Welcome to another instalment of Lockdown Layouts, my series of simple projects that you can adapt to use with whatever you've got in your stash. With at least another three weeks of tight lockdown looming, I hope these ideas might help you to pass the time.
Instalments one and two gave you some ideas for simple cards, using either DSP or repeat stamping. They also showed you some ideas on ways to show off your sentiment stamps. If you missed them, scroll back or use 'Lockdown Layouts' in the blog search box.
Today is a bit different. With Easter coming up, I thought I'd show you a pretty gift bag you can make. I've used paper from the Peaceful Poppies DSP bu you can try with whatever supplies you have on hand.
Here's an example of the finished product. This bag is about 15 cm tall and holds a nice supply of Easter eggs.
If you have a Gift Bag Punch Board (now retired) use that! If you don't, here's how to make it.
1. Start with a piece of card or DSP 18.5 cm x 29 cm.
As shown, make one score line 3.5cm up from the bottom along the long edge. Make score lines along the short side at 5cm, 14cm, 19cm and 28 cm.
2. Make tabs to fold up to make the bottom as shown.
3. Once you've made the tabs, score two more lines at 2.5cm and 16.5cm, only going down as far as the horizontal score line. These two lines are to help shape the sides of the bag. When it comes time to score the folds, these lines should only be pinched with your fingers from the top down to about 2cm from the bottom.
4. Add tape as shown to the right side of the bottom tabs and down the narrow tab at the end.
5. Turn over and add tape to one of the larger tabs as shown i.e. on the inside of the bag.
6. Use a bone folder to score the box lines (except for the score lines at 2.5 and 16.5 cm - see step 3)
7. Adhere the narrow tab to the other end of the box. Burnish with a bone folder to get a good hold.
8. Fold in the narrow tabs as shown and push down the wider tab (the one without the tape).
9. Fold over the taped wide tab to complete the bottom.
Turn the box right side up and use your bone folder to rub over from the inside to make sure the tape is firmly adhered.
A note about tape. I use Stampin' Up! Tear and Tape because it's easy to use and is designed to give a firm fix for 3D constructions. If you prefer to use Tombow glue, go ahead.
The Final Fix
After the construction, you can decorate it as you like. I like to close mine by adding a banner and a clip. I've used a retired Stampin' Up! Library clip but you can use whatever you have.
I used the reverse side of an off-cut of the DSP I made the bag from. I used a banner 7cm wide and 12cm long, scored and folded over the top.
Then I decorated it using a label from Painted Labels with a sentiment from Heartfelt.
Alternative close: Instead of using a banner and clip (or just clip) you can punch holes and tie it with ribbon or twine. You can see an example of that in this bag.
Variation: Sometimes DSP isn't strong enough to take the scoring and it rips. You can construct the bag from plain DSP and then decorate the front and back with a piece of DSP. For this bag, cut the DSP 14.5cm x 8.5 cm.
I hope this gives you some ideas about using your craft stash. If you make a bag, please feel free to post a picture either in the comments or on my Jan Clothier - Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator Facebook page (link in the sidebar).
If you live in New Zealand and don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I'd love to be yours. I can help you with ideas, get you catalogues and provide you with Stampin' Up products. You can leave a message in the comments or contact me using any of the methods listed in the Contact Me tab at the top of the page. You can shop with me from anywhere in New Zealand by clicking on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar or clicking on any of products below.
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