I received product in exchange for this post. All opinions shared are 100% my own.
I've always loved watercoloring, and pairing that look with foils is simply gorgeous. With the Minc machine, some free printables and watercolors, you can create some uniquely stunning foil watercolor gift tags and artwork in just minutes!!
Start by printing out the "You Are My Sunshine" gift tags on heavy cardstock or watercolor paper with at little texture as possible. Cut the gift tags out and grab some watercolors. Any kind of watercolors will do!! You'll also need a paint brush and a small cup of water.
For best results painting on cardstock, wet the watercolors, then paint on the dry paper. Get creative! Paint in any colors, make messy or clean paint strokes, and paint a section of the tag, or the entire thing!
**Very important: let the paper dry completely before adding foil in the next step! When the tags have dried, take a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe the front of the tags. This will help remove some of the paint off the printed text.
There are tons of ways to foil projects, but none are as easy and quick as using the Minc, especially for this project!! The
Minc is an incredible crafting tool that turns laser printed items (both pre-made or your own custom designs) into a beautifully foiled creation in just seconds. You can see more in my previous post
introducing the Minc and showing what it can do!
Turn on the Minc machine and set the heat setting to 3. The Minc foils come in a variety of colors, so it's fun to be able to coordinate them with the watercolor colors I used on the tags. Cut the foils with sharp scissors to cover the wording on the gift tags.
Open the carrier sheet and place the painted gift tags face up. Carefully lay the foil pieces over the tags (color side up) and lightly press down and make sure none of the text is uncovered. Carefully lay the top of the carrier sheet down over your project and smooth it out with your hand.
Tip: Sometimes static on the carrier sheet can cause the foil to shift, so just work slowly and try to keep everything in place as best you can.
Run the carrier sheet through the Minc, then remove the tags and foil. Peel up the foil, and voila! Foiled, watercolored tags in just minutes!!
**The reason you need to find a watercolor paper with little to no texture is because the foil won't stick properly on textured paper. The smoother the paper, the better.
To finish turning the tags into usable tags, simply use a standard hole punch to punch a hole in the center of the beveled side of the tag.
Use some baker's twine, ribbon, or jute and thread it through the hole in the tag so you can easily attach it to any gift or package.
I love the unique look these tags give to any gift, and will really "brighten" someone's day! Even though I don't have a lot of gifts to give out right now, I just can't stop making these tags because it's so easy and fun!!
I've also made the "You Are My Sunshine" into a printable 8x10 for you to frame and put on display! Print it out on cardstock or untextured watercolor paper, then paint to your heart's content. Let it dry, then run it through the Minc the same way as the gift tags.
Peel the foil, and place your print in a frame or hang on a clipboard. It really adds some color and shine to your space and it's fun to create custom decor for your home!
If you want to make your own foil creations, the Minc starter kit and accessories are available at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann, as well as local stores and online shops.