7.9.16

Teachers Day Gifts- Paper Purse Tutorial

Teachers Day Gifts- Paper Purses
          Hi friends, in India we celebrate Teachers' Day on Sept 5th and though my daughter's school doesn't encourage gifts they do accept little handmade tokens.Over the years I have made post it note holders, photo frames, pen-stands and mini albums. This year we decided to make cute little paper purses !
Teachers Day Gifts- Paper Purses
The paper purses were made from sturdy cardstock using the Spellbinders Labels 8 die which was also featured in the Diorama Card Tutorial .This one has a handle of silver pearls and  a handmade rose.
Paper Purse  Tutorial 
Though you can make paper purses with any kind of supplies...I love to use my dies whenever I can so this Tutorial features a few die cutting tricks!
To Make the Back and Flap of the Purse
One technique anybody with a die cutting machine should explore is partial die cutting...you can really get value for money if you use this technique....for example you can extend a square die to cut a rectangle and more!
For this project I let the top part of the cutting plate reach only upto the center of my Spellbinders Labels die.You can use any die you think will work for a purse shape .
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Partial die cutting can be tricky and frustrating in the first go so I will share some important tips which help me!

  • Partial die cutting Tip 1: Always keep a spare  pair of  cutting plates with you. Not only will it come in handy when your cutting plate breaks out of the blue but for techniques such as partial die cutting...it is so much easier if you have a nice flat cutting plate instead of your "super used" bent ones
  • Partial Die Cutting Tip 2 : Apply firm pressure on the end of the cutting plate- die sandwich with your fingers as you are rolling your sandwich into the machine so as to avoid shifting of the die/ cutting plate and paper.
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
The picture above shows the partial die cut obtained thence. Snip off the excess paper shown lifted up in the picture above.This part will form the closure flap of your purse.
Place the die cut snugly against the scoreboard and score at 2 inches and 2 and 3/4 inches. I wanted my purse to be 3/4 inch wide so only I used the 3/4inch measurement.
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Now place the die with its end reaching slightly beyond the 2 and 3/4inch score line as shown below.Your top cutting plate should reach up to the scoreline
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Partial die cutting Tip 3 : In partial die cutting , keep the part you don't want to cut  away from the  roller of your die cutting machine...this way there is less chance of the die / cutting plates to shift as you roll the machine.What I mean is dont put the part you want to partial die cut first into the machine as you roll....if you do it that way the sandwich  is more likely shift!
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Snip off the excess and don't obsess about the slightly off alignment...believe me it will hardly be noticeable in your final outcome. 

Your  back , top and front flap of your purse is now ready....! And all from just one piece of card!!Isn't it cool
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Make the front of your purse
To create the front of your purse, use the same die you used earlier and snip off 1/4 inch or so from the die cut so as to create a straight edge.
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Punch or die cut a small opening  on this straight edge. This opening makes it easy to insert and take things from your purse. You can use partial die cutting techniques here too. In the picture below, I have used the Tim Holtz ruler to find the exact center of my die cut...you dont have to really take out a ruler and find the exact center but just eyeball it but sometimes I like to indulge my obsessive compulsive perfectionism nature!!LOL!!
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Design the inside of your Purse

You need to make a box open at the top.
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
When constructing purses/boxes form diecuts/ hand cut shapes you can design the size by measuring the width and length of your die-cut and subtracting a margin of 1/4 inches .

Based on the shape of the Spellbinders Labels 8 , I designed a box measuring 5 x 2.5inches with a width of 3/4 inches[already decided earlier and reflected in the top flap I cut for the purse earlier too]
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
So that translated into a piece of card measuring 6 .5 x 5 and 3/4 inch scored 3/4 inch from either end on the 6.5inch side and scored at 2.5 and 3 and 1/4 at the  5 and 3/4 side.
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
Snip off  wedges on some of the flaps as shown to facilitate easy gluing and decorate the outside of the box before gluing.
Paper Purse Tutorial 
Now all 3 pieces are ready....just glue the box onto the back of  the purse and stick on your front piece
 Paper Purse Tutorial 
When making for the first time I would advise you to use liquid glue [rather than tacky tape] as it allows you to wiggle the parts a bit for perfect positioning!
 Paper Purse Tutorial
You can design fun closures using velcro or magnets.If using strong magnets ,stick one magnet inside your box and the other one on your flap so that there is a piece of card separating the 2 magnets.... as otherwise these magnets are super strong and difficult to pry apart!
Paper Purse
I punched holes on the top of the purse, inserted eyelets  and threaded pearl strings to create the handle of my Paper purse!
Teachers Day Gifts- Paper Purses
The  animal print purse has a handle made of ribbon folded in half and stitched for extra sturdiness!This ribbon handle was threaded through eyelets set in the top of the purse and secured inside.
Teachers Day Gift - Paper Purse
The purple one shown below is my daughter's favorite and has a lovely glittery paper which reflects the light so beautifully !
Teachers Day Gift- Paper Purse
We made a total of 7 purses!
Teachers Day Gifts
These little purses can hold small gifts such as sweets, notebooks, pens ,jewelry etc .
My daughter helped to make small mini books to add inside each purse
Mini Books
Each mini book is made using a single 12 x 12 inch paper
Mini Books
 We designed ours with 8 pockets and added tags into each pocket.
Mini Books
Used one of the smaller dies from the same Spellbinders set to create mini cards to add inside each purse!
Teachers Day Cards
My daughter has just started learning calligraphy  by watching youtube videos and took so much care to painstakingly  write " Happy Teacher's Day" inside each card!
Teacher's Day Card
What do you think my friends...?
Supplies : Mostly all are from Crafters Corner
Dies : Spellbinders Labels 8, Poppy Stamps Pinpoint Main Street Tags , Spellbinders Rose Creations,Spellbinders Elegant Ovals,Spellbinders Crown Ovals,Cheery Lynn  Rose Leaf Strip
Stamps : Studio G women silhouette

