I found this fabulous tutorial on how to make a large gift bow out of any paper you have on hand: magazines, scrap paper, pretty scrapbook paper, even old junkmail or maps.
The tutorial is from the talented crafter Jessica Jones and if you don’t follow her blog you should: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com
Here’s some more info about the bow making process.
In gift wrap emergencies when you’ve got the present but need some wrapping, here’s an idea for turning a magazine page into a bow. (There may be better ways to stick this thing together, but I used what I had on hand: staples and adhesive glue dots. Double stick tape would work, too.)
Cut a magazine page (or whatever paper you are using) lengthwise into 9 strips, 3/4″ wide. Leave 3 of the strips full length. Cut one inch off 3 of the strips. Cut two inches off 2 of the strips. Cut the last strip down to 3 1/2″ long.
To read the whole tutorial and get step by step photos visit: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-gift-bow-from-magazine-page.html
I created a dozen bows using Jessica’s tutorial! Not only is the project eco-friendly and fun, you can get (even more) creative with it by using more than one magazine page per bow. One of my bows is made out of 3 separate magazine pages and turned out so great!
Thanks for sharing this tutorial. Jessica’s ideas are as creative as they are useful.
Amber