A (sort of) New Direction, Farewell to Artfire and Zibbet

Goodbye, Artfire and Zibbet (sniff) - I just don't have enough time in a day, or a night, anymore, to maintain so many online shops (seven before the cut, now just four, all on Etsy). I loved Artfire for their new look and shop features (reminded me in a good way of everything I loved about 1000 Markets).  I loved Zibbet for similar reasons.  I love Etsy for...sales. It had to be said. 

French Hens, Turtle Doves, and a Partridge or Two - Picture Tutorial

Who doesn't love birds, especially Christmas birds (four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree...)? 

These paper bird tags are designed to be reversible, perfect for hanging from wreaths and garlands, and twirling about in doorway and window decorations. Sew the buttons to the wing pieces before attaching to the bird.

I've made a downloadable bird pattern for your holiday crafting, including my antique endpaper prints. Just left click on each image, then right click and save to your computer. All are sized at 8x10.5 inches to print at "actual size" on 8.5x11 inch or A4 card stock paper. After printing one endpaper, flip the page over and print again for reversible tags. After you flip the card stock, be sure to insert the same end into your printer for the second printing that went in for the first printing so that both patterns line up with each other.

Above is a suggested layout for four reversible birds and eight wings.

This alternate wing position gives the impression of flying birds.

More reversible Christmas birds in commercial card stock papers with rhinestone eyes, metallic cord, and wings outlined with glitter glue.

 These reversible birds have rhinestone eyes, cotton ties, and inked edges.

 Even simpler, these pretty french hen tags in sepia, cream, and black have ink dot eyes and a wingless back for writing a brief message.

Retro red and aqua birds with glitter glue eyes and a metallic ribbon accent for their button wings.

Sometimes a set of papers are just perfect from the front, but the backs aren't, as in the colors above. Adding a color scheme of oval scallop punches to the backs of these birds gives them a more cohesive look, and a place to write a name or brief message -perfect for dressing up a gift package. 

The reversible and romantic Cottage Christmas turtle dove tags above have circlets of antique lace adorning pearl and shell buttons, and champagne rhinestone eyes.

Pretty reversible birds in the colors of winter. I think these would be lovely wedding decorations.

 Miniature shiny black buttons make bird eyes for these Paris-themed reversible bird tags.

A variation on the retro red and aqua birds.

The promise of spring is delivered with green and blue reversible bird tags in floral prints.

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May your holiday bring you love, peace, and happiness - 

and crafting supplies!