Just Bag It!
By Helen Naylor

No matter what the season, or the reason, we all find ourselves in need of gift bags. I have almost given up on wrapping paper, with the exception of items that won't fit into a bag! Handmade gift bags are a way of telling someone that they are special and best of all, they can be recycled! In my group of friends, we often see a bag that has made it's way around the birthday circle. Sometimes the bag is so wonderful, it's considered to be part of the gift!

If you are already a scrapbooker, you have almost all the necessary supplies to decorate a gift bag. All you really need is the bag! You will want to use plain colors, or bags with little design. There are checked ones, ones with fine lines, and ones that look like brick. These are all great. I like to have an assortment of bags on hand, different colors and sizes that will work for a variety of occasions. Paper Reflections has a good variety of colors and sizes available. Watch for a good sale, and then stock up on them. If you have time, it is a good idea to make them ahead of schedule. It is always easier if you do them in an assembly line production. For the holidays, now would be a good time to start. And don't forget to make gift cards that match. Use co-coordinating paper and just a bit of the design. You can punch a hole in the top left hand corner, and attach it with a bit of ribbon or raffia. To keep from having to hurry around the last minute, just tuck the card inside the bag, put in a piece or two of matching or coordinating tissue paper and set it aside until you are ready to use it.

There are two different ways that you can approach gift bag making. You can find a cute pattern and then find tissue paper to match, or you can find tissue paper you like, and make the bag match the paper. (I did this with the watermelon slice bag.) This can also extend to boxes or any kind of containers. If you can glue it on, it should work. 

Seasonal Bags

Thanksgiving Bags

Christmas Bags

When I was visiting in Utah, I found the cute patterns for the Indian girl and the pilgrim girl at Pebbles In My Pocket. The patterns came full size, but could be reduced to include on a layout page. (They had several seasonal patterns and are copyrighted.) I found these designs quite delightful!

I liked the Pebbles design so much, that I made my own version in a Santa. Using a Making Memories circle cutter, I cut out the head, and then drew the accessories to match the head size. The tree bag is actually done with fabric, which I have tons of on hand, but could be made with paper. I used a Provo Craft template for the trees, star and moon.

Do you need a bag for every season? Of course! From Valentine's to Halloween and summer in between. You could go crazy with all the bags you can make - and using the items you already have. I know it's hard to take a break from scrapbooking, but if you make really cute bags, and take them to someone's party, make sure to get a picture of your bag in the hands of that special person the gift is for. It will make a great layout when you're done!

You have an endless supply of ideas, which you can either design and use large on a bag, or reduce and put on a layout for your scrapbook. But what ever you do, have fun! Just bag it!