36 comments:

  1. Wow, Sonia, these are absolutely amazing!! The purses are so gorgeous!! I love the design and the details you added!! The cards and minis are stunning, too!! And what a perfect tutorial!! I know the teachers adored these!! So, so gorgeous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes Lisa the teachers loved them and one teacher refused to believe that it was handmade!

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  2. These are fabulous Sonia, beautiful designs - such wonderful gifts.
    Pauline
    x

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  3. The paper purses look so elegant with the embossing & decor. I have done this technique but never made a paper purse. I have Labels Four not Eight and will see if I can adapt this to use Labels Four. Also, noticed that the one purse is a Leopard print. Do you know the difference between a Leopard & Cheetah print? The Leopard has a lighter color on the inside of the spot like you have. The Cheetah has a darker color on the inside & lighter color on outside.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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    Replies
    1. Hehe yes ... I did read about different print patterns when my daughter had a project on jaguars!

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  4. amazing creations ! You always inspire me !!
    cheers

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  5. These are wonderful gift for teachers. The purse looks absolutely stunning. The mini album, the card goes so well with it!

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  6. Absolutely fantastic little purses! Your daughter's teacher must fight to get to teach Prisha in order to receive goodies like these :D. Fabulous tutorial. Prisha's notebooks and handwritten cards are gorgeous and isn't her writing wonderful! I can't believe she's self taught. Love them! Debra x

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  7. Hats off to your creativity Sonia! Incredible gift purse idea as a token of love, I can bet, her teachers absolutely adore these gifts!!!

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  8. wow! great job!
    its wonderful!
    Fiki

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  9. WOW!! simply awseome..love your tutorials..

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  10. Wow wow wow!! These are AMAZING! And such great gift ideas! I loveeeeeeeeeeee them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. Wow!!
    Amazing creation, great work.

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  12. All the projects are stunning. What a great gift. I know the teachers loved them. You always make the most beautiful things. Thanks for the in depth tutorial.
    Have a creative day.
    Hugs Nana
    ♥ My Crafting Channel ♥
    ♥ MCC Shop ♥

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  13. Amazing Sonia - and you make them so easy to do. Lucky recipients I'm sure they all loved their pretty gifts you handmade for them. Awesome tutorial as well.

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  14. These are so pretty, Dr.Sonia. I love the way you have made these using partial die-cutting. The mini note-cards are so lovely too. I'm sure the teachers must have loved them a lot :)

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  15. Cute little purses for the lucky teachers in Bangalore. Thanks for the detailed tutorial I hope to try this when I have a rectangular die.

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  16. These are amazing and your daughters calipgraphy is perfect. Lovely gifts for the teachers. Hugs Mrs A.

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  17. WOW!! Stunning purses and cards Sonia..Loz

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  18. I have to say oooh la la!! These are just gorgeous Sonia!! :) What a cute idea for a teacher's gift too!! I thank you for sharing your photo tutorials with us as always!! HUGS

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  19. What I think?? I'm speechkless! AMAZING works! I would love to be one of your daugter's teacher! ...:D
    Thanks for the step by step!

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  20. Super projects - really beautiful. Super writing and to be self taught is amazing.

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  21. How fabulous Sonia! I just remembered I have an A4 sheet of card here in animal print with a furry feel to it! Guess what I'll be making soon :)

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  22. Oh my goodness Sonia, these are absolutely darling!!!! Your cards are adorable too! hat a great tutorial, thank you for sharing it with us!
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

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  23. wow...great work..

    beautiful purses...

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  24. Awesome purses and lovely cards!
    Especially the leopard-patterned purse... :)

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  25. Beautiful purses Sonia, love the clean design and lovely handmade flowers, the sets turned out so awesome ...and Prisha's calligraphy is the best touch !!

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  26. Wooow, amazing project!!
    ♥Hugs Valentina♥

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  27. Ms Linda (swtanxiety94@yahoo.com)10/9/16

    What beautiful gifts. Your daughter did a wonderful job of printing.

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  28. Wow! I was impressed with the purses, Sonia, and want to thank you for the tutorial, and then I saw the beautiful photos of gorgeous cards, booklets and picture frames! You have been busy! I am smitten by your purses, Sonia. Fantastic projects - and I know they will be cherished! xo

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  29. Wow lovely purses..very elegant and royal .nice little books too!
    Little P took so much effort..really impressed. ..good caligraphy too!

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  30. Oh! my goodness, how amazing are these? your imagination knows no bounds, they are so elegant and so VERY beautiful. Thank you for the tutorial.
    Faith
    x

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  31. wow ... the purse is amazing.. love it...

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  32. Such a amazing craft idea you have shared. I will definitely teach this to my students.

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