Check out these easy cello bag care packages. They are inexpensive, quick, customizable, and incredibly versatile. Learn how to make them with me!
If you're like me, you're always needing quick and easy gifts. Sometimes I will make several in advance, just to have them ready when I need them...
Who am I kidding? I don't do that. I SHOULD do that. But I'm not that forward-thinking. (Insert note to self: TRY to make gifts in advance, for grab-and-go action when the next birthday party comes along). Big TRY there...
These care packages take the good ol' go-to cello bag gift idea and repurpose it for the every-folk. All it takes is a cellophane bag (or ziplock, if you so prefer), some cardstock, a stamp set and ink, and a recipient. Let me show you how to make them.
Some Recipient Ideas: Military Stationed Overseas, College Freshman, Homeless, New Parents, Elderly Neighbors or Nursing Home Residents, Teachers, Bosses (when you want kiss butt for that promotion), Coworkers, Best Friends, Sig Others you've wronged (stamp one of these babies, fill it with her favorite things, and she'll forgive you in a heartbeat), Cousin Teddy's kids that you want to shush at the family reunion
Concept First, you need a theme. Pick the occasion, or a recipient, and arrange your cello bag with items that fit the topic. You can stuff the bottom with crumpled or shredded paper for some cushioning and a pop of color, if you'd like. I didn't do that here. What you put in the bag is entirely up to you. Be creative. Think about what the recipient would like or need. Every single item in my bags came from the Dollar Tree.
Let's take a look at the bags individually.
"Just Because I Care" Package for the Homeless
I always want to help those in need, but I don't carry cash on my person. There have been times I've passed by someone, in a rush to get about my life or to my next destination, and I have no quick way to give them a lift up or brighten their day. This particular cello bag idea is the perfect way to help the unfortunate souls living on the street or in shelters.
This bag is stocked with toiletries and sundries that would be most helpful for a person experiencing homelessness. I included products like lip balm, sunscreen, wipes, hand sanitizer, snacks, dental care, deodorant and shaving supplies. You can include water, gift cards to nearby shops, cash, or whatever else you can think of.
This cello bag would be a fantastic service project for your school or club. Make a bunch of them and keep them in your vehicle (don't forget to include sanitary napkins in a female version). Or, take them to your local homeless shelter or organization for distribution.
How to Make It
Materials and Supplies
I love Stampin' Up!'s quality, so all of the materials I use are current SU! products (except where noted). You are not limited to SU! supplies, of course, but I can tell you after my twenty years of papercrafting that SU! products are far and away the best quality.
Remember: All these products are available on Stampin' Up!'s website. If you decide to place an online order, remember to select me as your demonstrator, if you don't have one already. I can be found by searching "Harrington" in Alabama.
. If you decide to place an online order, remember to sel. If you decide to place an online order, remember to select me as your demonstrator, if you don't have one already. I can be found by searching "Harrington" in Alabama.
Material List:
Ink Pads in Perfect Plum and Tempting Turquoise (my pad is the retired version)
Stampin' Trimmer
Cellophane bags or Ziplock baggies (in the appropriate size to fit your items)
Grid Paper, or similar surface area protectio
Paper Snips or other scissors
8-1/2 x 11 Cardstock in Whisper White, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise and Perfect Plum
Stampin' Dimensionals (regular or mini--I used the mini)
Stampin' Write Markers or other brush markers
Snail Adhesive
Stampin' Sponges
Ribbon in your choice of color and style
Label Me Pretty stamp set
Best Yet stamp set (retired)--you can use another stamp sentiment, or hand-write your message
Not pictured:
Clear Block C
Pretty Label Punch
1-3/8" Circle Punch
Scallop Punch (retired) - A good substitute would be the Pansy or Starburst punch in the current SU! catalog
Stapler
Instructions 1.) Measure and cut your topper
8-1/2 x 11 cardstock is the perfect width for larger cello bags and gallon-sized ziplock toppers. Measure how large you want it. Remember to double the size, because you will be folding it in half to create a front and back panel.
The cardstock I used is Stampin' Up's Perfect Plum.
Cut your cardstock.
Find the center and score it length-wise.
Now you have a folded piece of cardstock to serve as the base of your topper.
Measure and cut your Tempting Turquoise cardstock to fit on the front panel of your folded Perfect Plum topper.
Set the Perfect Plum topper aside for now.
