DIY Network

Wrap It Up The perfect gift deserves the perfect wrap. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-413

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza are getting all wrapped up with fun, gift-giving ideas. Gift boxes take on a more polished look, delicate ribbons and embellishments add pizzazz to an ordinary present, and beaded letters and fancy bows make any gift look like it’s worth a million bucks!

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Gift Wrapping 101 (counterclockwise from lower right): wrapped box, mini gift box, mini gift pillow

Why spend big money on fancy gift boxes when you can make them yourself? Whether it’s decorating an old box or starting from scratch, a personal touch makes all the difference.

Wrapped Box

Materials:

gift box
decorative paper
tape
scissors

1. Measure the box top from one side, across the top, and down the other side. Add 1" to the measurement. Measure the box in the other direction, in the same manner, also adding 1" to the measurement. Cut paper to this size, centering paper design as needed.

2. Center box on paper and fold up opposite sides (figure A). At box corners, snip paper to the top edge of the box (figure B). Fold paper to the inside and tape in place.

Figure A

Figure B

3. Fold paper up at one of the short ends of the box. At each corner, crease paper on the diagonal, creating a triangular point (figure C). Fold creased paper up so the line of the fold is flush with box edge, creating a miter fold. Repeat for each corner of each short end of the box.

4. Fold paper over the edge of the short ends of the box and tape in place (figure D). The paper can also be snipped at the outside corners before folding (just to the point where the paper folds to the inside) for a neater corner. Repeat to cover the box bottom.

Figure C

Figure D

Mini Gift Box

Materials:

2 12"x12" square sheets of paper
bone folder or old credit card

1. To make the box lid, fold one paper square in half diagonally, first one way and then the other, sharply creasing the folds with a bone folder or an old credit card before unfolding (figure A).

2. Fold the four corners in until they meet in the center of the paper, crease sharply and unfold (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

3. Beginning with the paper unfolded, fold one of the corners until it meets the farthest crease line opposite that corner (figure C). Crease, unfold and repeat the process with the remaining three corners. Finally, fold each corner to its closest crease line before unfolding all corners to reveal an overall pattern of creased squares (figure D) (figure E).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

4. Fold two opposite triangular corners at their first crease lines; fold again at the next crease lines (figure F) (figure G). Use the last crease to stand up box sides (figure H).

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

5. Using your thumbs, gently fold in the remaining box sides along crease lines, forming the sides of the box. Crease (figure I) and fold in the last triangular corner flaps to complete the box.

6. To make the bottom of the box, trim a 12"x12" piece of scrapbook paper to 11-1/2"x11-1/2" and repeat the steps for the top of the box.

Mini Gift Pillow

Materials:

pillow template
corrugated paper
pencil
scissors
craft knife
glue stick
silk ribbon

	PDF Mini Gift Pillow: click to download the template.

1. Print and cut out a pillow template (see link, at right). Place the template on the smooth side of the corrugated paper, trace the template and cut out the pattern.

2. Use the tip of a craft knife to score curved lines on the cardboard (figure A). Crease the pillow inward toward the center score lines.

3. Fold the long edge inward on the marking and apply glue to the flap (figure B). Bring the opposite edge over the flap and place a heavy book on top until the glue is dry.

Figure A

Figure B

4. Gently squeeze the sides of the package to open slightly. Fold in the curved flaps on one end, place the gift inside and fold the flaps on the other side (figure C).

5. Tie the package with a silk ribbon (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

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