MATCHING GIFT BAG.

This is a matching bag for one of the gifts I decorated in the last post. It's made out of a recycled A4 envelope. I co-ordinated the papers with the gift and used a sketch design from Clare's Challenge at DO CRAFTS. Again I used a sheet printed from a free download at Activity village
I added a PC printed quote, some old buttons and embroidery thread. I stitched the buttons on but this was very fiddly as it was not possible to see exactly where to stitch (my fingers seemed to get pricked more than the paper!!).
The circles were made using the method in the torn circles post. N.B. tearing on inkjet printed paper will cause the ink to bleed...this worked in my favour as I wanted to create a distressed look, and while the edge was wet I used a dauber to add some ink..same colour as mixed in my previous post.

TO CREATE THE BAG:-
Trim the top flap off an old envelope.
Score round three sides - you can make the sides and bottom as narrow or deep as you require - score approx a ruler width across the top opening. Score on front and back and crease along score lines.
THE PICTURE SHOWS THE MIDDLE FOLDED...THIS WAS ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS A USED ENVELOPE WHICH HAD BEEN STORED FOLDED

Open the envelope and shape into bag, nip along folds and reverse the original side fold lines so that they face inwards.



This will leave a triangular piece each side, these can be tucked under and glued down...or more fiddly, pushed back inside the bag
THE PICTURE SHOWS EACH METHOD


The top can be finished two ways.
1. Fold the top flap in, which can then be left as an open bag.... this can then be punched and ribbon threaded through to create handles
OR

2. The top can be folded over and fastened front or back to create a sealed bag.
It's surprising with a bit of creative thinking any damaged and marked bits can be disguised with decoration.