Recycled Valentine's Pouch

Making Valentine's recently came up in a conversation while I was looking at a stack of scrap paper and a roll of toilet paper (prefer it to tissue for a runny nose as I can choose just the amount I need). I decided to combine the two and make a pouch for holding notes, stickers, or candy. This craft is simple enough for elementary children, and even preschool and kindergartners if the materials are prepared ahead.

• Scraps of paper (I used paper from mail--cut up envelopes, junk mail letters that were only printed on one side)
• Toilet paper tube (1 per pouch; could also use cardboard paper towel tubes or gift wrap tubes cut to the desired size)
• Glue (school glue worked fine, but if using any decorations that aren't paper, use a craft glue)
• Scissors

One of the following

• Hole punch and ribbon (if you don't have a hole punch an adult or older child can use a craft knife, large needle, or nail to make a slit or hole)
• Self-adhesive hook and loop tape (Velcro)
• Large sticker

The following may be helpful

• Ruler or straight-edge
• Pencil
• Markers
• Paper punches (e.g. heart or flower shaped)
• Decorative edge scissors

Other ideas of things to use to decorate

• Scraps of fabric or lace
• Yarn or ribbon (to make bows)

Flatten the toilet paper tube. Try to crease the edges.

On one open side of the tube, put a thin line of glue along the inside edge of the tube.

Squeeze the edges together and wipe off any glue that comes out.

Place the tube under something heavy to keep the edges together. If you use a book, cover the tube with another piece of paper or a plastic bag so you do not accidentally glue the tube to the book.

Let dry for at least 10 minutes. If the tube starts to come apart when you remove the heavy object, replace and leave for another 10 minutes

Glue scraps of paper all over the tube. You can use a single largish piece of paper or many smaller pieces. If using multiple pieces of paper, glue them so that they overlap.

Try not to have any edge of paper align on a fold of the tube. Wrap paper around the folded edges.

Cut out hearts or other shapes and glue on the paper covered tube. Use paper that contrasts with the paper that will be underneath.

If you want to make fringe for the bottom of the tube:

• Cut a strip of paper two or more inches wide and at least as long as the tube is wide
• Fold the paper in half-width wise (so that it stays the same length, but is half as wide)
• Along the open end of the paper strip, make cuts almost to the fold.
• Glue the folded edge to the bottom of the tube. Wrap around the folded edges if needed.
• Repeat on the other side of the tube if desired.

If you want to make a medallion flower:

• Cut three rectangles of paper
• Accordion fold each of the rectangles
• Fold each of the accordion folded rectangles in half
• Glue the pieces into a circle

If you want to make decorative edge:

• Cut a strip of paper
• Along each edge, draw a wavy line or a series of triangles
• Cut along the lines
• Alternatively: Cut a strip of paper using decorative edge scissors

Note: Outlining the shapes with a marker improves contrast and can help the shapes stand out from the background.

For a flat pouch suitable for notes, stickers, or flat lollipops, etc (white with hearts and flower).

If using a tie closure:

• Use a hole punch, craft knife, large needle, or nail to make a hole or slit about 1/2 inch from the top of the tube on the center of each side.
• Thread the ribbon, yarn, or cord through both holes.
• Tie.

If using hook and loop:

• Trim the hook and loop pieces to no larger than 1 inch by 1 inch (if needed).
• Peel off the backing and align the pieces with the top edge in the center of each side.

If using a large sticker or label (this is not reclose-able, so make sure you put the contents into the pouch first):

• Center the sticker on one side of the pouch. Half of the sticker should extend above the top of the pouch.
• Pinch the top edges together.
• Fold the sticker over and press down.

For a wider pouch suitable for bite-size or hard candy or similar sized objects (green with white hearts and fringe).

• At the top edge of the tube, open the tube as much as possible.
• Squeeze the two edges together. The result will be the top edge of the tube is perpendicular to the bottom edge. In the flat pouch, the two edges are parallel.
• Choose one of the above methods to close. The centers of the edge for the pouch made this way will be the original creases.