want to wait for it to dry on its own.)

Next stamp the large lilac bunch from the Spring Lilacs set using VersaMark Embossing Ink. Sprinkle liberally with Opaque White Embossing Powder, tapping the back of the tag to release extra powder. (I sometimes use a small paintbrush to remove any excess embossing powder that is close to the image.) For this tag I stamped the image three times, adding embossing powder after each impression. Then use your heat tool to set the embossing powder, turning it shiny white.

I then stamped the sentiments--FOR A SPECIAL friend; EVERYTHING YOU DO IS SIMPLY amazing; and HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes--using VersaFine Onyx Black Ink on white cardstock. I punched them out using two different sized punches, and then punched some additional circles from a nice green cardstock that coordinated with the ribbon I chose. I layered the sentiments and placed them strategically to hide any imperfections in my embossing. I'd been saving this piece of wired ribbon and it was perfect for this tag tied in a pretty bow.

Happy Crafting!