Tag Exchange - 2021 (and finally...a look at the 2020 tags!)

It is the most magically creative time of the year....it is time for the 9th Annual Tag Exchange.  It makes my heart happy to know this tradition has lived on.  Interested in joining this year?  

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 30th.
• Drop off your 12 tags to me at my hubby's office (Hinnegan Law at 75 Thames Street, Chatham) between 9am-5pm DECEMBER 6-10.
• Pick up your tags at the office (75 Thames Street, Chatham) any day between DECEMBER 13-17 (9am-5pm).
• There is no cost to register or participate other than the cost of your product that you use.

Check out the 2020 Tags:

Last year we had 13 incredible designs which you can now see here.  I feel bad that I did not post these a few weeks following the exchange like I usually do but time escaped me.  It is funny how that could happen.  Damn pandemic messing with my flow and energy.  

So pardon my delay.....I think you will agree, that each of these tags deserves to be celebrated here NOW!

Annie created the coziest winter scene in a real vintage mason jar lid!  I loved the use of flannel as the backdrop along with the frosty accents on the pinecone and evergreen bough.  This tag will be an ornament on my tree for years to come!

I feel bad but my camera did not do a good job capturing the pure elegance of Barb's tag.  This dimensional shaker tag was over the top incredible!  The die was fabulous and all the little details (snowflake confetti, glitter, etc) were set off perfectly against the navy background.  Very nice! 

Debbie's oversized oval tag was a real beauty!  The stamped image was coloured beautifully with copic markers and was set off against a gorgeous decorative paper.  I loved the holiday ribbon and jingle bells. Very elegant and festive!

It is hard to see all the details here but Debbie's watercolour poinsettia tag reminded me of days gone by.  The perimeter of the tag was heat embossed with gold powder to give a gorgeous aged look and the cut out poinsettia reminded me of when my mom did paper tole.  PS...It is quite possible Debbie took those classes WITH my mom!  Lovely!

Donna has always had a knack for putting dies together on her tags to create a beautifully festive scene.  The dimensional snowman and light post are set on top of the most gorgeous glossy silver card stock and I love the subtle dusting of blue ink to create the sky.  This tag is just SO cheery!

Helen has blown me away year after year with her rustic and vintage designs.  They are always perfectly imperfect and "Tim like" (which is the highest of compliments in the paper crafting world).  We lost Helen this year.  Helen loved paper crafting and shared her love with her daughter and granddaughter.  Helen, Kerrie and Brianna were my three generation Pickle girls and I loved watching them in the store and LOVED having them participate year after year in this swap.  Always classy and kind.  I will miss her.

This is another tag that deserves to be hung from the branches of a douglas fir each and every year.  Jasmine has added layer after layer of paper, wire, and technique after technique to a real disk of wood. And that vintage Santa?  All I can say is wow.  

Jody has created a stunning tag!  This die is over the top.  But what I love the most is the pairing of papers.  The gold mirror paper used on the "j" and "y" just POPS against the beautiful burgandy tag base.  And the glitter detailed on the wreath and perimeter is perfection.  

I mean, who doesn't love the lumberjack plaid?  Karrie's tag is rustic and elegant all at the same time (just my style!).  I love how Karrie popped out the glittered tree and the pine needle dies are so perfectly placed.  Very nice!

How can you not smile when looking at this tag?  Kell did an awesome job with this adorable little guy.  I love the designer paper she used for his hat and the pom pom detailing is spot on.  This really is the perfect tag for those young and old.

So I have been completely obsessed with embroidery hoops for a long time.  I scoop them up at every thrift store I find.  The funny thing is that I have never done a craft with them!  I was thrilled when my love of embroidery hoops collided with my love of this stamp.  A Scandinavian masterpiece if I do say so myself.  LOL.   

Oh Lou!  When you brought these tags in, all I wanted to do was string them together and have one awesome party banner!    This tag is awesome.  The stocking has a subtle glitter and just pops against the holiday stripe.  The crystal charm detail is the perfect touch.  

