Red, White & Blue Paper Bag Rosette

Using the same techniques used to create the paper bag snowflake posted on Dec 17th, 2024, it's easy to create this fun and patriotic decoration for July 4th using gift bags!!!

You'll need:

• Paper gift bags: 4 ea Red, White and Blue
• AdTech double sided tape
• Glue stick
• White card stock (for star shapes) 
• Scissors
• 2 Large paper clips

1.  Cut the handles from each bag. (Don't throw the handles away! I'll show you why later.)

2.  Cut 3 stars from white card stock. Fold each star in half.

3. Cover one side of one star with glue then place over one folded side of the bag about 4" from the bottom with the fold at the center of the star over the folded edge of each BLUE bag.

4.  Glue a second star over the opposite folded edge at the side of the bag.

5. Glue a third star with the folded center of the star against the inner fold of the gusset at the side of the bag about 1-2" from the top.

NOTE: I only placed the stars on one side of the blue bags, but if you plan to hang your finished "Rosette" where it will turn, and both sides will be seen, you may want to put stars on both sides.  

6. After adding the stars to each blue bag, glue the blue bags together with a strip of double-sided adhesive tape across the bottom of gusset at the bottom of each bag and 2 strips from the top edge of the gusset down the center of the bag to the top. Press firmly as you add each bag.

OPTION: Gently pull the top of bags apart then add an additional star across the space where the bags are glued together about 1-2" from the top.

7.  Attach alternating white and red bags together with adhesive strips, pressing each bag firmly in place. DO NOT add adhesive to the last bag.  Add the red and white bags to the blue bags. 

 

8.  Gently pull the attached bags around in a circle and secure the bags together with 2 large paper clips. This will allow you to fold the rosette after use, making it easy to store.

NOTE: Since gift bags with handles are much sturdier than plain paper bags (which can also be used - see the December paper snowflake project), I added a staple at the top at each side of the center, about 1" apart where the bags are joined together.  

This is such an easy technique and with a variety of colored gift bags available you can create decorations for birthdays, baby showers and lots of other celebrations!  Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!!!

 

Creativation by NAMTA 2025

For those of you unable to travel to Seattle to attend Creativation, grab a cup of tea, or glass of wine, put your feet up then sit back and take an armchair walk with me up and down the aisles of the annual NAMTA Creativation show via photos...  Enjoy!

             Each year a Welcome Reception is held the evening before the show floor opens. It's always a special time to meet old friends, make new ones and to recognize annual award winners and the association's current and new board members. 

            This year was extra special since my long time friend, Ann Butler had nominated me for a Lifetime Achievement Award.  I was accepted, so thought I'd share this aaahmzing news and a couple of photos from that evening before we started our walk. Eight of us received the award this year and other than being totally flabbergasted, it was indeed an honor to be the first Creative Professional NAMTA member to be recognized with this award, especially since "Creative Professional" is a new category for this association. 

 

I always look for a coffee pot when checking in to a hotel room, but this was SO much better!

Me and my sis who travelled all the way from Tennessee to be there...

with friends Ann Butler, Julianna (Jewels) Avelar and my sis.....

Now let's hug a few friends and walk the show. Let me know in the comments at the end, what you think the top trends were this year.....

TCW - The Crafters Workshop

Boya Crayons

Iwata

Pear Blossom Press

Trinity Stamps

AALL & CREATE

Jack Richeson & Co

Paint Plates

Hahnemuhle - German paper company 

Tomorrow's Artist Created with Encore

Retique It

 

DecoArt

Creative Professionals were invited to decorate a wood King Salmon fish shape which were displayed on the show floor. After the show they were donated to Mama's Hands, House of Hope.....  each one was unique. I covered mine with small, pearly oyster shells I collected in Maine - it was a "Shellfish" 😜

Bob Ross

OHUHU

RGM Fine Art Tools

Jesmon Eco-Resin

MIYA and HIMI Jelly Paint

Grafix

Colart -  Winsor & Newton

Yasutomo

Faber Castell

Olo

Diamond Art

ALTENEW

Spellbinders

Sharpie

Leisure Arts

Sarah Hurley Academy Pavilion

 

Tintoretto

Staedtler

Photocentric

Ecstasy Crafts

Jacquard

NuWords Paint

Silver Brush

Excel Hand Tools and Blades

Iwata-Medea.com

Pear Blossom Press & Trinity Stamps

FASHENHUES

Paint Your Photo App

Belagio Enterprises (Cork fabric and more)

Paint-By-Number Kit 

Speedball

Studio Light

Da Vinci Eye

My Creative Camp - Arts & Craft Kits

Triveni USA Inc  - Strung beads

ZIMS GEMS LLC - Beads

Royal Talent

Splatter & Bloom - DIY Watercolor Kits

Notions - Distributors

Kraft Geek

Alumilite - Resin

Sakura

Multicraft

Diamond Art

Paint Puck

Sunbird Spark (check them out on Facebook, YouTube & IG)

For videos and interviews from the show floor, check out Erin Reed's YouTube Creativation playlist and 

Jennifer Crowther's  30 Best Arts & Craft Supplies

That's all for now folks!  See ya next year..........

Yours truly, Julie 

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING