Haute Tote

 Happy Friday (and I should say Happy GOOD Friday)!  It is time for another challenge at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: Christmas Packaging - Create a tag or use template to create gift packaging.  Our sponsor is Creations by AR and the winner will receive 1 template of their choice from the store!  And let me tell you, there are TONS of amazing templates to choose from.  
The template I chose to work with is this beauty named Haute Tote.  I'm such an accessories girl; I love shoes, bags, jewelry (good thing I make my own), winter scarves, you name it so I just adore this template.  I also refuse to pay good money for something that I can make myself, so the idea of making something so cute to hold a Christmas gift is perfect for me. : )  

 It is small (5 1/4"x4 1/2" and about 1 1/2" deep on at the base), but it would be perfect for a small gift (jewelry anyone?) and the optional little pocket would also be perfect for holding a gift card.  I tried to go designer with my bag; even pulled out my sewing machine to stitch around the pink base and the top edge.  It is the perfect finishing touch.  I also sewed around the pocket but don't look too closely because it was really hard to stitch around the half circle.  I didn't add a whole lot of detail since the paper is so stunning.  Just a little tag that could say "To:/From:" and maybe have the recipient's initial embossed on the front.  I didn't do that since I don't know who I will give it to yet, though I do have a few ideas.  I also added a ribbon "scarf" to the handle, 'cause that's the thing to do, ya' know.  Oh, and I almost forgot: I embossed the pink panel at the bottom with a snowflake embossing folder.  It doesn't show up so well in the pictures, but it's really cool in real life.

If you haven't worked with templates before, don't be intimidated!  The directions are easy and everything fits together perfectly.  Hop on over to the CSAYL blog to check out all the details and the rest of the projects from the DT (I had a sneak peek and I know there is another version of this Tote, so you can see another option for it.).  Then play along for your chance to win.

Challenges:
Clearly Inspired Challenge #71--anything goes
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown--ribbons and bows
Christmas Card Challenges #17--clean and simple (I know it doesn't really look like it, but there aren't a lot of embellishments on this)
Timeless Tuesday #213--any sewing or stitching
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'--No red and No green
C.R.A.F.T. #200--Mother's Day/Female (It's not time for Mother's Day yet, but this is definitely for a female!)



Supplies:
Templates: Creations by AR "Haute Tote"
Papers: DCWV Christmas pack
Dies/punches/embossing folders: Verve "Classy Label Mini" die; Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder; Martha Stewart snowflake punch
Rhinestone brads: ice circles by SU!