Monday, December 21, 2009

gift bags from boxes

I have a bunch of little gifts I'm finishing up, but I already know that I won't complete everything on my list. There's always next year! What I do get done will be so much fun to wrap. I bet you can guess how much I love wrapping up handmade gifts in creative, repurposed packaging. Remember the art storage/display I made out of a turned-inside-out priority mail box? I used the same technique with cereal and cracker boxes to make "gift bags"! I punched holes in the sides and used selvedge , ribbons, or twine for handles. A glue gun was the easiest way to re-consruct each box.

For a substitute to tissue paper, I enjoy using old patterns (that I'd never use for sewing) found while thrifting. I love how you can customize these bags/boxes for each recipient. This one is for our music teacher. Vintage sheet music came from this lovely friend.


Happy packaging! Pin It
Posted by mayaluna at 7:55 AM Labels: , , ,

26 comments:

  1. Anne at Film and ThreadDecember 21, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    I love your idea to use old pattern pieces for the tissue, esp. for handmade gifts!

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  2. Betz WhiteDecember 21, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    Gorgeous! I think I need to assembly line some of these. So beautiful!

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  3. AnonymousDecember 21, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    This is such a practical way to repurpose. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. LeslieDecember 21, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Oh, your recycled bags are gorgeous! They are a gift all unto themselves :-)

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  5. Snippety GibbetDecember 21, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    Oh, I like that.

    Gift wrapping is just something I do not enjoy, not one little bit. If I saw it as an art project I might be able to get into it though. Thanks for the inspiration. jan

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  6. mrs.ladnessDecember 21, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    Maya,

    Thank you for your site. The barn restoration is one of my "happy places" i go when I am feeling blue. You have a unique eye for beauty.

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  7. Diva KreszlDecember 21, 2009 at 9:08 AM

    great idea...very 'green' !!!

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  8. i am pamDecember 21, 2009 at 9:29 AM

    very cool! thank you for sharing!

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  9. Melissa de la FuenteDecember 21, 2009 at 9:33 AM

    Oh, Maya....you never disappoint! I adore the way you look at the world and am constantly amazed and inspired by you my friend. I wish I could be a little fly on the wall as you go through your day! :)
    xo
    Melis

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  10. sMacThoughtsDecember 21, 2009 at 10:30 AM

    My gosh, this is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this!

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  11. CindiDecember 21, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    What a great idea! I'm sure each recipient will appreciate the though you put into the wrapping as much as they appreciate the gift. Merry Christmas!

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  12. DianaDecember 21, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    I love the way you think! Great way to reuse/recycle. Almost as nice as any gift! Did you sew on the box?

    Diana
    http://dianaartblog.blogspot.com

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  13. mayalunaDecember 21, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Thanks everyone! These are so simple, so I'm quite happy with how much you're all enjoying them.

    Diana- Yes, I sewed directly onto my box.
    warm wishes everyone!

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  14. *December 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    i love it!

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  15. decomarceDecember 21, 2009 at 1:29 PM

    Beautiful idea!!!

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  16. Mousy BrownDecember 21, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    Really beautiful and inspiring - Thank you :)

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  17. Margie OomenDecember 21, 2009 at 5:05 PM

    your packages are as beautiful as what I imagine lies within.

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  18. Court@BeautyFullyUsedDecember 21, 2009 at 6:31 PM

    love this idea!

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  19. MaryDecember 21, 2009 at 6:57 PM

    I LOVE your idea to use old patterns for tissue paper. Must get to the thrift shop soon!

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  20. AndreaDecember 21, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    That is so darling!

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  21. Pingkan Anita D.December 22, 2009 at 8:15 AM

    Hi, Maya.
    I love your idea. It is so usefull and beautiful.
    I like it.

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  22. DeniseDecember 22, 2009 at 2:25 PM

    This is so lovely! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas.

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  23. MollyDecember 22, 2009 at 10:13 PM

    i'm just so excited about the idea of using old patterns for tissue paper! they're a dime a dozen at most thrift stores, and i know that the women in my family would just love the idea of receiving a gift wrapped in an old, familiar pattern. thanks maya!

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  24. AnonymousDecember 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    so lovely. i created similar grift boxes out of cereal boxes that i decorated with magazine pictures.

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  25. JoanneDecember 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    LOVE these! So beautiful! Will be linking 12/28! :)

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  26. MacrosoftMarch 19, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    Excellent gift bags from boxes with good design.

    Gift Bags and Boxes

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