Thursday 30 November 2017

Christmas Flora


Christmas Flora


Hallo Everyone!

So, here comes our second
dip into the realms of Flora to
be found at Christmas time

Craftyfield is centre stage
today:


"Sometimes I need to wrap a present 
and find myself without the right paper.

I don't know about you but I wrap a lot
 of CD and video/games cases and I hate cutting
 a small shape in a large roll, so much waste... 

Also, with wrapping paper the shape gives 
the game away immediately so I like
 to use bags for those gifts.

How about some options to create your own, 
quickly and easily, with supplies you 
already have ....



My first option is to transform envelopes
 into bags. A C5 envelope works well for 
CDs and a C4 (letter size) for video cases.

First decide on the depth of your bag and
 score the envelope on 3 sides at half the 
depth you require. 

My large envelope has been scored at 
2cms to give me a depth of 4cms in the 
finished bag, which can easily accommodate 
2 video cases.


Before the next step in the construction 
of the bag, it is time to decorate 
whilst still flat... 

Here I chose to create a Gelli print with 
stencils (I used Andy Skinner's Sunburst and 
Imagination Crafts Drop Screen)



 Adding the large Woodware snowflake
 twice embossed. First with white and 
on a whim I re-stamped (thanks to the Stamping
 platform) and sprinkled a mix of clear and 
Sea Turtle powders.



I couldn't resist and added the small stamps
 from the same Woodware set in
 Brilliance Starlight silver ink, all over the bag.

For the small bag, I stamped directly on the 
envelope with Versamark and embossed with
 Cosmic Shimmer Brilliant Sparkle Embossing 
Powder in Gold .

 I added the smaller snowflakes 
with gold ink.

For good measure I added both sentiments 
from the stamp set in black ink!


With the bags decorated, onto the construction...

To finish the opening there are many options, 
from a straight cut as I did on the small bag
or more elaborate using border punches, dies, 
adding handles with ribbon or twine etc...

For my large envelope, after cutting off the 
sticky flap I folded about an inch to the inside 
to get a more sturdy base for my 
twine handles.

Form the shape of the bag by pushing open 
along the score lines with your hand inside 
the envelope.

The photo shows a side view of the bag 
with the formed triangular flaps to be
 stuck under.


The bottom of the bag should look like this
 and double sided tape is applied on the small 
triangles and stuck down to the bottom 
of the bag.




 If you don't have envelopes or don't
 fancy using them, how about designer papers?
 Bo Bunny and Kaisercraft have gorgeous
 designs and the paper is of a decent weight 
for the purpose. 

You can also use your Gelli prints...

Or you can use cardstock, from the standard 
card to Mirri and of course Glitter card
 (if you're like me and hate being covered
 in glitter, go for non shedding).

I created this simple template above for
 a bag to be cut out of a standard A4
 sheet with the least waste. 

If using 12"x12" it is easy to adapt the design 
by extending the drawing. Just remember to use
 the same measurements for the bottom flap 
and the right hand flap as this is what decides
 the depth of your bag.


 Here's my 2 A4 pages cut and scored. 
One option is to add scoring lines at the 
top and fold the top closed in a box shape



I went for the bag look and added handles
 by die-cutting them with a rectangle shape. 

I can thread a ribbon through it to keep 
the bag closed to thwart the curious...



That large snowflake stands on its own
 perfectly as a center piece and I embossed 
it using that gorgeous Frantage embossing
 powder in Shabby Rose.

To make up the bag use double sided 
tape on both tabs (the 1cm wide seen 
on the left on this photo), both side flaps and
 one of the large flap which will be at the 
bottom of the bag. 

This bag is the perfect size, and sturdy 
enough, for a (thick) paperback.



Just for you a close up of the shiny bits..."

Supplies:


Great idea there with the
envelopes Craftyfield.......not
to mention what you have
put in them....

That's my present list sorted
and wrapped!  

'Till tomorrow

Mickie xx




















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