When I started thinking what I wanted to do for Jackson’s class treats this year, I knew I wanted it to be something different. Because, this is my super busy season…I needed something relatively easy to make and put together. So… I came up with these mini popcorn treats. I designed them to resemble a microwave bag of popcorn, on a smaller scale…and much cuter.
You’ll need the following supplies to make the popcorn bags:
Cardstock
Mini paper bags {these can be found at Hobby Lobby or Michaels}
Glue stick
Scissors
Masking or any removable type of tape
Mini clothes pins or clips
Parchment paper
Popcorn
Jacks & Kate freebie printable {link at the end of this post}
First, fold back the bottom of the bag and cut off…leaving you with two open ends. I cut mine at 5 inches.
Next, you need to make a guide to print on your paper bag. Print out the printable using the link at the bottom of this post. Fold your paper vertically in half to find your center line. Examine to see if it runs directly through the center of the printable. Mine did not…it was approximately 1/8 inch off. So, I drew my center line 1/8 inch over from the center fold {see first picture}. Next, at the top and bottom of the image…draw 2 horizontal lines all the way across the page. All of these lines will guide you in centering the paper bag over the image.
Using the guidelines you’ve drawn, center the cut paper bag over the image. Secure with tape at the top and the bottom. I don’t recommend using scotch tape. I used a thin sewing tape, that removes easily without tearing the paper.
Before you print, make sure you know how your printer is oriented to print. For example, I have to load mine face down to print on the paper bag. Once you’ve determined that, you can print.
After it prints, you can carefully remove the tape and the bag. Careful not to touch the ink…it’s still wet.
Now, take your cardstock and cut 1/2 in strips for however many you need. Fold each strip in half along the long side. Unfold…apply a generous amount of your glue stick and line up the top of the bag with the center fold. Quickly, press down the remaining half of strip onto the top of the bag. Cut off the excess on both ends…careful not to cut the bag.
Because, these bags are not lined…the popcorn can leave grease marks. I bought popcorn kernels and popped them myself using the brown paper bag method found here on Paging Supermom. My entire life…I never knew you could do this. It’s definitely cost effective and eliminates all the fat, grease, and extra chemicals. There are several popcorn recipes out there. White chocolate peppermint, caramel, oreo, chocolate. Whatever one you choose, even if it’s plain, you want to pick one that does not have a lot of grease. The parchment paper will eliminate any grease marks, but if it’s super heavy on oils, it might seap through.
Next, cut a piece of parchment paper a little more than twice the width of your bag. Then fold over to form a cylinder with open ends. Next, tuck it into the paper bag, moving it around until it forms a cone like shape. Fill with popcorn. Keep in mind…this is only going to hold a handful of popcorn, so you don’t want to over stuff it, or you won’t be able to close it. Once you’ve filled it with popcorn, fold down and tuck in the end of the parchment paper. If there is a lot of excess, trim it before folding in.
This is probably the trickiest part of this tutorial. You need a nice clean edge to seal off the bag. Just pinch in the sides and keep working the bag until you have a straight line across. If it seems to not be working, you’ve probably put too much popcorn in the bag and will need to remove some. Use the mini clothespins or any type of clip to hold the bag closed while you prepare the bottom strip of cardstock. Fold the cardstock just like before and again place a generous amount of glue on the strip. Remove your clothespins, and quickly align bottom of bag with center fold on strip. Fold over the top and secure with clothespins until dried.
That’s it…now you have some kickin’ mini popcorn treat bags!
Linking up to Show and Tell Wednesday