Decorating Large Glassine Bag

 A few weeks ago while visiting Hollo's a local paper

store I came across some very large glassine bags. 

I thought they would be fun to decorate, and use to package

up my swaps. 

While playing around with the bag I had

the idea to fold up the bottom to form a pocket. 

Took it one step further and folded the bag in half. 

I ended up with four large pockets. 

Front and back were decorated with pattern paper. 

Also edged it with black script washi tape. 

Here is what it looks like open. 

Continued to use the same washi tape on the inside. 

I can see myself making a few of these and putting them

together for an embellishment book. 

Not to shabby a project considering the bags are only .10 cents each. 

Oh how I love that store! 

Stamping trails

Karen 

6x6 Easter Themed Pocket

I've been working on a few Easter themed crafts for an upcoming swap. 

This cute little bunny tail tag was made with different punches. 

Bunny embellishments also made from punches. 

These embellishments are called flags. Used

some felt bunnies on them. 

and this is the pocket I made to hold all those goodies. 

Made with a 6x6 sheet of patterned paper. 

Don't look at my desk. It is a mess. Pretty much stays that way

while I'm crafting. The only real time it gets cleaned is if I lose something, and 

can't find it, or if company is coming. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Part Two Valentine Day Swap with Kathleen

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

How am I spending my day? I'm going with Emily

for her dress fitting. How romantic for her to be getting

 

in her wedding dress today! 

 

Here are a few more things that Kathleen sent to me.

 

Some heart rosette embellishments, and

 

a mini pocket bag filled with goodies. 

 

 

Love everything she sent, but I'm really ga ga over the coffee cup dies. 

 

Can't wait to play with those. 

 

 

Kissses! 

 

 

 

3x3 note cards. So pretty! 

 

 

Really happy with this grown up Golden Book. 

 

I got her one for Christmas this past year. I didn't know about 

 

the Love one. 

 

 

and here is a heart wall hanging. I'm thrilled with it! 

 

 

Close up view of the shaker mason jar on the hanging. 

 

I'll be back tomorrow with

 

more photos of Emily's wedding dress. 

 

Stamping trails

Karen 

Loaded Envelope for Valentine's Day

This is a loaded envelope swap that I received from Charolette. 

She really did a stunning job crafting this one. 

I've never seen so much red, and pearls at one time in a project. 

This is a view of just the envelope. Made from 1 sheet of 12x12 paper.

Card embellishments for me to use. Love how she

decorated the toppers. 

More goodies. The dresses are made from a heart and 

cupcake liner. How clever! 

altered paperclips, and clothespin. 

I have the piece displayed in my living room. 

Purchased a stand plate holder some time ago, and it is

perfect for displaying these. 

Suppose to be warmer today, so I think I'll head out of the

house and get some "cold" fresh air! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Valentine Themed Loaded Envelope

This is a loaded Valentine themed envelope that I made

for an upcoming swap. 

The "envelope" was made with one sheet of 12 x 12 paper. 

Bottom is folded up to create the pocket. 

Altered clothes pin that I made using a 3D sticker, and some pearls. 

The front has two pockets at the bottom, then

there is the larger pocket. The flaps were folded down a 

bit so you can see the double sided paper. 

and I made one more pocket on the back to hold

some embossed heart cardstock. 

Hope my partner enjoys it. 

Today I'll be shoveling out the craft room. 

Looks like a wind storm kicked in. Funny how

that wind storm only hits my craft room, and misses the rest

of the house. 

Stamping trails

Karen

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

Everything is coming up pink!

Received this adorable pink Christmas swap from my crafty friend

Kathleen. We got back to the basics with this one. 

So what is more basic to swap than a flip bag? I think the first

swap we ever done with each other was a Fall themed flip bag. 

I pulled out some goodies that were in the bag so you can see. 

She made memorydex cards, and embellishments.

Check out those dies to make tags! How cool! 

Love all the pockets this bag has. 

The one in the front with the little Santa on it. 

Then the pocket at the top that has a fun closure. 

