Taggin' Along

Tags are one of the new, innovative, fun trends in scrapbooking! There are so many kinds of tags that can be used to enhance any and every aspect of a layout! Tag along with me and we’ll explore the possibilities together!

TYPES OF TAGS
There are many types of tags, most of which can be found at your local office supply store. Some of the more popular styles used in scrapbooking today are listed below…

• Round Tags – Have silver metal rims and strings for ties.


• Shipping Tags –Most have angled or round corners, but some are perfectly square. These tags are available in a variety of colors.


• Scalloped Tags – Have scalloped corners and usually come with string ties.


• Wooden Tags – Thin strips of wood (cedar, aspen, maple, & cherry) with angled corners.


• Handmade Tags – This is where your creativity comes in! You can make tags any shape, any size you want…use your imagination! If you need some help getting started or need tag patterns, click below…

  http://www.red-castle.com/software/fw/printtags.htm

REINFORCEMENTS
If you are going to add ties to tags, they will need reinforcements. (Reinforcements don’t always have to be placed in the middle of a tag…try placing them in the corners.) Most pre-made tags come with reinforcements, but for handmade tags, here are some great reinforcement ideas…

• Make your own reinforcements by using cardstock and a small circle punch. Punch a smaller hole in the center of the circle and then attach it to your tag and add a tie. (Most small punched shapes will also work.)


• Use buttons or eyelets.


• Buy regular paper reinforcements from an office supply store.

TIES FOR TAGS
Some tags come with ties, but if not, you’ll need to add your own! Here are some ideas for creative ties…

• Wire


• Fiber


• Ribbon


• Jute


• Twine


• Thread


• Yarn


• Raffia


• Cardstock


• Pipe Cleaners


• Paper Clips


• Twistel

USING TAGS TO ACCENT YOUR LAYOUTS
Tags can be used to enhance every aspect of a layout. They can also be used as accents and embellishments. Here are some great ways to use tags on your layouts…

• Use tags as journaling boxes.


• String multiple tags with jute, raffia, or wire along the top of a layout as a title or along the bottom of a layout as a border.


• Add punch pieces, die-cuts, stamps, or stickers to tags and use as embellishments.


• Layer tags with vellum or matte tags with torn mulberry or card stock.


• Use large tags as picture mattes or as titles.


• Tie tags together with ribbon and use as a title.


• Attach tags to enhance die-cuts…to suitcases, to gifts, behind airplanes, to clothes and shopping bags, etc.


• Hang tags from titles or picture mattes.

For some great examples of how to use tags, check out the tag technique section of the site. If you choose to use tags to enhance your layouts -- be creative and use your imagination -- you can’t go wrong!