Make This Easy 3D Tote Bag for Cards & Gifts | Label Me Grateful Bonus Project Tutorial

Make a 3D gift tote using Autumn Toile DSP, Label Me Grateful stamps & dies, Stylish Shapes circles for handles, and To The Point punch for the tag. Learn how to score, pleat, and assemble a sturdy mini purse with Tear & Tape structure and liquid glue finesse. Includes a wax paper die-cutting hack, clean interior handle finish, and a bow-plus-tag embellishment you can adapt to any season.

Craft the giftable 3D tote that’s sturdy, stylish, and made to share kindness.
Follow along as I build the entire purse live—cutting, scoring, die-cutting, assembly, and decorating—so you can pause, rewind, and craft with confidence.

Make today’s project and tuck in gratitude cards, sweet treats, gift cards, or a mini self-care bundle. It’s the perfect “handmade hug” for fall, Thanksgiving, or an early holiday hostess gift.

What you’ll learn

In this tutorial I show how to create a freestanding 3D tote—from flat cardstock to finished bag—using the Label Me Grateful bundle and Autumn Toile designer paper. You’ll hear the exact measurements, scoring map, smart trimming, strong-hold adhesives, handle engineering with Stylish Shapes circles, plus easy, elegant finishing (ribbon bow, stamped tag, die-cut leaves). I include pro tips for cleaner die cuts, crisp folds, and a faster, frustration-free build.
Measurements

DSP panels (front/back): 4-1/4" × 6" (x2), partial die-cut for handle opening

Handles: Early Espresso cardstock, four 3-1/2" × 3-1/2" squares; cut with Stylish Shapes largest circle + skip one to next size (stacked for strength)

Side panels: 3" × 4-3/4" (x2); score 1/2" on both long sides and on one short side (bottom); mark midpoint on the unscored top and add diagonal scores corner-to-center for the pleat

Base: 6" × 3"; score 1/2" on both long sides

Adhesives: Tear & Tape for structure; liquid glue for handle rings and embellishments

Tag & accents: “You’re the Best” (Label Me Grateful) stamped on Very Vanilla; punch with To The Point punch; add Mossy Meadow die-cut oak leaves; tie on with Early Espresso/Old Olive linen thread

Ribbon: 3/4" Basic Beige (linen-look) for a soft bow at the handle

Pro Tip: Before filming I ran the circle dies through with kitchen wax paper—it improves both cutting and release, especially on stitched or detailed dies.

Step-by-step highlights (watch with me!)

00:00 Intro & project reveal (3D kindness tote)
01:05 Supply rundown & why I chose Autumn Toile + Early Espresso
03:00 Handle die-cutting (double-stack method, washi optional)
05:35 Cutting the handle opening in both DSP panels at once (perfect alignment)
07:05 Scoring map: base, sides, and the diagonal pleats for easy “purse” shaping
10:10 Debulking corners, burnishing valleys vs. mountains (crisp construction)
12:25 Adhesive strategy: where Tear & Tape vs. liquid glue shine
14:00 Handle engineering: front ring + hidden interior ring for strength & clean finish
17:15 Attaching base to front/back; adding pleated sides one panel at a time
21:40 Final form & interior finish—how to avoid misalignment with strong tape
23:10 Bow tying that lays flat; tag stamping, punching, and tiny die-cut cluster
26:05 Fill-ideas: gratitude cards, chocolate, sanitizer, hand cream, gift cards
27:20 Show & tell: all Label Me Grateful class cards tuck inside the tote
28:10 Ways to remix for Christmas papers & hostess gifts
29:00 Wrap-up, offers, and how to get the class/bonus

Why you’ll love this project

Beginner-friendly build with premium results (looks boutique, not “crafty”)

Modular design: swap paper/theme to suit fall, holidays, birthdays, or thank-yous

Gift-ready size to hold a set of cards, treats, or small pampering items

Teaches fundamentals: clean scoring, structural adhesives, die-cut precision, and tasteful finishing

Current offers & how to join in

• Free Card Class Kit (Label Me Grateful): Place a $50+ order in my Stampin’ Up! store and receive my Label Me Grateful class kit free.

• October Bonus Project (this 3D tote): Get the BONUS tote kit with a $75+ order—perfect companion to the class cards.

• Best Join Offer (through Oct 31): Join Stampin’ Up! for $35 and choose $125 in products, then enjoy 20% off your next order. Make your wish list, join, then order the rest with your discount.

Stay connected & get your freebies

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