Best Ever Gift Bag - Using up your 8 x 8 papers

Using up your 8 x 8 papers - Part 1

Hi Crafters

So this week is all about using up our 8 x 8 paper pads.

I do not buy many of these as I tend to purchase more of the 12 x 12 pads, but I have a couple of lovely projects for you

This first is one of the best Gift bags I have ever made, it folds flat for storage and is a great medium size.

You will need:

4 sheets of 8 x 8 papers 

2 pieces of ribbon for the handles approx 10.5" long

Glue

Score board 

Cut 2 of the pieces in half

If there is a directional print on the paper cut 1 sheet horizontally (one for the base and one for the lining), and 1 sheet vertically for the side panels.

Score the 1st piece of 8 x 8 at 1.5" and 7&1/8" , (if the print is directional the 1.5" score line at the base of the paper which is sideways on the scoreboard) as this line forms the base

2nd piece place sideways down again and score at 7&1/8"

For the base take one piece with print widthways and place on scoreboard with the longside down the board and score at 1/2" & 3.5" 

For the 2 sides place on the scoreboard longside across the board and score at 1" & 2.5"

Turn  so the score lines are at the bottom and score at 1/2" & 3.5" plus score at 2" down to the first scoreline. 

If you want to make the bag fold easily or if your card is heavier you can also score from the bottom edge of the 2" scoreline out to the 1/2" scoreline on the sides. These scorelines should be a diagonal line across the square, you are not crossing the bottom score line . Cut the bottom corners off.

With all the pieces burnish all your score lines.

First glue the front and back of the bag to the base by gluing the 1/2" scored lines on the side panels Ensure the edge of the side sits inside the score line.

Lay the bag out flat, with all the wrongside/inside of the bag facing you.

Glue the bottom flaps of the side panels on the outside and stick to the base,this should form a cross,  again the wrong side should be facing you. 

Take each side one at a time and glue the scored sections, fold up the front and glue the sides to the front, repeat for the back 

Then repeat this again on hte other side. 

Run your bone folder or ruler inside the bag to frm down the glued strips.

You now have a bag with just the handles to add. You can do this anyway you prefer. My method is to measure in and mark the top flaps both sides at 5cm I then punched a hole out where the mark was (to the base of the flap near but not over the score line) Thread your ribbon or cord through the hole from the front of the bag and tape down about an inch with double sided tape.

I then run a good width of strong double sided tape along the inside of the flap and glue down This covers up the ends of the ribbon and you have a clean strap to the bag.

I have made 3 individual bags, 2 floral and 1 with masculine print and these were made from a card stock pad so required no lining to the base of the bag 

I then made another 4 all from the same pad of paper and these all fit into one of the bags which would make a lovely gift on its own, espeically for someone who works as it is often the item like the gift bag that you forget to pick up when out shopping. 

 

 I can store the bags easily and use as I need, or make them in packs like this to gift to someone. Ideal for teachers gifts, friends and family, or to sell for school fundraisers etc. 

Check in again for more ideas soon

Dee