Map Covered Gift Box

by Noreen Doll.

A map covered gift box is easy to make, and a great recycling idea.

Recently we were replacing an old road atlas with a current one.

I didn’t want to dispose of the old atlas as I have seen lots of crafts I really like that use maps.

About the same time we gained some fairly large, sturdy shoe boxes.

We brainstormed a little and decided we could make the shoe boxes into reusable gift boxes by covering them with attractive paper.

Since our old road atlas was full of maps we had used when taking fun family trips, I decided to cover one of the shoe boxes with maps of places we’ve been.

Now each side of the map covered gift box is papered with a map from a fun place we’ve visited.

And we can use the box over and over to wrap gifts.

What You Need

Shoe box or other box with removable lid.

Maps or Paper to cover box

Mod Podge

Foam Brush

One or 2 tin cans (full – not empty) to set box on to dry

What You Do

1. Before I started, I added white glue between the cardboard layers of the box any place there were 2 layers of cardboard, because the glue, once dry, helps make the box sturdier.

2. Choose what paper you want for each side of the box and cut it out. I left the paper a little larger and then trimmed it where necessary as I worked.

3. Fill a paper cup about half full of Mod Podge.

Have handy a damp paper towel for wiping fingers.

4. Brush Mod Podge completely over 1 surface. Place the chosen paper on the wet Mod Podge.

5. Smooth out wrinkles and bubbles – working from the center to the edge – being careful not to tear the paper.

Add a little extra Mod Podge under edges that don’t stick down so they are completely adhered.

6. Now you can trim off any excess paper so it fits the area well.

7. While it’s still damp, brush a layer of Mod Podge over the entire surface, paying particular attention to the edges to be sure they are all well adhered.

8. Let dry. I use a blow dryer to help speed drying – being sure to constantly move the dryer, and not blow one area too long. Allow at least 30 minutes before proceeding.

9. If you are working on a side of the box bottom, you can start the lid now also.

Follow the same method for each different surface of the box you want to cover.

10. After you have finished the entire box, add one more layer of Mod Podge over the entire covered surface, doing 2 sides at a time.

This map covered gift box is very sturdy and will be used again and again.

Tips

Even though I normally don’t cover the inside of a box, I did add maps to the inside of the lid and inside box bottom because there were so many maps I wanted to include.

I didn’t cover the edges of the lid because they were black, and I thought it added a nice contrast.

I covered another box with gift wrap paper for a variation. It was done the same way, just using different paper.

If you make boxes of different sizes, you can nest them for storage.

Noreen Doll

Crafty Journal