"Anything Goes" for The Artistic Stamper

It was nice to see all the Christmas inspired creations for last months challenge, some were vintage, some cute, some arty :)
So..... how do you feel about the last challenge of the year....wow! Where did the year go?

"Anything Goes"

The challenge is an open one for this busy month of December over at The Artistic Stamper Creative Team ;)

I wanted to make something with "12 Days of Christmas" in mind, having seen similar things around the net...but please don't ask me where! LOL....suffice to say, if you have made something like this, thanks for the inspiration ;)
Oh! And sorry for all the images for those of you with slow Internet connections!

I made some paper bags out of ordinary brown parcel wrap, kraft coloured paper and to lighten the tones some in white and cream.
If using A4 sized paper you can opt to use a full sheet in which case you get a bag approximately 15.5 cm x 11 cm in size.
Cut the paper into A5 size and you get a bag approximately 11 cm x 7.5 cm in size.
Cut the A5 in half again and you get a bag approximately 8 cm x 5 cm in size.

I went for a combo of sizes for the different little treats I will be putting inside for my sweetheart ;)
   


So how to make the bag?
IMPORTANT NOTE
To get a great looking bag remember to crease ALL the folds well with a bone folder ;)

1. Take your paper and fold down the top edge for a thicker edge to later add holes/eyelets for the hanging string or ribbon later....fold over one of the shorter edges a little (it's not an exact science) and attach double sided tape (I find it less messy than using glue).

Fold over edge 1 to meet edge 2 and stick together.

Crease the opposite side.

2. Fold over each long edge and crease (this makes the side gusset and again it's not an exact science but approx 1.5 to 2 cm works well on this size of paper).
Turn the paper over and re crease at the back and unfold.

3. Fold up the bottom edge and crease...again turn it over and re crease at the back too...

...at this point whilst the paper is relatively flat you might want to decorate the bag front ;)...
...for instance on this bag I masked the bottom corner...
.

..and stamped the Santa from Mini Christmas 1 in Archival Crimson.

4. Open up the tube and the long edge will have three creases.
Fold the middle crease into the bag and the two outer edges will now meet (crease)

5. Fold up the two bottom corners and crease both on the front and back again...

6. Open up the bag bottom and manipulate the folds to look like this...

... fold the flaps over each other and, using double sided tape (or glue), secure one flap to the other. Punch two holes through all layers at the top for the twine handles and add some decorative eyelets on some if you like.

I decorated the bags using a variety of stamps from Mini Christmas 1, Snowflakes, Scrabble Tiles, Katy Fox, Music Background, Grungy Greetings 1, Our House A6, Icicles Border, Crowning Glory, Journaling Mini words and Journaling words 2 (cut apart letters you require and assemble together for the word you want....very liberating ;)) and T!m Holtz

To keep some sort of co-ordination between all the bags I stamped all the red images in a mixture of Archival crimson and plum (lurve that new colour)....all the green images in Archival fern green and all the black images in Archival black, stamping some onto red card stock and cutting out. All the white elements were stamped in Versamark and embossed with white.
Small fancy die cuts were used as a base for the numbers cut from Wanted Sizzix die and the paper borders from a mixture of the same red card and some white.
Bakers twine made the handles.

Bag 1

Bag 2

Bag 3

Bag 4

Bag 5

Bag 6

Bag 7

Bag 8

Bag 9

Bag 10

Bag 11

Bag 12

I will put my "sweet" little gifts inside and pad the bags with some shredded paper...
...just to stop any sneaky peeking ;) LOL

Well....I enjoyed making those so much I might just go on to make a whole "Advent Calendar"!!!

You really must take a look at the "Anything Goes" creations the rest of the team have made.

So don't forget.............the monthly challenge is "Anything Goes"

The rules are simple... all you need to do is make a piece of art, be it a card, ATC, wall art, altered art, scrapling, Advent item ;)... just remember that it must include some rubber stamping and the theme... and... if you use Artistic Stamper stamps on your entry you will be entered into the draw twice! The prize is £15 worth of stamps from the Artistic Stamper shop... along with the KlingOn to mount them onto.

I hope you get chance to play at the challenge... it is open until December 31st and the winner will be chosen by Random.org shortly after :)

Thanks for looking and happy stamping

xoxo Sioux