If so, then you can make these little cuties!
Seriously, this has got to be one of the cutest ways to recycle–ever! I learned how to make these adorable paper bows at my MOPS meeting today. I’m sure crafting goddesses have long known about this great little idea, but it was all new to me today. And it’s brilliant! I’m picturing cute little home-made bows atop many an upcoming Christmas gift!
Here’s what you need:
Magazine ads (colorful with little text probably works best, but you could really use anything. Also, it’s better if the cool design/pretty part is around the edges of the pages vs. the middle), scrapbooking paper, newspaper comics, or any other paper you think would make a cute bow!
Ruler (if you want to be exact)
Double-stick tape (or some other sticky substance)
Stapler
Here’s how to make it:
–Cut your magazine ad lengthwise into 3/4″ strips (you will cut 9 strips)
–Leave 3 strips full length, cut 1″ off 3 strips, cut 2″ off 2 strips, and make the last strip about 3 inches long.
Then, make ‘figure 8’s” out of your strips. Fold each end in toward the middle so the pretty sides face out (you will bring each end in the opposite direction), forming the shape of an 8. Staple the ends together in the center. (You will do this for all the strips except the tiny one–that one just loop over to make a little circle).
Then, start stacking your 8’s on top of each other (biggest to smallest), arranging in the way you think it looks best. Use the double-sided tape on the bottom of each loop to attach them.
Continue this process until you’ve stacked & attached all your 8’s. Then, voila–an adorable magazine bow!
Fast (less than 5 minutes per bow once you know what you’re doing), frugal, a great way to recycle, and super cute!! A new crafting endeavor to love!
Now, go “Get Your Craft On” and “make the world cuter” with these fun little bows! I’m certainly lovin’ it!
That’s really cute! I’ve also seen them made out of old maps–you can make them reaallly big that way.
What a fabulous idea! I have NEVER seen these homemade bows, so you weren’t the only one that didn’t know about them. This would be a great craft to incorporate the children to do…definately bookmarking this one.
Blessings and thanks for your post and picture turtorial ~
Ooooh this is new to me. I have never seen how to make bows. I’m thinking leftover scrapbook paper for this!
Stop by and see me sometime over at Free 2 Be Frugal.
Very cute! Excellent tutorial!
You should come link this up to my Making It With Allie party.
Alliemakes.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by ladies! Glad you enjoyed it and glad to know I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know about this great little crafting idea!
Love this! I teach a crafts class at a jr. high and this will be a great project to do around Christmas time. Thanks for sharing!
I have made these out of paper but I never thought about magazines. This is a fabulous way to recycle. They are so pretty too!
Oh, this is genius. I’ve got to try this. Thanks!
Pretty, pretty bow !
You could do this with ribbon and make a cute hair bow.
That’s a great idea, Casey! Would be adorable!
Awesome ideas! I just tried out the magazine-bow — love it!