Gather Your Supplies
Gather all the supplies you’ll need first, so that you have everything close at hand when you’re ready to craft. Note that both square and rectangle shaped cards will work well with this craft project.
Materials
Greeting cardPen or pencilCellophane tapeRulerScissorsBone folder (optional)
Cut the Card in Half
Start by cutting the card in half. Cut the back off of the card along the fold. You should now have two pieces that are equal in size.
Trim the Back of the Card
Cut just a sliver off of each edge of the back of the card. The back should be about 1/8" to 1/4" smaller than the front.
Measure and Mark the Backs of the Card Pieces
Lay both the front and the back of the greeting card on your table, insides of the card facing up. Line up the ruler along one of the short edges and mark the card 3/4" from each corner. Repeat this on the other short side. Now line up the ruler along one of the long edges, mark the card 3/4" from each corner, and then make another mark 3/4" in from there. Repeat this for the other long side.
Draw Lines on the Cards
Use this picture as a guide to draw lines on each of your greeting card pieces. Using a ruler and pen, connect each of the marks you made on the short edges of the card. Note that the marks you made 3/4" from the corner on the long side of the card are not connected. Line up a ruler along those marks and draw a line from one line to another, not going all of the way to the edge of the card. Finally, use the ruler to connect the second marks you made on each of the long edges.
Cut the Cards to Make Flaps
Use the scissors to cut on each line you have drawn on the short edge. Only cut up as far as the intersecting line, which should be about 1-1/2" from the edge. Use the above photo as a guide.
Folding the Sides of the Card Box
Start by making two folds along the side with the two lines you drew. Using a bone folder to score the lines before folding gives you a crisp and sharp edge. First, fold in the side on the first line you drew until it touches the second line. Then fold it in again on the second line. On the other edges of the card, fold in each edge on the line you drew. Now fold in each of the pieces—or tabs—you cut.
Assembling Your Card Box
Hold the folded edge with the tabs up. Bend the tabs, so they line up with the other side. Fold the other edge up and over the tabs. Use a small piece of tape to hold it in place. Repeat this for the other side of the box and again for the other half of the box.
Finishing Your Card Box
You should now have a complete top and bottom! The top should fit comfortably over the base since you trimmed a little extra off of the bottom card piece. Experiment with different box depths by adjusting the 3/4" measurement, to make boxes that have higher or lower edges. These boxes are not only a great way to recycle used cards, they also make great gift boxes for small treats.
