Christmas in July with Sizzix | Simple and Elegant Golden Gift Wrapping

Hey friends!  Today’s idea is fast and functional CHRISTMAS gift wrap – yes, Christmas!  It’s Christmas in July with Sizzix this week and next, and I’m sharing today’s holiday inspiration: golden gift wrapping.  Gold is classic, and paired with Sizzix embossing folders and dies, you can make your small gifts, treats, and handmade goodies shine from under the tree.  The style is similar to Christmas “crackers” (though these don’t pop when you open them), and you can make them in a variety of sizes.  Best of all, each one takes just minutes, which is my kind of paper craft.  I can’t wait to show you how to give your gifts a touch of gold with this simple and elegant idea.

I know July is early to start wrapping gifts, but it’s definitely not too early to start pinning and saving ideas for later!  I know there are a lot of you handmade gift-givers already getting started on your gifts.  There are some other great ideas and inspiration being shared this month by my fellow Sizzix design team members this month, and be on the lookout for a pin-to-win contest that Sizzix is sponsoring later this month.

This idea is totally adaptable to your favorite dies, but I’m sharing a couple of my favorites from Rachael Bright’s collection.  If you don’t already have these dies and embossing folders, I’ll leave a few affiliate links below that you’re welcome to shop to be ready for December!  You don’t even need any special inks or tools, aside from your Sizzix Big Shot to make these glam gifts.

If you decide to buy any of the supplies I listed here, it supports my website at no extra cost to you (and thank you, by the way).  If you make a purchase from the Sizzix website, I’ve got a coupon code for you: enter SZB2015 at checkout to get 15% off your purchase, just for being a Happy Hour Projects reader!

Here’s what I used for today’s project:

• Sizzix Big Shot with extended platform and cutting pads or extended cutting pads
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 3PK – Season’s Greetings Set
• Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die – Christmas Paper Chain
• Heavy weight (105-110 lb.) scrapbook paper in GOLD and white
• Paper trimmer
• Tissue Paper in white and gold
• Curly ribbon & scissors
• Gift wrap tape

To start things off, I cut one sheet of 8.5 x 11 heavy weight paper into thirds, each on 8.5 inches long by about 3.5 inches wide.  You can of course use any dimensions you like, but I found this to be a nice size for the paper chain die, so I made them all identical just to keep things easy on myself.  I cut a strip from a second sheet of white paper about 2 inches wide and 8.5 inches long, and I die-cut it.

To do this, create your Sizzix “sandwich” by layering the paper on the cutting side of the die, and placing it between two cutting pads.  Then, roll it through your Sizzix Big Shot set to the #1 tab.  The decorative strip dies typically require the extended cutting pads, but because the section of paper I was cutting fit perfectly with the standard size cutting pads, I was totally lazy and just used the standard sized pads. :)

Next, create a tube of paper from the 8.5 x 3.5 pieces you cut, and tape it really well so that it doesn’t come apart (you could glue it, if you prefer).  Cut one of your tissue sheets to fit (I cut mine in half), roll it around the tube, and tape it with gift wrap tape.

Tie one end of the tube with curly ribbon to close it off.  You can now place your gift or your treats inside!  Then, when you’ve filled it, tie off the other end with curly ribbon as well, and then wrap your die-cut around the center of the tube, taping it at the bottom.  You shouldn’t have any issues with it not reaching around fully if you’re using the same length for the tube as you did for the die-cut strip!

At this point, I wanted to test out some metallic embossing, so I cut a few strips of gold paper 8.5 x 3.25 inches.  In the center, I placed the embossing folder to make the impression.  (If you’re using a larger machine like the Big Shot Plus, this will be easy to roll through.  The Big Shot, however, has a 6″ wide opening, so you will need to wrap the paper underneath the cutting pads at the edges to roll it through.  You’ll end up with a slight crease, but as it will be where the papers meet and overlap on the bottom, it shouldn’t be noticeable!)

The end result is a gold theme that will make both the trend-setters and classic stylists happy.  It’s simple and elegant, and it only takes a few minutes to wow!

As a 2015 Sizzix Design team member, I receive certain Sizzix products free of charge in order to share inspiration projects and tutorials.  Select Christmas-themed dies were provided to all Christmas in July participants in order to create this themed series.  My designs and opinions are, of course, all my own.