You've Been Tagged

Looking for a twist on scrapbooking?   How about a tag book?  For those times when you may not be in the mood to scrap an entire page, why not consider scrapping a little booklet instead?  This tag book is just perfect if you want to create a fun photo keepsake that won't take a lot of time to complete. 

As we approach the holidays, you may also want to try this super easy project to add a little something extra to that special gift.

A while back, I made this little tag book as a gift to my twin sister, Paula.  It's a delightful project to consider this time of year. When you open up the booklet it's like a little mini scapbook page inside with four individual panels to decorate as you please. 

This project took about 90-minutes to complete.  That's no time at all and I love the finished look.

Here's what the tag book looks like from the back when opened up. Of course you can always add more embellishments to the back side. 

However, in this case I just didn't want to cover up the pretty vintage paper, so I kept my additional elements to a minimum and confined to the first and last quarter panels only.

To make your own tag book, start with one piece of your favorite 12 X 12 patterned paper. This will be the paper that represents the outside of your tag book. 

You'll also need a second sheet of 12 X 12 plain paper for the inside of the book.  Put both sheets together and cut down to desired size of the tag. I cut mine about 6 inches X 12 inches.

With both pieces together, fold one end over to line up with the opposite end.  Next, fold the first half side turning it back toward the initial fold. 

Turn over and fold the other side in the same way.  This will give you the accordian-style tag book.

Once you have your folds in place, clip both ends at the top right and left corners at an angle to create the tag shape.  At this point adhere both pieces of paper together using double sided tape or glue. In this case, I chose to stitch all the way around the booklet for a more finished look. 

Hole punch the top center of each quadrant for the ribbon.

Thread assorted ribbon through the holes you just punched and then embellish the tag book to your heart's content. 

Since this project is likely to get handled quite a bit, you may want to apply a clear sealant over any rubons you use.  This should prevent the rubons from wearing off over time.

The transparent effect below which appears on the front and back of this tag book, was created using a packaging tape image transfer technique that's easy to duplicate. 

Read further for the step-by-step instructions for this great application.

First, copy a small photograph onto regular printer paper.  It's important to copy your image.  Do not print the picture out.  Apply a small strip of clear packaging tape over the copied photo.  Then, rub the entire taped image using a bone burnisher. 

A bone burnisher is a nice tool to have in your stash, but if you don't have one, a popcicle stick or spoon will also do the trick here. 

Take your time and make sure you thoroughly rub all areas of the tape to ensure the image will tranfer completely.

After a good burnishing, run the taped image under warm water as in the photo below. Soak both sides of the image thoroughly. 

The warm water will loosen the paper and cause it to slide right off the clear packing tape.

Once the paper peels away from the tape you'll be left with the transferred image on the packing tape.  Also, because the adhesive from the tape will not wash away, you'll have an instant transparent sticker from a favorite photo.  Don't forget to let your new sticker dry (face down) before applying to your project. 

Your new personalized sticker will have a wonderful effect on your project if you place it over patterned paper.  I have some other great projects using this fun packing tape technique that I'll share later in a different post.

Now, getting back to the tag project, you can also stitch a couple of pieces of ribbon into the seam to use as a tie-back to hold the tag book in place. 

Carefully measure both pieces of ribbon first to make sure it will fit all the way around the tag book with room for a bow, before actually sewing it into the seam.

These tag books can be tailored for any occasion too.  Here is another example below with a baby theme.  Instead of using ribbon, try a few colorful buttons in the center of each quarter panel.

Wouldn't this be great to go along with a baby shower gift?  You could decorate the inside of tag book with pictures of the mom-to-be.

I love the soft colors of the lavandar ribbon and matching patterned paper in the tag book below. I used the same packing tape technique on the front of this book too. 

On the inside, I used pre-printed stickers to decorate the panels.  The stickers were already inscribed with beautiful quotes so it fit nicely with the overall wedding theme.

These tags are also perfect for the holidays.  The 12 X 12 patterned paper that was used for the tag book below had red on the top half of the paper and the wonderful ornaments on the bottom half.

I simply cropped most of the red out when cutting the paper down to size to keep the focus on the decorative ornaments. 

For this tag book, I attached my ribbon with these little metal brads. If you use brads, you'll want to conceal the prongs on the other side. 

To do that, I simply cut little paper squares and angled them in a diamond shape on the inside to hide the metal ends perfectly.

As you can see, this is a really easy and versatile project. These little tag books can be customized to fit any theme or occasion. 

You can add pictures and embellishments on the inside or even leave the quadrants blank for your own personal sentiments in your prettiest handwriting.  How special would that be?

These tag books can be attached to a gift box, or used as a stand alone gift.  Of course they also make nice memory keepsakes to keep for yourself. 

In the interest of full disclosure, I must add one quick warning here.  The folding for these tag books is so fast and fun, you may not be able to stop at making just one. 

