Shimmer Sheetz

Shimmer Sheetz Sunday – Holiday Head Start, Part 2 – Gift Bags

October 8, 2017

By Judi Kauffman

Solid color or patterned mini shopping bags are inexpensive and easy to find, but these two happened to have come from shopping trips and both had logos printed on the front. To upcycle them into holiday gift bags, I covered the printing with an embossed Shimmer Sheetz rectangle.

Adding a large, lush wire-edge ribbon bow at the top of the rectangle creates the look of a gift box on the front of the bag! Our brains are so used to seeing a big bow on the top of a box, it’s what we see even when that’s not precisely what is in front of us…plus the big bow draws the eye upward, kind of like wearing an interesting scarf or jacket with a fancy collar that would draw attention to our face (rather than our hips).

Use a traditional color combination or think outside of the box. I intentionally picked patterns and palettes that can be used all year, giving the recipient the option of reusing the bag, and so could the person after that…

Options:

**Alter the embossed Shimmer Sheetz with StazOn or other inks formulated for non-porous surfaces (like Tim Holtz’s Alcohol Inks); lightly sand to tone down the sparkle a bit if subtle is preferred over super sparkly.

**Instead of a simple rectangle, die cut an oval, circle or other shape, making sure it is large enough to cover the printing.

**Start with a solid color or patterned bag. This project is just as much fun even if you’re not upcycling a bag you’ve saved!

**Tuck glittery tissue or paper shreds on top of the gift to hide it.

Tips:

**Instead of a knot, use fine metallic braid or thread to secure the middle of the bow.

**Sheer ribbon looks great with double loops and long flowing tails. Opaque ribbon looks better with single loops and shorter tails.

SUPPLIES:

Elizabeth Craft Designs:

Other:

Mini shopping bags (shown: 5.25” x 8.5”)

Embossing folders

Big Shot or other machine to use with embossing folders

Optional: StazOn or Alcohol inks; ink applicator tool

Wire-edge ribbon (shown: 2.5” wide)

Bag filler (shown: Glittery tissue, paper shreds)

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  • Marjorie Dumontier October 9, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    Wow !! These are stunning gift bags !!

  • Paula Lewis October 8, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    I love simple but gorgeous. You hit it again!

  • PAHI808 October 8, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    Great Creative Idea! I personally prefer shopping bags, gift bags for gift giving vs boxes unless they are the nesting boxes which I use to make “topiaries” and “towers” wrapped with pretty ribbon for centerpiexes or just because. I use dry or liquid adhesive around the top and rim of lid, sprinkle with glitter, beads, etc. Embossed Shimmer Sheets can be used for this as well. Skies the Limit! Like the idea of reusing these bags and paying it forward! Great Works of Art! Well Done! Love It! Where did you get the “Rainbow” Sheer ribbon? Very Pretty! <3

    • judi kauffman October 11, 2017 at 1:38 pm

      I got the wire edge sheer rainbow ribbon at Costco…a big roll for a low price (and a chicken and some socks that day, too – always a chicken!)

  • Susan October 8, 2017 at 9:43 am

    I am crazy about Shimmer Sheetz! Thank you for Shimmer Sheetz Sunday expanding my options for using these amazing colors and shine on cards. Now I can try them on Gift Bags too.

    • judi kauffman October 8, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      Thanks, Susan. I’m crazy about it, too!
      I’m going to make some more in mini sizes with smaller Shimmer Sheetz rectangles and bows made with 1″ wire-edge ribbon to put on cards and gift tags. Change the scale (or not) and it is an idea with all sorts of other possibilities for birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions.

  • Jean marmo October 8, 2017 at 7:30 am

    What gorgeous gift bags!

    • judi kauffman October 8, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you, Jean. Glad you like ’em!

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