Loving Is Listening ReCraft-Along: Part 1

First things first. Here is the complete list of stuff you’ll need for the recraft-along.Tools and Materials

In Saturday’s post I suggested a few ways in which to use the “Loving Is Listening” design. For the purposes of this recraft-along I will be focussing on decorating a cereal box. But do feel free to frame your finished piece, or make a gift box, or whatever tickles your little fancy!

Prepare The BaseFor my base, I’ll be using a large family size cereal box. If it helps, this one contained 525g (~18oz) of cereal. Let’s start by removing the top edge of the box and turning the whole thing inside out.

Step 1: With your fingers, carefully pry open the box at the seam and flatten it out. With a ruler and pencil, mark a line 5 cm (2 inches) from the top of the box. Cut off the top of the box at the line with a utility knife.
Step 2: Now simply re-fold the box so that the lovely neutral inner surface is now on the outside. I apply glue to the narrow side flap and bottom flaps. At this point, I use a few pieces of masking tape to clamp the gluey flaps temporarily in place until the glue dries. Note that I don’t fully flatten out the bits of masking tape. I leave the corners of the tape curling up so that it’s easy to take off again. Once the glue is set, I remove the masking tape slowly to avoid lifting and marring the surface of the cardboard.

We’ll now take out a paper bag and use it to finish the top inner surface of the box.

Step 3: Grab your paper bag. Cut off the bag bottom and cut it open along the seam.
Step 4: Scrunch up the bag several times. Do this carefully so as not to rip it. Scrunch and re-scrunch until it is evenly wrinkled throughout.
Step 5: Press your paper flat with a dry iron.

Step 6: Cut out a few wide strips from your paper. My strips are 3 inches wide but you could go wider if you like. You’ll need enough length to go around the inner top edge of the box.
Step 7: Apply glue to the entire outer edge of the paper strip.
Step 8: Place the gluey strip flush with the inner top edge of your box. Flatten and pinch the strip in place along the edge making sure it is adhering nicely all the way around. Beauty.

 

The box is now ready to decorate!

Note: If you happen to be turning this into a gift box, HERE is a post that suggests some creative ideas for nifty handles. Now would be the optimal time to install handles, by the way.

Make The Branches

Step 9: Use the link provided in the “tools and materials” list to download a copy of the Branches Template. Print it out. Use a sheet of carbon paper to transfer the branch design to the inside of one of your larger cereal boxes.
Step 10: Cut out the branch. I used both a utility knife and pair of scissors to cut my branch out. Fine details are more easily handled with a utility or craft knife.
Step 11: Paint the branch. I used The Boy’s black cake paint on my branch. Yes, I asked permission. Allow the paint to dry. If your branch curls, place it under a heavy book for a while to flatten it out again. 

Now I’m about to share ONE OF MY BIG SECRETS for using cereal and cracker box CARDBOARD in my crafts. Ya ready? Y’excited? Okay here goes…You know that shiny layer of paper that covers every cereal and cracker box? I sometimes (though not always) peel it off. Especially if I want to get amazing adhesion between cardboard layers. What I do is I just stick my fingernail between that top layer of shiny paper and the rest of the cardboard and peel the dang thing off. I throw the peelings back into the recycling bin whence they came, and I’m left with a supremely glueable surface!!!… (Okay, maybe it’s not that exciting, but still.)

So for example, once I’ve cut out the branch…

Step 12: I peel off most of that silly layer of shiny paper and then I apply the glue to my branch. See?
Step 13: And finally (for today), I attach the branch to the box and stick a light book on top to make sure it is super-glued on there. Nope, that baby ain’t goin’ nowhere.

 

Oh and by the way, if you happen to take any process photos, feel free to share them in the dedicated “Loving is Listening Flickr Group“, yes sir. And lastly there’s new “Loving is Listening Button” down in the sidebar there for ya, in case you’re joining along!

♥MAll other posts from the “Loving is Listening ReCraft-Along”: Introduction, Part 2 and Part 3 (Finish)