make: a recycled love note

The title of this may be deceptive. Don't worry...this isn't about recycling any sentiments, but rather, using recycled materials to construct this note. Well, I suppose you could reuse something sweet that you've said in the past, but that wouldn't be very nice, would it?

Here's what you'll need:
plastic bags
a cereal box, or similar cardboard
hot glue
permanent markers

Here's what you'll do:
Fuse the plastic bags together. I like this tutorial.

Cut an even number of pieces of fused plastic, plus two pieces of cardboard, all to the same size. I have 10 pieces of plastic, and they are 2.5" x 4.5".

Sew the short ends of the fused plastic together so that they form an accordion shape. Basically, you're adding onto the free end each time. But watch out. One of mine went on backwards without my noticing.

Trim the threads, but you don't have to trim them all the way off. I left about an inch.

Add a bit of hot glue to one end of a piece of cardboard, and carefully attach a free end of the accordion of fused plastic. Repeat with the other piece of cardboard and opposite end.

Use permanent markers to add messages of love to the cover and pages. Mine is filled with things that I love about the people in my family.

Even though I made this as a way to share a love note, you could make and use this idea in lots of ways. Originally, I was thinking of using muslin instead of fused plastic. What if it was filled with drawings? Instead of a sewing machine, running stitches would look great! Or how about writing a story to go in this little book?

However you make it, I'm sure it will be loved.

Speaking of love, starting on Sunday, it's Love Week here on the blog! I'll have whole bunch of love-themed posts, patterns, and projects...even a few guests. It'll be great!