Brown Paper Packages Tied up With String - - -

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A few days ago Leigh posted about a lovely brown paper bag angel that she has. I immediately remembered this one that I made many Christmases ago. Leigh wanted to see her, so I have found her and resurrected her and will attempt to show you how she is made.


Oh PLEASE do not think that I dreamed up this project. I am NOT that clever. But I AM a good direction follower!

First we stuffed crumpled-up newspaper into the bottom of a brown paper lunch bag. If I were going to do this again, I would place a small sand filled lidded jar in the bottom of the bag first, maybe even glue that down, and then stuff the paper around it. That would give you a heavy, firmer base.

Next we closed the bag with a rubber band, flanging out about an inch and a half of the bag over the top of the rubber band. (You will be able to see this step in the second picture below.)


We made our angelic face by stretching a piece of panty hose over a syrofoam ball. The gathered up edges of the stocking piece will be hidden at the neck and under the hair.

Next we used a little blush to give the cheeks a hint of color. And we embedded some round brown button-bead eyes.


We hot-glued a short, somewhat flattened strip of gold raffia ribbon to the front of the bag, making sure the top edge of it was hidden under the "flange" of the top of the bag. Over the gold ribbon strip we glued a section of a lace paper doily.

On top of the "flange" we glued a gold paper doily covered with a smaller white paper doily. On top and in the center of that we glued our angelic head.


We flipped our angel over on her backside one more time to glue down a gold raffia bow to give her wings.


Next we glued dry, brown, craft moss (is that what it's called?) on the top, sides, and back of her head to give her hair.

The last touch was a little loop of gold star tinsel for her halo.

I am soooooo glad Leigh asked to see her, for it inspired me to dig her out! I haven't seen her for at least 7 Chistmases, and I'm sure she was as lonely for me as I was for her!


I found her a place of honor - - -


Right on my antique dressing table doubling as a sideboard in my favorite yellow dining room where I never go, except to turn on the light and look around 'cause I love it so.

And with that, I wish you an angelic Christmas with lots of Harking and Heralding and Singing!!!
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