Some projects start with a plan.
Others start with a feeling.

This tag was definitely the second kind.

I wanted to create something that felt like a quiet love letter : worn, layered, and full of little details you only notice if you slow down. The kind of piece that looks like it’s been handled, treasured, tucked inside a book or a pocket for years.

I worked on a large tag base and built the background using Ranger Ink Distress products, letting the colors bleed and blend into each other. Blues, purples, and hints of darker tones created the perfect moody base for storytelling.

The heart pattern was created using Stampers Anonymous heart stencils, paired with Grit Paste for texture. Once dry, I lightly colored and distressed the raised areas so the hearts would catch the light without overpowering the background.

Vintage-style imagery and details were added using Simon Says Stamp coordinating dies with Field Notes Stamp, layered, stitching details, and small sentiments. Everything was kept soft and imperfect .

A Few Tips From My Desk 

• Let texture dry completely
Grit Paste needs patience. Once fully dry, it becomes much easier to color, sand lightly, or highlight without losing the raised detail.

• Work in layers, not steps
Instead of finishing one area at a time, move around the piece. Add ink, then texture, then ephemera… and come back again. This helps everything feel cohesive rather than staged.

• Tone down bold elements
If something feels too bright or new, a light wash of Distress Ink or a subtle splatter can instantly bring it back into the story.