Tags have always been a hot trend in the paper crafting world. Whether serving as a delightful card, hiding surprise journaling or photos as a clever scrapbook page element, or standing on their own as a collection of brag tags, tags are definitely here to stay. Many manufacturers offer coordinating lines of tags, but when it’s time for something special, it can be satisfying to make them yourself and let your personality shine.
  
One of the reasons why working in the small space of a tag is so enjoyable is because you’re able to see your favorite tiny elements pack a big punch! The petite charms, dainty flowers, subtle sewing and other quieter touches that we love often get lost on a large scrapbook page, yet hold their own and shine as they become the focal point of your miniature creations. Small photos also receive special attention when placed on a tag. Do you have a photo that looked great in your camera’s viewfinder but came out blurry when enlarged? Print it out in wallet or contact print size, show it off on a small tag, and it will quickly become a fun area of focus, without anyone ever knowing that the photo quality was less than fabulous.
  
Speaking of small elements, tags are a wonderful way to use up scraps collecting dust in your workspace. Next time you finish a layout or card, use the left over elements to create a few tags! You will already have a theme and design in front of you, so they will likely come together quite quickly. Consider showing off a few extra photos on these little tags, mailing them to a special friend or family member and making their day!
  
Are you ready to get to work? A basic tag is quite simple to make. While you can create tags in all shapes and sizes, let’s begin with the most classic tag design. Follow the photo diagram below, and let’s get started!

• Step 1: Cut your cardstock or patterned paper into a rectangle

• Step 2: Using scissors, snip one corner off of your rectangle.

• Step 3: Flip the corner over and line it up with the opposite side of the tag (I’ve used double-sided paper so it is easy to see). Adhere it or simply hold it steady there while you cut along the edge. If you prefer, use a pencil to draw the line on which you should cut. Using this corner scrap will help you to have perfectly symmetrical edges.

• Step 4: You’ve made your tag! Now use this tag as a template for your other tags.

A layered tag like the one above is easy to achieve with the following steps:

• Step 1: Cut two matching tags.

• Step 2: Trim the sides of one tag equal amounts on both sides. I find a quarter of an inch is great.

• Step 3: Trim the bottom of the tag. If you took ¼"  off of each side, take ½" off of the bottom.

• Step 4: Your small tag should now fit perfectly inside your large tag.

Here's a fancy, yet surprisingly easy 
tag you can make!

Once you can see the layers and elements broken down, it is quite simple to recreate. It is broken down into three tags that fit inside of another, each decorated with inks, paper, or ribbon.

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