Paper Pumpkin Envelope and Card Bag

Below are step by step instructions for how to make a bag out of a card and envelope.  While I still like buying bags and decorating them with hanging tags, I do appreciate that this is a way to leverage those beautiful watercolor envelopes that I can't bear to mail from the August 2022 Sweet Sunflowers Paper Pumpkin kit.

I only had the green card left so I used it but you could use normal cardstock with the beautiful water-colored envelope as well if you didn't get this kit or are out of pieces.  I chose to clip mine at the end with a binder clip instead of adding a handle – I just didn’t think the bottom was sturdy enough for something that needed handles but you could include a ribbon handle with the aid of brads or staples.  

The bags dimensions are 4 ¼ x 5 ½ x 1 ½ and would work best for a set of notecards and envelopes or a light-weight gift.

First, the cuts.....

Card Cuts:

• Cut in half at the score line so you have two 5 ½ x 4 ¼ pieces.

Envelope Cuts:

• Line up the envelope so the bottom is at 4” and cut.  
• Turn the envelope 90 degrees so the opening is at the top.
• Cut 1/8 inch off the side, turn 180 degrees, and cut another 1/8 off the other side – now it’s 5 1/2”.
• Open the card up and cut at the score line.
• Cut the largest piece in half to make two 5 ½ x 2 pieces (these are the sides)
• Score the sides each at ¼”, 1”, and 1 ¾”.  
• With the pattern facing up, fold the pieces in half at the 1” mark and then fold back the ¼ lines and set aside.
• Align the bottom of the other envelope piece on the 3” mark and cut off the rounded area (this is the bottom)
• Score the 3” side at ¾, 1 ½, and 2 ¼.
• Score the 5 1/2” side at 5/8 & 4 7/8.
• Cut off the four corners. 
• With the white facing up, fold in half.  Open up and then fold the four sides in at the other score lines.

Now the assembly:

• Put adhesive on the left and right sides of the back of the first cut card.  
• Use either Tear and Tape, glue strips, or tombo adhesive. 
• Attach the sides to the card front at that ¼ score line – make sure the patterns are going the right way on the card front and sides!
• For the bottom, add Tear and Tape to the four printed sides of the envelope paper.
• Peel the first piece and adhere to the inside of the box from edge to edge.
• Next peel the two short sides of the bottom and attach to the sides.
• Peel the tape from the last flap and attach the card front to the bottom.
• Add adhesive to the remaining ¼ tabs and attach to the card front.  
• Embellish the front of your bag.

Notes:

You can add ribbon – just do it before you embellish the front.  You can attach it with staples or brads and cover it with your embellishments.

Here are a few visuals to help if needed.....

At this point, you are probably thinking a video would have been easier and you would have been correct.  But those are skills to work on for another day.

Come back tomorrow to see what I was working on before bag-a-palooza.

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy