A unique hostess gift idea—Creative Tags gift pack made with vintage paper and IBS stamps

I once read a post where the artist said she recycled by dividing items into glass, paper, plastic and...possible craft supplies. I couldn't agree more! I'm always on the lookout for something I can re-use. This hostess gift I've created with Inspired by Stamping's new April release Creative Tags set is an example of that.

I was up to toss this little plastic box in the recycle bin when I stopped myself, "Hey, I can use this!". The paper liner came right out and I knew it could easily be up-cycled.  

I started off this project with vintage paper. I save old, falling apart books destined for the dustbin and turn them into journals. I put the blank endpapers aside in a separate file and use them when I want vintage paper with a heavier weight.

I stamped the Creative Tags onto the vintage papers. One thing to keep in mind when stamping on truly vintage paper—it's going to bleed. No matter what type of ink you use. The paper is porous with age and the ink just grabs. But, that's what I like about it! I made twelve little tags on both shades of paper and punched little holes in the ends to thread twine through.

Using the box's original paper liner as a guide, I measured and cut two pieces of pretty paper. I glued these papers front to back (they weren't double sided, if they had been I'd have skipped this step), scored, folded and put in the box. This is a view of the back.

I added some ribbon to the outside of the box. I used IBS's March release Fancy Circles set on the darker of the two vintage papers and April's Trendy Circle Sentiments on white, and ran both through my die cutting machine (a Happycut). The paper rose is also from Inspired by Stamping.

I cut two meters of twine and wrapped it up to fit in the box. I put the tags in little plastic bags to protect them. And voila! Something different than wine or flowers, a gift any hostess will appreciate (and not forget who gave it to her!).

Material

Stamps—Inspired by Stamping Fancy Circles, Trendy Circle Sentiments, Creative Tags
Ink—Distress Vintage Photo
Paper—vintage and decorative paper
Embellishments—ribbon, IBS paper rose, twine