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How to make a gift box from an old greeting card!
I was teaching a card-making class over the weekend, and the nicest woman ever said to me, "Have you tried making boxes from your old cards?"
Well, I hadn't, so she showed me the coolest method for converting an old greeting card into a spanking little gift box. And not only that, at the next day's class, she brought me a pile of blank greeting cards, so I could show this to the next Church of Craft meeting. Unbelievably kind! Thank you so much, Deanna.
So, this technique is so exciting, I had to share. You may not be ready to look at Christmas stuff yet, so just imagine a Halloween card in its place if you need to.
Start with a greeting card. If there's writing on the inside, you can glue-stick some paper over it to cover it up.
Cut the card in half along the fold.
Take one half of the card. Trim about 1/8" off of one long side, and one short side. (If you have a paper cutter, of course, use that.) You do this so that the bottom of your box will be slightly smaller than the top, and they'll fit nicely together.
Now, make a score 1" from the edge on all four sides. (If you have a paper cutter with a scoring blade this is easy. If not, you can use a ruler and a bone-folder, or even a ruler and an empty ball-point pen to make the scoring.)
I've marked my score lines in heavy pencil here, so they're visible in this tutorial. You probably won't want to make any marks on your card.
Fold the card along all four score-lines. Then, score and fold the other half of the card in the same way.
Now, at the shorter ends of each piece of card, you're going to make two small cuts, where the two folds intersect. The second photo explains this better than I'm doing.
Put a little tab of double-stick tape on each of the resulting flaps.
Now, fold up the long sides of your box, and fold these tabs in as shown.
. . . And fold up that end flap and press the tape to stick it in place.
Make the other half of the box in the same way, and presto!
I can see these for little gifties, but also for cool holiday-dinner favors/placecards. And keep in mind that you can vary the size and depth of these by simply changing the location of your scores. You can score 2" from each edge, for example, and get a much smaller, deeper box - suitable for a gift of homemade truffles.
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Comments
good tutoriul
Oh I like this, I posted a different way to do this at my blog
http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2006/12/tiny-gift-boxes.html
but this makes a different sized box that would be great.
oooo, that's gooooood! and it even looks doable to a measureaphobe like me.
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
EXCELLENT! Always looking for ways to reuse things. Love to get more information on making items such as this.
wow!
I think I'll make some for christmas presents... good things come in small packages!
:)
Great tutorial! I have a bunch of cards to use :)
How great is that?! Now I'm glad I didn't throw away last year's cards yet :-)
Great tutorial. I like the pics. Good job. Thanks for sharing!
Holy Moly that's clever! *Love* this idea.
Lovely nails btw. Usually us crafty types have ragged nails and cuticles. Or did you use a hand double? ha ha
i have always wondered how to make these, i am so glad i know how know, it is cheap and a convenient way to use up your old unwanted cards.
also, if you are in search of cards, you can go to a thrift store, they always have old cards for very cheap!
thanks for this idea... the pictures make it esay to follow i have been looking for tips like this on how to make this box.God Bless ya!
Oh, this is very cool ~ what a great idea (and excellent instructions!)
Cool recycled craft idea. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Wow, thanks so much!
The great mystery: How does it not fall apart?
Brilliant.
Only guy responding :D
Holy moly! Made one using a blank card with a ballet photo on the front and it is divinely beautiful.
Will make a great little gift box for some holiday trinket!
I love these great little craft ideas that EVEN I can make! I am especially fond of ideas that include recycling! Thanks for sharing....I'm in on the comments late, but just in time for Christmas!
Oh what a lovely gift box !!!! Iam going to make one but make it like an old suitcase and use if for my school project
Thanks so much :)
I like this box, but I have an box made with old christmas cards, - all sides, bottom, and top are stiched together with yarn in a v pattern - it resembles a treasure chest, as the sides all bow a bit. Help! I received it as a gift in 1979 ish, and have been looking for directions ever since. A woman had made them for a girl I worked with.
I don't know if this is where I can go for this help. But, thanks.
This is a great idea! Now I'll look at discount cards with the thought of possible gift boxes.
This is one of the best tutorials I've ever seen. Easily followed with the written instructions and excellent photographs. Now I know how to box my homemade candies (fudge, truffles, etc.) for Christmas. Thanks bunches!!
Wow! great way to recycle paper. I am going to make a few jewellery gift boxes. Thanks for the brilliant idea
grate you have no idea how it help me
CUTE!
I just finished making my own and it's adorable!
thanks for the idea!
I have so much cards that means i can make a box out of the cards
thank you thank you
Terrific! I have a bunch of cards that I didn't know what to do with. Thanks!
OMG that's is really good!!!! and it is a great idea!!!! i am going to use it no doubt!!!
thanks it really helped me
Perfect for I love you coupons
Wonderful! In a "stamp"art store i saw a little box like this used as a shadow box with a twig inside and a cut out bird stamp attached to the twig! Use the opposite side of the card for the inside of the box. (it had a little frame around it also. Thanks for sharing.
THANK YOU for the simple directions! I found other directions on
another site but yours are much easier! I will use this project for
my weekday school class at church.
Hey that was sooo helpful!
I was trying to find a way to spruce up some butter cookies that I made for a friend and I have kept all my birthday and christmas cards from since I was ten so this was absoloutely perfect!
I LOVE THIS ! i made one in my class but it was way more complicated i thought this is aewsome thanks !
Wow, thank you so much for this fab idea! Im getting Married and will be getting all the girls together to help make these boxes as my favor boxes for our Guests filled with wee chocolates! You are a real life saver! Much appreciated! x
i love your boxes. it's fun, easy and works very well :D
THIS IS GREAT IT HELP ME IN MY TECHNOLOGY CLASS AND THE RESULTS CAME OUT WONDERFULLY.
THANKS
BYE
this project comes in handy! glad i found you because it helps a lot!!! THX!!!
Wow... will definitely try this!! :) I HAVE to!! :)
Thank you! I had forgotten how to make these because it has been years since i've done so. And now I have small gifts so they are needed. Thank you so much!
I am looking for a box my grandma use to make back in the 50's. Top & bottom was hexagon shape, sideswere ( ) like that, they were crocheted together . She use to put hankies in it that she croched the edges. And give them as gifts. Let me know if you find any.
Hi Shirley did you ever find out how to do this?
I am looking for a box my grandma use to make back in the 50?s. Top & bottom was hexagon shape, sideswere ( ) like that, they were crocheted together . She use to put hankies in it that she croched the edges. And give them as gifts.
Thanks so much for the pictures and great instructions. This is exactly what I was looking for! Have a great day!
This is great! Very simple to follow the directions. How do you hide the signature though? I did one, and the signature is right there in the bottom of the box. Don't really like that. How can it be hidden?
Thanks, I've been searching for something like this. It's perfect for the small gifts kids like to gife to teachers etc. Well done!
Thank you! I had forgotten how to make these because it has been years since i’ve done so. And now I have small gifts so they are needed. Thank you so much!
Hiyaa thanks this is great i have had a fab time making these they are great gift ideas and thanks alot for sharing this with us the instuctions are easy to understand and i can now make my own instead of looking for the perfect box i can make them my self thanks again bye x
That is great! I have only made the small 2"x2" boxes from old cards, attaching a loop of cording to make Christmas tree ornaments. I always thought that was a great way display last year's colorful cards. This idea is awesome! thank you sharing and for the great information pics!!
i looked in so many shops trying to find nice gift boxes ,
now i can make them myself, it's great!!
many thanks
we did this as a geometry project. it is a lot of fun.
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