Whimsy Stamps ~ 21st Birthday Tags

Hey crafty friends, I've been tied up with my eldest's 21st birthday this past weekend, but wanted to share the second batch of mixed media tags I made for their birthday parcels. You may recall the first set of tags I shared here.

I've made this second set of tags in a very similar way and used the Mixed Media Bits Stamp Set from Whimsy again, just some slightly different stamped elements on this one and I've used a different mix of inks too. So a bit of a twist on the previous set of tags. I love them both, but was pleased to find a stamp set with little numbers in it, to add the '21' to these tags. 

As with the first set of tags, I started with a layer of ink smooshing to lay down some colour. I used Candied Apple and Kitsch Flamingo Oxide Minis to do the ink smooshing. These are both from the Ranger Ink and Tim Holtz Distress Mini Oxide Ink Pads Kit #7. I stuck with just the two ink hues, as they were playing so nicely together!

Once the ink smooshing was done, I added some stamping in layers. I used Kitsch Flamingo to add the first layers. I used the fun net-like stamp from the Mixed Media Bits set to add some fun texture and interest to the tags. Then I added the Candied Apple layers. As with the first tag set, I held the first mixed media stamp in my hands to add the net texture layer, letting it have skippity bits for extra interest. The next layer, I used a small stamping block to add the heart elements. I inked the stamps well ensuring good coverage, stamped them down and allowed the ink to transfer fully before lifting the block. These inks are incredibly good at laying down full coverage first time. So I didn't pull out my MISTI for this part of the stamping. 

I did pull out my MISTI to add the 'XOXO' as I wanted it to have nice bold coverage of colour and although one stamp was pretty good, I did stamp it twice for the best coverage and boldest colour. I loved how these tags looked at this stage, but had the idea to add a '21' to each tag to complete the design.

Here are the two tag sets together, just before I added the '21' to the top set. They are different sizes, the first tag set I made was from the #5 tags in the set and the second set, slightly smaller, are the #3 tags in the set. I love how both sets came out and they added that special touch to the parcels. I really wanted to mark that these were '21st' tags, so I hunted through my stash and found a stamp set with small numbers in it. These came from the Old Fart Clear Stamp Set. This is a hilarious stamp set, well worth a look for its humourous take on aging, but today, I just needed the number elements. I finished these tags with a bit of satin trimmed organza ribbon and they were ready for the parcels. 

My kiddo had such a wonderful birthday. They came home and had a sleep over so they could wake up with us for their birthday. We have a lovely tradition which I have carried on from my own mummy, who did this for all her seven kiddos when we were little (and a bit older too!). We have 7 presents, and they are given spread over the day to ensure the excitement lasts the whole day long! One pressie we woke up to, one we had at breakfast, one at morning tea, the next at lunch, one at afternoon tea, one at dinner and the final one was usually a new pair of pajamas at bedtime. I so loved this as a kid that we've continued on this tradition for our kids and they love it too. I still do this, even though all my kids are older because they so love this tradition.

Whimsy has had two fabulous releases during February, and we're having an early release now in March. This has the sweetest stamp sets in it and I know this new paper pack is going to be winging it to mine very soon, because I love the colours! The plaid one from the February releases is also divine, I need them both! If you've not checked them out yet, you can click through on the banner above to head to the store. Thanks for visiting my blog today, I so appreciate your visit and hope you'll leave me a comment, so I know you've been! I'd love to visit you too. Hugs, Wends xoxo 

(I share thumbnails to the elements I design with, in order to make your search for them easier, in case you like something I've used. I do use affiliate links where possible, and so appreciate if you use these when shopping. They cost you no extra whatsoever. I am proud to design for the companies I do and always feel happy to share where my inspiration and where my crafty stash comes from. I am occasionally gifted products to use, but I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own.)

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