Envelope books

Envelope books are so much fun to make with all ages of kids and are so handy with all the pockets for photos, memorabilia and journaling that they create! They offer the same versatility as paper bag books in that you can make them in various sizes and themes-- and with all different types of envelopes-- from invitation sized, to CD envelopes and everything in between.

The "10 Things I Like" envelope book seen here also appears in the local MOPS newsletter, and can be made for each member of your family or do one book for the top 10 favorite things of the entire household!

The supplies you will need are simple and inexpensive-- and when you're project is complete, you won't believe that this cool little book is made simply of envelopes! To get you started on some ideas for other ways to use these little books, here are a few more examples:

For step-by-step instructions for making the standard envelope book, check out The Ultimate Guide to Scrapbooking with Children by clicking the book cover link on the sidebar. You can also see a video tutorial online by visiting FiskarsTV. Click on the "Crafting with Kids" episode from July 1, 2005.

Updated the first video tutorial! ---->

The first video tutorial for Paper Bag Books has been updated with sound! Check it out on the sidebar!

Lynn

Be sure to check out the little video tutorial over there --->

If you'd like to take a really quick little mini-class online with your kiddos, you might want to check out the video tutorial I just added... I'm still toying around with it and there's no sound, just a step-by-step, but if you're looking for something simple to do with the kiddos, this will walk you straight through making a paper bag book. You can pause it on each step if you like as well. :) If you're planning to work with the kids on Valentine paper bag books, this weekend is a great time to check it out!

I'll be adding some new activities to the blog next week and would love to hear from you on anything you'd like to see posted! Feel free to comment!

Enjoy your weekend,
Lynn

A craft for Valentine's Day...

~Valentine Paper Bag Books~


I've shared this one before, but since Valentine's Day is just around the corner (next week!), I thought this might be a good craft to share again...

This Valentine's Paper Bag book is made with scalloped-edged paper bags that are folded and bound together with ribbons. These cute little paper bag books are great gifts for the teacher and can be used to hold Valentine cards... they could even replace the old shoeboxes we used to decorate for the class party.

The directions for this one are simple enough even for young kids to create with the help of an adult:

Materials needed:
-3 small Valentine-colored paper bags (lunch-sized) with scalloped edges
-Coordinating satin ribbon/fiber
-Standard-sized hand-held hole punch
-Valentine papers, stickers, die-cuts, punches, etc.
-Double-sided tape

Instructions:
1. Lay first bag on the table with the gusset facing up and on the left-hand side.
2. Lay 2nd bag on top of the first bag, with gusset facing down and to the right.
3. Lay 3rd bag on top of 2nd bag with gusset facing up to the left.
4. Fold all three bags together, creasing in the middle to form a book.
5. Using a hand-held hole punch, punch 4 holes evenly spaced through all three bags (if the layers are too thick, take the bags apart and punch each separately).
6. Tie alternating ribbons through each of the 4 holes, binding the bags together to form a book. Tie ribbons into a slipknot so that the book will expand easily when items are added to the book later.
7. Add Valentine papers, stickers, die-cuts, etc. to decorate pages of the book. Create "pockets" with the tops of the bags-- slide in Valentine cards, candy, etc. Create side-pockets for smaller cards by covering each of the gussets and securing the tops and bottoms of each gusset with double-sided tape.

I'd love to see and hear about your creations if you make one of these fun little books with your kids or students for the holiday! :)

Lynn

Welcome to Crafting with Kids!

I decided to go ahead and devote an entire blog to Crafting with Kids, so I'm adding this one to my other blog, a handful of things. I'll be adding some things to that blog as well that you might find interesting, so be sure to visit there as well! :)

I'll be posting lots of projects, activities, layouts and articles here for those who craft with kids-- and I would love for visitors to jump right in with thoughts, ideas and questions-- so, please make yourself at home! My previous site, scrapbookingwithkids.com, had lots of ideas for scrapbooking with kids, but in the midst of trying to re-build that site, it hit me that it might open things up a bit more to open a blog where all types of kids and family crafts could be addressed... thus, this Crafting with Kids blog.

There will be lots added in the coming days, so come back soon-- and please, feel free to comment-- I'd love to hear from you!

Lynn