Hello my friends....it's been a wonderful day...productive and now, just how I like it to end...with my little one out tinkering in the garage with her daddy....she's most definitely her daddy's girl....but she lets me think I'm important too... once in a while :)
I've got Beef Stroganoff cooking and Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies baking...the sun is going down, the shadows are long, and it's just about time for the bedtime ritual to begin.
I've always found the average, brown, lunch bag a bit exciting....I remember transforming them into puppets as a little girl, collecting leafs in them in the fall, shaking up freshly popped popcorn, melty, butter and salt, using them to collect Valentines in, and many other things....I still look at them with fondness....mostly for the simple act of love they represent...that of someone packing it with goodies for someone else...mainly, someone thinking of someone else. I love packing a lunch for my little one to take to school....it's nice to includeher favorite things and know that her little tummy will be full until she returns home. We have graduated from the little brown lunch bag to the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine lunch box, but the act is the same.
Quite a while ago, my friend Mish sent me a bare paper bag pocket as a little treat after I ordered some of her fun etsy items. I was instantly enticed....I couldn't wait to dress it up and spoil it with my favorite things. The other day, I decided to make a few pockets of my own using a smaller version of the brown lunch bag...they made the perfect little pockets to slip a freshly baked cookie inside and include in my little girl's lunch...or for her to deliver to her teacher...thank you Mish for such a fun, project to make my own.
I used Crate Paper's new Restoration collection on theses....I am so in love with all of the beautiful patterned papers, chipboard elements, cardstock stickers, etc....they speak to my shabby soul.
My mind is racing with more ideas for these sweet pockets....and it all started with the simple, brown, lunch bag.
Lastly...a bright and cheery, hugs and kisses, playful, kind of card...created for Darkroom Door...
You can read more about the Darkroom Door products I used on this card HERE. I'm loving the French Script Background stamp and the Photobooth images...they are so much fun to play with.
Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday...thanks for visiting.
Melis
these are just gorgeous with your signature touch!
Posted by: Kara | August 25, 2010 at 09:08 PM
I agree with Kara. These little pockets have taken on new life with the touch of your creative hand, Melissa.
Isn't it exciting how something so simple and plain can be made into such beautiful offerings! Thank you for the sharing your ideas.
Posted by: Bev | August 25, 2010 at 10:20 PM
These are so pretty ... would never think they started life as a plain brown bag ... your lovin' has done them proud!
Posted by: Ros | August 26, 2010 at 01:07 AM
Your altered paper bag pockets are just beautiful, Melissa!! And I love the Crate Paper Restorations paper! Wow! Can't wait to get my hands on some of that! You just amaze me with you creative talents! Thanks so much for sharing with us on your sweet little blog. We are blessed!
Posted by: Becky Elliott | August 26, 2010 at 03:51 AM
how fun. love the idea. inspiration keeps me stampin and playin. thanks for keeping the juices flowing. have a great week.
Posted by: laura huffman | August 26, 2010 at 05:21 AM
I really am speechless after viewing your lovely paper bags and reading your musings... contentment...pure, sweet contentment is how I am left...what a great way to start my day. Thanks for the loveliness.
Posted by: Betsy | August 26, 2010 at 06:20 AM
Simply {delicious}!!! Your little one is lucky to have such a talented and thoughtful Mama :)
Posted by: Debbie Marcinkiewicz | August 26, 2010 at 06:24 AM
These lunch bags are adorable, but I am head over heels for your card. I just love it - your style just speaks to me! I haven't shopped with Darkroom Door before, but I think I would have a great time with these Photobooth images! Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Posted by: Anya | August 26, 2010 at 08:27 AM
What a wonderful idea! I've made mini albums in the past with brown bags and that is fun too. As always I LOVE your creations sigh....:-)
Posted by: Char | August 26, 2010 at 08:32 AM
*sigh* you and Mish have such a way of making these everyday things so yummy to look at....
Posted by: Romaine | August 26, 2010 at 09:26 AM
superbe bravo md
Posted by: MD | August 26, 2010 at 11:54 AM
LOVE these paper bag pockets and I want to go and create some right now!
Posted by: Diane Jaquay | August 26, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Melissa,
Could you give us a little description of how you cut your paper bags down to size? Maybe a few details to help us make our own? Thanks!! I ordered the Crate Paper Restoration line today because I was so inspired today by your altered bags!
Posted by: Becky Elliott | August 26, 2010 at 01:50 PM
How sweet! I'd love to find one of these in my lunch. And, boy do you make the best sounding meals to fill your family's tummies. Yum. Thanks for sharing your goodness.
Posted by: Troy Louise | August 26, 2010 at 03:18 PM
We have been out with the flu here on this end... its so nice to log on and be inspired by your loving words and memories.. I too, have such a fondness for that KRAFT bag, the color, feel and all the possibilities of the goodies inside.
I adore these pockets Melissa.. always so beautiful and when I get rid of this achiness will get up and make something yummy for my family to eat.
Peace,
Kim
Posted by: Kim Faucher | August 26, 2010 at 04:37 PM
I agree with Becky, can you tell us a little more about how you did this? They're really pretty.
Posted by: Heather | August 26, 2010 at 07:57 PM
you dressed up those pouches so beautifully!! it would be such a delight to see them in a lunch box!
Posted by: Alice W. | August 27, 2010 at 12:06 AM
I agree with what Becky says above, can you show how to make the little pocket from the paperbag?!? Please?! I can handle the embellishing, but I am not good at transforming a paper bag (or envelope, etc. ) to another use. Thanks for sharing these!!
Posted by: Lee Cockrum | August 27, 2010 at 07:15 AM
Oh my.... If I ever receive a lunch bag like this I put it in a silver frame and hang it in my living room. It's pure beauty and an eye-catcher. It has a place in my heart already. I'm smitten, What more can I say? The same goes for the card and your heartfelt story. Thank you Melissa for all the beautiful things you create!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Stella | August 27, 2010 at 02:02 PM
Melissa,
I fell in love with these today and ran to my local Smart n Final to buy brown paper bags (got two sizes) and then could not find the white pastry bags for inside the pocket. What are they called and where did you get them? I talked my drive through Coffee Kiosk into giving me a few of the ones they out my scones in, but they are too big for a regular brown paper bag. Please help!
Posted by: Tamera | August 27, 2010 at 06:58 PM
Two of my favorites, paper bags and pockets. You seem like such a lady so please take this as a compliment... You rocked these!
Posted by: Domenico | August 27, 2010 at 10:10 PM
I love the brown bag idea of slipping a cookie in a pocket. Please share instructions on how to make this little brown bag with a cookie pocket. I would love to make for my friends.
Thanks
Posted by: Christine Piazza | September 05, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Sweet Bags. I love these.
Posted by: Replica Handbags | November 03, 2010 at 01:58 AM
Thanks very interesting blog!
Posted by: kwanglim.ca | November 09, 2013 at 09:24 PM
I don't understand how you made the bag envelope itself. Would you please post directions. It would be so fun to decorate and share some of these. Yours are so cute!!
Posted by: Woodstock | June 25, 2015 at 09:07 PM