Make your own Gingerbread (paperdolls) Kit

 I know, I know-Christmas is almost here and we are running out of time, but for all you last minuters out there here is a cute gift idea for a niece, nephew or for your kids friends: A make your own gingerbread kit (gingerbread paper dolls and accessories).

It is totally simple to make.  You will need:

-1 piece of cardstock cut to 12x5 inches

-3 or 4 cellophane bags ( mine were 7.5x5"-it's okay if they are longer because you will be cutting them off).  These should be bags that have a way to close them.  Mine have a sticky strip.  If your's don't close you could some up with something creative, I am sure, to keep them closed.

-Paper dolls (I traced and cut mine by hand but if you can find a die cut for these, this project would be so slick).

1. Start by cutting your piece of cardstock.

2.  Fold it in half and crease, then reopen. Next score 2 lines on each side of the center fold each a half inch wide.  So you will measure out from the center a 1/2 inch, then score, then measure from that line out a 1/2 inch and score.  Repeat on the other side of the fold. 

3. Fold on lines accordion style (one fold goes one direction and the other fold goes the other direction) to end up with a piece of paper that looks like this:

Top view

4. Take your cellophane bags (I used 3) and...

Cut 1.5 inches off the closed end.

5. Sandwich the bags in between the 2 folds on the inside of the card.  Here's a hint: I didn't pay attention to what side my openings were facing so if you want the openings on the top then make sure you look and adjust your bags accordingly, otherwise the openings may all be different directions (like mine).

6. Next stitch on the outside of the card a 1/4 inch from the edge. This will secure the bags in side.

It will look like this when you are done. Notice my bags are sticking out, but once I fold them over and seal them they will be tucked inside.

Here is an inside view.

7. Now you will decorate the outside and gather all your pieces for the inside.

Here is what the inside looks like.  In one pocket I have about 10 gingerbread people.  In the next pocket I have shirts, overalls, dresses and scarves.  Other ideas would be hats and shoes.

In the last pocket I have decorating accessories like: ric rac, sequins, buttons, fun foam shapes, and hearts.  You could also include ribbon.

I would give this with a white gel pen and a package of glue dots or a small glue pen.

Now think about the possibilities people: you could make seasonal books, you could make these for kids in a hospital (not even just for Christmas but other times of the year with people bodies and accessories), you could make a birthday set, you could use the book/card format and make a little travel book with extra inside pockets to collect goodies, this could be a mini scrapbook with pictures and trinkets in the pockets.  ENDLESS possibilities.  Happy crafting.