A plain market bag is a lovely excuse to take our favourite autumn designs beyond the craft room. I made two versions: a cheeky dragon bag and a Scottish Highlands bag filled with plaid, pumpkins and pretty things. Add a ribbon dangle at the handle and an everyday tote becomes something rather special.

Two autumn looks

Dragons Don't Do Pumpkin Spice — We Bring the Heat: the dragon design pairs beautifully with a full red-and-burnt-orange bow, beads and gold charms. Keep the bow snug against the handle and let the ribbons drape along the side so the dragon and wording remain visible.

Plaid, Pumpkins & Pretty Things: the Scottish Highlands version calls for purple plaid, matcha green and purple velvet ribbons, with pearl sprays and a cabochon at the centre of the bow. A silver Scottish thistle charm adds the finishing touch.

What you will need

• Your chosen digital image and Canva
• A light-coloured market bag suitable for sublimation
• A printer set up with sublimation ink and compatible sublimation paper
• A heat press, fresh protective butcher paper and an appropriate pressing surface
• A lint roller and heat-resistant tape
• A handmade or purchased purse dangle

Check your blank: a canvas look does not necessarily mean a bag is suitable for sublimation. Use a bag sold for sublimation and follow its supplier's instructions. Ordinary untreated cotton requires a different transfer method.

1. Prepare the image in Canva

Open an 8.5 × 11 inch design in Canva and upload your image. Size it to suit the blank space on your bag, allowing for your printer's printable margins. Keep the image in proportion.

Flip the image horizontally, then download it to your device at high quality. The lettering should look backwards in the saved file. Mirror it only once: if you have flipped it in Canva, leave any additional mirror setting in the print dialogue turned off.

2. Print and allow the ink to dry

Print on the correct side of your sublimation paper using the settings recommended for your printer, ink and paper combination. Check the print preview to make sure the design has not been resized unexpectedly.

Allow the ink to dry fully before handling. Carefully tear away the excess paper around the image, leaving a small border and keeping all of the printed design intact.

3. Prepare the market bag

Lay the bag flat and lint-roll the area that will be pressed. Pre-press as directed by your bag supplier to remove moisture and wrinkles, then allow it to cool before positioning the transfer. Put fresh protective paper inside the bag to protect the back. Keep handles and bulky seams out of the pressing area.

4. Centre and press

Place the printed image face down in the centre of the blank space. Check that it is straight and secure it with heat-resistant tape so it cannot slide. Cover it with fresh protective paper as directed for your press.

Press using the temperature, time and pressure recommended for your particular bag and transfer supplies. Settings vary, so use the supplier's guidance rather than a single setting for every tote.

5. Remove from the press and cool

Carefully lift the bag from the press and lay it flat on a heat-safe surface. Follow your transfer supplier's instructions for when to remove the paper, lifting it cleanly without dragging it across the print. Let the bag cool completely before adding its decorations.

6. Add a little personality to the handle

Attach your purse dangle close to the base of a handle, with the bow sitting snugly against it. Arrange the ribbon tails, beads and charms down the side of the bag so they frame the transfer without covering it.

Make your own with layered ribbons, beads, a clasp and a few favourite charms, or purchase a ready-made bag dangle from Etsy. There are lots of cute charms on Temu too—lovely little finishing touches for a dangle that suits your bag's personality.

For the dragon bag, think rich reds, burnt orange and gold dragon, leaf or flame charms. For the Scottish Highlands bag, combine purple plaid, matcha green and purple velvet with pearl sprays, a centre cabochon and a silver thistle.

One simple process, two very different moods: a little Highland romance, or a dragon with opinions about pumpkin spice.

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Shop the artwork for these market bags

Choose the printable collection for your favourite version: Dark Fantasy Fall Expansion on Etsy for the dragon bag, or Scottish Highlands Fall Expansion on Etsy for the Scottish Highlands bag. These are digital downloads; bags and craft supplies are separate.

Save for Later

Choose a favourite image to save this project for your next creative afternoon.

There is something lovely about giving an overlooked object a new purpose—especially when it ends up beside a favourite stack of books. Our design team member Becky Conley of BC Designs has shared a new project, Tea for Two Bookend with MGT Printable Treasures, using our Blue Hydrangea collection.

