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