How to make a Pillow Pouch from Cardboard Tubes

Part 4 of my recycled gift wrapping collection - how to make a pillow pouch from a cardboard tube.

Before we start I just want to say that I have read some people's comments on crafts made from toilet roll tubes. Fears about it being unhygienic in some way. I don't really get this because I'm not sure what people are doing with their toilet roll tubes that make them germ ridden. However if this is a concern for you just use kitchen roll tube - problem solved!

First squish your tube flat.

Mark a half circle at the ends. You will need to find something to draw round (I used a little ramekin dish) Then "draw" round it using a ball ended scoring tool (is that what it's called?) The photos will explain!

If you don't have one of theses fancy tools just use a skewer, edge of the scissors, pencil where the lead is broken, a pop up biro that's not popped up - something like that. Anything that will make a ridge in the card but not a mark.

Fold these ends in by gently pushing them, use your fingers to pinch the edge to neaten.

It should look something like this - all ready for decorating.

You can decorate them however you like.

I wrapped a couple of paper strips round.

And then tied a little gift tag from my "old bits from Cards" stash to finish off.

Perfect for little gifts, jewellery, sweets, cufflinks etc.

Scrabble Christmas Sign

Recycled Business Cards

Gift Box from Old Cards

Mini Knitted Christmas Tree Pattern

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs

Gift Boxes from Old Cards

Part 3 of my Recycled Gift Wrap ideas - How to make little gift boxes from old greeting cards.

You need two cards which are roughly the same size. I only use the fronts of the cards so I need 2 cards for 1 box. If you use the back of the card too then you only need 1 card per box - you with me so far?

Cut the cards so that one is a few mm smaller than the other. The smaller card will be your base, the larger one will be the top.

Mark a line on each edge. This can be any distance but all the sides must be the same. The further the line is from the edge the taller (but smaller) your box will end up. 

This card measured 16cm x 15.5cm and I measured 3.5cm in. The box finished up approximately 9cm x 8.5cm x 3.5cm.

Cut where shown here:

It's a good idea to cut the top one way and the base another. This photo shows what I mean:

Put glue on the right side where the big red blobs are here (I had to use a fat permanent marker pen here as the card is shiny - I felt very "pulp fiction" as I drew the big red blobs! You don't put red blobs - you just put glue)

Fold the gluey sides up and stick in place to form the box.

 Then hold in place with clothes pegs until the glue is dry.

Repeat for the box base. Measure exactly the same distance from the edge on this slightly smaller piece of card as you did for the lid. Then the lid will end up just a fraction bigger and will fit!

(This is upside down, the red is the top and the black is the base)

Easy as that!

If you have friends and relatives who insist on writing warm, seasonal messages on the inside left of the cards they send you then ask them to stop, as they are inconveniencing your recycling crafts! If you don't mind a little bit of writing inside your gift boxes then don't mention it!

You might also be interested in:

Scrabble Christmas Sign

Business Card Box to Gift Box

Gift Bags from Old Envelopes

Mini Knitted Christmas Tree Pattern

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, why not stop by and have a look

Business Card Box to Gift Box

Part 2 of my Recycled Gift Wrapping Ideas - Business Card Box to Gift Box.

I had a whole bunch of these plastic boxes that business cards come in. They are small but really sturdy and way too good to throw away.

I lined them with some festive scrap book paper to make little Christmas gift boxes.

You need paper that doesn't have a right way up for this, so nothing with rows of snowmen, Santa's or reindeer, otherwise half of them will be upside down!

Measure your box then mark and cut out on the back of your paper like this:

The rectangle on the left will line the lid, just make that 2mm smaller than the lid in both directions.

Just push the lining inside the box, pattern facing outwards so it looks like this:

I found a cute little tag left over from something (probably came free with a magazine) and it fitted just right for box number 2.

I'm thinking to use these for either little jewellery gifts or a few special home made sweeties.

You might also be interested in:

Scrabble Christmas Sign

Gift Boxes from Old Cards

Framed Christmas Tree Print

Reindeer Noses

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs

Gift Bags from Old Envelopes

I love to recycle and reuse whatever and whenever I can. I also love a beautifully wrapped gift, so I've been trying to combine the two.

I have a few ideas so I'll show them one at a time with some instructions.

Let's start with gift bags from old envelopes. 

You can make these from new envelopes in any size or colour but as I like to recycle I am in the habit of opening nice large coloured envelopes carefully - just slice the top off with the scissors like this:

Now measure and mark with a pencil in from the edge on all 3 closed sides. It can be any distance but all 3 sides must be the same. This envelope was 14cm x 20cm so I marked 2.5cm in from the edge.

This has only changed colour because the red envelope photos were fuzzy! Score a line down each of the 3 sides where you have marked.

 Fold along the line forwards and backwards.

You may have a little unstuck bit at the top like this:

Just stick it down with glue.

If your envelope has writing on it you can cover it up with something cute/pretty. I save bits from old cards and use them for all sorts of things, I have quite a collection now! 

If you do want to stick embellishments onto the bag,now is the time to do it, whilst it's flat and easy to press down on.

When you are ready pop your hand inside the envelope to open it into a bag shape.

 Fold the bottom corners flat like this:

Fold the sides inwards at the top edge like this:

Now glue the corner flaps down onto the base.

I hope this picture is not misleading, that is the base of the bag you can see there.

Now stand the bag up with something reasonably heavy in it to hold the flaps until the glue dries. (like this handy vase)

(It looks like I punched the holes in this one before glueing the base, I made loads of these so may have mixed the order up a little here. It doesn't really make much difference)

Punch holes in the top with a hole punch. This one has a paper doily trimmed to the same width as the bag folded in half over the top of the envelope bag. I just punched through all 4 layers.

If your envelope of narrower than your hole punch just measure, and mark with a pencil dot, an even amount from each edge.

Then punch one hole at a time (the other hole will be punched into mid air!)

Now you just need to pop in a pressie and then tie through the holes with ribbon or thread to finish.

Coloured envelopes are not usually made of the thickest quality paper so obviously these gift bags are not especially robust. They are perfect for little light presents: jewellery, sweets, a tie, a keyring, that sort of thing. The thicker the envelope was to start with the stronger the bag will be.

You might also be interested in:

Gift Box from Old Cards

Recycled Business Cards

Sequin Christmas Trees

Mini Knitted Christmas Tree Pattern

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs