Envelope Gift Bags

Hello. Today’s video shares how to create a simple gift bag from an envelope. I also share how to do coloring using colored pencils on Kraft cardstock.

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[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

Creating gift bags from envelopes is so easy! And now that companies have such great colorful (and even vellum) envelopes available (such as THESE from Simon Says Stamp), the possibilities are even more fun.

To create the gift bags, I stamped envelopes from Simon Says Stamp using the You Matter Background Stamp. I sealed the envelopes and cut a small strip off one side. I scored the remaining three sides approximately 3/4″ from the edges. The envelope size and how far in your score lines are will determine the size of your gift bag.

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Once the envelope is scored, I placed my hand inside the envelope to open it up and gently pushed the bottom and sides in. Once you start, it pops right into place. I secured the flaps down with strong adhesive. (Be sure to watch the video to see this in action.) These bags are so cute!

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To decorate the bags, I used a new STAMPtember stamp set from Neat and Tangled and Simon Says Stamp. The images are adorable! I stamped them on Kraft cardstock and colored them using Prismacolor pencils. It is important to put a lot of color down on this darker cardstock. Adding in highlights with a light color really make the images pop also.

I added “thankful” die cuts to each bag… and finished off the images with Glossy Accents and sparkle from a Spectrum Noir Glitter pen.

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I hope you give this technique a try. This bag is the perfect size to hold some candy, jewelry, or even a stamp.

SUPPLIES

Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated Affiliate links used at no cost to you. Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with an asterisk. As always, this post was NOT sponsored.)



Leave a Comment

79 thoughts on “Envelope Gift Bags”

  1. brandiryals says:

    What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. I am going to try to make one today

  2. stacey says:

    I love these bags and squirrels!! They are so cute. I don’t think I have ever seen a bag made out of an envelope so thank you for the great idea!! I am so glad I ordered this stamp set, you gave me some great ideas on how to use it!!

  3. Marianne says:

    Thanks for showing us how to make these gift bags. Such a wonderful idea. I would never have thought of this myself.

  4. Judy says:

    These are adorable–thanks for sharing!!

  5. Casey Thrush says:

    So cute!!!!!! I love that bag idea.

  6. Kim Sharabba says:

    Good Grief. Cute cute cute.

  7. Sharon Jones says:

    These little envelope bags are totally perfection, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing your great tutorial…the bags turned out so adorable!

  8. Such cute bags!
    Great use of Laura’s background stamp!

  9. Sabine says:

    love this idea! Thank you for sharing!

  10. Arianna Barbara says:

    OMG! Simple adorable!!! <3

  11. barb macaskill says:

    This is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!

  12. scraplea says:

    Those are too cute and the envelope gift bags look so easy! Thanks for the awesome video. I’ll have to try this.

  13. Susie says:

    Aren’t you clever!

  14. Chris S. says:

    Great idea. It would be great to have some of those bags made up and ready to decorate when you need to give a gift. Nice video. Thanks!

  15. Ulifleur says:

    So clever. Thank you for this great tutorial. I already have an idea how I can use this for the next Christmas party as favors.

  16. Julie H in MN says:

    Perfect timing of this video! I need a few small “thank you” gifts and these bags will be perfect!

  17. Mayleng says:

    Love creating with paper and these envelopes are adorable! Thanks for sharing your creativeness and ideas. Blessings

  18. These are delightful!!! Love this new exclusive stamp set from SSS!!!

  19. Evelyn B says:

    Jennifer Thank YOU for such a great idea. I love the background sentiment and I also love your use of colored pencils. These bags are just wonderful for small gift ideas and also would be great for a small gift at the table for a holiday!! Thanks again for sharing your wonderful gift bags!!

  20. Julie says:

    Love the colored pencil layering–thanks for the helpful video. I notice you refer to them as ” shimmer pens” in all your videos, but all I can find are Spectrum Noir sparkle pens. Are they the same?

  21. Teresa says:

    The gift bag is such a great idea. I love to learn new ways to use the supplies I already have. I have tons of envelopes, and I am definitely going to make some cute envelope/gift bags. I can’t believe how simple it is to make the gift bags. Thank you for sharing this new technique. I appreciate your videos and look forward to the next one.

  22. Maureen Reiss says:

    These gift bags are ADORABLE!!!!!

