The next step is to fold the middle. You will want to create an M shape fold. I fold it in half, with the front and back covers touching each other, and then fold the halves into half again.
To make it pretty, cut scrapbook paper to size, leaving a little edge of the bag showing. Don’t worry too much about it meeting perfectly in the middle, since this will be closed.
Cut your notebook or loose leaf paper to size and mark your new notebook where the holes will be. This is where you will want to place your brads.
I hope you enjoyed this and make some for yourself. As always, if you do, I would love to see them! Be sure to send me a link to any pictures! I just love knowing that I have inspired you to be creative. Now go make one for someone special!
Amberly says
Sarah, I am a crazy gift bag hoarder! I have a tons, so I am making of these TODAY. I may have to improvise on the velco closure, buuuut I will definitely be sending you a pic of my creation. 🙂 thanks dear!
-Amberly!
Amberly says
Also, I ALWAYS have that Special Agent Oso song in my head. lol
SEL says
What a great way to reuse the bags! Thanks for sharing.
Found you from the linkup. Newest follower via email subscription.
xo
SEL
growinglaughingandlovinginlife.blogspot.com
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
Love these! Now that I know what duotang is – what the heck is kijiji? LOL
Jess from Coxs Corner says
What?! You are a genious! This idea is incredible!
[email protected]'s Mansion says
What an awesome idea – My 10 year old never throws out her bags, drives me crazy she will love this!
Gina @ Kleinworth & Co. says
SO CUTE!!!!!!! Oh this would make my girls so happy!
Craftberry Bush says
Hi Sarah, thank you for coming to our party once again…i’m happy to see you…and so glad to see this amazing way to reuse the gift bags…we have so many and I think my Bella would love these…I can’t wait to show her…thanks again and talk to you soon…xo Lucy
Jelli says
I love this! I’ve used gift bags for a gazillion purposes but never tried making a notebook out of them. What a clever idea. We always save decent gift bags, and my husband goes through notebooks fast, so I’d love to make this.
litlsis says
VERY cute. My daughter has been dragging around a Disney princess gift bag for about a year now…. Hmmmmmmm
SJ says
That’s a really cute idea! I try to save gift bags to reuse but sometimes they are a little dinged up to give to someone else. My daughter would go nuts over a notebook like this. Plus, love that it has a built-in handle!
noire says
Hello Sarah! Found you at the Make the Scene Monday Blog Hop ^^
I liked your blog a lot so I’m following you now.
Hope you get a chance to visit mine too sometime.
Have a great day : ) xx
N O I R E D A M E
Barbara Hiatt says
Love this Sarah! You are a talented little crafter! I have so many gift bags from all of Chase’s parties that are like new and I hate to throw out, now I know what to do with them!
Pinning!
Barbara at Chase the Star
Infarrantly Creative says
I love to upcycle and I never no what to do with all those left over cute bags. Thanks for a fantastic tutorial! I’ll have it up on my FB!
Jaime Zuchotzki says
Gift bags! The untapped resource. I am going to take your DIY and combo it with this one: http://ninjadiva.blogspot.ca/2011/11/scrapbook-paper-crafts.html
Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says
Very Creative!!! XO, Aime
Gen says
That is so crafty, the handles really do make it perfect for carrying it around! Thanks for linking this up at my greener linky party! Have a great weekend.
Carissa Bonham says
Love this project! What a great way to re-use bags. I featured you on Creative Green Living. The post is here: http://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/02/upcycle-gift-bags-into-notebooks.html
Feel free to grab a featured button if you like those: http://www.creativegreenliving.com/p/buttons.html