Tuck a Christmas ornament into these luxury faux leather gift bags and transform simple gifts into handmade treasured keepsakes. They’ll never know it’s design on a dime with simple, easy to find materials. 

You’ll just need some heavy grocery store bags, watercolors, glue and alcohol markers for basic materials. For the added texture you’ll need embossing folders and an embossing machine.

Begin by cutting your bag to size. Color wash with dark brown watercolors to get the desired shade and color. If you just want to make leather paper for a book cover, color each side.

Construct and glue your bag like a simple flat shopping bag with two flaps. 

Aleen’s Tacky Glue from Dollar Tree or Walmart will give your bag a leather like sheen. Just cover each side with a thin coat and allow to dry completely. Place in your embossing folder and emboss.

To color the embossed (raised) side of your embossed bag you will need some alcohol markers. Color as much or as little as you desire. 

If you don’t have an embossing machine don’t worry, you can still color designs on your faux leather with alcohol markers. 

Make a notch at the top and your sturdy faux leather bag is complete. If you want to add string handles, strengthen your holes with an eyelet or a heavy hole reinforcer.

Create some stunning hand colored faux leather paper for gift bags and make your gifts extra special or use for other paper craft projects.

Happy paper crafting!