25 Days of Christmas Tags

Hi!  I'm finally back...and for a special occasion.  The incredible Tracey McNeeley is hosting her annual 25 Days of Christmas Tags and has invited the 12 Kits of Occasions designers to participate today.  Yay!  You've got to head to Tracey's blog to check it out.  Trust me: It will be worth your time. ;) 

Speaking of time, though I've known for nearly a month what I wanted to do for my tags, only yesterday was I able to sneak a few seconds to make them.  (It turns out that adding one feels more like adding 10.  Good thing she also brings 10 times the joy, too!)  So yesterday when my husband got home I asked him, "Want to hold a cute baby?"  Then, I literally ran upstairs to make my tags.  I knew exactly what I was going to do, so I pulled everything out and whipped these up as quick as I could before the baby woke up.  

These were completely inspired by the etched wood ornaments, signs, etc. I've seen on Pinterest.  I love them, and one sleepless night while wishing I had an etcher and some wood slices, I realized I could recreate the look with what I already had at home.

After die-cutting some balsa wood tags (I still can't believe I actually cut into the sheet I've been saving for months), I purposely masked an uneven circle, so it would look more like a real wood slice.  Then I rubbed on Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  I stamped the sentiments (from PTI's Wet Paint Holiday Stamp Set) with the same ink.  The little pine bough was created with an image from TAWS's Trees Company Stamp Set.

I didn't have a snowflake in the scale I needed, so I die cut a Lil' Inkers' snowflake out of foam and used it as a stamp. I love that you can still see the stitched lines in it.  I tied on some twine and voila!  These really take no time at all to make, and I can't wait to tie them on to our neighbor gifts...as soon as I figure out what they are going to be this year.  Ha! All I know at this point is that they need to be quick and easy...like these tags.  

And because I was in a crazy mad rush, this is the aftermath.  Yikes!  Thankfully I can happily report that everything is again tucked away neatly in our Ikea cart and wardrobe (two of my best presents/purchases ever!), and that I actually was able to create an entirely different quick set of tags.  I'll share these in a day or so, but here's a peek...  

Okay, now you must go check out all the fun, inspiration, and PRIZES Tracey is offering on her blog.  And guess what?!  You can get an extra chance to win by commenting on my blog today. :) Just make sure to leave a comment before November 27th.

PS I'm linking up these tags to CASology's "Festive" Challenge because they certainly put me in a festive mood. :)