Show Me Your Technique with MCT

Welcome to my first post for My Creative Time's Show Me Your Technique Mini-hop. Grab a cuppa, cuz I have lots of pics to share with you. Don't be intimidated though....there are two methods here - one with and one without a die - which is why so many pictures. Today I'm showing how you can make FOUR mini treat bags from just ONE little ol' lunch bag. These bitsy sized bags are the perfect size for classroom parties, party favors, Halloween trick or treat, popcorn for the short people on movie night, or just about any kind of snack you might want to limit for little guys.

You don't HAVE to use a paper sack. You could also use pattern paper if you'd rather.

I'll be using a die for this lunch sack version, but if you don't have the die, please keep following as I will provide measurements and instructions below for cutting your own template without the die.

For the lunch bag version, first cut off the bottom of the bag.

Discard the bottom piece and flatten out the bag, which is now a flat paper tube. Using the Lifestyle Crafts mini bag die, line up the die across half the bag - it will just barely fit twice onto one lunch bag, going side to side.

This is what it looks like after you cut the top half of the bag with the die. You'll need to separate the two pieces at the side fold with scissors. It's that close a fit! Do the same with the upper half of the bag. Now you will have four pieces = four bags!

This next step isn't necessary, but since I have one, I thought I'd use my ribbon iron to press out the original fold lines of the bag since they don't line up with the score lines of the die.

Fold all the score lines and your bag already takes shape. Adhere the small tab to the inside...

...and glue the bottom closed.

All that's left now is to decorate.

Version 2
Instructions for making the bag without a die. It's easier than it looks, I promise!

You will need:
* paper of your choice, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches
* fast drying adhesive
* scissors
* ruler
* bone folder
* circle punch (opt)
* postage stamp decorative scissors (opt)

If your 8x8 paper pad comes like this one by October Afternoon, you can take advantage of the extra 1/2 inch of white space by making sure this is the part of the bag that will be the glue tab. For each bag, you'll need 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches.

I thought I was being so smart adding the measurements to the photo, but it doesn't appear to show up very well. Also it makes it hard to see with this paper I chose. My apologies. 

Once you have your paper cut to size, score as follows:

From the left side edge, score at 1 1/2", 4 1/8", 5 3/8" and 7 7/8 inches.

From the bottom, score up 1 inch.

Cut a notch about 1/2 inch up the first three score lines.

Trim at an angle on the left and right bottom edges {flaps} and fold along all score lines.

Optional:
Use the postage stamp decorative scissors to trim close to the top edge of the bag. Then, on what will be the front of the bag, use the circle punch to cut a half circle in the center of the top edge.

Adhere the side tab and bottom flaps to finish the bag, then decorate and fill with goodies. :)

That's it. I hope you're able to follow these instructions. It seems like a lot but really it's simple and once you do one, you won't even need them anymore. Have fun making baby bags. I just love these little guys!

If you missed Ruthie, hop on over and catch her awesome technique, then up next is Tracy. Till we meet again, bag ladies. LOL

Ruthie
Shar
Tracy