Monday

Inspire Me Monday - Holiday Tags


Hello Everyone! How are you today? I am Kathy from The Daily Marker and I am so happy to be back for another Inspire Me Monday.


Today I am excited to share with you how to make some pretty quick tags with some easy coloring & this beautiful Poinsettia stamp set. My take away for this project is to skip a step when coloring by adding color with a spray. All you need to do is fill a mini mister with a color from a Copic refill bottle. Don't add water just the refill solution straight up. 


My assumption is that you can use any brand of alcohol marker fluid. I have the Copic brand so that is what I am using today. The best part of this technique is that you have that first layer of color quick and easy. Once you fill your mini mister be sure to label what color you are using.

After stamping my poinsettia, I punched a large circle in a sheet of copy paper & placed the paper with my circle top of my stamped poinsettia leaving a white border under the copy paper. (I wanted to keep the border white that I will be using for my tag) 


When the copy paper is sitting on top you only see the pink part that's in this photo. (Sorry, I don't have a photo of the before I sprayed with the mini mister.) Hold the mini mister spray bottle about 6" from your paper...and spray. If you hold the mister further way you get a more speckled effect which is so pretty. I suggest you experiment with different distances and different colors. Masking off an image and spraying the background this way yields an awesome result!! 

If you want leave me a comment and tell me if you would like a video for my next Inspire Me Monday showing a sprayed background. 


If you like you can push the color out of the leaves by using the "0" colorless marker. If you are using a darker green it's not necessary. Add red to the poinsettia leaves and buds. 


To blend out the red color you just added plus the pink color from the mini mister, it's pretty easy and you most likely have done this before? Scribble some of the red on a acrylic block, packaging, palette or a craft mat (just wipe using some blending solution or alcohol wipes when finished). Using the same color marker as the background, load the pink tip with the red from the acrylic block. 


The tip of the marker acts like a brush. You load the color on the tip of the darker color and use that to blend the color on the petals. You need to keep loading the tip with more color as you continue around the flower. You only need to load the tip maybe two or three times for the large petals depending on how much pressure you use when coloring. This is a great way to get more mileage from your markers. 


If you want to give your petals a more blended look you can take the "0" color again and place the tip where the light areas are and give the entire petal a once over with the "0" or just keep it on the edges of your petals. More importantly, don't worry just enjoy the process it always comes out beautifully. :)


I always like to go back after blending and add my darkest color in the nooks and crannies of the petals usually right up next to the lines in the corners. Keep in mind a little dark color goes a long way. If you add to much you can always blend it out with a lighter color. 


The rest goes super fast. Add some grey to add definition to the background if you like. Outline the flower and color the tiny areas of the background in the grey. Color the center of the flower a contrasting color. I prefer a dark and light brown. 


Give some straight up color on the leaves and pine branches. No blending at all. 


I am a nut about adding white dots and discovered some poinsettias have white dots. Adding some glossy accents to parts of a colored image really enhances what you have colored. In this case I added glossy accents to the green leaves, flower center and the buds. 

Photo Credit
Isn't this speckled poinsettia beautiful? So many lovely varieties and so many beautiful colors to use as inspiration.

This poinsettia would be fun to try and get a similar look by coloring the petals with some easy lines and no blending.


Have you ever used fun foam? This was my first time and I am addicted. The foam comes in sheets of 3mm and 5mm in many colors. I found mine at Michael's craft stores. I die cut my sentiment in the foam and the cardstock then glued the layers together. Punch a hole, thread some ribbon and you have some tags. Tis the season for tags and they can be used for a bottle of wine, handmade gift or a card. 

If you have more time and are into shaker cards you can make a shaker tag.


What ever you are creating, I hope you find joy. For Thanksgiving my goal is to have a table set up so my family can make a card or tag to give someone special in their life. Thanks to Power Poppy for always providing such inspiring images to create with and thanks to you all for your visit.

Hugs, Kathy

74 comments:

liz said...

Wow. Your work is always so beautiful. I love the techniques you show. I don't have copies, but love to watch the magic they allow!

Dot J Freel said...

I love your tags and reading how you made it makes me think I can make one too! Thanks!

Berina RGA said...

Wow!! This is gorgeous!! Beautiful images from Power Poppy + Kathy's Racoosin's coloring = perfect!!! I don't have copics (or any alcohol markers) yet, but would definitely like to see the process. I love the white dots. Thank you for the inspiration!!

Leslie Hanna said...

Stunning, as always! Love the mist idea. I've made my own with reinkers, but never alcohol reinker. I must try!

And yes, Fun Foam can be quite addictive! :)

Diane Jaquay said...

These tags are quite gorgeous!!!

Rubeena I. said...

Kathy, I remember you teaching us this at the ME party! Your tags are BEAUTIFUL!! I would love to see a video!

