How to Make a Paper Bag Album

Scrapbooking has reached new heights through the years. Scrappers are becoming more and more creative and the scrapbooking supplies are extremely versatile. Scrapbook albums are anything but ordinary. One way to create a unique keepsake is to make a paper bag scrapbook album. These albums are wonderful gifts for almost any occasion. Buy some paper bags in the desired size and craft your memory album.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper bags (colored, white or brown) Acid-free adhesive Scrapbook papers (pattern paper, cardstock, etc) Embellishments (ribbons, eyelets, brads, stickers, diecuts, etc.) Eyelet setter Sewing mac

1. Spray your paper bags with an archival spray to neutralize the acid in the paper, since paper bags are typically not acid-free. Let the paper dry then proceed.

2. Layout your paper bags by alternating the flaps. Lay down the first bag with the opening on the left and the flap on the right, then with the second bag on top of the first have the flap on the left and the opening on the right and so on. This will help even out your album so the thicknesses of the flaps are not all on one side.

3. After you have your bags organized then fold them together like a book and bind them somehow. You can either staple the middle to hold them together or punch holes in folds and use ribbons or eyelets to hold the pages. Another option is to sew the bags down the middle to create a binding for your album.

4. Once you have bound the book then you are ready to start decorating your pages. Cut the scrapbook papers to the appropriate sizes to cover the pages. You will want a base cover for the pages, then cut photo mats and add embellishments.

5. Finish the album by adding your photos and journaling to personalize the pages.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy white or colored paper bags which can be purchased at any craft store to add some flair to your paper bag creation.
• Typically using 4 to 6 paper bags will create a perfect size for your memory album.
• Make additional pages on cardstock and slide them into the openings of the bags (top part of the paper bag where it opens up) so you have some hidden pages. Use decorative ribbons or clips on the edge of the pages so you have something to pull when you slide the page out.
• Use a theme throughout your album, such as "First Year of Life" or "School Days."
• Always use photo-safe, acid-free, lignin-free materials. If you are using embellishments or papers that contain acid or lignin then you should spray them with an archival spray so they will not damage your photos or other materials.

[momoftwingirls]

on 5/9/2008 This is a wonderful idea. Can you add photos to this article so I can see the process of putting one of these together?

Thanks so much!

[showpup]

on 3/31/2008 I had no idea there was such a thing as archival spray. That's great to know in itself.