More Paper Bag Scrap Books

Inspired by how much I enjoyed making my Mom’s paper bag scrap book and the desire to make a special homemade gift for a special retiring teacher that I had the opportunity to work with this past year as she taught a third child of mine I decided that another paper bag scrap book was the best gift I could give.  Our kindergarten teacher had made the most amazing scrap books for each of my children the year she had them and I hoped she might enjoy being on the receiving end as much as we had.

 

Again, I alternated direction of the paper bags so that the openings and flaps would lay neatly and create interesting flaps and pockets for the scrap book.  I found pictures of each of my children from the year she had had them and found quotes and poetry about teachers.  Each of my children included a personal note as well, to make it more meaningful. 

My second grade daughter enjoyed making an appreciation gift for her teacher modeled after my scrap book.  Easy and fun… just takes time.

This was so much fun we spent more time making one for the retiring principal who had been so helpful to us through the years as well!  Perhaps you will be inspired to make a personal gift that is both meaningful and inexpensive.

Of course, what better gift wrap for a  paper bag scrap book than a brown paper bag!  I love brown paper bags!  Tied with kitchen twine and decorated with a sticker and a fresh spring flower, it was a festive looking package with a gift straight from the heart.

Mother’s Day Paper Bag Scrap Book

I wanted to give my Mom a personal gift this year that I wouldn’t be able to buy at the store.  I thought of the gifts I receive from my children now and the idea of a home made gift appealed to me because I think many times they mean the most.  I went with a paper bag scrap book this year.  I had brown lunch bags in the closet already as well as pretty papers and I purchased some stickers on sale at the hobby store.  Beyond that I just needed some photos which my husband helped me to scan and print.  I discovered I didn’t have much in the way of pictures from my childhood years but I had a few.  I went in search of poetry and quotes for this book and then spent several hours over a couple of weeks putting this together with paper scraps, ribbon and bags alternating directions to form pockets and flaps for a more interesting and quirky scrap book.  I enjoyed it and the gift was unique and personal as well as inexpensive… a gift of time and thought.  Here it is before I mailed it off in a padded envelope. 

Provident Living–November - 2014

At the beginning of the month as I went out to clean up in the yard I was thrilled to find 5 small green peppers on my wilting plants out in the back garden.  They make a delicious addition to homemade pizza!

Shopping deals this month included rolls of paper towels for .90 per roll.  For most dirty jobs I use cotton rags (think old cut up t-shirts and towels) but there are a few awful jobs around the house involving cleaning up after pets that keep me buying the disposable paper towel. 

Other great stock up purchases involved finding Nestle chocolate chips for .49 per bag, condensed cream soups and vegetables for .49 (normally $1.59).  evaporated milk for .89, big bags of M&M’s for $1.37, Pineapples and raspberries for just $1, .49 pasta, .39 jello, canned pumpkin and cranberry sauce for .99.
I was finally able to buy some new pants which I got at 30% off.
We visited my Mom and Dad for Thanksgiving.  My Aunt gave me some fabric scraps and pieces when she stopped in to visit with me.  I also gave her a home made gift utilizing some scraps of felt I had in my box, floss and tiny beads I had gotten from my husband’s grandmother, a fun oversized button from my button box and pins I bought on a terrific sale several years ago.  My husband thought it was some weird voo doo bracelet on first glance.

My Aunt seemed pretty thrilled with her new pin cushion.  She enjoys sewing in her spare time and has a real talent for quilting these days.  I thought she might find this gift useful as well as cute and fun.

I used a variety of kitchen cups for the general circular sizes and shape of the flower sections of the cushion and simply shaped the outer portion of the flower cutting free hand.  I cut leaf shapes and stitched veins into those pieces.  The bracelet section I used a straight edge for and rounded either end.  The button can be moved to fit the individual’s wrist.

I simply gift wrapped it in a brown sack that I decorated with blue snowflake stamps and a winter sticker I had in my bin as well as a scrap of blue ribbon. 
That is all I kept track of for November.  My new calling at church had me pretty busy.