Kraft Paper Gift Bags

Today’s inspiration is one of those “go to” projects. If you are like me, you purchase a lot of gift cards & of course we have to make our own gift card holders, right?  I discovered these adorable gift card holders on The Rubber Cafe blog. Be sure to stop by for a visit anytime if you need a burst of real inspiration.

Fall is such a beautiful time of year. It’s my favorite time to create & decorate for. How perfect are these simple yet functional gift card holders?  Just in time for the fall season & Thanksgiving!  Kendra created these two envelope cards using 4″ x 2-3/4″ kraft bags.   Kraft is one of my favorite colors to work with. It gives your projects a nice warm base that coordinates with just about anything.

I just love how the heat embossing  outlines the images & the alcohol makers have such a warm tone on the Kraft paper.

Step 1: Since the Kraft bags are a little darker, Kendra  decided to stamp her images using the Harvest Time stamp set with Rich Cocoa Memento Luxe Pigment ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

Step 2:  Color the images with your markers. Kendra used alcohol ink markers to color the images. If you heat emboss with powder, the ink will stay within the lines.  But be careful when coloring that you don’t go over the embossed lines too much because you don’t want to ruin your marker tips.

Step 3: Kendra used orange cardstock & trimmed it to 2 1/2″ wide x 4 1/4″ long.   Then  used a scallop circle dies and trimmed off the top edge.

Once the top is cut with the die, cut the bottom with a paper trimmer so it fits perfectly inside the envelope with the scallop edge peeking out.

TIP: Slip the top of the cardstock through the die if you only want the top cut (see the photo below).

Step 4:  Kendra stamped the sunflower image with VersaMark Ink for the part of the insert that would be peeking out of the Kraft bag & added some Bo Bunny Autumn Song pattern paper on each insert (2 3/4″ x 2 1/4″.) I love how Kendra  wrapped the jute around the envelope and knotted it.  On the sunflower envelope, she added the wooden button.