Design Team: Jennifer McCrae Week 5 Term 2

Jennifer's Candy Swag Bag!

Jennifer is sweet, and fun! And today, she will show us how to make a Valentine's bad with those same qualities! Using our February sponsors, Unity Staps and eCraft diecutable cardstock she created some sweet bags, in no time!

I know a guy who's tough but sweet

He's so fine, he can't be beat

He's got everything that I desire

Sets the summer sun on fire

I want candy, I want candy

Go to see him when the sun goes down

Ain't no finer boy in town

You're my guy, just what the doctor ordered

So sweet, you make my mouth water

I want candy, I want candy

Candy on the beach, there's nothing better

But I like candy when it's wrapped in a sweater

Some day soon I'll make you mine,

Then I'll have candy all the time

I want candy, I want candy

I want candy, I want candy...

-Bow Wow Wow

I LOVE this time of year!  This is my favorite holiday out of all of them; its got hearts, its got chocolate, its got love.  Booyah!  Bring on VD...  No-no, not that VD!  Valentine’s Day!  Sheesh, this is family blog...sorta  Yes-yes, I know the original stuff behind this holiday is about blood and massacres and all that dreadful stuff - but I much prefer the mushy lovey-dovey version.  Don’t you?

Now that I’m an ‘adult’...sorta ;-) I wanted to do some goodie bags that had a little more class and creativity then the standard heart shaped, velvet covered, bad chocolate containing boxes you find at your local WallyWorld.  And of course I wanted to do them in quantity with minimum blood, sweat and tears type of labor.  Here’s a picture of some of them (in process) sitting atop Mischief, my Pinc eCraft.

Notice how sassy Mischief is being, she’s totally sticking her tongue out at you!

Here’s a shot of a completed bag...

Pretty dang cute, if’n I say so myself! 
I really do love how these turned out...


What I Used:

eCraft
WorldWin Papers - Licorice, Ripe Tomatoes & White Flour
Unity Stamps - an ‘Itty Bitty’ set & the ‘Be Mine’ set
Echo Park - Yours Truly pack (purchased online @ A Cherry on Top)
My Mind’s Eye - Love Me pack (purchased online @ A Cherry on Top)
Lettering Delights - Love Flourish & Basic Tags svg sets
Martha Stewart Score Board (Hobby Lobby)
Red Glitter card stock (Michael’s)
Red/White buttons (WalMart)
Twine (Michael’s)
Red Ribbon (Michael’s)
Trimmer with Decorative blade - my glitter card stock was insanely thick.
Black ink pad
Silver, Pearl or White ink pad (I used a shimmery pearl)
Scotch Advanced Glue Glider
Adhesive Squares
Hole Punch



How I Did It:

The ‘bag’ itself is made from a piece of card stock that is 6”(H)x10.5”(W).  I found it was easier to cut the paper to size and then slide them into my eCraft.  In eCraftshop Pro, I imported one of the heart flourishes, resized it to about 2”x2” and set the X and Y coordinates to 1.75.  Insert the paper until the blade is right at the top, this way the cut out was where I wanted it.  Once all the sheets were cut to size and the designs cut out, I placed them on the score board - score at 1.5”, 4.5”, 6”, and 9”.  Then turn the sheet and score at 1.5”.  That last score is for the bottom of the bag...  Cut each diagonal score line from the bottom up to the single horizontal score line and fold along your score lines.  Cut a piece of glitter card stock just big enough to cover your design and glue it in place.  Glue the side of the bag and the bottom (I used adhesive squares for the bottom, it was easier lol).

Next you’ll take the red glitter card stock and cut 1” strips that are at least 9” long and use either decorative scissors or a border punch on one side.  Glue this around the top edge of the bag and crease at the corners.  Hole punch 2 holes on each side of the bag and 2 more holes where the button will be ‘sewn’ on.  Mischief cut out the tags and I stamped them...and LOOK!  They turned out better this time!  LOL  Practice Practice Practice!  :)

Run the twine through the button holes on the back and then tie on the tags (biggest to smallest, end with the button) and tie a double-knot to hold them in place.  And last, but not least, thread the ribbon through the side holes, bring all the ends together and tie them in a slip knot.  Make the length of the ribbon however long you feel is right - mine were about 13”-14” for each side :)

Fill with yummy chocolates, some red tissue paper and then try not to grin too widely when your recipients jaws drop at the mere sight of your gorgeous little treat bag!  And when the ooohs and aahhhhs taper off and they start asking how long it took to make them - you can lie and tell them it took HOURS and HOURS (be sure to feign exhaustion)!  heeheeheee 

So what’s your favorite Valentine Treat?

What eye candy!!! Thank you Jennifer, for this awesome project!!! See more of Jennifers sweet projects on her personal blog here:

http://www.firestormdesigns.com/