12 Days of Home for the Holidays Welcomes Kelli Crowe

I'm a big fan of Kelli Crowe's scrapbooking.  I became aware of Kelli's work at Two Peas in a Bucket.  She is an incredible scrapbooker.  I also love that she is a Big Bang Theory fan!  You just can't go wrong there.  I'm excited to Welcome Kelli!

Hi! I'm Kelli Crowe and my tree has been up since November 6th.  I like Christmas. A lot. I like pretty much everything about it. And because I enjoy it all so much, I get started really early on the preparations. 

One thing I like to do is to make the gift tags for my presents.  I don't make all of them, just however many I feel like.  (It should feel like fun and when it stops feeling fun, I stop making them.)  This year I decided to get my boys involved.

Supplies: I used big and small tags purchased at Staples Any ink pads I had around from scrapbooking or crafting A fine point sharpie Ed Emberley's Complete Fun Print Drawing Book (I already owned this and just used it as initial inspiration) Googlie eyes glue
At first they were tentative about what I wanted. I let them experiment a little, flip through the book, etc. I also got lots more cooperation because we did this in place of a few chores. They were much happier to make a few tags instead of unloading the dish washer.
This is Max, who is very much a ham and likes to show off his new braces. He made his first tag, a flower, following the directions in the book.
And here is the tag in action on a gift for Grandma. (I should note here, I do not buy Christmas wrapping paper.  My tastes change too much to buy paper that just sits around from year to year.  I wrap all gifts, all year, in the same bright and fun papers I love.  So yes, this floral yellow paper is on a Christmas gift!)
Max liked making tags for specific people.  This one he made for his cousin.  But then he misspelled "awesome." We just cut the words off the bottom and added a mini tag to go with it.  These will both tie nicely on the top of his cousin's gift.
Max had a lot of fun free-styling the rest of his tags.  I love the Christmas tree one he did for Grandpa.  I gave him the tree idea, but he figured out how to make it.
Knowing my relatives, they will just add a hook to some of these and turn them into ornaments or put them into a scrapbook.


My middle son, Alex loves to ski.  He made a skiing fingerprint man.  He added googlie eyes because he couldn't see the ones he drew over the navy ink.  
The collection that Alex made.  They remind me so much of his personality. 
Oh, that is not a Christmas Clam, as I first thought upon seeing it.  It is the bow on top of a present.
Even though not everyone was keen on having their photos taken, I did manage to snap a few. So now I have handmade tags AND photos of the kids making them!  I mean, I feel a scrapbook page coming on!
My oldest, David.  He was having a kinda Snape sort of hair day and was sent to the showers right after this project.  He loves to draw and really was proud of his cute little tag people.
All of his people tags.  I will probably just write the person's name on the back of these tags.  I think the front is perfect.
I ended up with a nice little batch of tags. The relatives will love them and keep them. I get credit for being such "clever mom." Don't write on the thumb prints until they are totally dry or it will ruin your pen. (The kids just blew on them a little bit) We used wipes to try and clean off their fingers to avoid accidental smudges. They used different fingers, even after they were cleaned, when changing stamp pads to keep from staining the pads. Know your audience: I put this task in place of another one.  I also kept reminding them we had music lessons and they didn't have forever to work on these.  That was true.  But it took away the all too common question I hear when giving my boys a task, "How long do we have to do this." Thanks for taking the time to look at our fun little Christmas Tradition of making our gift tags. And thank you, Debby, for including me in your crafts this year! You can find more of me, probably more than you would ever want, at: kellicrowe
 
Kelli Crowe
kellicrowe  blog

I really want to do this with my grandkids.  It would be great to have custom tags from my grandkids on the presents this year.  Thank you Kelli!

