Mid week blog #192 - Prep ahead gifting gift bags to make & store

 Hello & welcome to my blog. 

My name is Alison & I live in beautiful Melbourne, Australia. 

For those of you who have previously visited my blog & are now returning, thank you. For those of you who are here for the first time, welcome! 

 Here's a little bit about me. I love creating cards & gifts for my loved ones & this blog will show you how to create something special for those you love. I blog twice a week, once on a Sunday where I mainly showcase a stamp set or dies, embossing folders, projects & sometimes special DSP and Wednesday evenings when I highlight a technique, fun folds or tools & tips. I would love to hear from you if you have any questions or suggestions & my email address for that is craftedbyalison@gmail.com.

I am continuing on  with tips to help you get organised for Christmas (or general gifting) with some prep ahead projects. This week there is a cute Gift Bag made with a 8" x 12" piece of DSP.  Next week's item is a Slider Gift Card Holder. Both of these projects can be cut & scored & partially assembled, stored flat then finished when you need that 'last minute' gifting solution. 

Both of these projects were originally found on Youtube at May May Makes. I hope you enjoy this first project. I have included some pictures at various steps to clarify what to do.

Project 1

LAY FLAT GIFT BAG

Cut your choice of pattern cardstock to 12" x 8.5".

Score on 12" side at 1/2", 5", 7" & 11.5"  

WARNING: be mindful of the orientation of the pattern on the paper.

Turn and score on the 8.5 "  side at  2"  and 6 1/2".

Fold and burnish all score lines.

Fold 1/2 inch tops out and glue down.

Turn & fold both 5” & 6 ½” score lines in.

Make angle folds at center of the bag by lifting the 5” score line on the right up & out to meet the edge of the bag to create a diagonal fold.

Repeat this process with all of the 5” & 6 ½” scored lines.

Glue the top right section inwards. Repeat with the other 4 corners of the bag.

Cut two handles  3/4" x 11"  in coordinating pattern paper.

Stop at this point if storing the bags for future use. 

TO ASSEMBLE

Push sides of bag in & stand the bag up.  Apply glue to the angled sections & press until adhered to the main section of the bag.

Add handles and decorate the bag as you wish. 

Here are two bags, one assembled & one folded flat ready for storage.

Today's gift bag is a Christmas one & uses the Traditions of Christmas DSP but the fold flat one in the picture just uses old DSP I had on hand.

That's it for this week's post. I hope you enjoyed it.

My next post is on Sunday where I will share some beautiful DSP with you in a concertina funfold.

The next mid week post will feature the second of the make ahead projects - a Slider Gift Card Holder

I hope you can join me for both of them.

Til next time, take care & keep creating! XX Alison