Purple Sage Creations

Envelope Gift Bag Tutorial

Got a little gift but no gift bag or box?  Looking for a way to package tiny Easter gifts?  I've found something that might help.  And chances are you already have the materials you need in your house. 

All you need is an envelope and some crafty embellishments and this is what you can create...

 

You can make this adorable gift bag with any sized envelope.  The larger the envelope, the larger the gift bag.  Just follow these few simple steps:

1) I used a standard note sized envelope (A2 size).  First I sealed the envelope.  Then I used my straight cutter to cut an inch off the short side of the envelope.

2)  Scored 3/4 inches on all the other sides of the envelope.  Then fold the scored lines back and forth to make it easier to manipulate.

3)  Now open the envelope and fold the corners into triangle flaps.  Bend and manipulate the scored folds to create a box.

4)  Use some super tacky tape to adhere the flaps to the bottom of the gift bag (box). 

Now you can add ribbon handles or just embellish and create a flap at the top.  I took a scrap piece of designer paper and used a decorative punch to add interest on either side of it.  Then I attached the paper with ribbon.

Here's an extra little tip:

I wanted some tissue paper or paper strips stuffed inside my gift bag.  The problem was, I didn't have any.  So I made my own.  (I got this little tip when I was a Stampin' Up demonstrator.)

1)  Choose either cardstock or designer paper of your liking.  Then use a paper crimper to add texture.

2)  Use a straight cutter to cut the paper into strips.  Make sure you cut the opposite direction of the crimps. (TIP:  I was thinking that you could also try a paper shredder.  I haven't tried that yet, but I want to)

3) Gather all the pieces together and munch and crush them in your hand.  This part is my favorite! I take out all my aggression as I squeeze and smoosh (LOL).

This is really a good way to use up old or outdated designer paper.  When it is in your package you just see the colors.

Here are some other ideas for envelope gift bags:

• How About Orange
• Eye Pop Art
• Suzanne's Card Crafts

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have fun creating:)

The details:

Paper:  Whisper White cardstock, Tea Party designer Paper (SU!)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Envelope, Melon Mambo dotted ribbon, silver string

Tools:  Martha Stewart decorative edge punch, oval die cut, pastels

I'm Baaack!!!

Ok...first off.  I didn't get a chance to work on my blog like I hoped to last week.  All I was able to do was play with a couple pre-designed layouts. I was distracted by the kids when I was playing with current one.  So I just left it.  I KNOW the flowers at the top areNOT actually purple sage.   But aren't they pretty?!?

I had such a great time in Southern Utah last week.  Here are a couple pics...

 

 
 
 And this is why I didn't get a chance to work on my blog layout...

 
Aren't they cute?  We purchased 12 baby chicks last Friday.  We are really looking forward to fresh eggs this summer...Mmm. 

I am working on some new Easter goodies.  I will get them posted ASAP.  Talk to you soon:)

Fab Find Friday

Southern Utah

We are eagerly preparing to go on a trip to Southern Utah next week.  The kids have the week off from school (spring break).  Living further north where the normal temp for Winter is in the teens, I am totally looking forward to warmer weather.  Though, I can't really complain.  It looks as if spring is going to come a little early this year (knock on wood-thump, thump). 

Take a look at the beautiful country in Southern Utah...

 

 
Just breathtaking!

A Note:

Because we will be busy having fun as a family, I probably will not be putting any posts up.  If I have an awesome picture that I just have to share, I will share it with you though. 

Another thing...

I am going to revamp my blog a little when I come home from vacation.  I feel my little space needs a little more of my personality.  Let's make it shine!

I will definitely be back with regular posts starting March 29.  I can't wait to share some of my Easter creations:)

Thanks for stopping by!!  See you soon!

TSN - Fabulous Fabric

I have had this piece of fabric in my scraps box for a few months now.  I bought it for a buck at my local fabric store.  The purpose was for an activity for my kids to do.  They just used a tiny bit.  So now I have all this extra fabric left over. 

What can I do with it? Well, today I had an idea...

