eWillow.com's "Paper Clips"

Have you seen all of the adorable Halloween decorations that have been popping up in stores all over the place?  As soon as the shelves are cleared of back-to-school stuff, ALL of the Halloween stuff will be there for us to buy.

I have been trying to put off showing you some fun Halloween paper crafts, but I just can't wait any longer!  So, I'll see you back here next week and we'll get started, okay?  For the month of September, I'll give you lots of templates and tutorials so you will be ready when October rolls around.  Until then, enjoy your next-to-last summer weekend...

**Update:  The links to the templates for the popcorn box and the tiny gift bag are now working**

Imagine making a bunch of these super-easy popcorn boxes, inviting some of your friends over, and sitting around watching movies or just chit-chatting the night away!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Popcorn Box Template found HERE

Two sheets of paper per box (either two 8 1/2" x 11" pieces, or two 12" pieces)

Adhesive

Scoring tool

Scissors or paper cutter

Ribbon and embellishments

DIRECTIONS:

1)  print template and cut out box pieces

2)  score boxes along score lines

3)  adhere the two box pieces together along the side tabs

4)  put the bottom together (you might want to add some tape to make sure the bottom is secure)

5)  add embellishments

It would be fun to add a personalized tag with the name of each of your guests.  That way everyone will know whose is whose.

Now YOU do it!  Make some fun popcorn boxes and upload photos to your eWillow.com studio or to eWillow.com's Facebook page.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Imagine the great gift that you can give (or receive!) in this small package.  It's too small for a gift card, but a diamond ring would fit nicely inside, thank-you-very-much!  You can download the template HERE.

I added a HUGE brad to the front, but you can add a flower or button.  Any type of embellishment would add a nice accent.  Instead of a purse-type handle, I punched a small hole in the flap and added a small loop.

I also added two magnets as a closure.  Easy and fun!

Now that you've made your gift bag, (small gift bag tutorial found HERE) look at the cute topper you can add to transform the bag into a cute little purse!

I received this cute gift bag in a swap a couple of years ago.  (If it's your creation, please send an email to info@ewillow.com so I can give you a shout-out.)  You can add a lid to your gift bag with a couple of easy steps.  All you have to do is trim the top of the bag down to the size you want and add a top-note die.  

You can also add a ribbon handle and a Velcro closure.

Classy, huh?

You can make an unlimited variety of these cute gift bags using any 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock.  I like using my embellishment scraps to decorate the bags.  The possiblilities are endless!  These bags are the perfect size for gift cards or jewelry...remember, good things come in small packages.

SUPPLIES:

8 1/2" x 11" cardstock; one sheet of cardstock per bag

scoring tool

assorted ribbons and embellishments

adhesive

TUTORIAL

Decorate, and you're done!