Tag Swap 2023 - Oh it's On!

 

The Paper Pickle Tag Exchange is a tradition that I promise to keep going FOREVER.  This is how much I love it and I know you do too.  I often joke that at times in my life I am too busy with the planning and preparation that I often forget the most important thing like inviting the guests!  So sorry I have been MIA and I did not get this information to you sooner.  It has been quite the year.  My Paper Pickle Instagram was hijacked and then they took over my Facebook page.  I was so sad to have lost this contact with you... Maybe it is time to bring back the blog! 

Anyways, I am happy to share the details of the tag exchange 2023...

Here are the rules:

• Make 12 tags of the same design to trade with the other participants.
• You can use any product you like and the design can be as simple or elaborate as you like.
• Please email me (thepaperpickle@gmail.com) to register by DECEMBER 1st
• Drop off your 12 tags to me at my hubby's office (Hinnegan Law at 75 Thames Street, Chatham) between 9am-5pm DECEMBER 11-15.
• Pick up your tags at the office (75 Thames Street, Chatham) any day between DECEMBER 18-22 (9am-5pm).
• There is no cost to register or participate other than the cost of your product that you use.

A Look Back - Tag Exchange Years 1-10

Ten years of awesomeness!  Have a look to see the magic that is created each year.  I wonder what themes and colour schemes will be in for 2023?

2022 Tag Exchange

2021 Tag Exchange

2020 Tag Exchange

2019 Tag Exchange

2018 Tag Exchange

2017 Tag Exchange

2016 Tag Exchange

2015 Tag Exchange

2014 Tag Exchange

2013 Tag Exchange

I can't wait to see your designs this year.  I have missed you and I think of my Paper Pickle community often.

Kim xo

Zonta Card Making Day - Saturday, November 18!

 

There is a reason we have been participating in this event since it's inception....it is FUN and so very well run.  It is a time for the community of paper crafters to come together to catch up and learn a new technique or two.  I look forward to this event EVERY year. Tickets are still available for NEXT Saturday's event.  Don't miss out!

Kim

Tag Exchange 2022 - A Decade of ONE BEAUTIFUL Tradition

 

Another Christmas season has come to a close.  Incredible.  As I think of the past month of preparation, in the moment, I felt like I was never going to make it.  I thought I was going to fall flat on my face but somehow it all got done and guess what?  It was wonderful.  I am so glad to make time for traditions like our tag swap.  This is something I will ALWAYS make time for no matter how busy the season seems.  So sit back and reflect on your holidays and make note of the traditions you just cannot do without while you have a look at these beautiful tags created by very special friends.

Nancy, Santa would be thrilled to see your festive tag under the tree!  There is no shortage of details on this beautiful tag.  The glitter on the candy cane, the little ribbon and bell and the pom pom trim?!?  Perfection.  I just love your rich colour choices. Thank you for always bringing your laughter, smiles and your love of paper to our swap over all these years.

Oh Christmas Tree!  I feel like this is the most beautiful little crafty scene ever set inside my favourite crafty element of all time....an embroidery hoop!  How gorgeous is Michelle's Christmas tree set in front of her ivory eyelet material?  I also absolutely love the paper tag complete with delicate embroidery floss and gold thread.  Very well done, Michelle.  Thank you for finding our swap and going out of your way to be apart of this!

Oh Lou!  I do not know who this little elf is but he is absolutely adorable!  Look at him balancing those ornaments so carefully and with such pride.  I love the beautiful night sky you created with oxide inks and soft iridescent snowflakes created with embossing paste.  What a great tag!  Lou, I love hearing about your so carefully thought out details.  You create with such joy and love.

I will admit that I had a very hard time committing to my tag this year.  I am not sure why I was so indecisive.  But somehow it all come together....I think.  I am so happy with my rustic little tag.  It is actually a small bag and I clipped a whole bunch of gorgeous elements to a wooden clothes pin including those incredible dried bunny tails that I found at Purple Pansy.  They all went beautifully with that sweet little owl stamp from Impression Obsession.  Have a told you how much I love the creative process?!?  

Jody has created a simply elegant tag.  What I enjoy most about this tag is the refreshing colour combination.  Sage green, fuchsia and gold.  Stunning.  And what about that leaf die?  Jody, anyone would be thrilled to receive your beautiful creation.  Your care and pride in your creations always come through.  You are a constant in our exchanges and I am very happy for that!

