Secret Decoder Christmas Tag Tutorial
My gift buying is almost done so now comes the fun part…wrapping! Making your own tags is a great way to personalize your gift. I have a fun twist on a tag to show you today, a twist the kids will be sure to love. I call it the Secret Decoder Christmas tag. Let’s get started.
Supplies:
Night Before Christmas Stamp set (Rummage Bin)
Red cellophane
Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa and Rhubarb Stalk
Distress inks in Antique Linen and Walnut Stain (Ranger)
Memento marker in Summer Sky
Spellbinder dies (Labels 4 and ovals)
Fiskars holly leaf punch
Adhesive Pearls (Hero Arts)
Copic Markers
Twine
Cardstock
Hobby blade
Step 1: Cut your frame for the decoder tag using the Spellbinders Label 4 and oval dies. Cut through 2 pieces of cardstock at the same time to create 2 frames. Cutting them together insures the frames will align properly later. Sponge edges of frames with Antique Linen ink.
Step 2: Trim a piece of red cellophane (can be found in party supply stores)slightly smaller than the frame and adhere it in between the two frames you just cut. Embellish with 2 holly leaves and some pearls. Tip: I only had white pearls so I used a red Copic Marker to color them. Stamp sentiment and adhere to bottom of frame. Punch a hole and attach some twine.
Step 3: Stamp tags onto cream cardstock using Memento Rich Cocoa ink. Set aside. Stamp the images a second time onto a piece of copy paper. Use a hobby blade to create a mask from the copy paper by cutting away the blank space. Cut your hole slightly outside the lines.
Step 4: Write the name onto the cardstock tag using the fine point end of the Summer Sky Memento Marker. Using the light blue marker under the red backrounder in the next step is what makes the writing “disappear” and “reappear” with the decoder tag.
Step 5: Align your copy paper mask over your cardstock tag. Ink the Weave Backgrounder with Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink, stamp it over your mask.
Step 6: Color and finish your tags as desired. I colored mine with Copic markers, sponged the edges with Antique Linen and Walnut Stain Distress inks and finished them with colored cardstock (DCWV).
Can you read the name “Erin” in the tag below?
Here is the final set of tags completed.
That’s it! Isn’t this a fun idea? The kids will have such a ball “decoding” the gifts under the tree.
To make it even more fun, we are giving away one of the “Night Before Christmas” stamp sets. Leave a comment on this post by Thursday at 12 noon EST to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced on Friday.
1sandra m.
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 6:30
cute idea using the red cellophane, thanks for sharing these tag ideas!
2Melissa (SCS: Stampin_Melissa)
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 8:47
Oh my, what a fun, fun way to hide who the gifts are for! TFS!
3Leah C.
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 9:17
Such a cute idea! I’m sure the kids will have so much fun with those:)
4Tracey
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 9:26
WHat a fabulous idea!! Love these tags!!
5Trudi
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 10:36
Oh how fun! This is perfect for the kids young and old! I luv this set…it reminds me of fond childhood memories! Thanks for the opportunity to win and the tutorial!
6Jessica Canham
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 10:50
That is the cutest idea! How fun to mix up all the kids’ presents under the tree and have them figure out whose is whose on Christmas day!
7Sandra
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 10:51
what a fun idea! Thanks for the tutorial!
Sandra
8Jan B.
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 13:54
Just love this idea. Will have to remember it for V-Day projects.
9Jennifer C
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 17:26
What a great idea! My kids will love it! Thanks for the tutorial–the pix really help.
10Bonnie
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 17:41
Perfect. Wonder if it will keep my husband at bay too..
11Linda Woerth
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 20:37
cute idea thanks for the tutorial
12AnneSATX
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 20:50
This is such a cool idea. Filing it away for future grandkids…!
13Kathy W
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 21:13
What a cool and unique idea! I don’t have any little kids to make tags for, but I’m going to make a few of these for adults! Thanks for the chance to win; I’ve had this stamp set on my wish list.
14Linda C.
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 21:41
How clever!! These would be great for any age! Thanks for the tutorial!
15Cammie
wrote on 14 December 2009 at 22:13
What a clever idea and such pretty tags. Thanks for the tutorial and chance to win.
16brooke
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 2:12
What a fantastic idea! I love The Night Before Christmas set too.
17Julia Stainton
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 4:10
This totally rocks! Love your brilliant idea and how you used the set!
18Laurie Palozzi
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 4:20
I LOVE this tutorial – what a great idea! This is a super cute stamp set – thanks so much for the chance to win.
19Melissa L
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 5:50
You always have the best ideas.
I can see this being a lot of fun for several different occasions. Thanks so much!
20Lisa Somerville
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 6:38
Great tutorial, cute stamps!
21Bonnie aka raduse
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 7:24
What a fun idea! Thanks for the tutorial.
22Phyllis M.
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 7:54
Clever idea for a tag and super cute stamps too. Thanks for the great tut on it and also for a chance to win the stamp set. Phyllis M.
23Prairie Girl
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 8:32
What a cool tag! What a great way to make for an enjoyable experience when opening the gift!
24Candy
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 9:24
This is just toooooooo cute — I can’t wait to make one. Thanks so much for a year full of inspiration. Happy Holidays to you and yours and I wish an absolutely wonderful new year.
25lenoria
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 9:46
This is such a cute idea! I guess I’m a big kid because I can’t wait to try it myself – and I would be the first under the tree trying to see if I could figure it all out without getting caught!!
26Emily
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 10:14
I LOVE this idea! It would take a lot of time to do on ALL the presents but it will be fun to try it out on a few of the smartypants who always figure everything out under tree!
Thanks for the inspiration!
27Jenn
wrote on 15 December 2009 at 15:25
This is a fabulous idea! I am definitely make a few of these! Thanks for the great instructions and inspiration =)
28Corina Syanovitz
wrote on 16 December 2009 at 1:40
That is so cool – i LOVE this set – thanks for a chance to win!
29Sonja
wrote on 16 December 2009 at 11:47
Those are some aswesome looking tags!
30Cheryl Rowley
wrote on 17 December 2009 at 4:17
Tracy, you are incredibly talented and creative! I love these tags!
Cheryl
31SherylH
wrote on 17 December 2009 at 9:41
Great looking tags — now if I could only find time to do something like this!