2015 #23 Winter Gift Bag {by designer Sara Naumann}

 2015 Topic 23: Christmas Gifts and Cards

Hi everyone, Sara Naumann here, joining in with an easy way to create gift bags - whether that's for Christmas, or beyond. 

Here's the story: I was on a business trip and was (as we do) trying to juggle lots of things in preparation for Christmas. I thought I was being smart in buying some nice chocolates for my daughter's teachers while I was on my trip—but when I got home, I found the boxes had been damaged in transit. The contents were fine (it's hard to destroy wrapped chocolates!) but the boxes looked awful so I needed something to repackage them in. Enter the decorated gift bag.

Step One: For the tag: Lightly brayer a manila tag with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Guacamole).

Step Two: When the paint is dry, use black ink to stamp the bird from the Eclectica {Sara Naumann} Collection (ESN18). 

Trim the tag so the branches are extending off either side. Use a stipple brush to spatter Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Mermaid) and to edge the tag. Brayer a piece of bubble wrap with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (London Bus), then press lightly on the tag. When the paint is dry, mat the piece onto black cardstock.

Step Three: Brayer white cardstock with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Guacamole) as before, then stamp the branch twice. Cut out the branches, leaving a narrow edge around the image.

Step Four: Brayer Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Mermaid) onto a bag. Here I'm using brown wax paper bags I bought at the grocery store—you could do the same process on a plain brown paper bag. Fold over the top of the bag, then stamp Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (London Bus) with bubble wrap. Let dry, then stamp the sheet music image and script with black archival ink.

Step Five: Punch a hole in the folded-over top of the bag, then fill your bag. Thread with hemp twine to secure. Layer the two cut branches and the bird tag and add a button and ribbon bow as accents. 

I love how this little project can be used in so many situations. Here it really helped with my crushed-box dilemma, and I think you could definitely use the same little stamped bag as party favors or under-the-tree gifts. And since the ESN18 stamp set is designed to work well into the rest of the year, this could also be great for birthday gifts as well.

Thanks for joining me here today - I hope your holidays are full of fabulous memories, including at least one (or two!) really nice chocolates! :) 

When you get a chance, please join me over on my You Tube channel, at Studio SN for lots of fun crafting videos, or pop on by www.saranaumann.com. 

What a great way to solve your chocolate box problem Sara! I am sure your package will be the prettiest on the teachers desk that is for sure! Love the splatter on the bird! Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for sharing with us! ~Leandra