Hello!  SaraL here with an all new how-to for you!

Heather recently released this new DIY Printable Template – and its quickly become a favourite of mine:

The finished product is lovely & roomy – definitely big enough for your child’s packed lunch, a host of party treats, a soft toy or a whole bunch of mini beanie toys!  Plus it’s a snap to put together – trust me!

As always, Heather’s template comes with a ready-to-print & assemble version – in this case decorated using her adorable Love Monkey digital scrapbooking kit. Did you see that Heather & Rebecca also released an amazing new Sticky Learnings: You Have Mail using this box template?

How fun & fabulous is that?

Soooo, I thought for this hybrid blog post, I would show you just how straightforward this brilliant box template is to use!

This is what I’m going to be constructing:

I based the design on the kennel image from  Heather’s Pet Shop: Playful Pups, and used the papers from the same kit to decorate, plus a little grass from Water Play Days & daisies from A Brand New Day – pretty cute don’t you think?

So let’s get started:

STEP 1:  Begin by opening your templates in Photoshop (or your chosen program) & have lots of fun decorating, clipping papers & elements to the templates to your hearts content: think picnics, your favourite colours, your child’s birthday party…

You need to remember, that this template comes in 3 parts: a front, a back and a gable side.  You will need to print TWO of the gable sides to make your finished box.

STEP 2: Print out onto card (or heavy photo paper).  Make sure you have a front, back & two sides.  Cut everything out – taking care around the ‘lock tab’ on the front panel. Cut the optional slit now, if you wish – but especially if you’re going to be playing post offices with the finished box!

STEP 3: Time to score/ crease & fold all the joints of the box, so it comfortably folds into shape.  Follow the instructions & lines on Heather’s design to do this – though I honestly think you will have very little trouble figuring out what parts will need folding to make the box!

I use a score board and bone folder (which is that curvy white tool in the photos), but I have very successfully used a bone folder (which are inexpensive & readily available from craft stores) & a ruler, and I do know people who use a simple butter knife & ruler to crease the card into shape too! …just remember not to press too hard and to protect your work surface & fingers  if you choose to use a knife

STEP 4: Apply your preferred adhesive to all the patterned side tabs (but not the lock tab).  I tend to use permanent double-sided craft tape – but that’s just a personal preference. The more weight you intend the finished box to carry, the stronger adhesive I would use!

STEP 5: Start to stick your four sides together!

• Begin by firmly sticking the side tabs of the front panel to the plain inside of one of the gable sides.
• Next stick the tabs of this gable side to the plain inside of the back panel.
• Now stick the tabs of the back panel to the plain inside of the last gable side.
• Finish by sticking the tabs of this gable side to the plain inside of the front panel.

STEP 6: Close the bottom up – two shorter flaps in first & then firmly adhere the larger bottom flaps in place.

STEP 7: Fold the gable ends into place – this should work very easily thanks to all the creasing & folding you’ve already done.  Think Happy Meals & you won’t go wrong

STEP 8: Fill the box with whatever goodies you’ve chosen – then bring the handles together.  Carefully push the ‘lock tab’ through both handles to hold the box roof in place & you’re done!

Have fun adding ribbons, name or gift tags, or whatever other decorations you like from your craft stash!

I hope I’ve managed to shown you just how easy this hybrid template is to use – as ever, showing all the steps like this makes the job seem a lot s-l-o-w-e-r that it is in reality, honestly!

I’d love to see how you choose to use this fab DIY Printable Templates: Kid’s Meal Box – so remember to pop a photo of your creations into Heather’s gallery at the Sweet Shoppe!

Have fun!

SaraL

x