Gift / Keepsake Box     Written by Design Team Member - Shirley Fyfe

Firstly, let me start off by thanking Jan Kotrba for demonstrating this box construction technique to me a few weeks back at a local crop day – I’m sure you will agree that these are just gorgeous and make the most perfect of gift or keepsake boxes!

They can be made in a range of sizes – width and height – depending on what you are going to use the box for. Some of you might remember seeing one that was featured in the CLUB Scrappit newsletter last month, which was made from using two full sheets of Bazzill cardstock!

To make this mini gift box, start by cutting two 15cm square pieces of cardstock - one will form the base & one the lid and both will be constructed in the same manner.

Important! Before going any further, it is very important that you take one of the pieces of cardstock that you have just cut to size and trim 2mm from the top and one side of it. This piece will now become the base and by trimming it just slightly smaller than the other piece, will allow for the lid to easily slide over the top once complete.

Next, you will need to score a series of 4 lines around the outside of each piece of cardstock. I have chosen the depth of my box to be 1.5 inches and therefore have scored my lines on my 'Scor-It Board' at 1.5 inches on all sides.

Each piece of cardstock should then look like this.

Now it’s time to cut a triangular piece from each corner.

Once complete, each cardstock piece should look like this.

Time to fold each of these scored lines.

Next, smear a little liquid glue (I like to use Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue because it is quick drying and the small nozzle allows me to get into those smaller areas) onto each triangular piece in turn.

Tuck the triangular piece with the glue on it, in behind the rectangular side of the box and press to ensure a good bond. It is important to make sure that you keep the corners at a right angle for the box to be able to close properly once complete.

You should now have two pieces that make up your box, one lid and one base – the top slides over the base.

Now comes the fun part – the decorating . . . I’ve just used a strip of ribbon and a bow to decorate the sides and a blossom & brad on the top.

I have added a simple metal mini plaque and some black wire to add a lovely finishing touch to this simple gift or keepsake box. I hope you enjoy making these and please do share some of your wonderful creations in the gallery at Scrappit too!