Giveaway

What an incredible giveaway from Graphic 45, X-ACTO, Sizzix, and May Arts!  Leave a comment for Kelli and I’ll put your name in the drawing. Leave a comment on each of the 12 day's posts to be entered for 12 opportunities to win this gorgeous prize package!  You can also go to  X-ACTO's, Graphic 45's, Sizzix's, and May Art's Facebook page and “like,” leaving a comment you came from D’s Paper Studio and leave another comment on one of the blog posts letting me know to be entered again. One blog reader's name will be drawn and announced on Monday, December 14th. On your Mark, Get Set, Go....!
Included in the Giveaway: 
Graphic 45:Nutcracker Sweet 12x12 paper pad; both sets of coordinating stickers; Ornate Metal Keys; Ornate Metal Key Holes; Flower Staples, Envelope Tag Staples
May Arts: (as pictured) Red and Green Center Strip 25 yards; Jute 400 yards; Mini-Pom Poms 30 yards;Velvet 50 yards; Cotton Strip 30 Yrds
X-ACTO: X-ACTO Designer Series 9’’ Fixed Blade; X-ACTO Designer Series Precision Scissors; X-ACTO Designer Series Corner Punch; X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster; X-ACTO Designer Series Shapes Templates; CraftBond Glue Spots; CraftBond Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen; CraftBond All Purpose Glue Stick
Sizzix: The New Tim Holtz Texture Fades;  They include: 658269 Holly Pattern & Wreath Set;  658273 Brush Poinsettias and Winter Berries Set; 658270 Textured Poinsettia Pattern Set; and 658272 Holly Branch Pine Branch Set

WINNER of Lisa Swift's giveaway of  Little yellow Bicycle collection is 
joybear 8:25 PM
Love your traditions and all your projects Lisa! Thanks for sharing her with us Debby!

Congratulations!  Send your mailing address to dspaperstudio@aol.com and I'll forward it to Lisa.  Thanks everyone. 

Have a Wonderful Crafty Holiday!




Comments

  1. Totally fun idea! What a great post!

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  2. Kelli, These are wonderful tags - extra special because your children made them! I think all the relatives are going to be thrilled to have these little pieces of art! Great Mom moment!

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  3. So great that you got the kids involved and what a wonderful job they did. I know I would cherish the tags too. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Great idea~used to do this with my cub scouts {many years ago:):)}

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  5. How cute, love the tags. The boys did an awesome job.
    http://lorisartsyobsession.blogspot.com/

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  6. I LOVE all of the tags. The kids sure look like they got into it this year. You have passed along your creativity and are building memories in such a awesome way.

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  7. These are just so cute! Wonder if I could get the 24 year old to make some! Kind of doubt it. I am inspired to make some! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  8. How wonderful are those tags? It's so fun to craft with kids! Thank you for sharing your Christmas Tradition!...Nancy :o)

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  9. Love these cheery little tags!!

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  10. Oh those tags look like so much fun and you are a clever mom!!

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  11. I love finger print stuff! It is so fun to make with the kids! I really like the tag with the man skiing! I would have never thought of that!! Clever!

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  12. What a great project to do with the kids! I loved their tags!!!

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  13. Adorable tags! Fantastic gifts to go along with the presents.

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  14. What a fun and awesome way for the kiddos to create during the holidays. Love it!!! Such a personal and fun touch!

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  15. Love these tags! So cute and fun for the grandkids.

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  16. Anonymous11:19 AM

    Cute, Cute, Cute.

    Great idea for BIRTHDAY PRESENTS--and easier than them making a card!!! Could even do this on address label sticker sheets.

    I have a comment, and a GIFT for Kellie: If you use ScraPerfect's PERFECT CRAFTING POUCH on the tag or an address sticker before inking or stamping, the ink would dry significantly faster--if not immediately. You can even use pigment ink and dry it with the pouch if you apply the pouch after stamping--and you know pigment ink typically doesn't dry without heat or embossing. IF she doesn't have a Perfect Crafting Pouch, I would be happy to send Kellie one. ("Contact Us" at www.ScraPerfect.com)

    Debby--same offer for you:)

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  17. What a great way to get everyone together for crafting during the holidays!

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  18. These are great! My favorite is the little guy shaking his fist. Too clever.