Yes....another gnome!  This guy that Nancy created with plaid material, yarn, ribbon and a wooden nose is SO creative.  I just can't get enough.  This tag speaks for itself.  It says, "Yes.  You want to do the 2021 Tag Exchange!  It will be a blast!" 

But in all honesty, if you have a desire to join, please do!  Everyone is welcome.  Let's keep that Paper Pickle community going strong after all these years.  

Love, Kim xo

PS....Looking for inspiration?  Check out the tags from past years!  I just love walking down memory lane through these posts.

2019 Tag Exchange

2018 Tag Exchange

2017 Tag Exchange

2016 Tag Exchange

2015 Tag Exchange

2014 Tag Exchange

2013 Tag Exchange

 

WOW - Tag Swap 2015

I thought it would be fun to ring in 2016 with a little creative inspiration.  No need to search the web/world for creativeness....your neighbours and fellow crafters have got it going on!  

As you know we had our third annual Christmas tag swap.  We had two full groups (24 in total).  You may remember that I put a little plea out there to help fill the remaining spots.  There was such support, that I got bumped from the exchange!  I am bummed that I do not get any of these lovely creations for my collection.  I did however borrow my sister's light box to capture some wonderful shots.  I would have loved to showed all the close up detail shots I took but this blog would have taken me days to post!  Ha.  Do your best to zoom in to see all the details.  I was blown away with the amount of thought and detail put into each and every submission.

Without further ado, I give you The Pickle's 2015 Christmas tags created by YOU and your friends!  

Barb's choice of stamps from Penny Black
 makes this one of my favourites.
Also the little details like stencils/embossing paste,
embossing and glitter are incredible. 

Becky's tag made me smile.  I was delighted to see her choice of background papers.
This is non-Christmas paper from MME but it has always been at the top of my list.
Also the little knock out punch, flowers and twine are the perfect embellishments.

Barbara's Etch-a-Sketch inspired tag is ADORABLE!
She even popped up the circle controller knobs.
And A+ for using Hero Art new stamp set called Homebaked.  

Elegant meets distress.  Bonnie has won my heart!
I love the fibrous twine, glittered sled and use of stencils.
The star and rhinestone accents are very clever. 

You must know that Brianna is 8 years old.
She is a part of a three generations of customers
who entered this exchange.
 I cannot say how happy this makes me.
Awesome.

I remember how pleasantly surprised I was when
I opened Carol's bag of tags.
They were so fresh.  So clean.
So pretty with the lime green background,
vintage twine and dimensional wreath.

Debbie's tags are so elegant.
The top layer is vellum which was embossed on the left
and heat embossed in white on the right.
There are incredible snowflakes with rhinestones on the blue cardstock backer.
The little jingle bell is  a very nice touch.

I love the shape of Donna's tag which is long and slender
like a bookmark.  The blue foil paper was the perfect backdrop
for the elegant snowflake background die and tree.

Doreen's dimensional poinsettia tag is stunning
and anyone who received this would have to hang this on their tree!
I loved her use of shimmer spray on the entire tag.  It really shined!

Erin has done a wonderful job with her tag.  It is so creative!
See....sometimes all you need are your scissors
and beautiful papers to create a masterpiece.

Hilary is all about playing and experimenting
and that is what I love about her designs!
 I loved the simple die cut trees along the bottom
that were highlighted with embossing powder.
Hilary's daughter, Sally is also in this swap!

Helen is apart of my three generations of entries.
Helen is Brianna's grandmother.
This tag is so regal and is so appealing to the eye.
The light tissue paper weight leaves were incredible.

There is something about ginger bread men that make you smile.
Holly has design such a sweet tag.
 The decorative shape, glitter paper and dimensional
Merry Christmas tag are wonderful.

Jasmine's tag is a mini mixed media masterpiece.
I will have to ask her where she found those rhinestones and mini beads!
Jasmine is apart of another mother/daughter entry.
Her mom is Nancy P (the mason jar tag to follow). 

It is very had to capture here in a photo but Jody's tag is awesome!
It is a shaker tag bursting with shine and elegance.
I love the pearl at the top of the tree and subtle washi tape on the bottom.

