To make a paper bag book you will need

• 3 or 4 strong paper bags
• 2 hinged rings (optional, to hold the book together)
• An assortment of patterned paper and thin card
• A selection of stickers or embellishments
• Scraps of ribbon and thread
• Paper glue and glue dots

Paper bag book are made from strong paper bags (the sort with a strong base that are sometimes used for packed lunches). You can buy these bags from craft shops but  I usually buy mine ready stitched from ebay. Take each bag and fold it in half then use a hole punch to punch two holes about 2cm from the fold then flatten the bags again. Pile two or three bags on top of each other, make sure that you alternate the way the bags face, on the bottom one have the opening facing to the right, the next one with the opening facing to the left and so on. Use a needle and strong thread to sew a seam down the middle of the book to create the spine.

The open ends of the book create pouches, so you can add larger folded documents or card inserts depending on the theme of the book. I usually reinforce the inner edges of the pouch with strips of thin card. I prefer to make completed albums but you can also make the album on a theme and leave it to the recipient to add photos and oddments. The album in the photographs was made for a young Eeyore fan using scrapbook paper with pictures and phrases on an Eeyore theme bought from an on-line craft shop. I hope my pictures give you some ideas, I have made albums with all sorts of themes including family history, new baby, starting school, favourite recipes, my pet, and holiday memories. The possibilities are endless just be imaginative. 

Please take a look at my articles in this series

How to make a photo box

How to make a tag album

How to make a Journal Jar

How to make a Scrapbook Album for a Special Birthday