On Facebook, Jasmine entitled her tag 'Forlorn Christmas'.  Ok.  Forlorn Girl.  You've got to snap out of it.  You are a trendsetter.  You are rocking THE most beautiful gown sewn with an eclectic mix of incredible papers and everyone at your party is going to love it.  Nothing to worry about.  Why do I have this feeling that the moment I look away, she will be beaming with pride knowing that she was create with such love and attention to detail.  All joking aside, Jasmine, you have created a masterpiece.  You always do and I look forward to seeing your ideas year after year.

There is a reason Hilary wears that crown called "Queen of Technique".  Hilary loves to play and you can see this in her design once again this year.  I love all the beautiful heat embossing used on the background.  It looks like she has used an iridescent embossing paste on the snowflakes and awesome pink rhinestones.  Great job, Hilary.  I am so glad you are apart of our tag swap community.

Well Evan.  You are a wonderful addition to our little community.  Thank you for joining!  Your mini envelope tag is awesome.  There is such great dimension including a wooden snowflake, flannel, bells and paper.  And the little tag inside the envelope is wonderful.  Well done, Evan!  Hope to see you next year!  ;)

When I examine Erin's tag, I am transported back to my youth.  At Christmastime, we would be busy making Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses.  We worked on special crafts for loved ones.  We made friendship bracelets.  I just love that Erin's creation has brought me back to those wonderful times.  Thank you, Erin.  What a beautiful, whimsical tag!  

Donna!  Look at this adorable little gnome.  He is so perfect.  Your colour choices are spot on and I love the stitched border.  What you can't see here in this photo is that his little feet swing back and forth.  What a cutie.  Donna, thank you for sharing with us once again.  You bring your love of dies and clean elegance year after year.  Thank you!

As you know, I have known Debbie my whole life (yes, I am her niece!).  Debbie is incredibly talented  and is always so full of surprises.  She paints.  She sews.  She literally does it all.  That's why when I saw her tag this year, I just had to shake my head.  I mean, what CAN'T she do?  Her Santa gnome is so super sweet.  I just love him.  He will be on my tree every single year from now on. Debbie, thank you for always sharing your love of crafting with me!

I have such appreciation for the amount of work that went into Barb's tag.  I am SO tempted to count the number of pieces that she had to cut out and then carefully put together.  Actually, I counted 11 on just his head alone....Barb!  This soldier may be one of my favourite dies of all time.  Barb, I am very happy to have found you through our love of paper.  Your work is always so full of care and love.

Well that's a wrap.  Looking forward to the next 10 years of community and love of paper.  Have a great year everyone!  Can't wait to see your next creation.

Kim xo

Tag Exchange 2022 - Participate in our Community!

It is that time of the year again...tag exchange time!  Did you think this was the year I would give it up?  Not.  A. Chance.  I'm going to be doing this until I am even MORE old and MORE grey!  I know those of you out there who are smiling and thinking....heck ya...I'm with you girl!

This is my most favourite tradition that was born at The Pickle.  And we have reached a milestone....this is the TENTH year so you've GOT to join in on the fun.


Here are the rules:

• Make 12 tags of the same design to trade with the other participants.
• You can use any product you like and the design can be as simple or elaborate as you like.
• Please email me (thepaperpickle@gmail.com) to register by NOVEMBER 25th
• Drop off your 12 tags to me at my hubby's office (Hinnegan Law at 75 Thames Street, Chatham) between 9am-5pm DECEMBER 5-9.
• Pick up your tags at the office (75 Thames Street, Chatham) any day between DECEMBER 12-16 (9am-5pm).
• There is no cost to register or participate other than the cost of your product that you use.

A Look Back - Tag Exchange Years 1-9

I love looking at the tags designed from years past.  There is SO much creativity and inspiration.  Be prepared to be amazed! 

2021 Tag Exchange

2020 Tag Exchange

2019 Tag Exchange

2018 Tag Exchange

2017 Tag Exchange

2016 Tag Exchange

2015 Tag Exchange

2014 Tag Exchange

2013 Tag Exchange

So what do you think?  Will this be the year?  Will this be the year you celebrate the community we created through our love of paper?  I would absolutely LOVE that.

Kim xo

Tag Exchange 2021 - Wow is right!

This is a tradition that I hold very close to my heart.  I want to thank the incredible designers for taking the time to share their talents and love of the hobby.  Now sit back and be prepared to be wowed.  The 9th Annual Tag Exchange was such a joy.  

