*Any of the suggestions in brown paper or shelf paper section
*Use paper punch to punch holes across the top. Thread yarn, ribbon, etc. through and tie a bow.
*Spray paint gold and tie with lace or velvet ribbon
*Applique using fabric and fusible web. Measure height and width and subtract 1/4" from all measurements. Cut out fabric piece and fusible web using these measurements. Use an iron to fuse fabric and fusible web to bag. Cut out pieces for applique and fuse to bag.
*Glue cards or pictures to front of bag. Decorate with sprigs of artificial greenery or buttons
*Cut out a design in the front of the bag. Glue fabric or pretty paper to the back of the cut-out hole
*When using buttons on a paper bag-use pliers to bend shank in half. Insert through hole punched in bag and spread shank open.
*Use pieces of felt, fabric, paper, batting, etc. to create Santa and other faces on the front of the bag.
*Using decorative paper, paper-piece a design to the front of the bag.
*Open a lunch bag and use it as a pattern. Trace the pattern on wall paper or gift wrap. Cut out and glue bag together.
*Making fabric bags. Determine finish size of bag. Add 1/2" to width. Double length and add 2". Press in half. Sew side seams 1/4". Leave top open. Finish top edge by turning fabric under and top-stitch. For a flat bottom. Stitch 1/2" to 1" across each corner.
*Tie bag with ribbon, twine, string, fabric scraps torn into strips, raffia, gold cord, etc.
*Paint a design on front of bag
*Applique a design to front of bag
*Rubber stamp a design to the bag using fabric paints
*Using fabric paint, stencil a design onto bag.
*Arrange buttons into a design on the front of the bag
*Recycled popcorn can, large juice can, galvanized buckets, vegetable cans, potato chip cans or new empty paint cans
*Using paint designed for metal, paint on a base coat. When dry paint on a design or use a stencil
*Crackle-finish a can
*Wrap with strips of fabric or ribbon
*Glue on wooden cutouts
*Decoupage on a picture
*Wrapping paper. Measure size of can and add 1/2" to width. Cut out wrapping paper to measured size. Apply spray adhesive to wrong side of paper. Apply to can.
*Create a label using a computer or hand-drawn. Glue to can.
*Draw a simple design on the can. Using a nail, punch the design shape.
*Glue long cinnamon sticks or candy canes around can. Tie with a red bow
*See basket section for fill-ins for your container
Clay pots
*Gild. Paint on dark basecoat and let dry. Dry brush metallic gold or silver paint over.
*Gild rim only
*Weathered look. Basecoat in a dark color. Let dry. Paint lighter color over. Let dry. Gently scrub the pot to remove some of the light paint. Seal with spray sealer.
*Sponge paint. Apply base coat and let dry. For second color choose paint that is lighter or darker. Dip a dampen sponge into paint, remove excess paint on paper towel. Use light stamping motion to paint with.
*Stencil a design on the pot
*Decoupage a picture to the pot.
*Paint a picture on the pot.
*Splatter paint. Apply sealer and let dry. Apply basecoat of paint. Let dry. Thin accent paint. Splatter on colors. Occasionally splattering some basecoat paint.
*See basket section for fill-ins for your container
*To make a lid for your pot: Glue a knob to the bottom of the pot's saucer. Paint knob and saucer the same as the pot.
*Fabric covered jar lids: Draw around the lid. Cut a fabric circle 1 1/2" to 3 1/2" from the drawn line. Center fabric over lid and secure with rubber band.
*Ribbon. Cut 9" piece of wired ribbon. Notch ends. Center over mason jar and screw on lid.
*Solid lid e.g. pickle jar. Draw around lid on wrong side of fabric. Cut circle 1/4" inside drawn line. Glue to top.
*Other jar toppers
Paper doilies Lace handkerchief Batten burg lace square Paper from brown sack Wrapping paper Tissue paper
*Decorate fabric or paper toppers
Cross stitch Applique Rubber stamp
*Tie around top with
Twine Raffia Yarn Lace 2 or 3 colors 1/8 or 1/4" wide ribbon Wired stars Cording
Lunch and Grocery Bags
