November 22 - Gift Bag and Matching Tag by design team member Amy Tara Koeppel

[Amy Tara]

Making a special gift bag is simple and goes a long way in making the recipient feel extra special. You can use the basic guidelines of this bag to create bags for other occasions as well.







Supplies
Webster’s Pages Supplies:

Home for the Holidays papers:
* Mistletoe Kisses
* Oh Christmas Tree
* Santa's Village

Storytellers Alpha Stickers
Fabric Fancies (Believe, Holiday set)
Edged Velvet trim (Holiday pack)
Sparkle trim (Holiday pack)

Other Supplies:

1 giftbag (preferably white - 8" wide)
Teal tissue paper
4 large eyelets
Large Scallop template
Diamond Glaze
Diamond Dust (very extra fine clear glitter)
Gem and Pearl Stickers

Instructions
I used an 8" premade white gift bag which I found in a craft store. I cut off the top, including the original handles, so the bag tops at 8-1/2" high.
I cut out my background patterned paper to fit the 8"x8-1/2" dimension of the bag. I cut the "Merry Christmas" strip off the patterned paper then I cut the stripe strip for the bottom. The stripe strip is approximately 3/4"x8". I adhered those to the bottom of the background paper. I then added strips of pearl stickers along the top and bottom of the "Merry Christmas" strip.

The next piece I cut out is the stripe diamond edge. You could use a scallop template for this or freehand the diamond shape. If you choose to use the scallop template, once you have that cut out you can just trim the rounded edge to transform it into the diamond shape. The strip measures 8"x2" (to the tip of the diamond). Once that is done, cover the piece with diamond glaze and the fine glitter. When dry, adhere to the top of the background piece. You can add some pearls or gems to the tips of the diamonds for a little extra elegance. Add a length of 1/8" redline tape along the very top of the stripe piece and press the tinsel trim onto it. You might want to use a toothpick or paper piercer to fluff out the tinsel once attached.


To create the gift tag I used a fabric label that has the word "Believe" on it. I backed it with a piece of the leftover patterned paper, using the neutral side. I used a pencil to lightly trace around the tag edge and then used scallop scissors to trim the paper slightly larger than the size of the tag. I adhered the tag to the piece I just cut out and added the words "in miracles" using my coordinating storyteller letter stickers. I added some larger pearl stickers in between the words, and some turquoise gem stickers on the edges. Finally I adhered this to the background paper.

To make this work as a Chanukah gift bag you could add a dreidel or star of david die cut in the bottom left corner of the tag to cover the tree. Jolees Boutique has some ready-made Chanukah die cuts that would work well for that.

To assemble the bag you will want to use your velvet trim to make the handles. Tape them down to the inside of the bag and then cover the area with a scrap piece of white cardstock. This keeps the inside of the bag looking neat and tidy.
Finally, add the 8x8-1/2" decorated piece to the front of the gift bag. Stuff with coordinating tissue paper and you have a gorgeous gift bag that is sure to be as much of a treat for the recipient as what is in the bag itself!


A Note About The Prizes

We will giving away a great prize (your choice of 2009 paper line and a surprise embellishment) to one of you that shares your take on this project. Here are the rules to qualify:

1. Your project must use Webster's Pages papers from our 2009 releases (we understand you might not have been able to find the exact papers and embellishments used in the project).

2) Your project should be inspired by the featured project. We look forward to seeing your interpretation so it does not have to be exact - let your creativity shine but we want to be able o to tell it was inspired by this project.

3) Add your completed project to the gallery and link to it from the post within 72 hours of the time this project was posted. The prize drawing will be closed after that time, though we still welcome seeing your projects.

4) The prize will be awarded randomly from everyone who qualifies.

I hope you enjoy making this project. I will check this post for your questions throughout the day today and tomorrow.

WE will have a chat tonight (Sunday) at 9pm est. The chat will cover both projects I posted this weekend. I'm looking forward to chatting with all of you tonight!

[Rita Barakat]

This is super cute Amy
!

[Amy Tara]

Thanks! It's super easy and fun to make too!

[Amy Tara]

Thanks Wendela!

[Katarina]

this looksa like a really fun project :) Will try it for shure :)

[Amy Tara]

I can't wait to see yours! HAve fun making it!

[Elissa Anne Lyman]

CUTE BAG! I HOPE TO CHAT LATER!

[Amy Tara]

Your bag turned out so lovely! The Christmas tree looks perfect on there! GREAT job with this project!

[Steph Devlin]

this is so cute Amy Tara xo

[Amy Tara]

Thanks Steph!

[Julie O.]

Very, very pretty Amy Tara! Can't wait to try this one!

[Amy Tara]

Looking forward to seeing your creation Julie! Thanks for popping by!

[Lynn Yen]

Awesome project!
I can't wait to try this!! Thanks for the inspiration Amy! :)