How to Make a Paper Bag Scrapbook

Brown paper bags- they're not just for your lunch anymore! They can be used to make cute little take-along albums. Also known as mini scrapbooks or brag books, they're a fun way to experiment with different paper and color schemes, and of course show off your favorite pictures! Thanks to Becky, Rachel, and Ruth for being my test group :)

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• paper lunch bags (5-6)
• decorative paper
• scissors
• glue
• ribbon
• hole punch
• yarn needle (optional)
• glue runner (optional)
• decorations (stickers, buttons, ribbons, etc.)

1. 

   Fold 5-6 paper bags individually. Stack them so that the open sides are on the bottom, with the fold on your left. The folded side becomes the binding.

2. 

   Keeping each bag folded, punch 4-5 holes on the binding side of each one. Be careful to space them evenly, so that when you stack the bags the holes line up.

3. 

   Cut two 4" * 5" pieces of cardboard and insert them into two of the bags. Push them all the way to the bottom and re-fold the bags.

4. 

   Place one back on top of the stack of folded bags. This is the front cover.

5. 

   Place the other one on the bottom of the stack, so the open side of the bag faces up and the cardboard side faces down. This is the back cover.

6. 

   Cut two 5" * 2" pieces of paper (cardstock works best) and fold in half lengthwise. Punch holes in the binding side of each to line up with the front and back cover bags. Apply glue to the inside of each folded piece, and place over the cover bags.

7. 

   This is what your binding should look like. Notice that the colored binding pieces only cover the front and back cover bags. This allows the pages to turn easially.

8. 

   Cut ribbons in 7"-9" pieces. Using a yarn needle, thread a ribbon through each hole and tie a double knot.

9. 

   You are now ready to decorate the cover. Use colorful paper, buttons, stickers, ribbons, or anything you'd like to personalize your paper bag album.

10. 

    Decorate the insides.

11. 

    Be creative, but keep it simple.

12. 

    Remember that although the decorations are cute, the main focus will be on the pictures that will be inserted later.

13. 

    Keep most of the decorating to the corners and edges to allow room for the pictures.

Tips & Warnings

• If your kids are old enough, this is a fun project for them to help decorate!
• If you already have the pictures, you may want to crop them first and put them in order before you decorate the album.
• These make great bridal or baby shower keepsakes, to remember a fun outing, or give to a new grandma- they can never have enough brag books!
• If you'd like, you can insert things into the open ends of the bags once the album is done. Things like ticket stubs, fun coupons, notes, and cards all make great inserts.
• These albums are purely for fun, quick little gifts. They are not meant to last for hundreds of years. If you want to create an heirloom album, you would be better off investing in heavy-duty, acid-free supplies.
• If you make one, plan on making several, as you will have requests for more!

Resources

• Check out galleries here for more ideas!

[fiakate]

on 2/27/2009 These are really cute. I'll be making them with my scrap book club!

[woot]

on 2/20/2009 These sound good for collecting souvenirs; later you can decide which are the best to keep in a more formal album. Thanks!

[rachelanne]

on 2/16/2009 Great Idea, so cute, will try this project for sure, great for new Grammies like me!Rachelanne

[rachelanne]

on 2/16/2009 Great Idea, so cute, will try this project for sure, great for new Grammies like me!Rachelanne

[Susanh]

on 2/16/2009 Absolutely adorable! Fantastic photos for each step.