Gift Bags

 Simple Gift Bags

I have always been a fan of Sam Calcotts gift backs that fold down easily for storage, but not everyone wants to spend the time and effort scoring and sectioning the bag gussets needed to make this type of bag.

The craft club I attend were lucky enough to be given some large sheets of card and asked me to work out a simple design to use them to make gift bags.

First of all I worked out the way to cut the card to use it efficiently and then showed them hurry make a simple gift bag,

The main thing to remember when making any gift bag is that the side panels need to be the same size as the base panel.

This size of card was suitable for a 2.5” gusset. The two sides and the base of the 2 pieces of card were scored at 2.5”. This gives a 2.5” scored corner on either side. Fold and burnish the score lines 

On one sheet cut the score line on each corner up from the base to the score line.

On the second sheet cut the corners off putting a small V notch either side of the score line.

Next glue the 2 base pieces together.

Then lay the pieces flat on the desk and punch the holes in the top of the bag ready for the handles.

Next pull up the side and line up top and bottom then glue into place, repeat on the other side.

Lastly add the cord by feeding through the holes from front to back and tying a couple of knots .

Then decorate front and back to your own taste.

Happy Crafting

Dee

Craft Club Competition

 Spring Bouquet

I seem to be back into my paper crafting at the moment although there are still bags being made in between craft groups.

Before Easter the craft group set members a challenge. To decorate a wooden plaque of a bouquet of flowers. We could use any medium. I was going to add felt flowers to make the flowers on the plaque 3 dimensional. However the flowers looked a little clumpy so I changed to organza ribbon flowers . 

I used a running stitch technique to make the petals and added a small pearl button to the centre, then hot glued them onto the board. 

My finished bouquet:

Other members used paints, there was one where the petals were coloured with different seeds which I thought was particularly clever.

It was a lovely project to celebrate the coming of spring.

I am enjoying the mixture of paper crafts at club and sewing at home.

Next week at Craft club we are making gift bags with some large sheets of card that has been given to us. I have the task of working out the dimensions and scoring needed to utilise the card in the most efficient way.. Back soon with the results.

 

New Cards Made from Old Stock

• Great Recycling of Old Stock

Clearing out another box of craft items, I came across items from an old Create and Craft kit. I had used  the papers and cards from the kit but still had some panels that I could not bear to part with and had packed them away. It must have been at least 3 years ago maybe even 5 years. 

When I tidy a big box I usually take everything out onto the floor and then divide them into lots going to charity and items to keep. When I came across the panels I still wanted to use them so put them one side to think of a design. 

The tabs came in pairs with one for the top of the card and one for the bottom

Some form of embellishment connects the tabs. My new design provided a card and gift in one, as I decided to join the tabs with a book mark. 

I was able to make 10 cards with the 20 tabs I had . Here are the finished cards bagged ready for sale. 

A happy evening spent using up these lovely tabs, some oddments of ribbon and some bookmarks I laminated and mounted with a single clear pad so it can be removed easily for use.

Back soon

Dee

Small and perfectly formed Tote Bags

 New Tote Bags added to stock 

Having decided what bags I am making for the craft fairs this year, I was kindly given a stack of fabrics from a Sample Book. I have seen Christine Home Affairs make this type of samples into bags, makeup bags, and box bags etc. It was lovely going through the pieces in order to match them up and consider projects. Having seen the fabrics, they were larger than I expected and I was able to match 8 sets of 2 to make Tote Bags. I added cotton weave handles and lining fabrics from my stash and then started my production line. 

The first ones off the line 

Whilst these bags are slightly smaller than my standard Tote Bags they were such lovely fabrics I was very happy with the finished items. Each of the bags has a different fabric on the back, in coordinating colours. 

This is my favourite, the back is a lighter teal with embroidered running stitch design in white embroidery thread, but all are lovely. . The dotty coloured spots are raised embroidery which adds a lovely dimension to the design, while the autumn colours on the leaves and hedgehog designs are vibrant. 

 

These fabrics often cost £35 - £50 a metre, so not only do the samples allow an opportunity to use luxury fabrics with an affordable price tag, it saves the sample fabrics ending up in landfill.  The added bonus being the money from the sale of these bags all goes to the local hospital. So a big thank you to my friend Lyn who gave me the fabrics.

I am really enjoying a year of a mixture of paper and fabric crafting, trying to use my stash. It is particularly pleasing when I see some craft stock and come up with a new design to utilise it. 

Back soon with more new ideas.

Dee

 

Easter Cards Done

 Easter Cards Done

Having mastered the placing of the acetate on these “Bridge cards” 

I made another 4 and completed my Easter cards. 

I only need a few to give out as they would be a large letter, so expensive to post.

These are quite dramatic and by using the pretty wooden tags to decorate the front the recipient has a little memory gift that they can enjoy every year.

Happy Crafting 

Dee

BACK TO PAPER CRAFTING

 SAM CALCOTTS LATEST DESIGN

If you have read any of my paper crafting posts, you will know I am an avid fan of Sam Calcott - Mixed up Crafts, on YouTube. So while relaxing the other evening I checked out her latest projects. 

I fell in love with this Panel Bridge Card and thought it was a lovely spring look (see link below)

https://youtu.be/O2cqwTTx9GY?si=maUU01t3RFAJn5qo

Here is my first try:

It is a little trickier than I thought to set the acetate in place so I had to try another to get it right. This time I decided to make it an Easter card, as it was perfect to hold a wooden Easter tag, which would give the recipient a card and a gift of the tag that can be used for your Easter decorations.

It just needs an Easter greeting. I cracked the acetate placement and now the bridge is lined up. 

If you fancy having a go check out Sam’s post. 

I will definitely be using this design again. I have a few ideas for mens cards, so I better hurry up and do one for my brother in laws birthday. 

Happy Crafting

Dee

New Style Tote bags

New Bag for 2026

As I said in a previous post, I want to jazz up the tote bags this year and add some new pieces. I started with 2 Tote bags using contrasting plain fabrics to make the design pop. 

I used some lovely embroidered fabric for the first one and took a little while to work out the make-up sequence, but it came together and gave me the layout for the rest of the seasons makes. It requires going through the stash of fabrics and coordinating the prints with a plain that work together. 

This has been made with a beautiful embroidered fabric and lined in matching red cotton, which has also been used for the top contrast. The handles are cotton weave as the embroidered fabric does not make good handles. This is the perfect size.

Next I made the contrast going the other way and although the colour coordination worked the size was not right. So now combining the two ideas I have the template for future totes for this year.

Not only have I changed the look and size I will also be adding an inside pocket. 

First bag redesigned and pattern made. 

Back soon with my craft bags.

Happy Crafting

Dee