Barbara has created such a fun, whimsical tag/gift card holder.  How creative!  Barbara is the master of colouring.  If you look closely at the little yeti guy, you will see all the beautiful details and texture Barbara created with alcohol markers and a white gel pen.  I also love the white heat embossing in the background.  Anyone would be lucky to receive this tag!  Well done, Barbara.

Absolutely elegant once again, Barb!  This is a tag that was designed with the idea that it could one day be hung on a Christmas tree and is finished on both sides.  What beautiful paper and ribbon choices.  If you look closely, Barb's little tag at the top has been heat embossed in silver with a little "to" and "from" on the back.  Stunning, Barb.

Look at that detail, Debbie!  I am just loving the little deer die and all the wonderful colour choices.  Also look closely at the fine finishing touches including snowflakes with iridescent baubles, felt and pompom on the santa hat, and what is that?  Heat embossing on the "peace" die....I am sensing a trend here.  Heat embossing with always be that technique that got me into this hobby hook, line and sinker!  Pure magic, Debbie!!

Donna has created an elegant, electric tag this year!  The metallic blue cardstock used as the base of the tag is bang on beautiful....and the dimensional poinsettia created with white vellum and a touch of glitter is incredible.  I am not sure how she did this, but if you look closely, you will see a subtle white dusting of snow on the acetate layer.  Awesome finishing touch, Donna.

Jasmine's creations are always over-the-top.  Created with canvas, material, buttons, bells, bottle brush trees and stamps, her attention to detail is an absolute joy to discover.  This creation could hang beautifully on a present but the real gift is when you unravel the vintage spool to uncover the message "Have yourself a merry little Christmas".  This is a wow, Jasmine.

Jody is another designer who appreciates the fancy papers and loves to add stunning metallics and glitter to her creations.  The iridescent paper used for the boarder and "peace" die is awesome.  If you look closely, you will see all the perfect little touches including colourful baubles and a dimensional star.  I really love the colour palette of your tag, Jody!  

  

When artist, JulieArt said she wanted to join the swap, I was very excited to see what her design would look like.  I told Julie that we use the term "tag" quite loosely and that is was ok if she did not use paper.  How adorable is this snowman hand painted on a light bulb?  If you look closely, you will see a subtle glitter that really makes the design pop.  I also really like her choice of ribbon and jingle bell accent!  Thank you for sharing your art with us, Julie.

So this was my tag design for 2021.  You will see many of my signature moves including a mix of elegant and rustic, twine and paper flowers.  I will admit that I am always amazed with the creative process.  This year I went through all my Christmas stamps and came across the stamp by River City Rubberworks.  The saying really spoke to me.  This is where the design began.  Next, I saw the Tim Holtz match boxes and then remembered I had scooped up the perfect sized trees from The Dollar Tree.  The rest of the process was really just finding the perfect accents.  Each little detail brought an incredible sense of joy.  I am very pleased with how these turned out.  

There was a slight change of plans on the night before the tags were to be picked up.  One of the designers could not participate.  Rather than disappoint the others, I whipped up this mixed media tag using goodies on my desk.  I actually thrive under pressure and I felt like I was on a crafty version of The Iron Chef.  I added a little washi tape and acrylic paint to a metal tag, added a dimension wooden snowflake and a clear microbead paste and ribbon.  

Lou, I think you and I would make a great team if this was a group challenge.  Your designs always have that mix of rustic and elegant and I just love this myself too!  Lou has added some gesso to a wooden disk to create the perfect backdrop for her pine branches.  Great paper choices too, by the way.  Metallic, glittered, mirrored and more.  The little festive ribbon and bell is the perfect finishing touch.  Let heaven and nature sing, Lou.

Michelle is a new designer to the Pickle Tag Exchange and we are glad to have her join!  Michelle called her creation Joyful Poinsettia and I have to agree this is the perfect name.  I love the whimsical mix of colours and papers.  And check out all of the great dies used.  I am really enjoying the mix of square and rounded corners.  Little choices like this are so interesting to me.  Well done, Michelle!

Now, I don't know who this little guy is but I just LOVE his spirit.  Look at him prancing through the snow racing to see his loved ones.  Oh, you are just so cute with your festive holly and berry collar too.  Nancy has done a wonderful job creating a tag full of whimsy.  You can't help but smile when you look at her design.  Thank you for making me smile, Nancy!

Thank you to all for sharing your love of the hobby.  I cannot wait to see what inspiration you share in 2022.

Kim xo