Do you ever get tired of store-bought gift bags? I do! They are expensive. Most of the time they are used once and discarded. It just seems like a waste all the way around. But on the flip side, I love giving gifts and need something to put them in. So, I decided to make gift bags that could be used well beyond the gift.

With my Spoonful Lab approaching, I wanted to give all my attendees a great SWAG Bag. While I was out getting supplies, I found these canvas bags at Hobby Lobby. They came in a pack of three for $8. However by using the weekly 40% off coupon they come out to $1.60 each before tax. Can you even buy a large paper gift bag for $1.60?!? You feeling me now? This thing is a no brainer and will be a hit the next time you have gifts to give.

After bringing the bags home, I came up with a simple design to make them special and I want to share the process with you today.

I started with the blank canvases bags and a little acrylic paint.

I cut a stencil out that I liked. I big heart is always easy, subtle but has a big message.

I then dabbed paint into my stencil just like I did on my Shine Sweatshirt. The key is to go all over sporadically. Don’t start at one side and move across. To get the different levels of thickness of paint, dab all over randomly till it fills in.

Once the paint dries, you have a really pretty and fun gift bag that is as pretty as a screen print and cost you way less. I love how these bags are a gift alone, yet you can use them to give gifts. Add a little ribbon and a card or tag, and it’s ready to go!

This idea of embellishing a pre-existing bag is something I love to do. If you like this idea of taking something premade and just embellishing it, you will like my Little Tote Bag and my Ruffled Fabric Bag. Isn’t it great how we can make something nice for less, if we just use our imagination!? I love it.