Bags & Tags

While working on building my gift stash, I thought I might like to make some wrapping options, as well.  I really want to stick with clean, simple wraps -- it makes things so much easier after the craft stash has been cut by 3/4 after all. :-)  I have a whole kit of neutral wrapping "ingredients" with red or deep blue embellishments -- it went in the move, but I'll get it all back later this summer.

I thought that some basic, utilitarian bags would be a good thing to tuck away in the closet. 

Wine Bags: 

These are sewn from an old couch slipcover that I loved so much, I couldn't bear to throw it away after the seat became threadbare.  So, I re-purposed the backs and sides into wine bags, using a pattern from a Japanese book on wrapping gifts:

NO ONE wraps presents like the Japanese.....

....and Japanese craft books are *famous* for drawings so gloriously clear and user-friendly, that a person hardly needs written instructions.  I have about 15 wine bags now -- each with Good Wishes twill ribbon, found at an old-fashioned country store in Chesapeake.

Tote Bags: 

I only made a couple of these.  I really, really prefer to sew these as needed -- it feels personal, that way.  But, Alistair suggested it might be smart to have one or two pre-made, just in case.  These were my "signature wrap" for childrens' presents in Germany, and I'm thinking that's a good thing to continue.   I'm also trying to use American fabrics wherever I can. 

Bento Lunch Sacks: 

I *love* these for gifting homemade baked goods -- the bento sacks fit perfectly over a ziplock storage container.  Eliza and I use ours for packed lunches all year round.   

Tags:

I started making these a few months ago, and have a nice assortment for next spring -  tags for tying onto the wine bags and other plain-jane wrappings I have.   

Also, cards for writing invitations, cards for writing thank yous.   My intention was to make summer + autumn themes before the move, but I didn't get as many done as I had hoped:

A few, though.  :-)

This was in the "use it or lose it" category -- a poster backdrop I made in Yokosuka for a display window project at the O-Club.  I liked it so much (= I worked so hard on it) that I've kept the poster in a large portfolio and have been moving it around with me  since 2001.

I cut the best looking panels out and attached them to the fronts of blank, white cards:

Instant Summer Thank You x 12. 

To streamline my choices a little for next year, I've tried to  make 'matching' tags for the colorful totes and bento bags, as well.   I guess I was able to finish a few autumnal tags, after all  -- time & memory have turned into a blurry mess for me these days.....

I am making my own store...I barely know my inventory, but I am making my own store.  :-)

lots and lots of thread was used up for these projects....

It seems my inner-crafter came up with a {desperate} plan to offset the loss of my studio.  If I have to lose the raw materials, then I'll just replace them with ready made results.  A few ounces of remnant fabric & supplies get shaved off the overall weight allowances every time a bag is sewn or a card is finished.  It is probably the proverbial equivalent of a raindrop in the ocean, but it all adds up, I figure. 

Plus, it made me feel better. :-)