A keepsake box can be a great gift, and even better if it’s handmade. I made this keepsake box from a few items including a storage box with lid ( I used a computer paper box), wrapping paper and decoupage. Applying decoupage and paper to the cardboard makes the box more durable and long lasting. If you can’t get your hands on a computer paper box, click here for tutorial on making your own storage box with lid.
Items needed:
Computer paper box
Flat paint or primer
Sponge paint roller
Small paint tray
Wrapping paper (30” x 34”)
Tissue paper (pink) for inside of box and lid
Tissue paper (black) for outside lid of box
Decoupage glue – I used Mod Podge
Scissors
Cable ties – I used black
Duck tape- optional
Rotary cutter with wave blade- optional
Apply a thin layer of paint or primer to a computer paper box with sponge roller.
Apply torn strips of colored tissue paper to inside of box and lid with decoupage glue and sponge roller. Let dry.
Lay a piece of approximately 30” x 34” wrapping paper face down and place box on wrapping paper with the long sides of the box running along the shorter side of the wrapping paper. Once you have centered the box, draw a line around the edge of the box on the wrapping paper.
Cut two slits from the corners of the short side of the box to the edge of the wrapping paper.
Flip box over to bottom and apply decoupage glue to the bottom of the box and the inside of the outline of the box on the wrapping paper. Lay box back down onto outline, flip box over again with the wrapping paper now attached to the bottom and smooth out the paper onto the bottom of the box with your hands.
Apply decoupage glue to the short side flap and box and apply short side flap to the box. Smooth out the paper with your hands.
Apply decoupage glue to the long side flaps and box and apply long side flap to the box. Wrap the excess paper around the short sides. Cut slit in paper at the corners and wrap excess onto the inside of the box on both the short and long sides. Make sure to apply the decoupage glue to both the paper and the box as you go. Smooth out wrinkles with your hands. Some wrinkles with be unavoidable but it will also add depth to the look of the finished box. After you have completely covered box in paper, apply 2 more coats of decoupage glue to the whole box, allowing dry time in between.
For the outside of the box lid, apply colored tissue paper with decoupage glue and sponge roller. Smooth wrinkles down with your hands. Let dry and apply 2 more coats of decoupage glue allowing dry time in between.
To apply more details, cut strips of duck tape long enough to cover the edges around the box. Lay the strips onto a sheet of wax paper. Use a ruler or straight edge and a rotary cutter with a decorative edging blade and cut about 1/8” off the sides of the duck tape and one side of the end of the tape.
Leave the wax paper along the other side for easy removal. DO THIS AS THE LAST STEP AND ALL AT ONCE. THE DUCK TAPE WITH ADHERE TO THE WAX PAPER IF LEFT ON TOO LONG.
Apply duck tape to the edges of the box. You can also edge the rim of the inside of the box and lid if you would like.
Measure and make two marks on both sides of the box to insert handles. Poke holes with either a pair of scissors or an awl.
Slip handle through holes and secure. I used black cable ties, but you can use rope, twine or trim.
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