From Greeting Card to Box

We found this fun and simple craft in the November/December 2009 issue of Kiwi, my new favorite magazine. After we finished one box, we decided to make 24 more for our Advent Calendar.

Materials:
Greeting Card (use the front for the box top and the back for the box bottom)
Scissors
Glue
Bone Folder (It really makes the folds easier)

Directions:
1. Cut a square either 5" X 5" or larger, centered over the design you like.

2. On the underside, draw a big X from corner to corner. Fold one of the corners toward the center, stopping just short of the middle of the X.

3. Take that folded triangle and fold it again to the center, so the outside edge lies flush against the center. Unfold the point and repeat these folds on all the other points (unfolding each after you’re done).

4. Refer to my photo below and cut out the 4 triangles extending one of the cuts so the C and D squares have 2 sides cut and 2 folded.

5. Fold points A towards each other so they meet in the center, flat against the bottom while creating the sides of the box.

6. Fold tabs C and D up so they are perpendicular to the rest of the card. Then bring the tabs toward each other to form a square in the center.

7. Holding the folded sides in place, fold points B into the center of your square. Crease as needed so the box stays in place.

8. Glue the 4 folded pieces to the bottom of the box if necessary.

9. To make the bottom, cut a square ¼” smaller than your original square out of another card and repeat the above directions.