If you like recycling and making one of a kind gift bags you’ll love these ideas that combine napkins and paper. 

You’ll need some heavy grocery store bags, napkins, watercolors, embossing folders and glue for basic materials. 

Begin by cutting your bag to 6.5″x10″. For the napkin only bag apply glue stick over the entire surface and glue your napkin on top. After it is dry apply brown watercolor paint. Construct your bag like a simple flat shopping bag and apply Aleen’s Tacky Glue to each side and let it dry completely.

Aleen’s Tacky Glue from Dollar Tree or Walmart will give your bag a leather like sheen.  

For the duo design bags begin with the same size and make a fold about one third from the top or bottom to use the fold line as guide and glue your napkin on one edge. Repeat applying brown watercolor paint over the entire surface. Again, construct your bag like a simple flat shopping bag and apply Aleen’s Tacky Glue to each side.

Once the bag is thoroughly dry you can emboss the leather part only with a complimentary embossing folder.

If you want to add string handles, strengthen your holes with a hole reinforcer or a metal eyelet. Use decorator scissors for a creative touch. Experiment with different types of handles and materials. If you want all of your bags to be uniform make a template, add holes for easy tracing and punching.

These luxurious gift bags can be tailored for any season or occasion and they also suit any skill level with easy to find materials. There is so much you can do with faux leather made from grocery store bags; from embossing to hand coloring to stenciling and more. Have fun and make a set today. 

Happy paper crafting!