Brown paper packages tied up with string; oh yes, this is one of my favorite things.

If, like me, you forget to bring your reusable grocery bags to the store from time to time, I bet you have a few paper bags lying around. What better way to re-purpose it than to use it for wrapping a present? From Thanksgiving to New Years Day an additional one million tons of waste from ribbons, gift wrappings, grocery bags and the like is added to the landfill – per week. Dang. Even more reason to purchase biodegradable gift wrap or wrap made from recycled materials (or simply re-purpose those paper bags, newspapers, fabric, etc.)…and then recycle or reuse them!

So what’s in the package? I’ll get to that, but first, how cute is the nautical clam shell gift tag? Here are a few others I’ve made:

In two weeks I’ve made about 400 gift tags. Four. Hundred. I used leftover card stock from our wedding menus and a lot of re-used ribbon, so each tag is a bit sentimental. My sister and I will be selling our wares at the Santa Mouse Holiday Craft Baazar in Silverton, Oregon on Saturday, December 4th from 9:30am-4:00pm (proceeds from the cost of vendor’s tables goes toward the high school’s Special Education class). And speaking of craft fairs, don’t forget about Crafty Wonderland Portland peeps!

In addition to the craft fair this year, they also have a fabulous little pop-up shop downtown. We went on opening weekend and I fell in love with Kiersten Crowley’s jewelry, Rachel Austin’s cards, Turtle Monkey Bug’s baby hats, Bunny with a Toolbelt’s birds, Machete Design’s delicate winter knits and Phoebe Owens’s slide lamps. And now, here’s a peek at what’s inside the package:

Yet another embroidered tea towel. I used an Aunt Martha’s Colonial pattern and the lighthouse theme is perfect for the owner’s of the beach house that we frequent. We’ve been at the coast for almost a week now (hence the lack of blogging) and the towel will fit perfectly with the Americana/nautical theme.

What have you been crafting lately? Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.