Treasure Box
for Dad
The best gifts we receive are those made by hand, esp if they're created by little hands! Long after other presents are forgotten, the ones you made with love for dad or the other important man in your life still may be in use. Make a container or box that's just the right size to hold spare change, car keys, etc.
You Will Need:
- Foam board
- Mat board
- Newspapers
- Wax paper
- Masking tape
- White glue
- Fabric glue
- Gesso
- Wallpaper paste
- Acrylic paints
- Pencil
- Brushes Ruler
- Felt
- Scissors
- Rubber bands
- Utility knife
- Cotton swabs
- Dowel rod scraps
- Paste & paint pans
Box is made of foam board, paper-covered foam material used in framing pics. To start, divide 9" square board in 3" squares. Important to keep corners at right angles so edges of box will join properly. If one is available, a T-square or triangle will be helpful.
Lay square on stack of newspapers or other protective material & have adult use ruler & utility knife to remove 4 corners. Gently cut thru top layer of paper & foam on center square. Carefully bend sides up on each side to make box shape. Match sides & tape each side joint in several places.
To make lid, turn container top down on another piece of foam board, trace around form & cut out shape. Cut 3 pieces of mat board smaller than inside dimensions of box & glue them together. Use rubber bands to hold pieces in place till dry. Remove bands & glue pieces to inside center of lid. This built-up area helps keep lid in place.
Mix wallpaper paste according to manufacturer's directions. Tear newspapers into squares or short strips & working on wax paper, begin pasting box starting at seams. Cover all corners & seam around bottom. Use handle of artist's paint brush to help push paper in indented areas. Cover bottom & sides, extend layer 1/2" over top & into box.
After box is complete, paper mache lid, including bottom. While not necessary, can make knob by attaching large bottle cap to box top. Tape to lid, cover & paste it to form using small strips & paper mache mixture. Apply extra layer or so at joint. When box dries, ready to paint surface deco. Apply 1 coat gesso (primer) to container. After this dries, paint box background color & apply dot designs with short dowel rods & cotton swabs. Another option is use fabric paints in squeeze bottles to apply dots, squiggles & other shapes.
You need 2 pieces of felt for box lining, one for bottom & another to go around inside. Measure bottom, distance around & height of inside to determine how much felt to cut. Subtract about 1/4" from height to allow lid to fit proper. Use fabric glue to fasten material into box. When finished, sign name & year on back or bottom.
©1997 Marilyn J. Brackney
| Previous | Next |
Here is the whole list of my crafts...in case you don't want to keep hitting the next button or you see something you need or interests you!