  23. terrie rodrigue says:

    I remember learning this a long time ago….like many years ago…
    it’s good to have it returned…….such a cute small little gift bag
    going to the craft room and try this technique again……thank you Jennifer

  24. Michele W says:

    I had forgotten about making gift bags out of envelopes. Thanks for bringing this back! I especially like the one made from the vellum envelope. Thanks, too, for the coloring lesson. I have the prismacolor pencils but haven’t used them much because I hadn’t been really sure how to get beautiful results like ones you got here but after watching your video I will definitely start coloring with them. Thanks!

  25. Sidney says:

    You’re amazing! These are adorable!

  26. Denise MacRae says:

    Great idea! Not something I would have thought of!

  27. Sybrina K says:

    Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing this idea!

  28. Linda Gorun says:

    So inventive! Love, love, love the use of pencils. Am going to try this on my cards as well. Thanks for another great video.

  29. Cyndi Morris says:

    What a great idea for Halloween treats for my grandchildren!

  30. Sharon Jones says:

    This is such a good idea. This would be great for party favors for any occasion. I will definitely try this. Thanks.

  31. Linda Tupper says:

    These little envelope bags are just lovely. I’ve been looking for ideas to make lil gift bags so your video is just perfect for me. How adorable are these. Love the background stamp. It’s my favourite and what a perfect background for the bags. Thank you so much for all you share.

  32. Littlesavedgirl says:

    Terrific video Jennifer, I’ve not seen this technique before so it new to me ❤.

    Thank you for teaching me so much over the years ?..
    Tootles,
    Tracy

  33. Judy M says:

    This is fab!! Thanks 🙂

  34. jenniferk says:

    This is such a fantastic idea, these little bags are so adorable and would be perfect for so many occasions when you just want to give someone a little something, how perfect to give it in a one of these handmade bags! Thanks for the great inspirations and tutorial too.

  35. Teresa Doyle says:

    These are so cute Jennifer. I never thought to use vellum envelopes! So sweet!

  36. Cindy Peters says:

    So cute! I love using colored pencils- I don’t have any markers but Sharpies so I use my Derwent watercolor pencils and love them. They color and blend so nice and when you add the water it’s a whole different look.

  37. Such a cute idea! I was wondering, do you have a specific container that you use to store all your envelopes in?

  38. Izzy Scrap says:

    What a great idea ! With Xmas time coming I’m sure I will use the idea ! Thanks for sharing !

  39. Debbie p says:

    What a great idea. Thank you for sharing with us.

  40. Colleen Howell says:

    Cute bags and a neat idea on how to make them

  41. Deepa Lakshman says:

    These are so cute. Very nice.

  42. {vicki} in ga says:

    What a fabulous idea!
    Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
    Now time to get creative!

  43. Betty Sue says:

    These are perfect treat bags! Thanks for all the tips! This stamp set is so cute!!

  44. Tammy B says:

    These are so cute! I don’t recall ever seeing envelope gift bags before. Awesome idea! Thanks Jennifer!

  45. Deb L says:

    Oh my goodness! You are amazing and your creativity has no bounds!

  46. Sylvia says:

    I love these gift bags, thanks for sharing this and for your tips on coloring on Kraft card stock.

  47. Nancy V says:

    What a fun and very useful idea! Gift bags for any reason and any season, and a project that can be just as varied as the envelopes themselves. You are so clever Jennifer, thanks for sharing with us.

  48. Debbie Barba says:

    I have never seen this done before!~ Thanks so much for sharing this Jennifer. Just in time for the holidays! Your bags are ADORABLE!!!

  49. MaggieB1983 says:

    Hi Jennifer ~ These envelope gift bags are absolutely darling. I don’t recall ever seeing them before and love the look of them. That background stamp is PERFECT for so many projects so I’ve quickly gone and ordered it before it becomes another “out of stock” item that I’ve missed out on (I think that anytime you show a product it sells out so very quickly!!). This gift bag, made from a slightly larger envelope, would be wonderful to give a set cards to someone. Love your ideas and am always thrilled when I see another post from you. Your posts and videos are always so fun and filled with tips and techniques. Thanks so much for being you. ~HUGS~

  50. janet says:

    These are so adorable, and these sweet, sweet images are colored beautifully 🙂

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