From Paint Mop-Ups to Beautiful Tags: Mixed Media Inspiration from Your Craft Desk

 

 

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I'm sharing two mixed media tags that came together completely by accident.

Some of my favorite projects don't begin with a plan. They begin with leftover paint, scraps on my desk, and a little curiosity about what might happen if I simply started layering.

These tags are the perfect reminder that creativity doesn't always start with brand-new supplies. Sometimes it starts with the pieces we almost throw away.

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🎨 Saving Every Drop of Color

The inspiration for these tags actually started while I was playing with my Lindy's Gang Victorian Garden Sprays on watercolor paper. As I was spraying my background, I realized I had applied a little more color than I needed. Instead of letting those beautiful pigments go to waste, I grabbed a couple of blank tags and used them to soak up the extra ink.

It's one of my favorite stash-saving tricks. Not only do you avoid wasting product, but you also end up with beautifully unique backgrounds ready for another project.

 

Once the tags dried, I loved the soft blends and organic movement of the colors so much that I decided they deserved to become finished pieces.

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📖 Adding Layers of Story

Next, I reached into my stash for some old book pages that I had previously painted with watercolor and sealed with melted wax. The wax gives the paper a wonderfully soft, semi-translucent look that adds incredible depth when layered.

 

Rather than cutting the pages neatly, I tore them into random pieces and adhered them to the tags. Torn edges always feel a little more organic and help the layers blend naturally into one another.

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✨ Creating Texture with Simple Supplies

One of the things I love most about mixed media is that almost anything can become a mark-making tool. For these tags, I grabbed bottles of black and gold acrylic paint fitted with precision tips and simply started drawing loose, playful squiggles across the surface.

 

There was no pattern to follow and no right or wrong way to do it. Those imperfect lines became another layer of texture that helped tie the collage together while adding movement across the tags. Sometimes the simplest marks are the ones that make a project feel finished.

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🌸 Finishing Touches

To complete the tags, I added the beautiful AALL & Create Anemone Whispers florals along with sentiments from the AALL & Create Motivation Station collection.

 

Those final elements brought everything together while still allowing all of the layered textures to shine. 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this inspires you to embrace the unexpected, save those colorful leftovers, and spend a little time simply playing in your craft room this weekend.

Happy creating! 💛🎨

 

 Topflight Stamp Supplies

AALL & Create - 92 - Anemone Whispers Shop at: TP

AALL & Create - Motivation Station Shop at: TP

Lindy's Gang - Victorian Bouquet Shimmer Shop at: Lindys | TP

Fresh Layers: A Spring Mixed Media Tag with JOFY

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing a simple, fresh spring tag that came together using what I already had on my desk. No complicated plan. Just paint, stamping, and a little layering.

 

I began by grabbing a few paints that were already out and applying them directly to my tag.

This is one of my favorite ways to start. No pressure, just color. Let the paint blend naturally and don’t overthink it. Those imperfect layers are what give your tag character.

 

While the background dried, I stamped the leaf image from the JOFY Mini 103 by PaperArtsy onto white paper and fussy cut the leaves. Next, I stamped the same image directly onto the tag to create a base layer, then adhered the white cut-out leaves on top.

That contrast—soft painted background with crisp white elements—really makes the design pop.

I added another stamped detail from the JOFY 147 just below the leaves to ground the composition and add a bit more texture.

 

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✨ Finishing Touches

To bring everything together, I added:

• A hand-drawn frame for definition
• A sentiment from the Lavinia Sentiment Collection
• A few highlights with a white Posca pen

Those final details help guide the eye and give the tag a clean, finished look. Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this inspires you to carve out a little creative time this week—even if it’s just a quick tag. 💛

 

 Topflight Stamp Supplies

PaperArtsy - JOFY 147 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - JOFY Mini 103 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at: WOW US | TP	Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at: AZ | TP

Bright & Merry Christmas Tags with Lindy’s Magicals and PaperArtsy JOFY

 

🎄 Hello crafty friends and happy November! ✨
Ericka here from Strangely Creative, and I’m officially diving into the Christmas spirit with some bright and merry tags featuring Lindy’s Gang Magical Sprays in the gorgeous Victorian Bouquet Shimmer set and the adorable mini PaperArtsy JOFY 94 tree. 🎨🌲

 

These little tags were pure joy to make — and a great way to use up those extra bits of watercolor paper we all have lying around! I started by misting the sprays one layer at a time, drying between colors to let each shade shine through. The shimmer is magical (pun totally intended 😉).

 

Once the background was just right, I stamped the tiny tree and heat-embossed it in crisp white. To finish, I brushed a hint of gold acrylic paint around the edges because every Christmas project deserves a little sparkle! ✨

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope this inspires you to pull out your Lindy’s Magicals and get a head start on your holiday crafting! 🎁

💗 Happy creating!

