It's a wrap--toe tags give the final say in packaging

The focus at Altered Pages this month has been gift containers, wraps and tags. With the upcoming Halloween season, I couldn't help but thinking of the most final of packages and the tags that go with them. Yep, you guessed it! Today's post is all about toe tags!

Bringing you this creepy post is Betsy Skagen of Paper Calliope. Just think of the head-to-toe tingles you can create when you give a present adorned with the kind of tag hung on bodies at the morgue (or at least a spookified version of one). Each hair-raising tag shows a toe, of course. They also feature pictures of the deceased, as well as hints about the creepy cause of death--whether it be zombie, werewolf, vampire or...you get the picture. 

Tutorial: How to make Toe Tag Altered Gift Tags

Use a blending tool to ink the edges of a manila tag with brown ink. I own a plethora of vintage tags and thought my "Returned Part" tags were perfect for my toe tag theme. As you can see above, the femur was one of the "returned parts". However, you can use any manila tag for this project. 

Print out several enlarged copies of the Historical Anatomy collage sheet. On each copy, tear away the foot and use the blending tool to ink the edges. Adhere this torn image to the back of your tag. 

Next, follow the instructions for each individual tag. 

Kinder Toe Tag

To make the Kinder Toe tag, print the Dem Bones and Creepy People collage sheets. Tear out the child skeleton and the little girl. Ink the edges of the graphics. On the toe tag, use a brown pen to write down the reason for death, returned part, etc. Adhere the two images to the tag. 

Unknown Parts Toe Tag

Just what lies under that sheet? A leg? Organs on a tray? Where does your imagination lead? Forget it, I don't think I want to know.

To make the front of the Unknown Parts Toe Tag (remember the back features the foot graphic), print the Creepy People and Screaming Skulls collage sheets. Tear out the child carrying the sheet and the pile of skulls. Ink the edges of the graphics. On the toe tag, write down the reason for death, returned part, etc. Adhere the two images to the tag. 

Zombie Bite Toe Tag

Can I just add that I was watching Fear the Walking Dead while I made these tags? Now I'm addicted to another show. I sure wish Amazon streamed the current seasons for free.

Print the Screaming Skulls and Dem Bones collage sheets. Tear out the spooky looking woman, the top half of the skulls and the skeleton legs. Ink the edges of the graphics. On the toe tag, write down the reason for death, returned part, etc. Adhere the three images to the tag.

Great Stuff to Use

Historical Anatomy
Dem Bones
Creepy People
Screaming Skulls
Brown ink
Vintage tag
Brown marker
Ranger Blending Tool