DIY WEDNESDAY: Stenciled Gift Bags

Good morning!

This week has been karate camp at my martial arts school.  It is Wednesday, and I AM EXHAUSTED!  Basically I am running camp with the kids from 8-4pm, and then working the school and classes from 4-9pm.  It's a long day.

So today I am very happy to have a guest at Release Me Create to bring you today's adorable DIY Wednesday project!  She is a lifesaver, as I have not had any time to do anything this past week!

So today, I introduce you to Ashley.

from  

and her

DIY STENCILED GIFT BAG TUTORIAL

 This is a fun way to dress up gift or favor bags to suit the season, occasion, or theme in mind for your gifts. This technique works great for paper bags, or on reusable cloth bags, as you'll see in this tutorial.

Materials
Cloth or paper bag(s)
Acrylic paint for paper bag, or fabric paint for cloth bagpaint brush
Card stock or sheet of paper
Pencil
Craft knife
Cutting board
Small sheet of cardboard

Directions

Start with your cardstock or paper, and a pencil. To get your image, you have a few options: draw your image in pencil, from scratch; layer a printed image under thin paper, and trace with pencil; use a light box to trace an image to make your stencil; or, you can just print out an image directly from your computer, and use that as your stencil.

I chose to sketch mine - a little apple. 

Next, place your drawn or printed image on a self-healing cutting board, or any surface that you don't mind getting cut-up. Slowly follow the line with your sharp blade, using short, stabbing motions around the curves. 

Now, on to painting!

Place your newly-cut stencil over your bag. You may want to try it on regular paper or card stock first, to make sure you like the look of your stencil. Paint over the stencil with the color of your choice.

When painting a fabric bag, place a sturdy sheet of cardboard inside the bag, to keep the cloth firm, and to prevent any bleed-through of paint to the inside of the bag. 

When paint is dry, remove the card board inside, and you're done! These are perfect as small favor bags for weddings and parties, or larger bags for birthdays and holidays. I did use acrylic paint on my fabric bag, but if you plan on washing it, or if there's a chance of the bag getting wet, I recommend fabric paint.

Thank you so very much for your wonderful tutorial Ashley! Make sure you all go check out her incredible blog  for more awesome tutorials, artist features, and all-around awesomeness!
Have a great Wednesday!