Wall Art from Paper Bags
Farmhouse style is my favorite home decor because it’s so practical and pretty. This fall and winter I’ve decided to add more farmhouse elements to our home … mostly in the form of farm animals. As I was unsuccessfully combing the store for farm-y wall decor, I spied a couple of decorative Kraft paper bags with a goat and llama on them.
I thought to myself, “why can’t they make decorative prints like these paper bags?”
And then it dawned on me to make my own!
I purchased both of the farm animal Kraft bags at World Market, along with a couple of burlap canvases painted white from the local craft store, and some heavy twine. I knew in my head what I wanted my new wall art to look like.
I cut the fronts off of the paper bags and then carefully removed the handles. They’re just hot-glued on so it was easy to take the handle off without ripping the bag.
I then carefully tore the edges around the animal heads so the prints would have a more rustic look. I then applied Mod Podge to the back of the paper bag and carefully adhered the print to the burlap canvas. The canvases from Hobby Lobby were already painted white, which gives a matted frame look to the wall art.
After letting the Mod Podge dry, I added a stretch of heavy twine to the top of the canvases to hang my farm animal wall art. I knotted each end of the twine, and then hot-glued the knotted ends to the burlap canvas.
After letting the hot glue dry, which doesn’t take very long, the fun part of creating a farmhouse vignette began!
I liked the red colors in the farm animal prints and gathered a bouquet of farm fresh flowers to accentuate the red.
Our local farm market sells bunches of fresh flowers for just $4 a bundle.
Lucky for me, I found a couple of small farm friends at the vintage store down the street.
I brought home an adorable sheep and pig to add to my new farmhouse vignette.
This reminded me of my sister’s college roommate who had an obsession with pigs. She collected every statue she found, and would stop the car if there were pigs out in the field.  Funny … for a little while after college, my sister and her hubby raised pigs on their farm!  Too bad she was no longer in touch with her former college pig-lovin’ friend.
Is it just me or does the pig have a sinister look in his eyes?
Even the sheep looks a little miffed.
Next time you’re in the store admiring the cute Kraft paper gift bags, think about turning them into simple wall art for your home. You can apply them to burlap canvas like I did, or simply cut out the front of the bag and frame it!
Now I’m in search of something with a cow on it!
Love your paper bag prints! A great idea to add to our late 1700’s farmhouse.
We also have a dresser and pitcher very similar to the ones in the photo…I am headed out to the garden for an assortment of flowers once I locate my pitcher…thanks again for the ideas!
Have a a wonderfully creative day! Kallie
Your artwork is adorable!
They look great, Jennifer! I have been collecting bags for wall art for a few years now, but could never decide how to display them. Now I know! Thanks for sharing this clever and easy idea.
xoKathleen
Where oh where did you find the Kraft bags. I’ve been searching, but unsuccessful
Hi Sydne!
I found them at World Market. If you don’t have a store near you, you can order them online:
http://www.worldmarket.com/brancillary.do?braction=mlt&pid=209590&title=Alpacas+Kraft+Market+Gift+Bags%2C+Set+of+2&context=directory
The art work is adorable and so creative. Yep your sheep and pig look a little angry lol!!!!!
Have a great new week.
Kris
What an inventive way to make some farmhouse prints! They look great!
Jennifer, this is so clever! I’m going to be looking at paper bags in the stores now! Thank you for the inspiration. Hope you would share these at my link party on Idea Box this Thursday! (?)
That pig definitely has a sinister look .
fantastic job!
I love the llama! So cute!
So creative! I love them. Pinned. 🙂
I LOVE this!! How cute! I want to check out World Market for these bags. What a great idea.
These are adorable! Watch out for those sinister farm animals. They’re cute but you never know what is going on behind those eyes…
The pigs choice of transport is too clever…reminds me of the antics of Toddlerhood, especially because the body is so big and the feet just fit. I think he looks like he is thinking “oh, silly me, I thought I would fit better than I do. Quick someone make it fun and say ‘Wheeee” before I start to cry.”
I think, from the pictures at least, that the art could be hung a tad closer together but then I cannot see the whole space. Maybe it needs to be hung (as it is) to give balance to the total space. Just seems the lama could move in a little closer.
Your whole space there is cute and nicely done.
These would also be cute in a nursery or play room.
To clarify…I should have said, the lama print could move in a little closer to the other print.
What a fabulous idea! I’m on the hunt for cute brown bags now!
you are so clever, I am going to copy this idea!
Thanks 🙂