As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I think it was probably a year ago that I made a stash of padded mailing envelopes out of wrapping paper. I’ve loved filling those envelopes with all sorts of goodies and sending them around the country (and the world) this year. However, my supply is rapidly dwindling; I think I have 2 left. Which means I need to sit down and whip up another batch of padded envelopes!
When I saw the patterned packing tape at Michael’s, I knew that I had to incorporate it into my upcoming padded envelope extravaganza somehow. This is what I did (and how you can do it, too!).
To make a stack of padded mailing envelopes you’ll need:
-a pile of pages and covers from children’s books (I had 4 or 5 books that had been rendered unreadable by either Burke or my classroom students, which provided plenty of material for this little project)
-bubble wrap (I think I mentioned this before, but bubble wrap is available at my dollar store)
-patterned packing tape (find it for a dollar in the deal aisle at Michael’s)
-hot glue gun
-scissors
1. Find two same sized children’s books pages. Leave the more interesting illustration for the outside and line the inside with bubble wrap. I cut the bubble wrap a bit smaller than the page and then adhered it to the page with hot glue.
2. Make an open-topped ‘envelope’ by taping three of the sides shut using patterned packing tape (if you have any book covers, you’ll only have to tape two of the sides).
3. Fill with goodies, tape the fourth side shut and mail! Such fun!
If you’re visiting from Craft Schooling Sunday, Made it Mondays, Metamorphosis Monday, Make it for Monday, Get Your Craft On, Just Something I Whipped Up, Talented Tuesday, Show and Tell Wednesdays, Look What I Made Day, Get Your Craft On, Creative Craft Thursday, Thursdays Treasures, Strut Your Stuff Thursdays, or DIY Day, welcome!
What a a great idea! I could also see making these with on old calendar. Thanks for sharing!
Oooh….thanks, Lynne! I came across at least two dozen old calendars on Freecycle last year. Now, all I need is pretty tape and some bubble wrap!!
Well, its so refreshing to find a new idea on a blog!! I would have never thought of making my own…and I also have some old books and calendars…off to hte dollar store to find bubble wrap. Thanks for the idea and inspiration.
I knew I was saving all of those book covers for something, now I know what it was for. Thanks so much for sharing!
super! ooo, using an old calendar sounds good too. I usually try and tape the books my kids tear apart, but I have plenty of calendars. 🙂
Fun & Frugal!
I think I've seen patterned tape at Dollar Tree recently, too, but I'm not sure.
Thank you so much for linking up with the Talented Tuesday link party at My Frugal Family, which is hosted every Tuesday. Please feel free to stop back in every week and post your newest projects!
Fabulous idea!!!! Really, I can't wait to do this!
Hey Kirst and Jord, If you ever have 12-13 dollars to spare you can get a roll of bubblewrap at Sam's Club that is 12 inches wide by 240 feet long. That's a lot of bubble wrap and a lot of envelopes. I guess it depends how many you need if it would be worth it or not. I picked up some really pretty wrapping paper (90% off) after Christmas to make my own from your blog post a while back. I love the idea of using books – so cute!!
Love you girls!
Kedran
Brilliant! LOVE this idea!
Love it! Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules
That's such a good idea. Smaller presents, party favors. I'll have to remember this one! Followed you here from Met Monday – been a busy week.
I hope you'll swing by AtticMag and tour my home; Alabama Stone Cottage Tour.
Wow love this idea! I need bubble mailers to send orders from my shop. Going to have to try this!
I do this with gift bags– I always have so many gift bags! — and don't even bother to use bubble wrap. With handles removed and some clear packing tape wrapped around them, they make really strong and cute envelope.
http://www.owlhaven.net/2010/01/22/cheap-shipping-envelopes/
Mary, mom to many
You could also get bubble wrap for free by asking your nearest paint-your-own pottery store. They always throw away A TON of bubble wrap when their shipments come in!
Tonight my hubby and I scored bubble wrap and kraft postage paper on a roll at Dollar Tree. At Michael's they had patterned packaging tape for only .30 a roll.(it was red and green for christmas and snowflakes) Here in OH you can use snowflakes 4-6 months. LOL.
. . . and how about Magazine covers? Are they strong enough? My husband never throws away his old TIME and NEW YORKER mags. I used to say I’d wallpaper the bathroom with the overs! Watch Out! I’m thinking again!
I bet they are- especially if you reinforce the sides with extra packing tape. 🙂 How fun to have all of those!