MAKE IT!

I recieved a copy of the craft book "MAKE IT!" by Jane Bull a few months ago.

An awesome collection of ideas for using recycled materials to make cute new items, primarily geared towards children, but for me it is perfect for "easy" projects.

My favorite items in the book are junk mail mache' and paper weaving. I plan on using these ideas in the future for recycling my seed catalogues!

One of the ideas I posted on the article here on Gather for reusing old material ( a favorite of mine) is exactly what I did for gift wrap this year.

It is very simple, takes only as much time as you choose( or have) to put into it....and requires minimal sewing skills.

and it is SOOOOOOOOOOO GREEN!

I simply recycled damaged tablecloth covering and wired ribbon to make my SANTA BAGS� by loosly measuring the items to be wrapped, cutting the material and sewing a hem to pull the ribbon through. I pulled the ribbon through first, then sewed the bag closed. Turned it right side out, put the gifts inside and tied a bow!

THATS IT!!!!!

I will label these tomorrow with home made tags from pics taken of christmas ornaments and the names drawn on with glitter glue.

And just like the expensive paper bags one can by at the store...these can be saved and RE-gifted.

I figure you can get as fancy as you like by�making these from old shirts, quilts, recieving blankets, pillow cases or curtains and using a variety of� ropes, ribbon, ties, and yarn for the pulls.

So if you get to the end of your wapping paper and still have a few presents to go....

visit your closets, storage bins, and material surplus bag( everyone has one of these right...lol) and save�that last minute run to the store, and create something wonderfully unique instead!