I find it much easier to create for a publication call if I am creating within my “niche.” I’ve learned over the last couple of years that I love creating with natural materials and classic patterns, that I lean toward a vintage, layered style and that I love to incorporate stamping into my projects.

Paper Crafts Magazine’s September/October 2012 issue featured a section all about natural materials, and I had two projects selected for this issue, which was a first for me. They were both non-card items as well – another first!

Click on the image to buy this issue!

I used raw artists’ canvas to create a picture frame which you can see in the issue, and muslin to create layers of ruffles for this lovely gift bag:

I love the raw muslin and it was easy to make the ruffles; first I ran a strip of super sticky double sided tape around the bag about an inch from the bottom, then I adhered a muslin strip, gathering as I went. Then another strip of super sticky tape, and another ruffle, working from the bottom up. The raw edges at the top got covered with a strip of hockey tape (which is an off-white cloth tape) and then embellished to cover most of the hockey tape.

The sticker is from Simple Stories Generations line, and the stamps are from Papertrey Ink.

Another note; I love repurposing store bags into gift bags; Canada’s La Senza stores use white gift bags that make a great base for a decorated gift bag.

I hope you get a copy of this issue, it’s such a great one. My copy already has a lot of dog-eared pages, and I have an extra copy to give away to a lucky commenter on this post. Please comment by midnight, September 4 and I’ll choose someone to win! I’m going to throw in a copy of the July/August issue as well, just for fun.