How to Personalize Projects with Alphabet Dies

Hello there, Michelle Short here with Terrific Tags with Michelle. Today I have a tag and card to share with you showing how to personalize projects with alphabet dies. This is such a quick and easy way to personalize projects to the recipient and the personalization becomes the focal point too, so you get a two for one!

Creating a Background

I started off by creating the tag background. I took the Bubble Wrap Stencil and placed it over a panel of watercolor paper, securing in place with Satin Masking Tape. Using the Mixed Media Palette Knife Set, I applied Embossing Paste over the stencil. I wanted the embossing paste to be fairly smooth, but it does look nice having some texture too! I removed the stencil and set it aside to dry. Since I knew I was die cutting it, I gave it a little extra time to dry.

Creating the Tag

Taking the Terrific Tag Die Set, I cut the panel in to a tag. I then took three shades of Crisp Dye Ink and blended them on to the tag using Small Ink Blending Tools. I used Forest Glades at the top, Teal Cave in the middle and Sapphire at the bottom, blending them together to get a smooth transition between the colors. Where the ink goes over the cardstock, it becomes darker (because it is absorbing in to the paper) and where it is over the paste, it is lighter. The ink will dry on the embossing paste but it does take a little extra time to dry.

Personalize with Alphabet Dies

I thought it would be fun to personalize the tag with the recipients initials, so I grabbed the Mighty Alphabet Dies Set. I cut the ‘M' and ‘S' three times from Classic Crest Solar White 110lb Cardstock with Double-Sided Adhesive Sheet on the back. They were layered up one on top of another to create dimensional letters.

These initials are for my brother, who happens to have the same initials as me! I think this is a great way to add a focal point to a masculine themed project. They were adhered to the bottom of the tag, using the Crafter's Essential Bone Folder to press them down to make sure they were adhered well.

Adding a Sentiment

I took the ‘happy birthday' sentiment from the Sentiment Strips 3 Stamp Set and stamped it on to black cardstock with Embossing Ink. Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder was sprinkled over and heat set. It was cut in to a strip and added to the tag with Instant Dimension Foam Tape and Glue Tape. To finish off, I added twine through the top of the tag and tied in a bow.

Creating a Card

I know that not everyone loves standalone tags, so I wanted to show how I would add the tag on to a card. I kept it very simple as I think the tag in itself is a nice focal point. I did not want anything to distract from it.

I simply took an A2 white card base and using the Crafter's Essential Bone Folder and a score board, scored horizontal lines in to the front of the card base. This gives subtle texture and interest without distracting from the tag. Sadly, they are difficult to see in photos, but in real-life, really add that finishing touch. The tag was then simply adhered on top with Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

I really hope that I have given you some inspiration for personalizing projects with alphabet dies. You can watch the full process video below, or on YouTube.

Supplies

Bubble Wrap Stencil [ ALTN ] Embossing Paste [ ALTN ] Mixed Media Palette Knife Set [ ALTN ] Mighty Alphabet Die Set [ ALTN ] Terrific Tags Die Set [ ALTN ] Sentiment Strips 3 Stamp Set [ ALTN ] Forest Glades Crisp Dye Ink [ ALTN ] Teal Cave Crisp Dye Ink [ ALTN ] Sapphire Crisp Dye Ink [ ALTN ] Ink Blending Tool – Small (Set of 4) [ ALTN ] Embossing Ink [ ALTN ] Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder [ ALTN ] Satin Masking Tape [ ALTN ] Double Sided Adhesive Sheets (10… [ ALTN ] Instant Dimension Foam Tape [ ALTN ] 3 Pack Glue Tape [ ALTN ] Crafter's Essential Bone Folder [ ALTN ] Crafter's Essential Micro-Tip Tweezers [ ALTN ] Crafter’s Essential Stamping Mat [ ALTN ] Mini Blossom Die Cutting Machine [ ALTN ] My Sweet Petunia MISTI – Mini [ ALTN ] Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock… [ ALTN ]