Scrappin’ Green~ 22nd Edition

~Making a “Bag-a-lope”

by Mary Chong, SBCH HOF Member

 This is an “oldie but a goodie” and I hope you like it PLUS it’s just in time for Valentines Day crafting.

 We at Scrapbookers Clubhouse are all about recycling and repurposing things into crafty stuff.  So when I needed an article topic I instantly thought of the…

 BAG-A-LOPE

 Now is it a bag or is it an envelope?

 First it was an envelope. 

I get my envelopes in bundles from the local variety store.  They are the extra “leftover” envelopes that remain after all the cards are sold. I’m not sure why there are “leftovers”, but they’re always there and the assorted colours sell for about $2 per bundle.  I’ve heard tell of thrifty crafters approaching various card stores and offering to take these off their hands because really – they can just say no – no harm no foul. 

 Another option if you are especially crafty is to use a used envelope.  An expert crafter would find a way to incorporate the address label and postmark into the decorating of the bag!

 Supplies:

Supplies required to create a "Bag-a-lope"

–          Squarish envelope

–          Ruler

–          Bone folder

–          Decorative scissors or border punch (optional)

–          Embellishments and something to decorate the envelope

–          Adhesive

 Step 1:

–          Seal the envelope well

 Step 2:

–          Tear off the top of one narrow end

–          OR cut with decorative scissors or border punch

–          This is now the bag’s opening

Step 2

 Step 3:

–      On the other 3 sides measure, and score with the bone folder approximately 1″

–          The 1″ is more of a guide and will vary according to how deep you want your bag and the size of your original envelope.  The key here is that each score mark must be equal in width or it won’t work.

 

Step 4:

–          Stick your hand inside the open end and open up the envelope to create the shape of the bag

–          Decorate your bag

–          Tape or glue down the bottom flaps 

*I find it easier if I’m using stamps etc. to decorate the bag before I stick down the flaps.

 And there you have it  – a BAG-A-LOPE is born!

Photo #3

 

Photo #4