Inspiration: Hand Stamped Sentiments #349
I wanted to craft the other night and it was already late and I kept moving supplies around, thinking I'd color an image, then changed my mind, then started cutting papers to copy a sample from the minicatalogue, then it wasn't panning out so I put the stuff away. I was really close to calling it quits for the night until I remembered I wanted to get my Doodlebug collections out for Halloween crafting. My creativity finally ignited. I was initially thinking of another Halloween collection but I saw the Candy Carnival papers and remember how in love I was with that collection when it came out, so I stuck with it. I pulled out my Bag Punch Board (which is my second most-used after my trusty Envelope Punch Board) and I looked at what the largest size I could do would be. You can go full out with a 12" x 12" page, but after seeing how tall of a bag that would make it, I decided to measure the tall guy from my Odds & Ends and to base the length of the bag on it: 7" (which means you need your initial paper to be cut at 12" for the width of the bag by 8-1/4" for the length to accommodate the bottom pieces).
In addition to the patterned papers, I have also purchased the Mini Icons stickers, the Odds & Ends pieces and the Petite Print 12" x 12" papers from Candy Carnival, so I mixed it all to create this bag. I started by adding a purple border punched with the Daisy Edge punch from Martha Stewart and I added a thin black washi tape on top. I added two banner stickers on each side of the bag, with lanterns and rosettes stickers.
I usually assemble and embellish later, but I had the good sense of doing my embellishing with the bag lying flat on my desk this time. On the front, I layered a piece of Pearlescent Vellum from Lawn Fawn, die-cut with a scalloped rectangle die, and a stitched rectangle cut out of pink polka dot paper (from the Petite Patterns pack). I then placed my tall skeleton guy on the front, over a pumpkin die-cut and I added a Halloween word sticker.
On the backside, I tried out various die-cuts and finally selected a firework piece, the haunted castle and Dracula. I added a little owl from the Mini Icons stickers in the window of the castle.
For embellishments, I added Iridescent Pearls, Blue Adhesive-Backed Gems and 2020-2022 In Color Enamel dots, all new from Stampin' Up! I picked funny eye stickers from Doodlebug for the tall guy and added black eyes on the pumpkin and Dracula. I decided to place a 3D bow over his existing one, using the Mini Wreath dies from Lawn Fawn. (I've used this one so many times for the bow die alone!) So the bow has the tail ends, which didn't fit my bowtie, so I was about to discard the piece when I thought, I wonder how it would look on Dracula... It is the perfect size on him! I love how it really finishes off his outfit and add a slight bit of dimension to the die-cut. (That's a great way to give life to your die-cuts, by layering elements or embellishments over them.)
Then I decided to add paper handles, using matching patterned paper. I love the look better than when I punch holes and add ribbon. I also like that the handles stay up, unlike softer ribbon, so it looks better on the bag and you can still use the handles to carry the bag around. Win-win!
Considering how late inspiration was to the party tonight, I'm really impressed with what I finally managed to put together.
Supplies
Patterned Papers: Candy Carnival, Petite Prints Candy Carnival (Doodlebug Design)
Cardstock: Pearlescent Vellum (Lawn Fawn)
Accessories: Candy Carnival Mini Icons Stickers and Odds & Ends, Eye See You Stickers,
Pumpkin Party Mini Icons Stickers (Doodlebug Design); Daisy Edge Punch (Martha Stewart);
Stampin' Dimensionals, Iridescent Pearls, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Blue Adhesive-Backed Gems,
2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots, Bag Punch Board, Washi Tape (Stampin' Up!);
Mini Wreath Dies, Stitched Rectangles Dies (Lawn Fawn)
What fabulous bags - will you fill them with treats for Hallowe'en? Someone will be very happy - thanks for sharing with us at HSS this week.
Posted by: Fiona Whitehead | October 05, 2020 at 07:39
AWESOME!! Seriously, this tote is AWESOME!! I love the addition of bright colors to bring this charming bag to life. Thanks for your participation in our theme challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments. Smiles, Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Price | October 10, 2020 at 21:38
You're bag is so cute! Love the bright colors and embellishments. It's a perfect bag for Halloween treats. So glad you were inspired to join us at Hand Stamped Sentiments.
Posted by: Genevieve | October 11, 2020 at 11:52
Wow! So fun!! The images you used are great and I love how you made a bag!!! Perfect for Halloween! Thanks for joining us at Hand Stamped Sentiments!!
Posted by: Jaimie | October 12, 2020 at 09:12
Oh my!!! The detail and cuteness!!! It's overflowing with both!!! Thanks for sharing with us at HSS!
Posted by: Jenny Engelke | October 12, 2020 at 14:54