Continuing my quest to rediscover some of my less used craft products, I came across the Gift Bag Punch Board.  I’m ashamed to say that it’s probably over a year since I last used this tool.  It’s stored in a rack at the end of my workbench next to my Big Shot so it’s easily accessible.  Why it’s been neglected so long I can’t explain, but today I was determined to change that.

THE GIFT BAG

First I needed to choose the paper for my gift bag.  I pulled out the Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper (DSP) and went for this striking striped pattern.  Then, using the information on the Gift Bag Punch Board as a guide, I chose my bag size.

I wanted a medium bag (that refers to the finished width and depth) so 11″ wide was my first measurement.  The finished height needed to be 6″, but with a fold-over flap.  This meant the paper needed to allow for two sets of flaps each 1-1/4″ high.  So using these measurements I used my Stampin’ Trimmer to cut my cut DSP to 8-1/2″ x 11″.

THE GIFT BAG PUNCH BOARD

Stampin’ Up! created a video showing how to create a bag using the Gift Bag Punch Board.  Click on the play button to watch it.

Just a couple of points though.  In the video you see the board with the Stampin’ Up! name at the top.  But when Carrie explains what she’s doing she says “score the horizontal line” when her scoring tool is moving vertically!  That’s very confusing.  I actually prefer to use the Gift Bag Punch Board with the punch section at the top.  Then the horizontal score lines are horizontal.

To create the fold over flap, once I’d scored and punched one long side of the DSP I turned it around.  With the other long side of the DSP at the top I lined up each side score line in turn with the little pointer.  I scored horizontally and punched, to match the punched sections on the other long edge.  I ignored the scored Vs and the vertical line from the centre of the V for this part of the process.  To finish the preparation I started at the narrow section (shown below on the left) and cut off all the second set of tabs except the last one using Paper Snips.

When I was done this is how my DSP looked.  Then I remembered to cut off that narrow, strange looking flap at the bottom on the left.

Once I’d trimmed the flaps I could assemble the bag in the same way as shown in the video.  I actually used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) for this as it allowed me time to get the edges lined up.

With the bag complete I placed a piece of Tranquil Tide Card a smidgeon smaller than 2″ x 3-1/8″ in the bottom just to add a little extra strength.

My finished bag was 6″ tall, by 3-1/8″ across the front, by 2″ front to back.

THE GIFT TAG

To create the large gift tag I first cut a piece of Tranquil Tide Card 1-3/4″ x 4-1/4″.  Then I punched a single oval hole in the centre at the top using the Detailed Trio Punch.

The second layer of the tag is a 2″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Mint Macaron Card.  I punched a hole in the centre top, then lining up the holes, I attached the Tranquil Tide piece to it with liquid glue.

The ‘celebrate’ sentiment comes from the Celebrate You Thinlits Dies.  Using the Big Shot and multipurpose platform I cut out one from Silver Foil Sheet and two from Thick Whisper White Card.  Then using liquid glue I stacked the three die-cut pieces together with the silver one on the top.  Once that was done, the sentiment was added to the tag.

To add a little more interest I reached for the Metallics Sequin Assortment.  In the pack are three sizes of sequins in gold, silver, copper and iridescent.  I chose silver; two large, one medium and one small and attached them to the tag with Mini Glue Dots.

TIP – The small sequins are too tiny for their own Mini Glue Dot, but by placing a glue dot off-centre on the large sequin I could stick the small sequin up close on the extra adhesive that was showing.

FINISHING TOUCHES

To complete the gift bag I wrapped a length of 5/8″ Burlap Ribbon around the bag.  I brought the ends together at the top and then tied a piece of Linen Thread around them.  Then one end of the thread was passed through the hole at the top of the tag and then tied off in a small bow.

I really like this project.  The Gift Bag Punch Board made it easy to create and once I’d cut the paper to size, there was no other measuring to do.  The large gift tag is really striking with the deep dimension from the stacked die-cut word.  I hope you like it.

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