Creating With Colors: How to Make Recycled Gift Bags with Post-it Craft Paper

My children's favorite uncle celebrated his birthday this week. It was the perfect opportunity to do something creative with this new Post-it Craft Paper. This paper is so easy to use . . . just cut, peel, and stick. Even younger children would find it user-friendly with no messy glue and with grids on the back to guide their scissors.

I thought that this new self-adhesive craft paper from 3M would be the perfect solution to a common problem. What do you do with gift bags that you've received, but do not want to re-use as-is. You may not like the design or the colors and theme might not fit the occasion. There could be a small crease in the bag or it may have had something taped to it. I use to just throw these bags away, but now I don't have to. This project also works with small handled paper shopping bags. That is what we ended up using to make this balloon-themed gift bag. The only thing you need to do is make sure that the handles, the left and right sides, and the bottom of the bag are in good condition.

Today's Project: Recycled Gift Bag with Balloons

Ask your child to give a previously-used gift bag or shopping bag a makeover with peel and stick craft paper.

Supplies Needed:

1) At least 5 colors of Post-it Craft Paper

2) A previously-used gift bag or shopping bag (with the body no larger than 8-1/2" x 11")

3) At least 1ft each of 3 different colors of narrow ribbon . . . can be satin, grosgrain, or curling ribbon).

4) A pencil

5) Scissors

6) Transparent tape

If you would like to make a coordinating greeting card, you will also need a plain manila folder. (I choose to use a folder because it is sturdier for creating this potential keepsake, but you can use any type of paper.)

Tip #1: When selecting a bag to re-use, make sure the left and right sides of the bag, which will not be covered, is a color that can work with your Post-it Craft Paper.

Step 1: Select a sheet of Post-it craft paper to be the background of one side of the gift bag. With the bag laying flat on the grid side of the paper, position the bag so that it is flush to the bottom left corner of the paper. Then trace the top and right sides of the bag with a pencil.

Step 2: Using scissors, cut along the pencil lines making sure to use the grid to cut your lines straight and smoothly.

Step 3: Peel off the paper backing to reveal the adhesive side of the paper. Then position the craft paper so that it lines up with the gift bag on all four sides, paying close attention to making the bottom line up perfectly. Then press the paper down to adhere the paper to the gift back.

Step 4: Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for the second side of the gift bag.

Step 5: Now cut a contrasting strip of Post-it Craft Paper for each side of the bag. Then stick it in place, while making sure it lines up well across the top.

Tip #2: Since we had paper leftover from the two background colors, we just used those two colors for our contrasting trim. It looks very well-coordinated.

Step 6: On the grid side of the paper, use a pencil to draw simple balloon shapes in various sizes. It would be ideal to make at least 3 different color balloons for each side of the gift bag. We made 3 for each side, but you can certainly opt to make more.

Step 7: Cut out the balloon shapes with scissors.

Step 8: Cut pieces of ribbon in 6" long segments. You will need one for each balloon you intend to show on the gift bag.

Step 9: Use a small piece of tape to secure the ribbons to wear you think the balloon strings might be on both sides of the bag.

Tip #3: If you or your child has trouble envisioning where the balloons will be, you can lay the balloon shapes on the bag while the backing is still on in order to get an idea of placement.

Step 10: Peel off the backing of each balloon and stick each onto the bag, making sure to completely conceal the pieces of tape used to secure the ends of the ribbon onto the bag.

Step 11: Trim the ribbon balloon strings so that the length does not go past the bottom of the gift bag.

This is how our recycled gift bag turned out . . .

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If you would like to make a coordinating card, simple cut your manila folder to the desired size. Then use the same colors of paper you used on the gift bag to cut out shapes to use in a collage on the front of the card. We used hearts, but you can cut out stars, abstract shapes, or something else. We also cut out the simple shapes of a cake, candle, and candle flame for the inside of the card.

Finished Card (Front)

Finished Card (Inside)

For more ideas about what you can do with Post-it Brand Craft Paper, visit the Post-it Project Gallery.

Thank you to 3M for sending us sample packs of Post-it Craft Paper free of charge to use for this project.

Review: Picture Gift Bags (Coupon Code for Free Sample)

If you like to dabble in photography, I have found a product that will allow you to use your photos to put a smile on someone else's face. Picture Gift Bags allows you to put your photos or original artwork onto gift bags to make you gifts even more special.

The general concept is similar to premade digital scrapbooking templates. You simply visit the Picture Gift Bags website, go to the gift bags tab, select the bag size, select the occasion and the desired layout, and then upload your photo or artwork. Some layouts even allow you to add personalized text to your bag. The bags range from $6.49 to $7.95. Once you've placed your order, your picture and any custom text will be printed on the bag you have selected, which will be shipped directly to your home or place of business.

Here are some examples of the results . . .

The bags arrive flat as shown below. You simply pop them into a rectangular prism and lock the bags into place at the bottom of the bag. Some of the bags came with the handles already attached, while some of the bags just had them tucked inside. It was easy to attach the handles. I only needed to thread the ends through the prepunched holes from the outside. Once through, the ends securely stay in place like a toggle clasp on a necklace or bracelet.

These gift bags are more like thin cardboard gift boxes. When they first pop open, they do not keep a perfectly rectangular shape, but once they are stuffed with goodies and tissue paper, they hold their shape well. If well-cared for, these bags would make a nice keepsake for the recipient.

I submitted high resolution photos to use on these sample gift bags. The quality of the photos printed on the bag were very good, but not excellent. They were definitely good enough for gift-giving. It appears as if my photos may have been enhanced, at least to increase the contrast, but I cannot be positive.

One thing I have to note is that the large size bag is shipped in an envelope that is not rigid. I had problems with my first set of sample bags being creased. You can see one of the major creases on the large bag in my first photo. When my samples were resent, I only received medium and small bags and they came in a rigid cardboard mailer. It may be a risk to order a large bag until Picture Gift Bags has solved this problem.

If you'd like to receive a free sample of a picture gift bag, you can do so by visiting PictureGiftBags.com or PictureGiftMart.com and using Promo Code: FREE11PCGM at checkout. This coupon code is good for a medium sized picture bag only and is valid through July 31st, 2010.

Thank you to Picture Gift Bags for sending us product information along with sample gift bags free of charge to base this review upon.