Primitive Transformation For Dollar Store Gift Bag

I had a dear friend purchase one of  my hand crafted Santa dolls as a gift.

I am always try to think of ways to package items to make them as special as the gift inside.

So , Here is the gift bag I purchased at one of the local Dollar stores, and added some prim touches to.

A pretty bag, with a somewhat primitive theme.  I thought the sled appropriate, since the gift inside is a Santa.  Had to get rid of the shiny shoestring handle first.  So , I untied the knots on the inside (I could have cut them too) and pulled them out.  I will save them for another project later.

Ok, that shiny tag hag to go too. I made my own from manilla colored card stock.  I placed the old one (opened out  so you get the full tag before folding) on a piece of cardstock, and traced,  Then I tore (NOT cut) it from the cardstock.  I folded it in half, and sewed the twine I will use for handles through it with a big eye needle. Edges have been stained.  See the method, and recipe below.

HINT: Use the old string handle you remove to measure the length of your new handles, or make it longer like I did if the item in the bag is tall.

 Poke the end of the jute through the hole in the right side of the bag, and tie a knot at the inside.  Making sure your tag hangs the correct direction, and opens from the right.  Repeat on the left side.  Attach the other handle to the back of the bag in the same way.








Score along the ruler top with your scissor blade to make a straight crease in the card stock. This will become the decorative top edge. Fold back, and then tear along the scored line  across the width of the sheet.
You may need to score, and tear yours the 11 inch direction if bag is bigger, or piece the strips together.
I used the top, and then the bottom of the sheet for the front and back of my bag, so at least one edge was a finished edge, and the other edge was torn.  Smaller, side pieces, came from  side edges.

I stained the torn edges with a small brush, and my coffee stain (recipe below).  I also added some stain around the edges of the tag.  If the first pass with the brush is not dark enough, re paint when dry. Make sure tag is dry completely before next step.

I hot glued the coffee stained strips I made (torn side down) around the front edge right under the handles, and added 2 shorter pieces around the sides.













 

Finished the bag off with a stream of white glue straight for the bottle along the edges of the sled, and top of packages, and dusted with old fashioned mica flakes.  You can leave this step out, depending on your printed design.  I only frosted the front side of mine, since the back won't get much attention.

      

Viola.  Here it is.  Transformed, and ready to deliver.
LOVE the way it turned out! Love the way the torn edge, and the tan tissue paper filler match!

Here are the materials and recipe

Purchased gift bag
Card stock (tan, grey, or manilla, NOT white.)
Jute twine and  Needle with large eye
Hot glue and Glue gun
White Glue and Mica Flakes
Old paint brush
Ruler and paper scissors
Coffee stain
 -dissolve 4 TB of instant coffee in 1 Cup hot water
(use the cheap, store brand. It works just as well)-

Primitive OOAK French Snowman Doll

This was the first snowman I made this season for my Etsy shop. For some reason, I wanted to add a beret to his head , I began calling him Jacques as he came to life. (for the famous French chef.  Love that show)

                                                                   Jacques Snowboy

So, I am pleased to present Jacques. He is a 17"  OOAK snowman with a pocket full of candy, and a prim candleholder.
Who knew France would soon be front and center in all the news this week?  It's kinda strange how France was on my mind then, and now even more so.  My thoughts, and condolences to the French people.

LOOK SO REAL PUMPKINS

  Just finished up this batch of fake pumpkins.  It' s funny how I cut them all the same size, but they take on a personality of their own.  I love them because, the are everlasting.  Hate buying those real ones, and they wither, and rot before Thanksgiving!

I also made some gourds, and am pretty happy with the way these turned out, too.

                                                               CLICK HERE to see details on both

SEPTEMBER SCARECROW WINNER!

Amanda Dotson won my scarecrow prize in the fall giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who participated with a comment.
Check back for October's  contest.
Be sure to comment on next month's post for your chance to win!!!
You can also find all the info for the next giveaway when it begins on my Facebook page.
 Give me a thumbs up, so you don't miss a thing there.

Happy Fall, Y'all.

Becky

OFG FALLING FOR FALL ON ETSY

Team OFG is celebrating fall with new items in member's Etsy stores.

View a sampling of the merchandise in the slide wheel at the right.

 Here are 4 of COTTON PICKING FOLK ART'S new listings, and to see more visit MY SHOP.

Primitive Black Cat Candy Corn Bowl Fillers

 Primitive Stuffed White Pumpkins

                                                             
                                                 Mouse Pincushion On Spool Base

                                            Set 3 Little Pumpkin Bowl Fillers                     

 Once your are on the Etsy site, search FFFOFG to see all participating shops.

 You won't be disappointed!

DESIGNING A QUILT

This is my latest project.  A pineapple table mat/wall hanging quilt.

I do a bit of research before I create a pattern, as to historical value, and color scheme that would have been used in the Colonial Era, since primitive hail from that time, and I am drawn to that for some reason.

This little quilt was just the right size for me!  I have tried before to create bigger quilts, but they were soon finished, and not quilted, due to their size.  It is like wrestling a bear to push yards of fabric through a sewing machine, and had to I send them out to be quilted.

This one was 18" square, so it was easy, to zip through the machine quilting part . Hardest part for me was designing the pattern so the cut work came out evenly.  I really enjoyed doing the handwork on the up cycled wool leaves, and fruit itself.

Love the way my little primitive quilt turned out. Find it here   QUILTED PINEAPPLE.

I am offering this pattern  as well, and you can find it here  MINI WELCOME QUILT PATTERN

WIN THIS SCARECROW SHELF SITTER BY COMMENTING

Paper Hang Tag Warns the crows to "Stay Away!"

One lucky person will win this scarecrow bust.  Odds depend on number of entries, and only 1 entry per person, please.

It could be you.  All you need to do is leave a comment on this post.  Hurry, you only have a few days.

The winner will be chosen by a random drawing On Saturday, Sept 12, 2015.

Like my new Facebook business page  Cotton Picking Folk Art . where I will post the winner of the contest on Sunday, Sept 13, 2015.  Get updates on sales , and info on other prize giveaways there, too.

If you are not on Facebook, use your email address to submit the comment (Not in the comment but at the beginning where it will ask for you email so it is kept private), and I will let you know by email if you win.  Emails are kept confidential, always.


Good Luck.