Die Cut Paper Ornaments Decor & Gift Bag

We got our first snowfall of the season here in Utah. I am not super excited about it, cold weather is not my favorite! But-I am a little excited about having a valid excuse to hibernate in the house with some craft projects! Today’s paper ornaments project is a great one to work on when you are catching up on your favorite shows and want to feel productive at the same time. Plus, it will give you a jump on your holiday season- with beautiful gift bags! I even have an option, for quickly turning this project into an elegant home decor item.

The great thing about this project, is that minus the ornament die- it is created with stuff you probably already have in your craft supply. Pretty cheap to crank out several gift bags.

Supplies needed to make your own paper ornaments die cuts:

• Christmas Ornament Die Cuts
• Glitter Pattern Gift Bags
• 8×10 Photo Frame (I painted mine gold)
• Core’dinations Glitter Silk 12 x 12 Paper Pack (green and silver)
• Spectrum Noir Winter Warmers Sparkle Pens (red)
• Spectrum Noir Clear Overlay Sparkle Pens
• Ranger Gold Liquid Pearls
• Ranger Red Liquid Pearls
• 6×6 White Cardstock
• 3/8 inch Metallic Gold Ribbon
• Pop-Up Adhesive Foam Dots

Cut a piece of textured white Core’dinations cardstock into a 6×8″ rectangle. This will be the base for either project, the gift bag or the framed decor. Using the leftover piece of cardstock, cut three (3) ornament dies.

When working with embossing dies, make sure you use a rubber embossing mat. If you have not used embossing dies, there is a more detailed tutorial here:

Die Cut Wreath DIY Christmas Card Tutorial

Remove the white cardstock. Using a piece of green Glitter Silk Core’dinations cardstock, glitter side down, cover the top (bow) areas of the two largest ornaments, and run the dies through your machine again.

When using heavier papers with craft dies, they sometimes get caught in the dies. You will notice if you turn the metals dies over, there are strategically places holes in the metal. This is to help loosen the cardstock from the die. Using a large needle, or awl, gently nudge the cardstock from the dies using the holes.

Trim the green glitter silk, and adhere the pieces over the white cut dies.

Now comes the fun part! You can begin to embellish the white cut dies however you like! They are literally a blank canvas. The embossed areas make a nice guideline for your creativity. I used Spectrum Noir™ Sparkle Pens. They come in several different colors, and are a quick and easy way to add some bling to your projects.

I added some dimension with some Liquid Pearls.

You can really go to town here. Add gems, sequins, whatever!

When you are finished embellishing your ornaments, set them aside to full dry. Then you can arrange them on your 6×8″ piece of white cardstock. I love the elegant look of white on white. It would be really easy for you to choose a different ornament or background color for your own project.

When you have the ornaments arranged how you like, use a piece of dimensional foam adhesive to tack down the ornaments at the bottom. Leave the tops free.

Cut enough ribbon to tuck underneath the ornament, stretch to the top of the 6×8″ piece of cardstock, and hang over the top by about an inch.

Adhere the ribbon to the front and back of the cardstock.

Tie a gold bow, and add it to the smallest ornament.

Using foam dimensional adhesive, adhere your finished piece to the front of your chosen gift bag.

Isn’t that pretty? I love these glittery gift bags! Almost makes the gift I am putting inside pale in comparison.

To turn this paper ornaments project into a home decor piece, trim the silver glitter silk cardstock into an 8×10″ rectangle. Insert into your frame. Adhere your finished 6×8″ ornament scene to the center of the frame using foam dimensional adhesive.

Either paper ornaments project you choose, will add some elegance and sparkle to your (quickly approaching!) holiday season!

Shaunte

Shaunte is a 30-something, chocolate-loving, SAHM from Utah. She has been scrapbooking since 1997, the dreaded era of photos cropped with deco scissors. Since then, her work has evolved into a clean, linear, photo-focused style. Her favorite subjects to scrap are her husband and five kids (never a lack for subject material there).