How to Make a Russian Doll Gift Tag

I have a bit of an addiction to Russian Dolls.  I've been buying them for a few years and have run out of space on my book cases for them! I love the stories that the pictures on them represent and how they tell stories as you go down the layers to the littlest doll at the centre. They inspire my crafting too and here I'll show you how to make one of these cute gift tags (or a set...they are Russian dolls after all!).

You will need:

A piece of plain card measuring 8cm x 5cm; a piece of patterned paper measuring 6cm x 5cm; a piece of peachy cream paper approx. 3cm x 3cm; a piece of brown paper approx. 3cm x 3cm; glue; a length of ribbon around 20cm; a black pen; a hole punch; a ruler; pencil; scissors; a 2p coin or a circle punch.

I'm always thinking about upcycling.  The plain white card is cut out from a birthday card I was sent this year; the green patterned card is from a box of sweets; the peachy card and brown card are from the birthday card too which I've coloured with Pro Markers; the ribbon is a hanging loop from a top I bought.

1.  Take the piece of patterned paper to make the headscarf.  Cut the bottom 5cm edge into the shape in the picture. The middle of the cut should be about 2cm from the base.

2.  Glue this piece of paper to the plain card so that the top of the patterned paper is lined up with the top of the card.

3.  On the back of the tag, measure 1cm down and 1cm across at each of the the top two corners. Lightly draw a line diagonally between them and cut these corners off.

4.  Use the hole punch to make a hole in the middle of the tag on the top edge about 1cm down from the top.

5.  Take the peachy coloured paper and either draw around the 2p coin and cut it out or use your circle punch. This will be her face.

6.  Repeat step 5 to make a circle of brown paper for her hair.  Cut this circle in half and then cut it into the same shape as in the picture.

7.  Glue the hair onto the peachy circle making sure the edges meet at the top.  Using your black pen, draw 2 lines on each side of the parting in her hair.  On her peachy circle draw two dots for eyes with a little flick for eyelashes and add a smile.

8.  Glue the whole face to the tag in the centre under the hole made with the hole punch.  Make sure it's all on the patterned paper.

9.  Use the hole punch to make 3 little circles using the patterned paper.  Glue these down the front of the tag in line with the centre of the face so that they look like buttons.

10.  Place the ribbon through the hole at the top.  Tie it in a knot to secure it.  Cut the ends diagonally to make a neater finish.  Well done! You've finished your tag.

Variations to try: 

• use different colour card and different patterned papers;
• make it in a variety of sizes;
• draw different expressions on her face;
• use real buttons down the front of the tag;
• use patterned corner scissors as an alternative to straight corners at the top of the tag. 

This tutorial can be found on Totally Tutorials along with lots of other great ideas!