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You are never going to believe what I used in this frame…a paper bag. Yes a paper bag that started out just like this one.
I came across a craft challenge last week and thought it would be fun to participate. That is until I read what this month’s challenge is: paper bag. Um what, a paper bag! I use paper bags to hold recycling, donations, and trash. Creating a craft project had me stumped. I had decided I would just wait until next month.
Then I saw this thrift store frame that I painted for another project that never came to fruition and my idea was born.
This is how the frame started before sanding and painting.
Not very pretty, but some leftover paint saved the day!
The next step in the project was to cut a portion out of the above pictured paper bag that would fit into our printer. I grabbed a piece of plain white printer paper to use as a guide. The paper you cut from your bag does not need to be perfect, because you will need to cut it down to fit in the frame after printing. Just make sure it fits nicely into your printer.
I had no problem with printing. I was very anxious about this. We purchased a new color laser printer last fall that I love (most times). At Christmas time, my oldest son needed a shirt for a special day at school. No problem, I picked up a t-shirt at Hobby Lobby, found an image online I liked, and printed it onto my fabric transfer paper. The paper did not like our new printer and left quite the mess (we were able to clean it up). My husband very nicely pointed out that my paper is for inkjet printers-not laser. A couple months later, I tried printing on burlap. No messy printer this time, but it did not print dark enough. After two failed projects with the new printer, I was reluctant to try a third.
The paper bag printed great!
Bless This Home printable. This fits into a 5×7 frame.
This picture shows the bag after I cut it down to fit my frame.
The next step was to add it to the painted frame. I glued a flower that I had leftover from another project onto the outside of the frame to complete the project.
I love how this turned out and may have to try paper bag printing again soon.
Linking this project up for April Craft Challenge. Click here to see to where I am linking up.
Brilliant! It looks so nice, too.
Love this Kim! I featured you on my FB page and suggested it as a fabulous Mother’s Day gift. Thanks for linking up at the Wonderful Wed. Blog Hop! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Thanks Carrie! I appreciate your comments! Thanks for featuring the project on FB!
you are so brave to run so many odd things through the printer! I had no idea you could do burlap or paper bags. Too neat 🙂 Love your print and the flower makes it just that much sweeter! Thanks for sharing with us at the creative challenge!
Thanks Kristina & Millie! I need to get a cheap printer to do my experimenting on. Looking forwarding to next month’s challenge! 🙂
Ohhh glad to know you are planning to return next month! I hope you return next week too as this craft will be featured! Thanks for the inspiration, Millie
Thanks Millie! I am very excited to be featured!
I love paper bags. I use them for everything (they make great wrapping paper), and they’re free! Stopping by from Wonderful Wednesday.
Thanks for stopping by Jenny.
Very clever! It turned out wonderful. I never would of thought of cutting a paper bag down to run through printer. Love the color of you painted the frame too. Amazing what a little paint can do. Thank you for sharing, I will have to try this. Pinning!
Thanks Linda!
Cute! What a fun way to give it the rustic type look and recycling all at the same time!
Wow – that is amazing – so cool! I’m visiting from Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Thanks
Angie
Thanks Angie!
Love this challenge! This kind of thing is right up my alley!
It was a lot of fun Rose!
This looks great! I like the bag color… just plain brown paper… and the whole thing together is great. 🙂
Thank you Gentle Joy!
This is such a thrifty idea…I love it! Pinning it!
Thanks Christine!
I LOVE this project….I can not wait to try it very soon. Pinning. We would love for you to share with us at Party in Your PJs, our weekly link party.
Thanks Kim! I would love to share at your weekly link party! I will be stopping by!
This is pure genius!! I love love this idea and your super creativity! Shared on facebook and so glad that you linked this super project up to Making Memories Mondays! 🙂
Cathy
Thanks for sharing Cathy!
That is amazing. I would have never known it was a paper bag. Thanks for sharing at Motivational Monday Link Party! I can’t wait to see what you share this Sunday night.
Bethany from The Southern Couture
Thanks Bethany!
This came out so cute. Thanks for posting. Hello from Frugal Family.
Thanks Melissa! I had fun making it!
Love this! It’s so fun to make things like this. And paper bags have so many uses other than what they were originally intended for 🙂
I’ve pinned your post, thanks for sharing at #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup …hope to see you again this week!
Thanks Betsy!
Great idea to up-cycle a used paper bag! Thank you for stopping by and posting this awesome idea on the #ShareTheWealthSunday linkup
Thanks Gina!
That looks great! I’m always amazed when I see people making cute artwork out of such simple materials! I never would have even thought of that!
Thanks so much for linking up with #ShareTheWealthSunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Thanks Lisa!
I love how this turned out! The color on the frame is perfect. I would never have thought to use a paper bag as the backing for this, but I love it. I’m going to share it on my facebook page!
Thanks Aliza! Thanks for sharing!