I love seeing the different directions our designers take with the same printable artwork. This time, Becky has taken it beyond the journal page and into a bookend project, bringing her love of repurposing to a bookish corner.

Our design team has given us one more lovely reason to linger in autumn. Samantha Kennard of Mamthy’s Crafts has created a warm, layered card with the Cottagecore Comforts Fall Expansion, pairing a sweet focal image with gingham ribbon and softly coordinated printable papers.

Card and photograph by Samantha Kennard of Mamthy’s Crafts.

A simple mix of printables and texture

Samantha used one of the collection’s stickers as the main image, then built the card around coordinating background papers. The gingham ribbon echoes the country-cottage feeling and adds just enough texture without competing with the printed layers.

• Collection: Cottagecore Comforts Fall Expansion
• Featured elements: printable sticker and background papers
• Finishing touch: gingham ribbon chosen to match the autumn cottage theme

The result is cosy, cheerful and very easy to adapt. It is a lovely example of how one sticker can become the anchor for a complete handmade card when the papers and ribbon repeat the same colour story.

Visit Samantha’s original project

Please visit Samantha’s original Cottagecore Comforts Fall card post on Mamthy’s Crafts for her project notes and more of her creative work.

You can also explore the Cottagecore Comforts Digital Fall Expansion used in this card. Samantha’s readers can use her design-team code MGTSAMANTHA for 30% off at checkout.

To discover more work from Samantha, Becky Conley and Elizabeth Kirby Hart, visit Meet the My Grandma’s Teacups Design Team.

Save for Later

Card and photograph: Samantha Kennard, Mamthy’s Crafts.

A little gold, a beautiful bookmark, and a gloriously full tassel—this is the sort of finishing touch that makes a reading accessory feel like a special gift. For this project I used the Romantasy Fall bookmarks and turned coordinating sticker designs into little hand-coloured charms.

The project has two parts. First we print and finish the bookmarks. Then we make the charms and put together a layered tassel with lace, fibres and strands of seed beads.

Gather your supplies

• Romantasy Fall bookmark artwork and coordinating sticker designs
• Printer and suitable cardstock within your printer's supported weight
• Paper trimmer or scissors, ruler and a small hole punch
• Gold marker, or craft foil with its compatible adhesive or transfer system
• Laminating pouches and a laminator suitable for the finished cardstock thickness
• Tracing line art made from the sticker designs
• Shrink film suitable for tracing and pencil crayons, a compatible outlining pen, scissors and a hole punch
• Heat tool approved for your shrink film, heat-resistant work surface and suitable holding tool
• Small phone-dangle cord loops; jump rings and jewellery pliers if needed
• Lace, ribbons, yarn and textured fibres in plum, dusty rose, copper/rust, muted olive, ivory and antique gold
• Seed beads, beading thread or cord sized to fit them, and a beading needle if needed
• Strong tying thread and a small piece of card for measuring your tassel

Part One: Print, cut, gild, laminate and punch

1. Print the bookmarks

Open the bookmark file and print at actual size, or 100%, to keep the intended proportions. Check the preview before printing: turning on “fit to page” can change the finished size. Choose the paper setting that matches your cardstock and allow the ink to dry completely before handling the surface.

2. Cut them out

Use a paper trimmer for the long straight edges, or a ruler and scissors if that is what you have. Follow the outside edge of each bookmark and keep the decorative border even. If you would like a backing, add a thin layer of coordinating paper now and let the adhesive dry flat before continuing.

3. Add a little gold

Run a gold marker carefully along the cut edges and pick out a few border details. Work lightly so the metallic finish complements the artwork. Let it dry fully.

Foil is another lovely option. Use foil with the adhesive or transfer method specified for that product; ordinary foil will not simply stick to an inkjet print. Make a small test first, particularly if the finished piece will go through a hot laminator. Keep bulky embellishments out of the laminating pouch.

4. Laminate the bookmark

5. Punch the attachment hole

Punch a centred hole near the top, leaving a sturdy bridge of material above it. Position it far enough in to pass through the cardstock and laminate, rather than relying on the thin clear border alone. Keep it clear of the main artwork. A narrow cord loop will pass through this hole, so it only needs to be large enough for your chosen attachment.

