Paper & Card Boxes

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By Jane ChiodiniThis square box is very effective, but so easy

to make. The size can be adjusted to your needsand the ideas for covering and decorating areendless. It can be made from any paper orlightweight card (anything over 200gsm is themost effective for a strong box). I particularlylike Kaskad or Creative Cover and Taffeta isexcellent for hand decorating with rubberstamps. Learn how to make the basic boxfrom the instructions below and then startexperimenting to your heart’s content!

Materials Required:To make a 5 x 5 x 2.5cm square box and lid;1 x 20cm (exact) square of card for lid.1 x 19cm (exact) square of card for base.Pencil.Steel rule and a sharp craft knife.P.V.A. Craft adhesive or glue stick.

Follow the simple guide on the next page toproduce a perfect box.

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Stage 1 - Draw a light pencil linefrom opposite corners to form acentral cross.

Stage 2 - Fold each corner up to thecentre point of the cross. Make sureyour folds are ‘crisp and sharp’, byusing the edge of a plastic rule orthe handle of a pair of scissors.

Stage 3 - Unfold 3 of the flaps andthen fold the remaining one againso that the bottom line meets thepencil line. Crease the edge. Repeatthis sequence on the other 3 sides.

Stage 4 - Open up the square to itsoriginal size and identify the creaselines to be cut (shown in red above).Cut the lines with the knife takingcare not to cut further than shown.

Stage 5 - Fold this corner on thecrease line as shown above.

Stage 6 - Half fold this corner on thecrease lines to make a right angle, toform the side of the box.

Stage 7 - Fold the ends of this side inas shown.

Stage 8 - Repeat stages 5, 6 and 7 onthe opposite side.

Stage 9 - Fold the ends up and overthe sides to make the final two boxsides. A dab of glue under the flapsas shown will hold the box together.Repeat stages 1 - 9 on the lid.

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Ideas For Decorating:

Fabric:Use bondaweb to cover the lid in a lightweight

fabric. This should be done prior to stage 1,before any folding begins. It is sometimes usefulto increase the difference in size between the lidand base by up to 1cm, depending on the thick-ness of the fabric. Add any ribbon decorationsafter stage 9.

Wrapping Paper:The entire box could be made out of a good

quality wrapping paper, or the lid could be deco-rated by sticking the wrapping paper to the cardprior to stage 1. Use PVA glue or a glue stick.

Wallpaper:A wallpaper sample will make several boxes!

Rubber Stamps:For an overall design, stamp and colour prior

to stage 1. Make sure your work is thoroughly

dry before folding. If you want your stampimages to appear on sections of the box, thenstamp at stage 4, before cutting. Remember tothink which direction your images need to go!

Paper Punches And Quilling:Arrange your chosen decorations after the box

has been made, stage 9.

Baskets:Try making one square up into a box. Then

cut a strip of matching card and glue it intoposition inside the box to make a handle. Thisvariation is particularly useful for children tomake, as young as 5 years old!

Apertures:For those more adventurous, you could

make an aperture in the lid section at stage 4,to mount further work, e.g. a photograph orsome needlework.

As I said earlier, the possibilities for decoratingthese boxes really are endless!

Hello,

We hope you enjoy this free article taken from a back issue of theCraft Creations Magazine. You may hand make copies of the card(s)featured in this project, to give away or sell, as many times as youlike. You may not use the project, text, pattern or pictures for anyother purpose nor make the project using any automated process.

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