Provence Inspired Gift Bag

My individual project for this challenge was to create five identical gift bags with a total budget of $200. Inviting your friends over for a themed party is a fun & exciting way to pull out your personal bag of "creativity". I believe in going "over the top" with your table décor and food…and perhaps your entertainment too. Since the theme for the team challenge of this episode was French, I thought what better gift to give your guests to take home than A Taste of Provence.

Supplies
1 roll yellow cellophane wrap - cut five 25" squares
2 large sheets colorful tissue paper - cut five 25" squares
1 roll of wired crystals - cut five even strands
5 pheasant feathers
5 each 5"x5" white linen embroidered cocktail napkins
5 bottles of your favorite Sauterne (I chose a 1999
Chateau Riussec)
French brie - sliced to 4x2 wedges
purchased toast points - allow 3 per gift bag
1 bunch dried lavender
1 live lavender plant
a few strands of raffia
parchment paper - cut 6" square - five each
1 yard of 1" lavender chiffon ribbon - cut to 8"
10 oz chocolate covered espresso beans

Instructions
Lay the cut cellophane wrap on your work surface. Place your pre-cut tissue paper on top (be sure the decorative side of the paper faces down at this point). Now place the linen napkin in the center of the papers. Place your Sauterne in the center of the napkin and set it aside.

Assemble the envelopes of espresso beans. Take the 6" parchment paper squares and place approx 6 oz of espresso a beans in the center. Wrap the parchment paper at least twice around the beans, then fold in the open edges as you would a present. Tie securely with two to three strands of raffia. Set aside.

Mixing dried and fresh lavender for this project adds that "over the top" feeling I wanted to evoke. For the lavender sachets, take 25 to 30 evenly cut dried lavender along with five to six stalks of live lavender and tie neatly with a length of chiffon ribbon. Take your cut wedge of brie and place atop two to three toast points. Wrap securely with a good plastic wrap.

To assemble the gift, take the lavender sachet, envelope of espresso beans and the brie and place next to wine on linen napkin. Gather all sides of the cellophane wrap around the neck of the wine. Hold papers securely with one hand while wrapping the wired crystal trim around the neck of the wine bottle with the other hand. Place a pheasant feather through the wired crystals to add yet another dimension to your gift. For my gift bags, I attached a simple note constructed out of a natural pressed paper that read, "ENJOY." That is the simplest sentiment I could ever give any guest - to enjoy. I hope your friends enjoy this Taste of Provence as much as mine did!