I simply cut out the piece I wanted to use from the fabric.  This particular pattern had little boxes of various adorable cats.  This made using it pretty easy.  I just cut out the boxes and used it as a focal point on my cards.  I wanted the fabric pieces to look a little distressed.  I just frayed the edgesenough to create a type of border.  Then I mounted it on cardstock, and distressed that a little.

Here is a second card...

Both of these cards took me a little amount of time.  And I found a second use for my scrap fabric:)

 

Thanks for stopping by...see you again!

The details:

For: {friend to friend}

Paper: Vintage Vanilla, Lemon Tart cardstock (PTI)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)

Accessories:  Rhinestones, Fabric

Tools: flower punch

For: You Brighten My Day

Paper:  Vintage Vanilla, Lemon Tart (PTI), Taken With Teal (SU!)

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal (SU!)

Accessories:  Fabric, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon (SU!)

Tools:  Impressions template by SU!

 

Magically Delicious!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I hope you are wearing green.  If not...PINCH!

Can you believe this little cupie stamp has never been inked?  I have it over a year!  I thought I had better ink it and have some fun with it.  I'm soooo glad I did.  I love it.

Have a happy GREEN DAY! See you soon.

The details:

Paper:  Night of Navy, Certainly Celery, white cardstock

Stamps:  Taylored Expressions

Ink: Whisper White craft, StazOn black

Accessories: markers, blender pen, so saffron grosgrain ribbon, brad from Basic Grey

Tools:  Stampin' Up! impressions template, nesties circle and scalloped circle die cut

I Caught a Leprechaun!!

I gotta share this adorable St. Patrick's Day treat idea with you.  If you are a mom, you are going to LOVE this.  Every St. Patty's day a cleaver little Leprechaun visits our home and turns our milk green.  Well, this year this illusive guy is going to get caught!

This little Leprechaun got caught diving into our muffin! I found this adorable printout of the Leprechaun legs and feet at Gourmet Mom on The Go.  Mandy has some wonderful ideas.  She is sooo talented.  If you have small children, and you like to have fun with food, you are going to love her blog.  She also has some fun ideas for this St. Patty's day. 

The muffin is a whole wheat carrot muffin with cream cheese frosting.  If you are interested in a really good (and healthy) recipe you can check it out here.  I chose the carrot muffin so that I can treat my kids at breakfast.  Won't they be surprised to find the little Leprechaun diving into their muffin for something yummy.  Something tells me that there might be gold inside that muffin...maybe chocolate gold;)

Thanks for stopping by.  See you soon.

Fab Find Friday

TGIF!  My fab find for this week is a music website.  I usually listen to Playlist.com, or plug in my Ipod when I want to listen to music.  I like to listen while I stamp, cook dinner, or clean the house.  In the car I just pop in CDs that I have burned myself from downloaded music.  I can't really get any radio stations  where I live.  I basically live in the middle of nowhere.  And I also live in a valley, so getting good radio reception is pretty difficult.  I can, however, get in a country music station and inspirational music, and of course PBR.  Sometimes I am in the mood for country, but that is not very often.  I really like to listen to my own music that suits my mood.

So my fab find for this week is:

Pandora Internet Radio

 

You can only listen to this if you have internet connection.  So I listen to it at home.  Here is how it works: First you have to register (it is absolutely free).  Then you enter in the artist or name a certain song you like.  For example, I put in Green Day.  Then the website played songs that are within that genre. It plays them back to back with an occasional commercial (only one).  If you like the songs that they play then you click the thumbs up sign.  Then they will play more of those songs.  If they play a song that you don't like, click the thumbs down sign.  They will not play that song again.  This way you have a more personalized radio station.  They play songs that have been released on the radio and some that have not. 

I have really LOVED it!!  Check it out!

TSN - My Leprechaun Friend

Welcome to this weeks TSN (try something new).  I have seen punch pals around the internet for years.  I LOVE all of them.  There are just so many talented people out there!  It amazes me how they can come up with all these adorable critters only using punches.  So today I am devoting my TSN to punch pals.  To be more specific, the Leprechaun Punch Pal.  I noticed a version of a Leprechaun punch pal a few years ago.  Even though I thought he was the cutest thing in the entire world, I did not attempt to create him.  I FINALLY decided to try it today. 

