Marie Antoinette inspired tags for my niece’s 2nd Annual Mother’s Day/Birthday Tea Party.
Each guest brings a wrapped tea cup and one of these tags will be attached to it. Then each guest picks a number (little round tag up there) and matches it to the wrapped tea cup. Then I do believe the person with number 1 opens her gift. Number 2 can either take number 1’s teacup or open her own gift ~ and so on.
I was going to take a picture of the process of making them but it’s such chaos that I decided to spare you. Rather than an assembly line approach like I would normally do I am making each one from start to finish. And evidently I need to spread out over the entire house to do this. I’m not kidding. I have a mess in the dining room, the living room and the kitchen counter to clean up.
So let’s just talk about the tags, shall we?
First I take a standard shipping tag (bought in bulk at the stationary store). Attach bits of patterned paper. I scanned the backs of old French postcards, an old ledger sheet (also in French), and used bits of scrapbooking paper. Then I embellished with stamped images, bits of lace, velvet ribbon and other trims. Buttons, millinery flowers, crystals.
To make the glittered numbers I printed the numbers on a printable adhesive-backed transparency sheet (I just found this today at my favorite stamp store – I can think of a LOT of things to use this with). I printed using grey ink and then went over the numbers with glue using a fine tipped paint brush. Then poured on some German glass glitter and let dry. Cut out, peel off backing and apply.
Hello! I like to pop in to your blog often, but had to stop and say that I LOVE those tags! Gorgeous!
Sarah:)
Dear Andrea… I have been enjoying your blog for a while now, and just had to tell you how sweet these tags are! And, thanks so much for posting how you did them. Could I ask what kind of glue you use for them? I have been trying to make some tags of my own, it really is fun, but for some reason, mine seem to “ripple” and “curl” inward so they don’t lay flat as the glue dries (have been using a glue/decoupage by Martha Stewart)… any suggestions? Thanks so much for any advice, and I will pop back in soon!
The tags are spectacular! They are as good a memento of the occasion as the tea cups will be! What a lot of work for you. I found my teacup yesterday at the antique mall in Salinas. I think it is rather special. Wish I had better luck with the Shelleys and Paragons on eBay though. I tried and tried, but was always out bid.
Hi Joyce – I tried to reply to your comment but the email bounced.
I was having the very same problem with my paper projects curling up like an autumn leaf. I discovered that when glueing paper to paper it is much better to use Herma Dotto Removable adhesive rather than a wet glue. It comes in a little roll on dispenser and is like a super thin two sided adhesive that comes out in teeny dots (I don’t know how to explain it better) and you just roll it on one surface and stick it on – you have a second or two to reposition (very important as my aging eyesight starts failing…). I buy them at JoAnn’s or Michael’s. I should buy stock in the company I buy so much of them.
For everything else (gluing on ribbon or other embellishments) that Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue is best. Good initial tackiness and it dries quickly and clearly.
These are soo sweet! And it sounds like a fun day too.
c
I’d be happy with just the tag, screw the teacup! continuing to love your blog.
Adorable. A gift in and of themselves.
Wonderful tags! And I just happen to know your favorite stamp store, I believe–maybe I’ll need to visit it soon! I hope you’ll show photos of the teacups everyone brings to the party–that will be fun to see!
Your family does the neatest things for holidays. You are very inspiring I must say. Those tags are adorable, and I can’t wait to see pictures of the day! We will be spending mother’s day in the city, at the dim sum restaurant that you went to for your birthday. Fun,but not as neat as what you have planned.
Your family does the neatest things for holidays. You are very inspiring I must say. Those tags are adorable, and I can’t wait to see pictures of the day! We will be spending mother’s day in the city, at the dim sum restaurant that you went to for your birthday. Fun,but not as neat as what you have planned.
We do that kind of gift giving often in this neck of the woods and it’s called a Yankee Swap here.
We do that kind of gift giving often in this neck of the woods and it’s called a Yankee Swap here.
Pretty!
Have a nice day
cielo
I tried to call you back but my cell wouldn’t work in Paso. I think it is just Miriam, Elin, Mary and our family attending the party, minus Lizz. So Sara, Nicki, Andrea, Maddy, Kate, Steph, Trish Claudia, Camille, Emily.
The tags are gorgeous!! They will add so much to the party, thank you!!!!!
The tags are lovely, Andrea.
You are one crafty women…the Martha Stewart of Blogdom. Love those! Wonder if I can find German glass glitter here in Hooterville? Ooh, pretty and sparkly. Those are rip off worthy! Thanks for sharing!
PS: Can we have a craft day once a week?
Hi Andrea,
Your nieces tea party sounds like a wonderful idea, I love the way you have done these tags for it, and thank you for sharing the tip on making the glitter numbers.
Cheers Linda
Beautiful and sweet – what a fun treat for a special day.
Hugs – Karen
That sounds like a wonderful party idea. This is one time when you would not want to be first!
They are so pretty. Have a lovely tea party.
I came here for beauty and peace after a grueling week and I was not disappointed!
Thank you, Andrea.