Saturday, March 29, 2008

Paper Bag Challenge

For the http://www.fibreandstitch.com/ yahoo group paper bag challenge I finally ended up with some pieces that I like. I can't remember how many times I've painted and scrunched brown paper bags without using them for anything. The challenge was to not only paint paper bags but create a 3-D object using the paper. On the fibrestitch site there is a pattern for a business card that gave me the idea of making some credit card pouches for the myriad of cards my poor sad wallet was filled to brim with. I'm always misplacing debit card receipts so I made a pouch to keep them in. Then there is the discount cards that grocery stores seem to think we all need; they now have a separate pouch and the few credit cards I carry also have their own pouch. I've needed a new wallet for quite some time. I decided to make a simple one with curved sides that has a small coin pouch attached to it. The gold metal leaf shape didn't photograph very well; I'll probably wrap some cord around the wallet to help keep it closed.


Layers and layers of paint were applied to the paper bags and allowed to dry. Then the paper was scrunched a couple of times. Dye ink pads were rubbed over the surface to highlight the creases followed by gold. Each of the pieces has a couple of coats of acrylic wax on it to protect the paper.

The two examples of painted paper bags on the lower right weren't scrunched.

Quote: Begin with another's to end up with your own.
Baltasar Grecian

9 comments:

Carol said...

These are lush Gail, well done. Love the colours.

Judiwithaneye00 said...

Good heavens, woman, when you get on a roll - you get on a ROLL! I think I am going to have to make some of these papers. The idea for the pouches is great. Simply gorgeous - I can't even imagine how they must look in person!

Judi (withaneye)

Winter Wanderings said...

wow! wonderful work yet again!!! I can hardly wait to see what you create next.

Digitalgran said...

Lovely work Gail. I must try and make some too.

Val Foster said...

These are AMAZING, Gail. Very rich looking, and they do look like leather. Just beautiful, and also very functional. I'd love to make me a wallet and some credit card/plastic card pouches, I could sure use them.

This inspires me, but I'm not sure when I'll have time to tackle this project.

Unknown said...

These papers are stunning, gorgeous colours and texture

Penny said...

these look terrific Gail. Hope you enjoy Las Vegas. we will be in San Diego from the 13th to the 17th before we come home, looked at getting to your area but with no car not feasable. Bother.

Marilyn said...

Gail, I love what you've done with the simple brown bag. Stunning.

Ro Bruhn said...

Beautiful papers, I love this technique and use it often. I love the way the paper ends up looking like leather.