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

PaperArtsy - JOFY Mini 94 Shop at: TP

WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP

Lindy's Gang - Victorian Bouquet Shimmer Shop at: TP

Bubble Wrap & Bookmarks: A Playful Gel Press Tag Tutorial

 

Hello friends!

Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing a vibrant and textured mixed media tag I had a blast creating! If you're looking for a fun way to use your gel press and experiment with custom tape, this little project might spark some inspiration.

To start, I pulled out my Studio Light Calm Acrylic Paints in Peony and Azure—two dreamy colors that blend beautifully. Using my gel press, I pulled a soft, layered print onto a blank tag.

 

For extra texture and interest, I grabbed some bubble wrap (yes, the kind you can’t resist popping!) and used it to press more of the same paint onto masking tape. The result? A playful and patterned tape I can’t wait to use again in future projects. Making your own tape is so addictive!

Next, I stamped my tag using the PaperArtsy Tracy Scott 98 set. I layered in Versafine Clair inks in Twilight and Lavinia Russet Orange, then quickly clear heat-embossed the images to help them stand out against the colorful, layered background.

 

To finish it off, I added a simple sentiment from my label maker and voilà—a unique mixed media bookmark ready for my next read.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you feel inspired to play with your gel press and make something that’s uniquely you. Wishing you a joyful and creative weekend!

PaperArtsy - Tracy Scott 98 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at: WOW US | TP	Lavinia - Elements Dye Ink - Russet Orange Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP	Studio Light - Acrylic Paint Set - Calm Shop at: TP
Ranger - Tim Holtz Distress Mixed Media Tag Shop at: SC | Misc	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: AZ | TP | Misc	Hero Arts - Wagner - HT400 Precision Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

From Snippets to Stunning

 

Hello crafty friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m diving into one of my favorite things—turning snippets into something beautiful! If you're like me and have a growing stash of leftover bits from previous projects, this one's for you. Instead of tossing them aside, why not turn those little treasures into a brand new creation.

 

For today's project, I decided to make a bookmark/tag using pieces from my gel press print leftovers. I love the challenge (and fun!) of arranging scraps into something cohesive—and there's something so satisfying about giving them a second life.

Once I had my background pieced together, I stamped the beautiful Hobby Arts Floral Silhouettes using Versafine Clair Nocturne for that bold, dramatic effect. I love how the dark florals pop against the colorful, textured base.

 

To bring a little more dimension to the tag, I added texture along the edge using the PaperArtsy Seth Apter Mini 108 stamp with Versafine Clair Arctic—the cool tone added just the right amount of contrast.

And of course, no project feels complete without a little attitude! 😄 I grabbed one of the quick and quirky sentiments from AALL & Create’s Entertaining Gems. These snarky sayings are perfect for adding a bit of unexpected humor.

To finish it off, I blended Lavinia Dark Denim ink around the edges to draw the eye into the center and frame the design beautifully.

 

This project is a reminder that even the smallest scraps can spark creativity. So next time you're cleaning up your craft table, set those snippets aside—you never know when inspiration (and a gorgeous tag) might strike!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope today’s project inspires you to pull out your own leftovers and create something fabulous. Happy crafting, friends! ✂️💖

 Topflight Stamp Supplies

Hobby Art - Floral Silhouettes Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 108 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at: WOW US | TP	AALL & Create - Entertaining Gems Shop at: TP	Lavinia - Elements Dye Ink - Dark Denim Shop at: TP
Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Arctic Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at: CS | AZ | TP	Lavinia 5/8 Stencil Brush Shop at: TP

Whimsical Mixed Media Tag with Scraps & Katzelkraft

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing a fun and whimsical mixed media tag—created entirely from snippets!

I love finding new ways to repurpose leftover bits from past projects, and this tag was the perfect opportunity to do just that. I started by layering various snippets together and adhering them to a Gel Press print that had been waiting for its moment to shine. The mix of textures and colors gave my tag a unique, collage-like background—one of my favorite ways to add interest to a project!

 

For the focal point, I stamped and cut out the adorable Katzelkraft Llama, giving my tag a playful touch. To finish it off, I added a white heat-embossed sentiment from the Katzelkraft Whatchamacallit set, which tied the whole look together.

This project was a great reminder that even the smallest scraps can become something beautiful and unexpected! So before you toss those leftover prints and paper bits, challenge yourself to create something fresh and fun.

 I hope this tag inspires you to dig into your scraps and let your creativity run wild! Happy crafting! 🎨✨

Let’s connect! If you try a project like this, I’d love to see it—share it with me on social media @strangelycreative!

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies

Katzelkraft - Llamas Shop at: TP

Katzelkraft - WHATCHAMACALLIT Shop at: TP