Love scrap booking? Then you’ll like scrap boxing as well. Actually, there’s no boxing involved – just storing memories, as you do in a scrapbook, but using a box instead. Scrap boxes are fun to make, unique in every way, and make an enjoyable project for kids or adults.
The perfect box is all-important when it comes to making a scrap box. Generally, a fairly deep box with a lid that will close is perfect, but other boxes may work fine, too. One thing that’s important about a memory box is that it’s suitable enough to hold pictures, mementos and other items you’ve collected.
The memory box can be made with any theme. It can hold memories from your child’s days at school, your grandchildren, vacations you’ve taken, a wedding or any number of themes. The box doesn’t have to hold simply photos – it can contain invitations, novelties, ribbons, medals, newspaper clippings, small gifts, and trinkets.
Glue or decoupage a picture of the memory box theme, like a picture of your child, onto the front of the box. Or, use stencils or stickers to glue a title to the box, like “My Memory Box” or “My Dog Sam”. Add any other kind of decorations to the lid of the box, such as ribbon border or other embellishments.
There are other things you can do to the box to keep it from being just an ordinary box. Cut a piece of cardboard slightly larger than the box then cut each corner inward a couple of inches. Score and fold the flaps down to make a little cardboard stand. Place the cardboard piece inside the box and you can store things under it while attaching pictures to the front of it. Or, glue another, smaller box inside the large box to hold trinkets and other small things.
Line the box with velvet or satin, use scrapbook paper to decorate the inside and out, or just paint the box and add small decorative touches that suit you and the theme of the box. Under the lid of the box you can even cut paper pieces to make slots for holding envelopes or more pictures.
Wide ribbon works great to decorate the sides of the cardboard box or you can decoupage a variety of pictures, cut from magazines, all over the box. You can even give the box dimension and beauty by attaching a nice picture frame to the front of the box, holding a photo that pertains to the memory box theme.
Scrapbook crafts are fun, and making a scrap box is a blast, too. It’s easy to do and you can make them to give as gifts, or for yourself. Best of all, the scrap boxes stack easily and the box protects the contents well.
The perfect box – if you can find it – is one that is used for holding a dozen votive candles. You can often find these at stores which sell the votives. The box has a flap that will tuck shut and when opened, there’s not only a compartment for holding all your goodies, but another, movable flap, that originally held the twelve votives but can now frame twelve small photos. Ask for the votive boxes at dollar theme or department stores.