    When I was a little kid there was a book at the library about this kind of thing that I must have checked out 5 kajillion times. It's a fun technique!

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  19. What wonderful projects, and memories, you have created. Lucky boys, lucky Mom :)

    loyaz1 at wbhsi dot net

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  20. Kelli - Thanks for sharing such a cute and fun way to get your kids involved in the gift giving process. They created some adorable tags!!!

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  21. How fun! My daughters would love this!

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  22. I love these finger tags! Thanks for sharing...this would be a great idea to do with the grandkids.

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  23. Well of course I LOVE this! Great idea and I might have to get that book for one of the kids for Christmas!

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  24. Anonymous5:07 PM

    Looks like some great fun to be had with tag making. I've done some of my own too. They're so easy and add a great personal touch. Thanks for sharing.
    Amanda Walter
    Fiskateer #1485

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  25. Cute tags, great way to get the kids involved :)

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  26. These are so cute! My grandsons will be here the week before Christmas.Hopefully I can get them involved in making some tags.Thanks for the fun inspiration.

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  27. Gorgeous tags, my daughter did christmas trees from ink foot prints of my Grand-daughter

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  28. What a fun and fabulous idea, love, love, love the tags. TFS pammejo1@yahoo.com

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  29. Christmas Clam!!! I laughed SO HARD my partner came into the room to investigate! These tags are awesome! You are a fantastic mom!!! TFS!!

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  30. I love the tags, and the kids are super cute too Kelli! Thanks Debby for doing this and very excited to see I won yesterday's draw..I have sent my address. Thank you!!!!!

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  31. This is super cute! My boys love being crafty with me & would love doing something like this. :)
    -B George-

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  32. OHMYGOODNESS!!!...This is such an AWESOME idea!....I MUST buy this book & do it with my grandguys & gals!!...Thanks for sharing....oh and I loveeeeeeeeeeeee the fact that you dont use "traditional" wrapping paper!....creative blessings, Debbie/StudioBeeCreations

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  33. I LOVE making tags and these are way too cute! I love that your children looked as though they were enjoying themselves, (even though they might not admit that to their friends :) )

    Susan
    margoplace91@comcast.net

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  34. What a fun idea for the holidays. Things that involve the whole family creating are always cool!

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  35. Kelli Crowe is so clever! I totally thought the "Christmas Clam" was Santa's feet popping out of the chimney! So fun that you can interpret these in so many ways! Thank you, Kelli for introducing me to Debby! Can't wait to see what fun tomorrow brings!

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  36. What an awesome idea for tags...my grandchildren will love this idea! And I love crafting with them...thank you for the inspiration!

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  37. Anonymous7:36 AM

    great idea...love your comment about the "Snape hair"...I have one of those at my house too...you'd think they think they are going to melt if they shower too much
    Kellystar#6446

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  38. That is so cute! I need to try it with my kids!

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  39. I am so excited. I have a Ed Emberley's book. I will be putting it to good use. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  40. How fun! I love that the kids got so into it! This is a great way to introduce kids to papercrafting! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  41. I love this idea! It reminds me of a cherished, store bought fingerprint notecard set I had as a kid. :)

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  42. What great gifts for relatives! Thanks for the ideas.

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  43. This is a great idea...My kids love getting involved with crafting. These would be awesome for gifts.

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  44. awesome idea--bookmarking this idea with kiddos thanks for sharing..

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  45. This is a super idea!!! I think I will have the kids work on some with stamps and their tiny handprints. They are three and five and will be fun to look at in years to come!

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  46. This is a cute idea for making your tags and getting the kids involved. Lots of talent in your family. TFS

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  47. Those are just adorable!! Yes, you are a clever mom! great work guys, and thank you for sharing with us one of your family's traditions!

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  48. Ho Ho HO ! Oh what fun!!! Awesome! :)Thanks for sharing!

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  49. And I told X-acto a big thank you for helping to support this celebration on FB.

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  50. I'm a nanny will try these with my little one. Thanks

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  51. Kam mccallan8:45 PM

    Love that you included the kids! Darling!

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