Die Cutting Hack: Make a Gift Bag from Your Backpack Builder Die

If you’ve been crafting for a while, you know the thrill of finding a new way to use a favorite die set. It’s like discovering an extra compartment in your craft room you didn’t even know you had! That’s exactly what happened to me with the Backpack Builder Die Set from Scrappy Boy Stamps. I’ve always loved this set for creating fun, dimensional cards, but recently I had one of those lightbulb moments—what if this adorable backpack could be turned into a gift bag? A little brainstorming (and a bit of trial and error) later, I had the cutest purple gift bag sitting on my desk, ready to be filled with goodies. Today, I’m sharing the details so you can give this hack a try too.

Die Cutting Hack: Make a Gift Bag from Your Backpack Builder Die

A Fresh Way to Stretch Your Dies

One of my favorite things about paper crafting is figuring out how to make supplies work harder. Dies are an investment, so it always feels extra satisfying when you find a second or third use for them. The Backpack Builder Die Set is already versatile, but by pairing it with the Box Strips Die Set—also from Scrappy Boy Stamps—you can transform it into a functional, decorative bag that’s perfect for small gifts, party favors, or even storing crafting treats for a friend.

Playing with Color and Texture

For my bag, I wanted a bold, fun, and slightly whimsical feel, so I reached for three shades of purple cardstock—Lilac Cardstock from Lawn Fawn and Grape Soda Cardstock and Lilac Cardstock from Concord & 9th. The lighter Lilac Cardstock (from Concord & 9th) has a slightly pink undertone, which made it perfect for the tassel and heart embellishment. The main backpack pieces were cut from the two shades to give depth and interest without overwhelming the design.

I couldn’t resist adding a little sparkle to the zipper by cutting it from silver glitter cardstock. It’s amazing how just one shiny element can instantly make a project feel more special. To add even more dimension, I blended Villainous Potion Distress Oxide Ink around the edges of the die cuts. It’s a small step, but it gives the finished piece that polished, professional look that makes people say, “Wait, you made this?”

The Magic of the Box Strips

The transformation from backpack to bag all comes down to one key element: the middle strip die from the Box Strips Die Set. I cut three strips from the darker purple cardstock, but only needed two to connect the backpack front and back together. The strips form the sides and bottom of the bag, creating enough space to tuck in treats or a small gift.

Pro Tip: If you want your bag to be wider, cut longer strips or overlap an extra piece in the middle. And if you’re making multiples—say, for a birthday party or holiday table setting—cutting all the strips in one go will save you a ton of time.

Customizing for Any Occasion

The beauty of this hack is that it works for so many themes. Swap out the colors and you could have a Christmas stocking-inspired bag, a bright rainbow birthday favor, or even a soft pastel design for a baby shower. Patterned paper, foil cardstock, or embossed panels would all give completely different looks without changing the basic assembly.

I also love that this project lets you use up smaller scraps of specialty cardstock. That glitter zipper? Just a tiny leftover piece from another project. The tassel? Another small scrap. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the “bits and pieces” drawer holds exactly what you need to take a design over the top.

Why This Project is Worth Trying

This little gift bag is more than just a fun one-off project. It’s a great example of thinking outside the box (or in this case, the backpack) and making the most of what you have. Plus, it’s fast to put together once you’ve cut your pieces—meaning you can whip up a batch in an afternoon.

If you want to see exactly how it comes together, I walk through the process in my video tutorial. You’ll see how the dies fit together, how I adjust the box strips for a perfect fit, and a few assembly tricks that make the whole process smooth.

Final Thoughts

Next time you look at your die stash, ask yourself: “What else could this become?” You might be surprised at the possibilities hiding in plain sight. And if you try turning your Backpack Builder Die Set into a gift bag, I’d love to see it—tag me or share in your favorite crafting group. There’s something so inspiring about seeing how one idea can take on dozens of different interpretations in other crafters’ hands.

Die Cutting Hack: Make a Gift Bag from Your Backpack Builder Die Video Tutorial:

If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking Here!

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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