This Saturday in World Cardmaking Day, so we’re celebrating all week with plenty of handmade card inspiration from our design team. Rebecca’s up first with some unique cards she made by combining two new tools.
Hello! It’s Rebecca with you today and I have a fun way to pair up 2 of my favorite WRMK tools, the Happy Jig and the Tassel Loom. Tassels are everywhere, which I’m happy to say, I love. I’ve been making my own for a few years now, but I mostly limited myself to embroidery floss since it was the least time-consuming way that I found to do it. However, embroidery floss can be expensive and limiting. The Tassel Loom has broadened my tassel-making horizons, and when I realized I could easily add tassels to the words and images I made with the Happy Jig, my life got even better!
I made two simple cards with the highlights being words I fashioned with the Happy Jig. I kept the cards basic to give the wired sentiments the spotlight. There’s nothing basic about those wired words, as I’ve added tassels to them! I have a quick tutorial to show you how I did it, since it deviates slightly from the Tassel Loom directions. Also, I’m demonstrating with a paper clip, but the idea is exactly the same if you want to add tassels to Happy Jig creations.
Loosely following the official Tassel Loom instructions for ‘floss and other non-flexible materials’ to create a 2” tassel, I performed Step 1 with sewing thread. I wrapped the thread around the loom until I reached my desired thickness, then moved on to Step 3, skipping Step 2.
I held the thread and cut where the loom indicates at the top and bottom, being sure to hold the thread lengths firmly in the middle! (That’s important!)
Next, I pushed one end of my thread through a loop in my wired shape (or paper clip end). This is easier than it looks! Try pinching the ends; this step is akin to threading a large needle eye with 100-ply thread!
Once I got the end of my thread through the loop, I folded it over and pinched it near the top. I wound thread around the body of the tassel to create the neck and to hold it in place on the wired loop. With thread, I don’t count how many times I wrap it around; I eyeball the thickness based on what looks good and proportionate to me. Once you’ve got a thickness you’re happy with, tie it off in the back and trim the ends to even up the bottom. Repeat the steps to add more tassels to your project.
I started doing these for my journal spread last month, moving on to the wired words because I loved the outcome so much. The Tassel Loom makes it a breeze to do, too; without the structure and guidelines of that tool, the thread would be too unruly.
A friend of mine is a big planner girl and I made this “Hustle” piece for her to add to her planner. I found the template on the @werhappyjig Instagram page, and I added the clip to the ‘H,’ as directed.
I thought it would be fun if I used the “Hustle” clip as a part of a greeting card, so I adhered the the patterned paper to the card base with strategically placed 3-D foam dots and clipped the word onto it. She can take it right off and use it in her planner!
I spelled “GET IT GIRL” with the Word Punch Board and backed it with gold glitter paper to add extra sparkle to this card, cheering her on in all her endeavors.
The second card also has a wired sentiment with tassels, but instead of clipping this one to the card, I glued it on with small dabs of hot glue. There’s a layer of pale pink tulle underneath the word to go with the celebratory “Yay” vibe and the bright pink tassels!
I found the “Yay” template on the @werhappyjig Instagram page, as well. There are so many fun options there, so if you’re looking for something different, I suggest giving that page a follow.
I love the way the tassels look on my wired words and it’s a great way to dress them up! This technique really makes them the star of greeting cards and will add a festive feel to gift tags and gift wrap, as well. Are you going to give it a try?!
Supplies:
Tassel Loom
Word Punch Board