Hi!  SaraL here with a new photo hybrid how-to for you!

Now, you may have gathered I enjoy finding alternative, stretch-your-stash uses for Heather’s fabulous collection of templates, and I have a wonderful one for you today.  How about the perfect teacher appreciation gift presentation… using Heather’s recently released DIY Printable Templates: Jack-o-Lantern Bags!

Not quite what you expected as a starting template perhaps?  Well, this may change your mind:

How sweet is this gift presentation idea for your child’s teacher?  I’ve used Heather’s aptly themed Best in the Bushel to decorate my bag  …and ever such a simple bag to construct, I promise!

Let me walk you through what I did – and as always, in practice it really, really is much quicker & simpler than is sounds when broken down into steps!!

Step1:  Open the template. Merge the three layers which form the front & then the three that form the bag’s back. Clip on apple-coloured papers, and any digital decoration you choose.

• Adding leaves: Make it easy & cheat! I used the oval tag elements from Best in the Bushel, clipped green papers to them & then popped them into position. The stalk is also from one of the kit’s embellishments, simply enlarged. At this time, I added one of the recipe cards from Heather’s autumnal kit to the page so I could get it sized perfectly, to act as a tag on my finished bag!

Step 2: Print out.  I decided to reverse & pop my printout back  through my printer to add a background paper from the kit, so that my finished bag would have a colourful inside

Step 3: Cut out.  Please do remember to cut along the curve between the apple & tab – just as per Heather’s instructions!

Step 4: Score & crease/ fold – again as per the instructions, but you can also see where in the photo above!

• I used a ‘scoring board’ and bone folder (that curvy white tool in the photos), but I have very successfully used a bone folder (which is inexpensive & readily available from craft stores) plus a ruler, and I do know people who use a simple butter knife & ruler to achieve the same end! …just remember not to press too hard and to protect your work surface again if you choose to use a knife.

Step 4: Ink all the edges of the apple bag & recipe card tag.

Step 5: Fold your bag into shape. As you do, adhere each tab to the inside/ back of the apple shape (I used double sided craft tape). You can choose the angle you do this at to create a wider or narrower box space – I went for the vertical option in my example.

Step 6: This is an optional step – add a handle or don’t add a handle?

• Well, I added one (the template was just sitting there after all!) – but I kind of cheated a little!  Instead of printing the decorated handle strip out then popping in back through the printer etc, I simply printed two identical strips, and sandwiched them together with adhesive.  Ta-da!

With a nice big glue dot or similar on either end, simply stick the handle ends to the inside of your completed basket.

Step 7:  Have fun adding your own unique finishing touches – a tag, ribbon, charms, buttons, you name it!

I hope you enjoyed this alternative, stretch-your-stash use for Heather’s Jack ‘O Lantern templates!!  If you have a go at making your own, please do pop a photo of them into Heather’s gallery at the Sweet Shoppe so we can admire your work too!

‘til next time

SaraL