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Saturday 1 September 2012

Rustic Gift Bags - Saturday 1st September

Good Morning blog friends!


Hope you are all looking forward to a good weekend!...I can't believe that it is September already, we haven't even had Summer yet!

I didn't get a lot of crafting done yesterday, Tom had a day off and we had lots to do, last night I met my friend Amy to discuss our next workshop - our first Christmas one, which is only 2 weeks away.
However, during the afternoon I did take an hour or so away from Christmas cards, to decorate these little jute bags I got from Calico Crafts which is a great source of everything for altered art lovers and which I have been using for many years.




I actually saw a similar project in this month's copy of Papercraft Magazine, which is a mag I bought when I was in the US a few years ago and have had delivered ever since; sometimes it's good to have a different 'take' on trends and probably from having spent a fair bit of time there over the years, I really like American Country style decor and primitive, rustic art.

For the first bag, I printed some polka dot paper from the Polkadoodles 'Wonderland' CD, cut a strip about 7cms/3ins width and long enough to fit around the bag. I tore along one edge and then used Worn Lipstick distress ink to colour along the tear, then used a Martha Stewart punch to decorate the opposite edge.

I used Sue Wilson's lovely Vintage Lace Motifs die by Spellbinders to make the centre, but when I cut it, I also used a piece of wax paper between the die and the  plain white paper. Using wax paper with more intricate dies makes them easier to pop out, but they also make lovely die cuts themselves, very delicate. I bought a roll of wax paper in 'Kitchens' and it really looks like vellum when cut. To finish off, I inked the edges with the same ink.

The flowers were made using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One, cut in felt.

For the second bag, I used the same die, but this time Kraft paper and coredinations paper. I used some vintage floral paper from stash for the strip around the card, but cut a straight edge this time and used a different Martha Stewart punch for the edge.

I coloured the edges of the paper with Tea Dye distress ink and tied some vintage pink bakers twine around it.

As I was making these, I was thinking that it might be nice to use those cupcake paper holders to make the strip around the bag.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you like today's paper crafting with a twist!

Carole X


8 comments:

  1. A really super idea Carole - so different. I like what youhave done with them, making them both so different. Have a good weekend - hopefully not quite so busy as your last one! love from Christine x

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  2. Hi Carole,
    what a wonderful idea. Would make nice presents for someone. I love the way you decorate anything unusual. Must branch out a bit more, something out of my comfort zone, I think. Thank you for the inspiration.
    Have a great crafty day everyone.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  3. Hi Carole, your little bags are delightful and I am so impressed that you made your flowers from felt, they are gorgeous. They would be great for little gifts at Christmas or bithdays, love them! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  4. What a super idea and what fabulous little bags , thank you so much for your super comments on my blog . Have a super weekend
    Big Hugs Elaine

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  5. Love these little bags, they will be great for little gifts.

    Patricia x

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  6. Hi Carole, these little bags are so lovely and how clever to come up with such a different idea. Like Jenny this would be outside my comfort zone but must start thinking outside the box. You most definitely have an artistic and creative talent and come up with some fantastic ideas, very inspirational.

    Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments for my cards showcased on Linda's Creative Harmony blog. I really do appreciate your time and every comment gives me encouragement and boosts my confidence for my crafting journey.

    Hope you are having an enjoyable Saturday, love Christine H xx

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  7. Hi Carole,
    This is so different and so EXPENSIVE if you read todays news. Yes, I am not joking. A paperbag is being sold out all over the world by the designer of the last trend, the Acrylic bag, and it sells for £185! It is just like your bag but in coated brown paper and has NO embellies at all. Go figure that!!
    Fashion is a madness all its own and if people want to pay silly money for silly things let them, as long I don't have to.LOL!!
    Yours is at least worth money, hers was only suitable for the apples!
    Bigs Hugs Linda x

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  8. Hi Carole - what lovely little bags - you have used one of my favourite cds (Polka Doodles)and my favourite punches (Martha Stewart). They now look really expensive (love linda's comment about the apple bags - had to giggle but I do agree) such pretty flowers as well. I just wish I had half your energy.

    Thanks for wishing me well Carole - I am definitely perky!

    Hugs to you Sue P xxx

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