Several years ago my oldest daughter came home with a handcrafted gift for me that she made in art class. The box she presented me was just as special and pretty as the unique and pretty handmade ceramic necklace it contained. Using scrapbook paper she folded two separate pieces, origami style, to create a delightful little gift box. I’ve made many since then – decorating areas of my home with scrapbook paper that match my home’s decor and stacking the boxes.
The only materials you’ll need are two sheets of 12 X 12 coordinating scrapbook paper which you’ll fold using the technique below. You can actually use any size scrapbook paper you’d like. The 12 X 12 makes a 4.5 inch square box. If you’d prefer a smaller box, you can use a smaller size paper as long as it’s a perfect square. This process is a little bit hard to explain in words, so I’ve created a photo tutorial to help you on your way!
Fold each corner up so that they meet in the middle.
Next fold up the flat edges so they meet in the middle.
Unfold those flat edges and fold the opposite sides so that all four sides have that same crease.
Cut along the crease towards the middle of the paper on one side as shown.
Now repeat for the opposite side.
Your scrapbook paper should now look like this: on two opposing sides, you’ll have two small triangular flaps and one center flap.
Fold the 2 small flaps in and place the large flap over them. This will hold the box into place. Repeat for opposite side.
Fold a coordinating twin and In just minutes you have the perfect little box for holding treasures of all sorts, Crafty Friends!
I have been making those boxes, it seems forever. They are so easy. I have made them out of gift wrapping and just added a quarter inch to each square that I cut out – result – a nest of matching boxes. Just right for some tinsy winy little pressies. I started making them from squares of old christmas card fronts (for privacy, do not use the side with the writing). So if the card is 5″ X 7″ then you cut a 5″ square and for the bottom you cut another card or a piece of plan card stock to 4 3/4″ and fold as above. {If you are using metric measurements, just make the difference 5 mm.} They both work well and the lid slides off the base easily, but also doesn’t fall off when you pick the box up.
I learnt to make them when I was learning caligraphy. The teacher said it was a good way to show off our new skills without the fuss of having to be absolutely accurate with our scribing. Stamped paper or children’s drawings work just as well.
So cute and so simple! Thanks! 🙂
Hi there,
What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of DIY gift boxes! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/diy-gift-boxes/
Have a great day!
These are so cute & easy to make!
thank you, easy and looks super effective made with newspaper for fun table gifts
What a great idea, Jane! I’m going to go get the newspaper out of the recycle bin right now and give it a try!