Part Two: Shrink-film charms and a full lace-and-fibre tassel

1. Turn the stickers into tracing line art

We used the coordinating sticker designs to create a black-and-white line-art image. I placed the shrink film over that image and traced the motifs onto the film. The sword, book and rose, lantern, crown and celestial designs all make lovely little accents.

Use the side and drawing materials specified for your film. Shrink ratios vary, so make one test charm before deciding on the size for a whole batch. You want the finished charms small and light enough to sit comfortably beside the bookmark.

2. Colour with pencil crayons

I coloured the traced images with pencil crayons, using shades that worked with the bookmarks. Keep the colouring fairly light at first: it becomes more concentrated when the film shrinks. Leave the hand-coloured texture visible—that is part of the charm of making them yourself.

3. Cut and punch before shrinking

Cut around each motif, leaving a little space around delicate details and rounding sharp corners. Leave a sturdy tab where the cord will attach and punch the hole now. Both the design and the hole shrink, so check the hole size on your test piece before making the remaining charms.

4. Shrink with the heat tool

I used a heat tool to shrink my coloured pieces. Use this method only if your shrink-film instructions allow it. Work on a heat-resistant surface in a ventilated area, keep the hot tool away from paper and tassel fibres, and use a suitable tool to stop the lightweight piece from blowing away. Follow the film manufacturer's heating instructions rather than a fixed time or distance.

The film may curl as it shrinks. Let it finish shrinking and settle as directed, then allow it to cool before handling. If the product instructions call for flattening, do that with the recommended tool and method. Attach cords only after the charm has cooled completely.

5. Add the little phone-dangle strings

I attached the cooled charms to the little cord loops used for phone dangles. Pass the fine loop through the charm hole, then pass the rest of the attachment through the loop and pull gently to secure it. If your attachment needs a jump ring, use a small smooth ring that fits without forcing the hole. Check that each charm hangs freely.

6. Build a thick, luxurious tassel

For the full tassel, gather a generous mix of ivory lace, dusty rose and plum fibres, copper or rust ribbon, muted olive accents and a few fine antique-gold strands. Mix widths and textures: lace gives softness, ribbon gives body, and fine fibres fill the gaps.

For a tassel around 4 inches long, begin with strips roughly 9–10 inches long so there is room to fold, bind and trim. This is a starting point, not a required measurement; adjust it to suit your bookmark. Lay the strips together with their centres aligned and keep adding until the bundle looks satisfyingly full without becoming too heavy.

Tie a strong hanging cord securely around the midpoint. Fold the bundle in half over that tie, then bind the folded bundle a short distance below the top to form the tassel head. Wrap firmly several times, knot securely and tuck the ends into the fibres. Spread the lace and ribbons so the colours are visible all around, then trim the ends into a soft, slightly varied fringe.

7. Thread the seed-bead strands

Thread a few short strands of seed beads in plum, amber and antique gold. Use cord suited to the bead holes and secure both ends with appropriate knots or findings so the beads cannot slide off. Tie the strands into the tassel beneath the wrapped neck, leaving them visible between the lace and fibres. Keep them short enough to avoid dragging below the tassel.

8. Attach the charms and tassel

Secure the phone-dangle charm loops at the top of the tassel or around its neck, placing the charms where they can be seen against the softer fibres. Use just a few so they remain accents rather than weighing the whole tassel down.

Pass the tassel's narrow hanging loop through the bookmark hole, then pass the tassel through that loop to make a gentle lark's-head attachment. If the bundle is too thick to pass through, use a suitable connecting ring or tie the hanging cord securely instead. Give each attachment a gentle check.

Keep the bookmark flat between the pages and let the tassel and charms rest outside the book. The finished effect is richly layered: gold-edged autumn artwork, soft lace and fibres, tiny seed beads and your own hand-coloured charms.

The finished hero image was created from my bookmark artwork and charm photographs, with my planned full tassel digitally added because the remaining supplies had not arrived in time. The process photographs show my printed bookmarks and hand-coloured shrink-film work.

Find the coordinating printables in My Grandma’s Teacups on Etsy, and join our newsletter for more paper-crafting inspiration.

Optional foiling supplies from A Cherry On Top

Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.

