You’ve seen them at all the local shops, recycled shopping bags you can buy for a buck or two and use instead of “paper or plastic”. Well, at Walmart, the store brand bags are only 50 cents but they aren’t all that exciting to look at. So, when I was asked if I would do a project featuring Plaid products available at Walmart, I had to grab one of these shopping bags and try them out for some crafting fun.
Handprint shopping bag
I started out with the idea to paint the bag and then add kid art on top of the white paint. However, the bags are so porous, the paint just soaked right in. So plan B it is… create a workable canvas area, decoupage newspaper with Mod Podge right on to the bag!
Make your own handprint shopping bag
Materials:
- Recycled shopping bag
- Mod Podge
- Newspaper
- Plaid’s Apple Barrel craft paint
- Paint brushes
- Someone’s hand
PLAID craft supplies available at Walmart
Instructions:
- Put a piece of cardboard, covered in plastic wrap, inside the shopping bag. This will prevent the paint and Mod Podge from sticking the inside of the bag together.
- Decoupage newspaper on to the front of the shopping bag. Let dry overnight.
If you’re unfamiliar, decoupage by painting on a layer of Mod Podge directly on to the bag. Before it dries apply pieces of newspaper and quickly apply another layer of Mod Podge on top. Make sure the bag and paper are thoroughly wet. - Paint newspaper white. Let dry. Repeat until desired coverage.
- Pour colored paint on to a paper plate (or other paint friendly palette). Don’t mix the colors, just apply colors next to each other.
- Place hand in paint, apply to bag where desired. Repeat for number of handprints you’d like.
- Paint extra details such as dots, stripes and a border around the piece. Let dry.
- Seal and protect with a coat of Mod Podge (optional).
Painted bag didn't work, needs decoupage
Decoupage newspaper on to bag with Mod Podge
Note: Paint the newspaper white before adding handprints.
Colorful handprints using a plate of different colored Plaid paints
Colorful painted handprint shopping bag by Jen Goode
Find more craft inspiration from Plaid:
Painting with Plaid paint
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
oh my gosh! that is so stinkin’ cute! I love that you mixed the colors… that really MAKES this project!
gail
Gail, thank you! The color mixing is one of my favorite parts, it’s a neat way to make it completely original without doing much extra. After a while, the paint gets a bit muddy from all the color mixing, so if you try this yourself, make sure to use only a little paint so you can create a new color mix when the colors get muddy.
Great project! I love the color choices. We are going to have to make a handprint project by painting the hands that way- looks like fun! I bet you will get a lot of people commenting when you are out-n-about using it
Clever idea and a lot of Fun!
Thank you Walter, we had a ton of fun making this shopping bag. If you make one, I’d love to hear about it!
I love a personalized project, you guys will love looking back on this
It’s great!
Very cool!
So so cute Jen! Makes me want to put some paint on my hands! haha!