Packaging with 'Re-Purpose'

I love re-purposing and altering, especially kraft bags!

I will take you through all the tricks to create these lovely packages using just ordinary brown kraft bags!

KRAFT HANDLED BAG INSTRUCTIONS

Let's begin with the kraft handled bag shown on the left that has two flowers decorating the front of the bag.   I was inspired last year from a magazine showing a similar project and have tweaked it to add my own particular style.

The flowers couldn't be easier and go together in no time.  Hand cut 6 circles of 2 each:  3," 2-1/2", 2."  (The circles are approximations depending upon your project.)  I also added a couple of layers of tissue paper for added interest.

Stack all the layers, punch a hole in the center and insert a brad.

Scrunch each layer toward the center.

It will look like this when all layers are scrunched.  Do not be afraid to really, really scrunch!

Spread out each layer and voila!

The twisted stems are my favorite part!  Begin with a length of brown kraft 2-1/2" wide.  It is important to gently scrunch the entire length of paper first to break the fibers prior to twisting.

Starting at one end, begin twisting, scrunching, twisting, scrunching until it is twisted nice and tight.

The leaves are very easy to create by folding a length of paper in half and hand cutting a leaf shape.

Open the two halves and scrunch/pinch at the center.

Cut the two halves apart.

To construct the bag front, lay the stems on the bag front in a pleasing way.  Hot glue the bottom stem onto the bag first and then glue the other end in place.  Add the flower.  Do the same for the second stem.  Hot glue the leaves under the stems being careful to not over glue as it will show.  That is all the gluing needed on the stems in those three places.

The bow tied on the handle begins with another length of paper about 2-1/2" wide and is folded in a 'Z' fold.

Find the center and scrunch/pinch and tie with jute, twine or string.

The tag was a scrap piece of chipboard diecut with a Sizzix die.  The sentiment and image are from A muse Studio.  The leaves were watercolor distressed using Ranger Distress inks and misting with water.

LUNCH BAG INSTRUCTIONS

The lunch bag is an extra large size lunch bag and is folded not quite in half.  The paper ruffle was completed first by cutting a length of brownkraft 2-1/2" and running tape runner along the top of one long side.

Flip the paper over so the tape is facing away and hand gather by scrunching and pushing the paper.  This is very random and is not meant to be perfect by any means.

Find where the placement of the ruffle will be on the bag flap and run tape runner on the bag (not the ruffle).  Lay down the ruffle over the taped line and scrunch and adjust as necessary.  Cut away any excess ruffle.

Hot glue the flower at the center of the ruffle.  Create two bow loops simply by folding a length of paper in half and scrunch/pinch the open end and staple in place.  Hot glue each loop behind the flower.

Here's a closeup of the finished steps.

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial and have discovered some new paper art tricks to try!  I'd love to see what projects you create using these techniques!

Happy paper crafting!

Lyn