For a little extra shimmer, The Crafter’s Workshop Champagne Gold 6 × 6 Foil Transfer Sheets can be used with double-sided adhesive or the tacky-when-dry medium specified for the foil. Try a narrow adhesive border on a scrap of cardstock first.

For a separate heat-foiling method, consider Gina K Designs Fuse Foiling Gel and the Gina K Designs White Fuse Foiling System. The gel is applied through a stencil and allowed to dry before foiling with the Fuse system. Use foil confirmed compatible with that system and follow the product instructions. The Champagne Gold sheets above are described for adhesive transfer; compatibility with the Fuse gel and machine has not been confirmed. The Fuse is an optional foiling tool, not a required supply for this project. A gold marker is still a simple finishing option.

Paper-crafting adhesive options

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• Uniquely Creative Paper Perfect Quick Dry Glue, 120 ml — a fine-tip liquid adhesive option for paper layers and decorative details. Apply sparingly and let the project dry flat.
• X-Press It Double-Sided Tape, 24 mm × 55 yd — an adhesive option for paper panels, scrapbook layouts and cards. Trim the wide tape to suit smaller tabs or borders, keeping adhesive clear of pocket openings.

Both products were listed as out of stock when checked on November 6, 2026. Check current availability; a suitable paper glue or double-sided tape you already own can be used instead.

A cutting and scoring tool option

Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you.

The Stamperia Create Happiness Paper Trimmer at A Cherry On Top includes separate cutting and scoring blades, imperial and metric measurements, and an extendable measuring arm. It is an option for straight paper cuts and scored folds; follow the tool’s instructions and check its supported material thickness. Use a suitable craft knife for chipboard. Listed as in stock when checked on November 6, 2026; availability may change.

Shop the Romantasy Fall collection on Etsy for the printable artwork used in this bookmark project.

Save for Later

Save your favourite angle for a future creative afternoon. The styled finished-project concepts show the planned full tassel; the charm image uses the original hand-coloured pieces.

I have another beautiful design-team project to share, and this one is full of the rich colours and little details that make autumn crafting so satisfying. Elizabeth Hart has transformed our printable artwork into a dimensional pumpkin-shaped shaker decoration she calls “The Harvest Hearth.”

Project and photograph by Elizabeth Kirby Hart, created with artwork from My Grandma’s Teacups.

A pumpkin made for the harvest table

Elizabeth built the piece around a generously shaped pumpkin frame, then layered it with warm wheat, berries, burgundy gingham bows and soft green leaves. A deep burgundy ribbon at the top gives it the look of a finished keepsake rather than a simple paper project.

At the centre is a small framed label reading “The Harvest Hearth”—a lovely name for a piece that feels warm, welcoming and ready for an autumn mantel or Thanksgiving display.

The shaker detail makes it come alive

The clear pumpkin window is filled with a mix of tiny beads and sequins in cranberry, copper, green and gold. They gather along the lower curves of the pumpkin, adding movement and sparkle without hiding the printed design underneath.

I especially love the contrast between the polished shaker window and the hand-finished leaves. Those oversized leaves give the project a playful, folk-art quality, while the burgundy bow ties all the cranberry tones together.

Ideas to borrow for your own printable crafts

• Repeat one colour in the paper, shaker mix and ribbon to make several materials feel coordinated.
• Use a clear window to show off patterned paper while adding movement and dimension.
• Mount a small printed journal card or label as the centre focal point.
• Ink the edges of dimensional pieces so pale cut edges do not distract from the finished design.

Elizabeth plans to share her own project post on Tuesday. Until its direct link is available, you can visit Warm Harted to enjoy more of her handmade cards and paper projects.

Explore My Grandma’s Teacups printable collections on Etsy for more autumn papers, journalling pieces and creative elements. Please check each listing’s contents before purchasing; Elizabeth’s finished shaker project and embellishments are her own creative work.

A very warm thank-you to Elizabeth for sharing another imaginative way to take printable artwork beyond the page. This pumpkin is cheerful, dimensional and unmistakably autumn.

Would you display a shaker pumpkin on a mantel, a craft-room shelf or your Thanksgiving table?

Make your own autumn project: Shop the Cottagecore Comforts Fall Expansion on Etsy — the printable collection Elizabeth used for her pumpkin shaker.

Save for Later

Project and photograph: Elizabeth Kirby Hart, Warm Harted.