Comments

[april]

I Love crafts so I'm stuck on the packaging tape, I didn't know you could do that. Thank you for sharing. I'm a big fan of your blog! Hugs, April

[Ilze]

I am browsing through your blog ! SO many great ideas and projects !! I will need to track back a little to catch up !!
Great posts.

[sarah]

thanks for sharing all of that! it's such a cute project!

[Maryanne]

Thanks for the super tutorial!!

[Katrina]

You are amazing...I think I'm going to be a regular stalker, I mean visitor on your blog (heee heee)
I love this project. Thanks for giving the details. I never knew you could do that with packing tape.

[Tena]

This is a great project, thanks for sharing it, I will be trying it very soon. Love the one with your sister, you two are beautiful. Keep posting the great ideas.

[Sabina]

wow you are obviously very creative and talented!! love it!!

[Sheri]

I love your blog about the scrap booklet, it's a nice idea. I was thinking about creating a story scrapbook for a co-worker of mine who is having a baby, and though it would wonderful to have a gift that the little one can enjoy when he or she arrives. I want to have photos of the parents and co-workers with their own little stories about the parents to be.

[alyssa]

So pretty! Love how you made an accordion book out of the tags. Thanks for sharing. :)

[sheree]

Wow=-just gorgeous!! And so wonderfully explained. I might actually try this. Seems like a small enough project for me to try and get some practice with scrapbooking. :)

[Elzie]

I just found your blog through The inspired room, and I must say I love it. You make so many lovely things and that will inspire me to do more scrapping. I will return and look at all your things later.
Hope you have a great day.
Love Elzie

[Rhonda]

I haven't made a tag book in ages. Thanks for the reminder. I love what you did with yours.

[the feathered nest]

I really love the one where you used the brads! These are such a great project and thanks for doing such a great step by step tutorial.

Manuela

[Miss Sassy]

These are so beautiful. I'm going to share them with a friend who enjoys working with paper. I love the idea of using the brads. Your pictures are always so lovely.

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Lisa, This is the best tutorial I've seen. The book you made for your sister is beautiful. I can see making them for all kinds of gifts. What a great idea. Also thank you for sharing the tape transfer. Someone else showed it on their blog and I could never quite figure it out. I think I've "got" it now!

[cd&m]

Wow! This is a fab tutorial, really want to have a go at the packing tape technique, what sort of tape do you use? What we call packing tape in the UK is brown so it's obviously not the same.

[Mosaic Queen]

Love, Love, Love the tape technique!!! Thank you for sharing this!!! Everything looks just FABULOUS!!!!

[Mary]

Great project, Lisa! Thanks for sharing. I'll have to add it to my list of things to try. I think this would make a great end-of-the-year gift for teachers or other special friends.

[Sandra Evertson]

This is a Fabulous piece, hard to believe that there are TWO of you beauties! And I just saw those Raggedy Ann's! Blue and pink hair! They are Adorable!
Sandra Evertson

[Sara Duckett]

Very cool Lisa! I love the way yours came out!

[June Parrish Cookson]

Hi Lisa,

Fantastic project including your previous ones. You always do such a great job explaining the process.

Enjoyed reading the article link regarding your twin sister Paula. Impressive career as a news reporter. Especially liked "Don't eat lunch" before pulling 9Gs in a fighter plane. Haha.

Happy Holidays Lisa.

[Cora]

WOW!!!
Gorgeous!!!!

[Cora]

WOW!!!
Gorgeous!!!!

[justlisa]

Beautiful lisa! I am going to try to make one too. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[Aleida Franklin]

Wow. I am going to make one of my very own. Thank you so much for the great tutorial.

[M&Co]

What a great idea, and getting something as thoughtful as that on your christmas gift will be even better than the gift inside!! Your work is soo beautiful!

[jennifer davis]

This is just great, thanks for sharing the technique of transferring the photo too...I'll have to try that.

[Penny]

Lisa, this project is beautiful. I've got to try it soon. I've tried the packing tape technique before, but not with a photo. I love it on this tag project.

[Emine]

That's gorgeous lisa.. thanks for the tutorial ;) I will definitely try it

xoxo
emine

[A Fanciful Twist]

WOWsa! Talk about a good tutorial!!! Awesome!!

[Robyn Weatherspoon]

Oh yes! I'll be trying this project this weekend! Simply fabulous!!

[Jen Rizzo]

What I great idea! I love the packing tape thing. I am going to try that!

[Staci]

I have not done this yet but I have been wanting to try it. It's such a cool look!

[Sue B]

I love, love, love this!

[SugarShop (Dena Berg)]

Lisa these are adorable, at first I thought it was a beautiful ornament to be hung on a tree. Beautiful!

[Adrienne]

I love this! I have not done the transfer tape technique but I am SO doing this when I scrap this weekend!

[melissa @ the inspired room]

Lisa,
This is an adorable project! I love it!