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DIY Gift Bags – upcycled from paper shopping bags

April 1, 2014

Two ways to upcycle your paper shopping bags into DIY gift bags. Make a Swiss cross print bag with washi tape or a hand stamped polka dot bag with an ink pad and circle stamp (or potato.)

DIY Gift Bags - upcycled from paper shopping bags - By Patchwork Cactus

 

 

I love a good upcycle, almost as much as I love a DIY project that takes about three minutes. But mostly I love to give gifts that's wrapping is funky as hell. Right now my latest little obsession is finding a way to decorate all the paper shopping bags that I have been hoarding for the past little while.

DIY Gift Bags - upcycled paper shopping bags using washi Tape - By Patchwork Cactus.JPG

 

Swiss cross gift bag - using washi tape

Grab a paper bag and some washi tape then use the tape to make crosses. Hehehe that really didn't need an explanation… But if you are a bit of a cross-fan then you should totally check out the DIY Swiss Cross Blinds I made for the little lady's room. This bag has a small print on the other side with the name of the shop I on it, I just ignored it and kept the pattern going over the top and it looks fine. 

Polka dot gift bag – hand stamped

Grab a paper bag and either an ink pad or some paint then stamp whatever shape you want. I used some silver ink, and made a circle stamp out of craft foam  - this DIY Foam Stamp tutorial and this Hand Stamped Fabric tutorial have lots of details on both making and using stamps. If you don't have craft foam you can actually use basically anything, a raw sweet potato cut in two would be about the right size, or you could cut down an apple – triangles would also be sweet. Oh, now I really want to make a pineapple stamp, how cool would that look?

DIY Gift Bags - hand stamped paper shopping bags - By Patchwork Cactus.JPG

If you enjoyed this tutorial and want to give me a virtual fist bump you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter. You can also 'pin', 'share', 'tweet' or 'like' this tutorial using the buttons at the bottom of the post, just sayin'  xoxo babs

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Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: confetti, gift bag, hand stamped, paper bag, swiss cross, upcycle, washi tape

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca

    April 1, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    I love awesome styled gifts! I also love spots and washi tape so this looks like the project for me! Great job 🙂

    http://www.dancingthroughsunday.typepad.com

  2. EssentiallyJess

    April 4, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    I had never even thought of doing this!
    Though to be fair, I have also never bought washi tape, so I’m a little backward with crafty things 🙂

  3. Mrs Organised (alias Sandie) @ AppleBee Lane

    April 4, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    I love this idea. I’ve also been creative with brown bags in the past by adding a simple white doily … looks great!

  4. Patchwork Cactus

    April 6, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Rebecca, they’re the best! And the awesome thing about it is it’s a project that even kids can do!!

    xoxo

  5. Patchwork Cactus

    April 6, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Hahaha Jess,

    You can actually use electrical tape so this is total entry level craft ; )

  6. Patchwork Cactus

    April 6, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Sandie that would look so lovely!

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