I referred a while ago to my desire to try out this project–I just love the idea of creating gift wrap from things I already have on hand. However, when it came time to actually do the project I was short of a few elements (namely, the chain and eyelets, and the ability to measure accurately). So, true to myself, I changed things around a bit to once again use things I already had on hand.
Here is what I used to make the gift bags:
- Newspaper
- Packing Tape
- Box that is the same size that I wanted the bag (in my case, a box of tissues)
- String
1) I layered two pieces of newspaper and set my box on top of it. I measured out about 2” from the top of the box and, cutting through both pieces of newspaper simultaneously, cut a straight edge across the pages at that point.
2) On one long edge I folded down the top one inch of both pieces of paper. Then I taped the edges down; both sheets were then stuck together.
3) I wrapped both pieces of paper around the box like I was wrapping a gift… but only 1/2 a gift, since one side of the box remained free. I made sure that the folded and taped edge from step 2 was closest to the free end of the box. This side would eventually become the top of my bag. I then cut the paper so that it fit snugly around the box with about 1 inch overlap, and taped the paper together to make a sheath for the box. I had to tape the both layers of newspaper here or the bag would fall apart later on.
4) I folded down one end of the box with the paper just like I would a gift box I was wrapping for Christmas… except I used lots of tape so that the bottom didn’t fall out of the bag at an inopportune time.
5) I reinforced the creases in the paper around the sides of the box and then removed the box from my new bag. If the bag was for holding something heavy, I put a piece of lightweight recycled cardboard in the bottom of the bag to help reinforce it.
6) To attach the handles, I cut 2 pieces of string the exact same length. The length is arbitrary, but I made mine about 12″ each given the size of the bag. Then I measured carefully (yeah, there is a little bit of measuring in this project) and made 2 holes on each side at the same places. It is important that these holes be spaced equally on both sides and horizontally and vertically, so I took my time measuring. Once I had the holes in place, I carefully pushed the thread through the holes and tied each one together. I used loops to secure them because I was more confident about the knots, and I thought the rustic look fit well with the newspaper elements of the bags.
I made about 10 of these bags from one Sunday edition of the Washington Post, and it took about 2 hours to finish all of them, so this would be a great DIY project to prep favors for a Halloween party or wedding.
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It was great to see your ‘newspaper’ gift bag…beautifully created! Thank you. I have joined your followers list and invite you to join my followers list; as well,I hope you will grab a blog button. Hugs, Gayle
http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
Thanks Gayle– your blog is beautiful!
What a great idea. I love it. Thanks . Hugs, Marty
Thanks Marty!
Those are so cool! I’ll have to try that!
♥Linsey
Thanks Linsey!
WOW!!! This is SOO cute!! I love it and I’m definitely going to use this tutorial someday!!
Thanks!
Thanks for linking up to my blog hop!!! I LOVE LOVE this – so simple and cute! I’m going to have to make some of these soon!
Thanks Betsy!
Visiting from Not So Simple Housewife. My favorite thing right now is newsprint- so I am going to try this! Very creative!
crafty texas girls
Thanks! I know news print is one of the few things I know I will have on hand each week.
What a great idea! Thanks for the tips!
Thanks Shelly!
Great idea!!
Saved By Love Creations
Thanks Johnnie!
Love this! Wish I got the newspaper. Maybe I could do it with phone book pages. Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!
Thanks Michelle! You could probably use advertisements and other junk mail in place of the newspaper.
I LOVE this idea super-duper wonderful !!! I make little gift boxes from paper scraps or old damaged book picture pages… its so fun to be thrifty and crafty at the same time ! Yea for another neat thrifty idea !
- KAT -
Thanks for stopping by Kat– my favorite projects are the kind using things you were going to throw out otherwise
How very cleaver of you!
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I’ve been browsing a lot of “recycled” craft ideas the past few days and I have to say that your ideas have been my favorite.
Thanks so much for sharing these; definitely going to make some!