supplies: craft sheet, distress inks, ink blending tool, rock candy distress stickles, distress embossing ink, black embossing powder, mini mister, heat tool, sticky back canvas (ranger); plain grungeboard basics (idea-ology); itop brad maker, itop brads, itop templates (imaginisce); flowers (prima); rub-ons (hamby); scissors, craft pick (tonic); fabulous flourish, reindeer flight stamps (stampers anonymous); ephemera (twistedpapers.com); #8 tag, ribbon, foam tape
step 1: to create your own custom brad with the itop opens up so many options on what you create. maybe it's a matching accent for a layout using scraps of paper? maybe it's from a snippet of vintage books? or maybe you want to go all our and create custom canvas covered brads? the itop can do it. so let's start by printing out a variety of holiday images using twisted papers holiday cd vol4. printed directly on to sticky back canvas. you simply run this stuff through your ink jet printer just like paper.
step 2: the itop creates 3 sizes of brads from small to large and offer a couple of different "options" to cut out the shape you need for the brad. they have punches available in all 3 sizes, but i work mostly with either the standard small or medium brads/punches.
step 3: they also sell templates where you simply trace the design and hand cut it. since we're working on canvas which cannot be punched, using the template to trace the shape is the perfect option.
step 4: place the select size template over your canvas image. you'll notice a variety of notches around the outside, these will be pleats that fold into the brad. make sure the design you want for the top of your brad is in the center. trace around the template with a pen.
step 5: cut around the circle shape first with your non-stick scissors.
step 6: cut out the notches you've drawn with your template. *this really doesn't have to be exact.
step 7: next get your brad top and brad post ready. *remember this is all based on the size of template we've used. for this project, i'm working with the medium size brad.
step 8: remove the backing of the sticky back canvas as shown.
step 9: place the round part of the brad top on to the sticky side of the canvas in the center.
step 10: following the manufacturers directions (which you'll get with your itop) place the brad top on the metal base of the itop tool as shown.
step 11: squeeze the handles of the itop together which will force the brad top up into the rubber tip.
step 12: the ends of the tool swivel out, so turn the rubber tip out.
step 13: fold in all of the tabs with your finger. the sticky back canvas sticks to the inside of the brad top.
step 14: place the brad bottom into the metal end of the tool.
step 15: there is a hole in this top so the post of the brad slips right into it.
step 16: turn the rubber tip of the tool back so it is above the metal base as shown.
step 17: squeeze the handle of the itop tool once more to finish the brad.
step 18: swivel the rubber tip back out and remove the brad. because this is rubber, you can peel it back to expose the brad.
step 19: check out your custom made canvas brad! so cool… make several for this tag! *these also make GREAT gift toppers!
step 20: stamp the reindeer on to a piece of plain grungeboard with distress embossing ink.
step 21: apply black embossing powder over the image and replace excess powder into jar.
step 22: heat emboss image.
step 23: cut out image with scissors. *remember because it's grungeboard it's easy to cut all of the detail without ruining your image.
step 24: ink over the entire deer with distress ink using an 
ink blending tool. because the image was embossed, the black resists the distress ink.
step 25: apply various colors of distress ink on to your craft sheet. i used pine needles and peeled paint.
step 26: mist the sheet with water from your mini mister to create droplets.
step 27: press the tag face down into the ink.
step 28: turn the tag over and dry the ink with a heat tool.
step 29: repeat the previous steps until you're happy with the results.
step 30: stamp the flourish with aged mahogany distress ink.
step 31: stamp the snowflakes with pine needles distress ink.
step 32: ink several prima flowers with various colors of distress ink.
step 33: apply rock candy distress stickles to the flowers.
step 34: spread out the distress stickles with your finger creating a thin layer.
step 35: heat the distress stickles to dry.
step 36: stack flowers on to tag and pierce through center with craft pick.
step 37: insert the custom itop brad through the hole and secure.
step 38: repeat with various itop brads and flowers. *how cool are these?
step 39: attach foam tape to the back of the grungeboard reindeer.
step 40: remove the tape backing and secure on to the tag.
step 41: embellish tag with rub-ons and ribbon.
in the details: the vibrant green colors mixed with the distressed flowers and custom canvas itop brads are classic christmas at it's best. just think of all of the possibilities this tool has…t!m