Jolene's tag is so crafty and FUN!
She used washi tape for the sentiment and
pretty traditional colour for the
 background paper and burlap ribbon.

Let me introduce you to Karrie.
She is Brianna's mom and Helen's daughter.
Is this tag not adorable?!
 Her use of  vintage style sheet music paper is very creative.

There is so much detail of Kathy's tag!
This is something I have noticed on all her creations and it is wonderful.
Zoom in to see the shimmery hills, glittery background papers,
beautiful button and fun trimmings.  Stunning.

Layers and layers of dies.  I loved how Lou chose to use
Christmas dies and a few every day dies to create a soft shimmery tag.
Another tag that must been seen in person to be truly appreciated.

And now Jasmine's mom Nancy's tag!
She used real wire at the top of her tag and
even used heat shrink to add her berries and holly.
It too could be a perfect ornament on a tree!
 I love this.

Tim H. himself would be impressed with Pat's use of his product.
Again there is so much dimension and detail here.
A little masculine and 100% classic.  

Another very creative entry.  Sally (who is Hilary's daughter) was
definitely busy punching and stitching.
Simple and clever. ...always the perfect combination.
Awesome!

One look at Sue's tag and you can't help but smile.
 I love the oversized jingle bell,embossed shimmer
background and ribbon.
Adorable. 

Shannon is another girl who is not afraid to get her fingers inky!
Check out her stunning background techniques.
So many of these stamps bring back wonderful memories.
I love the bottom holly punched edge.

Wowed?  I told you so!  My customers have always inspired me and given me such wonderful ideas and tips over the years.  Thank you for that!

And finally I promised the girls who entered that there would be a little draw.  Those who used Paper Pickle product received one ballot (and you all got one)!  The winner of $50 of FUN Pickle product is.......

Pat G!  This was a random draw and you can thank my son for choosing you as the winner!  Your winnings will be ready for pick up during store hours.

Hopefully this post gives you that little spark you need to get creating!  Happy New Year!!

Kim

PS.....We will closed tomorrow (Jan 2) but resuming regular store hours next week.  Wednesday-Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-3.

Week 4...FREE Tag Make & Take

With only 5 days until Christmas, we decided to keep life simple and repeat our tag from Week 1. Besides, not many of you knew about the free make & takes that we were running as a part of Downtown's A Dickens of a Christmas. This will be the final week for the Saturday event which will run between 10am and 3pm. We will, however, begin our Happy Hours in the new year. Check back to get the scoop.


So if you have time and would like to venture out, please join us for a fun little tag! Thank you to all who participated.

Week 3: FREE Make & Take THIS Saturday!

Hello Everyone!

Well, here we are at week 3 of 4 for our Christmas tags. If you haven't been in yet, why not stop in and take 5 minutes for yourself this Saturday (between 10AM & 3PM) and enjoy this adorable tag. We will be embossing Inkadinkado's Season's Greetings stamp on some Basic Grey paper, working with Hero Arts self-adhesive pearls and a little ribbon (of course). It is just too fun!

Yeah for me! I got this post up a whole 8.5 hours early this week! I am a new woman now that Coulter is sleeping through the night!!

Free Make & Takes THIS Saturday

Have you ever had a day go NOT according to plan....well it has been one of those days for me. Sorry I am just getting this in at approximately 11:55 PM Friday. I guess I should look at it as doing better than last week when I posted Saturdays tag on Saturday. I am in the thick of the terrible twos and it has been a little rough. On the bright side, my son (who is almost 4 months) is now ALMOST sleeping through the night! Much better than having to wake up to feed every 2 or 3 hours! Now if only I could get them on the same schedule....

Here is the little tag we are making for this Saturdays A Dickens of a Christmas. The project is FREE so come out and have a little fun with us. We will be working with some fun decorative paper, flowers, ribbon and some fun Making Memory letter stickers that we just got in. I cannot believe how many stickers you get for just under three bucks.

There will be two more tags before Christmas. You will notice that these projects are quite simple. We are gearing these for the first time paper crafter and children. We are hoping to start up our Happy Hours again in the new year. These make and takes will be a little more involved.....more details about this will follow.

Sweet Dreams...