Holiday Paper Crafting | Assembly Line Tags & Place Cards

Right around the end of September, I think to myself, this year will be the year that I start my holiday paper crafting early. But it’s such a busy time. Things come up and the next thing you know, it’s December. With time running out, is it possible to still add a handmade touch to your gifts and cards?

Absolutely! When I need to do some bulk paper crafting quickly, I set up an assembly line and everything comes together in snap. In fact, it usually takes me longer to gather all the supplies than it does to actually create the projects.

Over this past weekend, my goal was to create three different sets of items: gift tags for family and friends, place cards for the holiday table and embellishments for holiday cards.

Starting with the tags, I pre-cut them in the size and the colors I needed. I cut the first tag with a thin metal die, then cut the rest to size with my paper trimmer to save some time. I also pulled a variety of holiday themed chipboard pieces that have been in my stash for years.

Next, I added stickers words and journaling spots. In the bowl, I included a variety of loose embellishments — like brads, gems, word art, buttons,  flair, and acrylic pieces. Washi tape and ribbon round out my assembly line.

Once everything is set up, I  pull one item from each pile and and start assembling.

I find the process goes very quickly when you limit product selection. My goal is to pull the different elements together and create my tags as quickly as possible. I added the for:/love: stamp when needed and tied each tag off with some coordinating twine.

The process is the same for the place cards.

I found it helpful to use a large sticker pack like this one from American Crafts. I created several place cards and didn’t want to run out of any one letter. But this is would also be a great stash buster if you wanted to mix it up and use up a variety of different alphabets.

Here’s a final look at a few of the gift tags, place cards and card embellishments I created in a matter of minutes. This plan would work equally well for holiday cards, book marks, treat bags and jar toppers too.

This holiday season, if you find yourself running out of time to but still want a handcrafted touch, set up an assembly line. Your paper crafted items will come together quickly and it’s a great way to use up bits and pieces from your stash.

Supplies:

• Bazzill Kraft, Pomegranate Splash, Walnut Cream, and White
• K&Company Smash black dot washi tape
• Queen and Company red chevron washi tape
• Echo Park “Season’s Greetings” 6×6 paper pad
• American Crafts Remarks JFK Stickers
• Die Cuts With A View word stickers
• Pebbles Holiday word stickers
• Doodlebug Twine – Beetle Black and Ladybug
• Making Memories holiday metal plaque and acrylic tag
• Hemptique Baker’s Twine from the Berrylicious set
• American Crafts brads
• Doodlebug decorative brads
• Jillibean Soup Kraft journaling spot
• Quickutz 4×4 Tag thin metal die
• Colorbok chipboard pieces
• October Afternoon “For:/Love:” stamp