Here is my own Leprechaun Punch Pal:

Here are all the punches I used for my Leprechaun.

And here are all the punches and pieces needed for my Leprechaun.

I started by gluing a piece of Blush Blossom cardstock circle onto the Really Rust cardstock scalloped circle.  Then I adhered his ears on with very small Blush Blossom circles.  I cut the Really Rust small flower in half and adhered it under the Blush Blossom circle for his nose and mustache.

I then added the Basic Black cardstock small circles for the eyes.  I used a white gel pen to give a little gleam to them.

I used the round tab punch and Glorious Green cardstock for the hat.  I folded over the tab and used scissors to cut it straight on each side.  I basically made it into a rectangle. (see the picture below.  The bottom one is the one that has been cut.)

Then I added the black sash that was punched with the Word Window punch and black cardstock. 

I cut the black sash to fit the hat.  I glued it onto the Leprechaun face.  Then I glued the Yo Yo Yellow rectangle and black rectangle to the sash to create a buckle.

To finish I placed the Glorious Green cardstock that had been punched with the word window punch onto the bottom of the hat to create the brim.  Then I added a little pink pastel chalk to his cheeks to make them rosy. 

This little guy can be used for so many things.  I could use him on a card, he can be sandwiched between a peppermint patty, or he can be used for a refrigerator magnet (that's what I did).

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you next time:)

Movie Night Treats

I'm back!  I finally got that HUGE pile of laundry under control. 

Today I put together some super cute treats for an upcoming family movie night. I love curling up for a really good movie.  I like it even more when I can share a good, wholesome movie with my family.  We like to plan one day a week that we can bring out the blankets and pillows and park ourselves in front of the tv. We don't have cable, so this is an event.  Even my 2 year old loves it.  Our night is usually on Friday.  It's just nice to have an evening that is relaxing after a busy week.  The whole family really looks forward to it.

Even though our movie night is fun in itself, I like to jazz it up once and a while.  Sometimes I make a treat that matches the movie (example: Onion rings for The Lord of the Rings movies).  And sometimes I just like to make a treat that is fun and different.

This is what I came up this week...

 

That is yummy chocolate popcorn inside those treat holders (mmmm...).  These cute little treats are perfect for little hands.  And the portion is just right. Kids like to have there very own treat that they don't have to share.  Add in a refreshment of some kind and a movie and you are set.

If you would like to make these little treats, here are the directions:

1)  Cut a 4x8 piece of cardstock or designer paper.  Then measure in 3 1/2 inches lengthwise and score.  Then turn the paper and score 1/2 inch in on both the long sides of your paper.

2)  Cut along the 1/2 inch scored edge on the longer end of the paper. (see picture below)

3)  Use a die cut circle cutter and your die cutting machine to round the edges. 

4)  Fold in the scored edges and put a strong adhesive on the folds. 

5)   Fold it into a pocket.

______________________________________________________________________________________

You can add your favorite little candy or treat inside.  If you would like to try this chocolate popcorn here is the recipe:

Ingredients

2 quarts popped popcorn

1 cup peanuts (optional)

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Oil a 10x15 inch baking pan with sides.
2. Place popcorn and peanuts into a large, metal bowl, and set aside. Stir together the sugar, corn syrup, cocoa powder, and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla, then pour over the popcorn. Stir until the popcorn is well coated. Spread the popcorn into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring several times.
4. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool to room temperature. Break into small clumps, and store in an airtight container.

Footnote:  1 cup of uncooked popcorn kernels yields about 2 quarts of cooked popcorn.

*Recipe taken from allrecipes.com

____________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for stopping by today!

The details: treat holders (all materials from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Bitty Baby Blessings designer paper, White cardstock

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: StazOn black

Accessories: Plum Pudding ribbon

Tools: Circle die cut from Spelbinders

Why Am I Not Stamping Today?

This is why...

Need I say more?

Be back tomorrow because I WILLbe stamping.  I have been working diligently to whittle this pile of laundry down.  

I have a fab idea for you.  See ya tomorrow:)