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Upcycle Gift Bags into Hardcovered Notebooks

Have you ever came across a gift bag that was just so cute that you your kids didn’t want to reuse it?  Do you have so many gift bags that you know you’ll never have to buy another one again, but still do?  I could answer yes to both of those questions.  My husband (once again) said “Enough is enough!  Get rid of some of these bags!”  I bundled up about 60 of them and gave them away on kijiji, but I still had a bunch left, some that my kids actually did love.  They were the real cute expensive ones that someone like Grandma probably gave them (because Mom is definitely too cheap to buy bags that cost more than $1) and they are all glittery with pretty ribbon.  Cecelia loves TinkerBell and Stella loves Minnie, so we have been hanging on to these two bags now for a long time.
Stella carries hers around with a notebook and pen in it, because she just loves having paper and pens wherever she goes.  The trouble is, everything falls out of the bag and lands on the floor.  I decided to cut the bag apart and glue it on a notebook… and just as I held the scissors to the bag, I came up with this idea – upcycling them into notebooks themselves!
Well, let me tell you, once I did it, I couldn’t believed that I had lived for three decades without discovering this before now.  It’s so easy and so cute!  Wanna make some?
First, gather your supplies.  For each notebook, you will need 1 gift bag, 1 exercise book or stack of loose leaf paper, 2 sheets of matching scrapbook paper, tape, scissors, and 3 brad fasteners.  A velcro dot is also optional.
 To disassemble your bag, follow these three easy steps (I sound like I should be on Special Agent Oso):
1. Unfold the bottom of your bag.  If it has a cardboard lining, take it out.
2. Cut a slit down the right hand side.  Make sure you cut the right side, or you will have the back of the bag as the front of your notebook.
3. Flatten the bag and cut the bottom parts of the sides, as shown in the picture below.
Now to make the “hardcover” part of our book.  I planned to use chipboard, but while I was trying to find it in my messy craft room, I found some scraps of foam board.  It worked perfectly.  Slip it in the back (cut it a little shorter than the width of your bag so that your edges can fold up over) and then tape the edges around the foam board.  It doesn’t have to be neat, because you will be covering it up. If you are making the front hardcover as well, repeat this process, or just tape the flaps down if you are leaving it soft. If you have big knots of ribbon like this, untie them, and glue them flat down with hot glue or some other durable glue.

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.

Place your cut lined paper inside and close the brad fasteners.
Place a velcro dot on the edge of the notebook to keep it closed while it’s being carried.  And there you have it folks, a super fabulous notebook, for likely nothing, since I am sure you have most of these things on hand.  Best part is, if it’s a really cute bag that they love, you can keep refilling the folder with new paper!

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!

About Sarah

Sarah Desjardins is a mother of two girls, a wife, an elementary school teacher, and a self proclaimed glitter addict. The Simply Crafted Life is a place for anyone who wants to make their domestic life more beautiful and creative. Sarah started The Simply Crafted Life as a place to find bliss between the diapers and the dishes, and invites you to do the same.

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Comments

  1. 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!

    Reply

  2. 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

    Reply

  7. 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

    Reply

  8. 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.

    Reply

  10. 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!

    Reply

  12. 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

    Reply

  16. 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.

    Reply

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