Lin said...

These are lovely, Kathy! I haven't tried fun foam yet - will grab some today while I'm out and have a play! Love your idea about using reinkers to make a mist!

Lin said...

These are lovely, Kathy! I haven't tried fun foam yet - will grab some today while I'm out and have a play! Love your idea about using reinkers to make a mist!

CraftyPaws said...

Gorgeous tags! I love using fun foam for shakers. :)

CraftyPaws said...

Gorgeous tags! I love using fun foam for shakers. :)

cm said...

Stunning tags that are gifts in and of themselves! You've highlighted the beauty of the poinsettias wonderfully with your outstanding colouring. In awe...
~c

TLady said...

Just wanted you to know I was here Kathy. I LOOVE your little secret & you've done a WONDERFUL job on these tags! ;) I'll leave you more comment on your blog.

Kerian said...

Yes, please on videos.... Awesome tags

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Kathy, these are gorgeous, and I love your technique! And yes, Power Poppy and Kathy are a perfect match! I would love a video too, and thanks for the inspiration! What great gifts! Hugs!

barbara macaskill said...

STUNNING!!! You are a coloring genius!!! Yes to the video please!! TFS!

Unknown said...

Great tutorial and would also love to see a video of your processes, especially the lovely detailed coloring. Fun foam, gotta try that!

Jill said...

Oh how beautiful----What great tags!!!!!! Yes, I love your videos,

Kim Collins said...

I have been wanting to add fun foam to my cards. It is amazing how you thought to take out the snowflake. I hope over time I will learn to see other uses in my items.

Patti Willey said...

Isn't that a beautiful poinsetia Marcella's illusrated for us to ink up! Love your little section done here in tags and Shaker Tags!! I must try the foam as I have a new pack, and save on my large foam adhesive. What a nice little treat you have in store for your Thanksgiving Guests! Have fun!

Unknown said...

I like the take away idea, especially if you use it correctly. You used it like a master great idea. You inspire me to continue me quest in learning with you. Beautiful work.

bzyPTmom said...

Gorgeous tags--thanks for the tutorial Kathy!

dianemdb said...

these are gorgeous! yes, I would love a video!

Whimsey said...

So gorgeous Kathy; so gorgeous; those white dots really add so much to the poinsettias - beautiful!!!

MelissaF said...

Stunning tags with beautiful poinsettias, love your colic coloring and the drinker spray idea!

Tami B. said...

These are so pretty!

Erin Glee said...

Kathy, these tags highlighting the Power Poppy Poinsettia are FANTASTIC! I don't use alcohol pens for coloring, but I see how it is like starting with a wash of light color when water coloring. I would like to see you do a video on this cool technique : )

Lady Fair said...

Beautiful coloring, Kathy. White dots on poinsettias, who knew? I would enjoy a video of you doing this process.

Glennis F said...

A fabulous idea

Glennis F said...

A fabulous idea

Sabrina said...

Absolutely gorgeous and oh yes I would love to see a video!!

Karen W said...

Gorgeous and great idea!!

Meghan Shea said...

AMAZING KATHY! So excited to fill up some mini misters with my refills!!! Thank you for sharing this WOWSERS idea!

Late Blooming said...

Good show ole girl Thanks.

Rushd Lady said...

I would have never thought to color in an image with a mini mister. I have used it on backgrounds but not to fill in the body of an image before. You are one clever chickie! =0)

Unknown said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful tags. Love the way you crafted them. Thanks for the idea of spraying base color. Would love to create using a red cardinal.

Rushd Lady said...

I can see some Christmas "ornament" tags in my future being used as Christmas cards instead. I don't have that exact die, but I think the dies I do have would work if I nest one inside the other. I'll have to go get some of that foam too. Maybe colored foam to go with the cardstock color, so there isn't any white foam showing? I've been working on a technique called "Journaling by 5's" by Shannon Green (Youtube video) to color backgrounds on ATCs & rolodex cards. Have you heard of it? Glad you enjoyed the cruise and hope you got some rest! Have a good week!

Maureen said...

What super gorgeous tags! LOVE them!!

Kiwi said...

Wow these are so pretty Kathy! Your tutorial is excellent,I like the idea of using a mini mister,although I only have a couple of bottles of refill inks.Your holiday sounds fantastic,and thanks for sharing your talents with us all.xx

Preacherwife said...

I came here from your blog to see your instructions. These are beautiful.

Aileen said...

Great instructions Kathy, I have got to try that with the mini mister especially when you want a soft background colour and can mask what you don't want the ink on. These tags look so wonderful, top marks. Enjoy your thanks giving, nothing like that over here.

Enderby said...

Oh so lovely. The white dots do make a difference. I would love a video. I am glad you had a nice trip. You deserved it.

mtscrapgal said...


