Paper and Fabric Covered Boxes

I LOVE Mod Podge! It's so versatile and inexpensive. Today's project is fabric or paper covered boxes. You can use ANY cardboard box for the base, and decorate it with fabric or scrap booking paper. For this project, I will be using scrap booking paper that I bought at Hobby Lobby for $0.25 a sheet during a sale. Here we go!

Supplies Needed: 

Cardboard Box (I have chosen a toaster pastry and snack cracker box)

Paint Brush or Painting Sponge

Mod Podge- Gloss Finish

Scissors

Scrap Booking Paper

Cut off the flaps from the top of the box.

Choose which paper you would like to use. For this box, I am using two different colors- red gingham checks and denim. Cut the paper so that you have a piece for each side of the box. Make sure that you the paper is about 1/2 inch wider on each side than the side of the box you are going to cover. You don't have to trim the top of bottom of the paper. That will be folded over later.

Coat one side of your box with the Mod Podge. Don't make the layer too thick, or it will cause your paper to wrinkle. You want just enough to make sure the paper sticks.

Place your hand inside the box, and press down firmly. You want to make sure that you press down everywhere. Especially in the corners.

Apply Mod Podge to the edges of the paper sticking out from the sides of the box, and fold them over. 

Turn the box upside down, and apply Mod Podge to the paper. Fold the sides in, and press down to adhere the paper to the bottom of the box.

Repeat on the other side, and then apply Mod Podge to the paper sticking up from the top. Fold the top edges of the paper down, and press so it adheres to the inside of the box.

Now for the 2nd color. Apply Mod Podge to the side of the box, and press it onto the paper just like you did earlier. DO NOT fold the paper over on the sides this time.

Using your trusty scissors, trim the excess paper from the sides of the box. Apply Mod Podge to the bottom flap of paper, and fold it over. Press so that it adheres to the bottom of the box. Repeat with the other side, then the top, just like you did earlier.

This is what it should look like so far. 

Use remaining scraps of paper to add a nice trim around the top, or cut out designs and use Mod Podge to apply them anywhere on the box you like. Next time I go to the craft store, I am going to pick up some more paper so I can add a few more decorations to my box.

Now, paint the entire box with a thin layer of Mod Podge and let dry. Apply 2 or 3 more coats, making sure to cover the edges. This will give your box a wonderfully glossy finish and make it sturdy. 

My finished boxes! since the snack cracker box is so shallow, I covered the inside with paper too. I gave the cracker box 5 coats of Mod Podge because I am going to be using it in the bathroom where there is a lot of moisture in the air. Mod Podge is a wonderful sealant. It can make your project water resistant, although not entirely waterproof.

Just imagine everything you can do with empty boxes!