2.) Stamp the Tempting Turquoise Backing
Now we're getting to the fun part!
Find this stamp from the Label Me Pretty set. Adhere it to your clear block by pressing it firmly.
Choose one side of the stamp only to ink with Tempting Turquoise.
In a random pattern, stamp the image on the cardstock, making sure to turn it for variation in the pattern. Stamp a few images off the sides of the cardstock, as well.
Set the stamp aside for later.
3.) Sponge and Rub for Texture
This step is optional and can be skipped if you prefer. The sponging gives subtle texture to your paper, but it is not an essential element of the topper.
Rub a Stampin' Sponge along your Perfect Plum ink pad until it picks up a light amount of ink.
Dab the sponge gently across your cardstock. The amount of pressure you apply will determine how dark the texture appears.
You can experiment with this step, using rubbing, dragging or flicking motions to create different effects.
It may be difficult to see in the photo, but the sponge applied some subtle texture that provides more dimension and interest in the color.
Another optional step is to drag the edges of your cardstock along an ink pad.
This creates a striking contrast on the edges that make the backing stand out.
Can you see the contrast?
It's subtle, but it can make your project pop.
Cut and glue your ribbon strip across the middle of the turquoise backing.
Set your backing aside.
4.) Create the Middle Image This is the focal point of the topper.
In Perfect Plum, stamp your message on Whisper White cardstock.
If you don't have the Best Yet stamp set, no worries. It's retired, so you can use any appropriate stamp you do have.
Or, you can use Stampin' Write markers to hand-script your own message.
With the 1-3/8" Circle Punch, punch out your message.
Remember that label stamp we used earlier? We need it again.
Ink it in Tempting Turquoise and stamp the top and bottom edges of the circle.
If you want to, use your sponge again to dab some Perfect Plum texture around the edges of the circle.
On So Saffron cardstock, stamp this label (in Tempting Turquoise) from the Label Me Pretty set.
With the Pretty Label punch, punch it out. If you don't have the punch, just use your paper snips to cut it out by hand.
This is what you should have!
Or some creative variation thereof.
Punch out a scallop, starburst, or pansy shape from Perfect Plum cardstock.
Use Stampin' Dimensional Minis on your circle to create a 3-D effect.
Adhere 3 or 4 Dimensionals to the back, then remove the backing and stick on the So Saffron label.
Tip: Use tweezers to easily remove the backing from the Dimensionals.
Adhere the label to the scallop.
Adhere the entire finished center piece to the middle of the turquoise backing.
5.) Create the Side Pieces
Almost done!
We're back to our original label stamp again. This baby is getting a lot of love today!
Flip it over and break out your Stampin' Write markers.
Color the images directly on the rubber stamp with the brush side of the markers.
Tip: If the colors start to dry before you're finished, never fear! Simply breathe on the stamp. Seriously! The moisture in your breath will remoisten the ink.
Stamp the image on the leftover piece of Whisper White cardstock we used to make the circle.
Isn't it pretty?!
Do this again, one more time. Make sure to refresh your inked images by coloring with the markers.
You should have two images that look like this now. Cut them out, leaving just a bit of white around the edges.
Adhere both stamped images to So Saffron cardstock.
Cut them out, leaving a bit of edging around them.
Adhere both pieces to the sides of the turquoise backing. Refer to the next picture for approximate placement.
Grab the Perfect Plum topper that we set aside early on.
Adhere the turquoise backing to the topper.
6.) Put it all together
Fold the top of the cello bag a few times.
Place the topper over the folded cello bag, making sure the edges are tucked neatly inside the sides of the topper.
Staple the sides of the topper, and you're done!
I guarantee, you will make someone's day when you give them this thoughtful gift.
Tip: The fastest way to make multiple projects is to do each step multiple times. When all the elements are complete, you can put the projects together in an assembly line. This will save you so much time!
Remember: All these products are available on Stampin' Up!'s website. If you decide to place an online order, remember to select me as your demonstrator, if you don't have one already. I can be found by searching "Harrington" in Alabama.
If you would like to talk to me about hosting a workshop, either in person or virtually, shoot me a line at CalamitysStampede@gmail.com
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In Cello Bag Care Packages -- Part Two, we will look at the other care package and learn about Two-Step Stamping, Customizing stamped images, and doubling up Dimensionals for added depth. We'll also talk a bit about the exciting benefits you get when you host a Stampin' Up workshop.