If your idea of autumn includes dragons, distant castles and a little adventure, Sam has a beautiful card to share. Samantha Kennard of Mamthy’s Crafts has brought our Dark Fantasy Fall Expansion to life in a richly layered handmade card.

Card and photograph by Samantha Kennard, Mamthy’s Crafts.

A dragon, a sunset and a magical day

The central dragon-and-rider image feels like a glimpse into a much bigger story. Behind them, a castle rises against a glowing sunset. Sam has framed the scene with green and gold, drawing those colours out into the layers around it.

I love how the cream autumn paper and darker band give the dramatic artwork a place to shine. Leaves, ornate details and those narrow borders bring everything together, while the “Have a magical day” sentiment adds a lovely personal finishing touch.

Sam shares in her post that she had just finished watching the Merlin series again and loved working with the dragon images. There is something wonderful about letting the stories we enjoy follow us into our craft rooms.

See Sam’s original Dark Fantasy Fall card post at Mamthy’s Crafts. Pop over to admire her make and leave her a little love!

Bring a little fantasy to your cardmaking

A printable junk journal collection can be a lovely starting point for a card for a fantasy reader. Take inspiration from Sam’s arrangement: one strong focal image, a coordinating background, a contrasting paper band and a short sentiment. Repeating a colour from the illustration in your borders helps the layers feel connected.

Choose your card blank first, then size your printables to fit. Make a plain-paper test before using your favourite cardstock, and arrange the layers before attaching them. These are suggestions inspired by the finished card; Sam’s own post is linked above for the project details she has shared.

Shop the Dark Fantasy Fall Expansion on Etsy
Explore all My Grandma’s Teacups printables

The collection is a digital download to print and craft with at home. Sam’s finished card is her own handmade creation, shared here as inspiration.

Thank you, Sam

Thank you for giving these autumn dragons such a beautiful outing, Sam. I always enjoy seeing the choices another maker brings to the papers, and this card has such a lovely sense of adventure.

You can find more of Samantha’s handmade cards and creative projects at Mamthy’s Crafts. Who in your life would love a little dragon magic in the post?

For more printable project ideas, collection news and subscriber freebies, join the My Grandma’s Teacups newsletter.

A little stone cottage, glowing windows and autumn leaves—Sam has made the prettiest invitation to slow down and enjoy some paper crafting. Our design team member Samantha Kennard of Mamthy’s Crafts has used the Cottagecore Comforts Fall Expansion to create a lovely stepper card.

Card and photograph by Samantha Kennard, Mamthy’s Crafts.

A cosy cottage brought to life

Sam chose one of the collection’s cottage stickers as her main topper. The roses climbing the stone walls, pumpkins beside the path and warm light in the windows make this tiny home feel so welcoming. In her own post, she shares that one of these pretty cottages would be her dream home. I can certainly see why!

The burgundy “Home Sweet Home” background gives the cottage a rich autumn setting, while the soft gingham strip across the front step adds a gentle country touch. I love the way the cottage silhouette stands out against that darker paper. The folded card base makes it a little scene to display.

Visit Sam’s original Cottagecore Comforts card post to see her project and leave her a little love.

Try the look in your own craft room

This is such a sweet example of taking a printable designed for journalling and giving it another life in a handmade card. For your own version, choose a cottage image as the focal point, pair it with a quiet coordinating pattern and let the little house do the talking. A stepper base adds dimension; a simple folded card is another lovely place to begin.

Print the artwork to suit your own card blank, check the size with a plain-paper test and arrange your pieces before gluing. These are ideas inspired by Sam’s finished card; her original post is the source for the details she has shared about her make.

Shop the Cottagecore Comforts Fall Expansion on Etsy
Browse all My Grandma’s Teacups printables

The collection is a digital download to print and craft with at home. Sam’s finished card is her own handmade creation and is shown here for inspiration.

A little creative time well spent

Thank you, Sam, for sharing this beautiful card with us. There is something lovely about seeing these papers turn into a thoughtful piece of happy mail.

For more of Sam’s cards and creative projects, visit Mamthy’s Crafts. Would you make a cottage card for a friend, a new neighbour or your own little autumn display?

Join me for more printable craft ideas, collection news and subscriber freebies: sign up for the My Grandma’s Teacups newsletter.