- brown paper bags
- old book pages
- old greeting cards
- fabric
- magazine pages
- atlas pages
- last year's calendar pages
- toilet paper/ paper towel rolls (no joke, they come out GREAT!)
My two favorites are using greeting cards and toilet paper/ paper towel rolls, so I decided to share how I use them. First up: Greeting card boxes :)
Greeting Card Gift Boxes
Materials Needed:
greeting cards of your choice
mono adhesive (snail tape)
x-acto knife (or scissors)
ruler
paper scorer (or something fine yet dull... ballpoint pen with pointy pen cap?)
Step 1: Select a Card
It doesn't matter what the inside looks like, you won't see that part.
Step 2: Trim one flap
Trim the back flap by about 1/2"
Step 3:Score the other flap to make a tab
I used a ruler meant specifically for scoring and cutting to make my 1/2" tab, so it made the job super easy.
After scoring, I was able to neatly fold it.
Step 4: Cut The Curved Side-tabs
If you don't have a fancy schmancy curved ruler, you can trace something round or make yourself a template. You want the curve to be somewhat soft, so definitely not a semi-circle. (I used the #5 groove in this ruler) It's really important that the curve is precisely centered on the side of the card!!!
Here is the result :) Repeat on the other side.
Step 5: Score the inner curves
When you open up the greeting card, it should look like this. We are going to be scoring the same curve shape that we cut on the sides, but it will be mirroring the cuts, creating an eye shape.
Again, I used the #5 slot to score. See the eye shape it will create?
Repeat with the remaining 3 curves and it should look like this. Be careful when scoring the side with the tab. Make sure to only score from the center fold to the tab fold!
Step 6: "Assemble" the box
Lay down a strip of mono-adhesive along the entire edge of the "tab-less" flap. Avoid the curved flaps!
Fold down the long skinny tab on the other flap and adhere it to the mono-adhesive strip.
Gently apply pressure to both folded sides to open up the box.
Press in one of the curved tabs that you scored...
Once you place the gift inside, close the other side up and...
You can get fancy too...
So easy right?! You can also create a loop to hang on the tree by punching holes in the curved tabs and threading ribbon or twine through.
Now onto...
Toilet Paper Roll Gift Boxes
Materials Needed:
toilet paper roll/ paper towel roll/ wrapping paper tube
glue or Mod Podge
scissors
a piece of paper to cover - a magazine page, a map, newspaper, etc.
Step 1: Cut The Paper to Size
Trim the piece of paper to just slightly wider than the length of the roll. The paper should hang off the edges of the roll by about a millimeter.
Step 2: Cover the Tube in Glue
I like to paint the glue on to make sure I get a thin, even coat. You can cover the entire tube at once, or work in small sections.
Step 3: Add the Paper
Start with just the very top of the paper. Make sure it is placed evenly and that there are no bubbles.
From there, gently press the paper to the roll one inch at a time, focusing on the center of the roll and pressing out the the sides. This will keep bubbles to a minimum. Once you reach the end, allow the paper to overlap slightly and secure with a generous strip of glue.
Step 4: How to Close the Ends
Just like the Greeting Card Box, we will make inward tabs for the ends' closures. It's a lot easier here :)
Use your thumb to gently press in one of the ends of the tube.
Repeat with the other edge, working with it a bit to make sure the two sides meet in the middle. You can use both thumbs to smooth out the folds until they make nice soft curves.
Place your gift inside through the other side of the tube and close that side up the same way.
Add a ribbon, a tag, and DONE!
These are super easy, economical, environmentally sound and really fun to make.
Inspired to get creative with reused wrapping materials? I'd love to hear about it!