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How to make: Paper Bag Flower Lights

paper bag flower lights
Happy little accidents are the best kind, right? Last week I was at my friend Polly’s shop, where I was sitting up a new space. I needed some filler to fluff with, and there were slim pickin’s on what to choose from. Then I saw a stack of white paper bags. I started crumpling them and realized, “Hey! These look like flowers!” So my newest crazy idea was born.

paper bag flowers I came home that day and knew that I needed to spruce them up a bit, because I really had no use for paper flowers just sitting around. But then I happened upon a string of Christmas lights in my studio {‘cause we all have a supply of those, right?!?}  So I crumpled up more flowers and cut a tiny hole in the bottom of the bag.

IMG_9406 I stuck the light through the hole and used regular old wrapping tape to go over the wires and tape it down to the bag. Seriously easy stuff.

party light idea In about 15 minutes, I had a whole string of paper bag flower lights. For safety’s sake, I used LED lights, because they’re all safe & stuff using them with paper.

string light craft idea

They serve absolutely no purpose, but they sure are a lot of fun!

paper bag flower light tutorial Spending 12 hour days in a studio, requires a space that makes you smile – and my little flower lights just make me happy. Even if I did take a break from actual work to make something just for me, it was totally worth it!

When’s the last time you made 

something just to make you smile?

Shared at The Cottage Market

 
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Filed Under: decorating ideas

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Theresa says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I love them! It’s nice to be able to take a few minutes just to do something for yourself, I know making items to sell sometimes our life gets so caught up in that, that we forget that we need pretty too! t.xoxo

    Reply
  2. Laura from Top This Top That says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    how cute are these!

    Reply
  3. McMama says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    When us say LED lights…is that like Christmas lights? Cause these are totally cute and I actually have white bags lying around…been here for like FOUR years…would look adorable in my girls’ recently redone room.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      July 30, 2012 at 4:39 pm

      Yep, regular old Christmas lights 🙂

      Reply
    • Susan says

      July 31, 2012 at 4:00 am

      Gina do you find LEDs odd looking? I look at them on display (lit) every Christmas but they just don’t seem as twinkly as the regular ones. Am I light-impaired or what???

      Reply
  4. McMama says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    Oops meant to say “when YOU say” sorry!

    Reply
  5. Taylor says

    July 30, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Love it! So beautiful!

    Reply
  6. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    July 30, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    Those are just lovely!!!

    Reply
  7. Tea Cottage Pretties says

    July 30, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    TOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  8. Rebekah says

    July 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    I love this idea! Now, was there a method to the crumpling? It looks like you cut a hole somewhere. Where? What a cute decoration!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      July 31, 2012 at 3:07 am

      Oh I just sort of opened them and scrunched them open kinda like a sock… then I just snipped a whole in the bottom of the bag. Too easy 🙂

      Reply
  9. KaseyQ says

    July 30, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    I love making things just to make me smile. Sometimes I’ll grab an old magazine and a small piece of card stock and my scissors and mod podge and make a mini collage just for fun. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Carrie Barron says

    July 30, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    These are so super cool! I’ll have to give it a try! I suppose there isn’t much to explain on how you crumpled them. I’ll just play around until I get a look I like. Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Carrie

    Reply
  11. Jean @ www.thebackyardbungalow.com says

    July 31, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Those are a great idea! I’m going to pin this so I can remember it!

    Reply
  12. Dewdrop Gardens says

    August 2, 2012 at 11:07 am

    Very adorable!

    Reply
  13. Holly- Cutie Pie Cottage says

    August 3, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    Hi there! This is my first time here- via the cottage Market. I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing it. I’m planning on opening a vintage both next year and I’ve been looking for cute light ideas.

    I look forward to looking over your blog! ♥

    Reply
  14. McMama says

    August 3, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    Made mine this morning! Not as cute as yours, not such a good crumpler of paper I guess but girls LOVE them!! Thanks for the idea!!

    Reply
  15. Little Susie Home Maker says

    August 4, 2012 at 3:05 am

    There you go! I love stuff like this, and you should make your studio a happier place. What a pretty addition to your wall! Love it! Visiting with the Junkin Joe Party!
    Blessings,
    Susie

    Reply
  16. Stephanie Hill says

    August 4, 2012 at 4:13 am

    Gina,
    I love these! We are getting ready to decorate for my sister’s baby shower, and these lights will be perfect! Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea!!! Pinning! 😀

    ~Stephanie @ LadyWithTheRedRocker.com

    Reply
  17. lynn says

    August 4, 2012 at 10:15 am

    so clever and so cute! tfs:)

    Reply
  18. The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ says

    August 4, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    such a cool project!!! can’t say i am surprised because look who came up with it!!! : ) hugs and thanks for visiting over at Junkin Joe’s Linky 🙂

    Reply
  19. Longchamp Bags says

    August 12, 2016 at 1:45 am

    Yes! Finally someone writes about reusable dry longchamp.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 1, 2016 at 8:41 am

      🙂

      Reply
  20. Stephany Coffman says

    September 24, 2016 at 10:57 am

    You could waterpaint them before u smash them up or give them a tie dye look to match decore ! What a awesome idea ! Thank you !

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 25, 2016 at 11:08 am

      Awesome idea Stephany!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 DIY Ideas for Your Home Décor | For Any Woman says:
    September 3, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    […] Sources: Flower Lights: http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/07/how-to-make-paper-bag-flower-lights.html […]

    Reply

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