And of course there is one more pocket behind that. 

Some more goodies. Love those gift tags! 

We have a thing going back and forth about the importance of 

drinking wine. The napkins in the back read Grateful for Grapes. How true! 

Love how she packaged everything. She is so talented with the extra 

special touches. 

Big thanks Kathleen! 

Had fun yesterday ringing the bell at Giant Eagle. Wore

my Santa hat. Sorry no pictures. I forgot to bring the camera,

and it was pouring out. Didn't want to wade out in the rain more than 

I had to, and get the camera. Today we have sunny skies, and a whopping 

59 for a high. I'm going to the lake for a walk in the sunshine before the you

know what hits the fan again. Going to be cold for the rest of the week. 

Stamping trails

Karen

Purple Swap from Kathleen

Well I got happy mail yesterday. 

My crafty buddy Kathleen sent me

the lavender, and purple swap. 

We agreed to make shaker cards, large embellishment box, 

a  3d item, and surprise. 

Well a lot of her goodies were surprises! 

Lets start with the shakers. 

She also so made matching envelopes for them. 

How the embellishment box was wrapped. Kathleen knows how to package things really cute!

outside of the box.

and the inside filled with lots of great embellishments! 

Did I mention that she really knows how to package things? So cute!

This was a mini flip bag. How fun! 

Back of the bag. 

What a nice surprise, a pocket letter!

view of the back pockets filled with goodies. 

Really cute and useful plastic file folder....

of course she had to fill the inside of that too! 

this little makeup bag is so nice! She made the word using her new Cricut machine. 

and I really love the saying on this bag. The glitter writing may not show up in the photo. 

It reads: Don't let the pretty bow fool you...

Thanks so much Kathleen!!!! After the time I've been having lately with my car in the shop

your box really lifted my spirits! Thanks bunches!!!!!

Going over to Betty's today and do some crafting....which will also take my mind off my

missing car! 

Stamping trails

Karen

Valentine Flipbag for Kathleen

Here is the flip bag I made for Kathleen's swap. 

First time I ever used patterned paper to make a bag. 

This one is unique as it has three pockets in the front, 

then the main pocket, and last it has a stand attached to it. 

Here you can see the added stand which will allow the

bag to be displayed. 

This shows two of the front pockets. I added a paper gusset to allow

the pocket to expand to hold more goodies. 

I really like the third pocket. It also has a gusset, and a flip that

closes like a file folder. 

So I have to tell you a story.

Hubby wanted to take a walk yesterday afternoon. I didn't want

to as it was to cold. I did ask him to stop by the Red Box machine to

see if they had Geo Storm. So he comes back, and says they

didn't have that movie, but he found one I might like. 

Turns out he got War for the Planet of the Apes. I haven't seen that

one so I think okay, but then he lifts up a bunch of bananas that he was

holding behind his back. He can be so funny sometimes. 

 

Later today we are going to eat at Hot Head Burritos. It is a new place that

 

opened up here a few months ago. John has eaten there before and he said

the food is good. 

Happy Friday!

Stamping trails

Karen

Valentine Swap from Kathleen, and Happy Birthday Emily

I got Valentine goodies from my crafty buddy Kathleen. 

Have no idea how she manages to outdo herself with each

swap but she does! Here is the tag she made. 

Pocket letter. 

assortment of goodies, lights, buttons, and cherry Tootsie pops. 

altered clips. Love how she does the crochet flowers using thread. 

Shaker flower embellishment, and I also have to add

how much I love her packaging! 

Memorydex cards. 

trims that she got from Michael's. Got some great Halloween stuff she

got on clearance. 

 

 

love the bling I can put on pumpkins this coming Halloween. 

Flip bag. 

and all the goodies out of the bag. 

Thanks bunches Kathleen!!!! As always you put such care and thought

into your swaps. You are the best!!!! 

Today we will be celebrating Emily's birthday. I'll be

back tomorrow to post a pic of the card I made her. It turned out great. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!!!!!!! 

Stamping trails

Karen