Great tutorial. Kathy knows how to make good ones. The tags are beautiful.

Enderby said...

Oh so lovely. The white dots do make a difference. I would love a video. I am glad you had a nice trip. You deserved it.

Cindy C. said...

Beautiful stamp and gorgeous tags!!! I love seeing how you're inspired to add the white dots onto the poinsettia flowers!!

Danielle Dietz said...

Beautiful tags and the tutorial really helps. I would love to see a video of your spaying technique!

Betty Sue said...

These tags are beautiful! Your coloring is always just right! Thanks for sharing!!!!

SUPRFOXdesigns said...

Gorgeous tags!!!! Love the coloring

Pam G. said...

Absolutely beautiful. Did you make your dots with a white gel pen? I assume you didn't "flick" which on since they don't seem random. Any time we can find a way to simplify the process when we want to make more than one card it's a winning situation! Thanks.

Judy said...

Loved your tip about using the ink refill. Thanks for sharing with us.

Unknown said...

Wow again what an amazing idea and fun foam oh yeah it's amazing. I would love to see a video on Mondays and well everyday Kathy. You have so much to share with those of us that have so much to learn so yes please on the video's. Thanks

Pam said...

That is a great idea! I love learning anything to do with Copics. Gorgeous tags!

Pam said...

That is a great idea! I love learning anything to do with Copics. Gorgeous tags!

byAnnette said...

What great tags!
So beautiful and fun to see how it's done!
Neat trick with the mini mister

Sue D said...

These are gorgeous and great idea to use the mini mister.

TracyM #6773 said...

DELIGHTFUL tags Kathy!!!
WOW - LOVE your circle sentiments and GORGEOUS poinsettias!!!
Your colouring skills ALWAYS AMAZE me!!!
THANK YOU for sharing your CREATIVE INSPIRATION and TOP TIPS - misting the 1st colour is SO CLEVER and die cutting the sentiment in foam for extra POP is SO CLEVER too. I have cut foam shapes for dimension and shakers before, never tried it with sentiments before => TWO COOL new things for me to try :)
PS - I LOVE poinsettias and have so many PRECIOUS memories of my Grandma, Mother and Mother-In-Law associated with them ... it's time for me to get some more!!!

Mary said...

Oh, oh,oh....i've never cut the fun foam for sentiments...what a phenomenal idea! LOVE your coloring and adding the gray to make ghe flowers pop! Thank you so much for sharing your craft.

Mary said...

Oh, oh,oh....i've never cut the fun foam for sentiments...what a phenomenal idea! LOVE your coloring and adding the gray to make ghe flowers pop! Thank you so much for sharing your craft.

Deni(se) said...

Wow, these are truly beautiful. I'd love a video on the process.

Teresa Doyle said...

These are GORGEOUS Kathy! I for one, would love a video on Inspire Me Monday seeing a sprayed background! I always love a video as you get to see the whole process. TFS!

Monika/Buzsy said...

Oh, Kathy... these are so pretty. Love the coloring. The shading is beautiful. Love the technique with the mister.

PaperDoll said...

This image is gorgeous, & the coloring is the icing on the cake!

Bunny said...

I think these are very pretty with the white dots. Beautiful coloring/shading. Now I want some of those real poinsettias that look like that.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Beautiful tags! Love shakers! Your colouring is stunning! Great tip - if I ever get to the point that I can afford Copics, I will definitely try this!

Ann said...

Wonderful tags and love how you used the fun foam too.

Marianne said...

Such pretty shakers, and wonderful colouring, as always.

Oreety said...

Oh Kathy, this is stunning... As always! Thanks too for the awesome tips and tricks. Super cool!

jordanbev5@yahoo.com said...

Kathy you are such a wonderful creator and love this idea!

Anonymous said...

OMG....you are so amazing. I have the Copic refills and some new mini misters....so I'm giving this a try. I wonder if you can dilute the refill colors with the colorless blender or alcohol if you have limited refills....hummmm Now you have my wheels turning. Love your ideas. I just made a shaker tag the other day and it was so much fun. I love making tags to coordinate to the gift wrap and/or card for each person. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and ideas. Jan D., FL

Anonymous said...

P.S. Hope you had a fun trip. We've been to the Bahamas many times, exploring a number of the islands....so beautiful and relaxing. Just makes me say AAAHHHHH. (grin) Glad you are home safely. Jan D., FL

Larissa Heskett said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your BEAUTIFUL Shakers and the FUN Spray Technique!! WOULD LOVE A VIDEO as I ALWAYS LOVE to watch you work!! THANKS for sharing and have a Fabulous Week!! =)

D- said...

I loVe your tags. I would really like to see a video. Thanks for sharing.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsbyDragonfly.blogspot

D- said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diane said...

Your tags are gorgeous and as always your copic coloring is amazing. I would love to see a video.