Method Monday with InStyle Stamps - Gift bag tutorial

It's Method Monday at InStyle Stamps, and it is my turn to challenge you with a fun tutorial using the exciting new product that will be debuting on Wednesday - digital paper! This debut is particularly special to me because... drum roll please... I designed 3 of the new digital paper lines!!! I have been bursting at the seams with excitement, and am so happy to finally be able to share my news!

Anywho, now that the squealing is done, back to our scheduled post...

If you are anything like me, you have probably moaned and groaned over having to wrap an oddly shaped gift because you forgot to buy a gift bag. Well, it is time to stop the moaning and groaning, because I am going to teach you how to make a quick and easy gift bag so you never have to worry about not having one on hand.


Supplies:
2 - 8.5 x 11 inch pieces of card stock
adhesive
ribbon
eyelet
scor-pal or other scoring tool
crop-a-dile

Instructions:
Select two patterns of digital paper (I used the stripe and floral design from the Mieko's Dream line) and print one on each side of your card stock to make 2 pieces of double sided designer paper. Be sure to use the borderless printing option if your printer has it. If it doesn't, that's ok, it will just make your gift bag a little smaller since you'll need to trim off the white border.

Using your scor-pal, score the 2 pieces of card stock 1.5 inches in from the left and right side, and 2 inches in from the top and bottom as shown below.


Now fold down your 1.5 inch score line from the top, and use your adhesive to glue it down. Then fold the remaining score lines in the opposite direction that you folded your top flap. Now you can see the design from the opposite side of the paper as shown below. Repeat with your second piece of paper.


Now that you have it all folded, you are going to apply glue to one of the 2 inch flaps. Line up the top flaps of your card stock, and adhere the 2 inch scored section of your first piece of card stock over the 2 inch scored section of the other piece of card stock as shown below.


Glue your other two 2 inch scored sections one over the other as described above, and you can see your gift bag take shape. Now you will need to finish the bottom of the bag by folding the corners in just like you would a present. (See below)


I use a piece of sticky strip to adhere the bottom flaps together as this will make the bag sturdy enough for heavier items. If you only plan on putting something light weight in your bag, you can get away with using regular adhesive. When you are finished, the bottom of the bag will appear as shown:

Now all you have left to do is attach your handle and do a little decorating.

I used my crop-a-dile to punch holes in the side of the bag and attach eyelets for my ribbon to slide through. Just tie a knot on the ribbon on the inside of the bag where it won't show, and voila! instant handle.

The birthday cake I used on my tag is actually the cake that Mellie is carrying. I used post-it notes to mask off Mellie so all I stamped was the cake.



And there you go. Instant gift bag all ready to be filled with one of those pesky, hard to wrap gifts! Once you get the hang of these, you can easily adjust the size to make a bag for just about anything. Go wild!

Be sure to check the InStyle Stamps blog for more sneak peeks, and don't forget, the digital paper you saw here will be available on Wednesday at the InStyle Stamps Store.