Where do you get your inspiration? I find it in all sorts of places. I may see something online or in a store that sparks an idea. Often it’s not the whole thing but just an element of it. Colour schemes are often found as I’m out and about. I’ve been in a restaurant and seen someone wearing a colourful outfit that drew my eye. Then out comes the notebook and I jot down the ‘Stampin’ Up! colours’ that the outfit suggests to me. Today’s treat/gift bag project was inspired by the Whimsy & Wonder Designer Series Paper (DSP) in the July to December Mini Catalogue. Five colours are listed there but in the end I chose just three; Polished Pink, Blushing Bride and Misty Moonlight.

SHADES OF PINK
Instead of making a bag from scratch I found a pack of treat bags I’d purchased at Dollarama some time ago. Each white bag is 4-3/4″ x 7″ with a 2-3/16″ gusset. I flattened the bag with the gusset section sticking out. This would allow me to stamp that area too and reduce an uneven surface caused by extra layers of paper.
For my pattern I chose four individual snowflake images from the Snowflake Wishes Stamp Set and began stamping.
First I stamped the largest of my chosen snowflakes a couple of times on each side using Blushing Bride ink. Then I swapped to a slightly smaller snowflake and stamped that a couple of times using Polished Pink ink.
Now I picked up a snowflake stamp that was slightly smaller again. This time, although I inked it up with Polished Pink ink, I stamped-off onto scrap paper. Then, having removed a little of the ink I stamped a slightly lighter tone onto my project. After each stamp on the project I reinked the stamp, stamped-off and then stamped on the project again.
I had just one more individual snowflake left and I added that to my bag, stamping it using Blushing Bride ink and the stamping-off technique.
To add some contrast I then turned to the image of lots of tiny snowflakes. Using Misty Moonlight and the stamping-off technique I filled in some of the gaps around the pink snowflakes. Then I loaded up the bag and folded over the top.
SO MANY SNOWFLAKES
I was really enjoying the pink on the project and decided to make a bag closure with more pink.
I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut a 3″ x 4-3/4″ piece of Polished Pink Card and with the short side at the top I scored it at 1-1/2″. Then I folded the card over the top of the bag and secured it in place with a couple of staples.

For the sentiment I chose “Snowflake wishes for a merry Christmas” from the Snowflake Wishes Stamp Set. Using Polished Pink ink I stamped it onto the right-hand end of a 1″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. Then I mounted it onto 1-1/4″ x 4-1/2″ piece of Blushing Bride Card with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). Finally I added the sentiment to the Polished Pink layer on the top of the bag using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I could have left it there but decided I wanted to add just a couple more snowflakes. So from the So Many Snowflakes Dies I chose two individual snowflakes #2 and #3 (counting from the smallest up). Using my Mini Cut & Emboss Machine I cut the two snowflakes from Snowy White Velvet Paper. Then I layered the smaller snowflake on top of the larger one using liquid glue.
With more liquid glue I attached the assembled snowflake to the left side of the sentiment strip. Then to finish I added three Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the snowflake and sentiment and my project was complete.
I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever done pink snowflakes before but they definitely make a refreshing change. What do you think?
For some more projects using the Snowflake Wishes Stamp Set see these earlier blog posts:
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