A Box for Cards

For awhile, I couldn't decide what to do for our cardbox. I had saved this picture as inspiration when we first got engaged:

source

 ($125 for a cardbox?!)

But shortly after, I found a much more practical idea that I liked more:

I can't remember where I found this, sorry!

I researched how much it would be to buy one, and the price was definitely not in our budget. The "original" is $75.00. It seemed like a relatively easy DIY project, though, so I decided to try it.

I looked around for inexpensive 8x10 frames, and found some at Wal-Mart for $3 each. I had originally planned to drill L-brackets into the backs of the frames to connect them, but the frames I purchased weren't wood, so I improvised. If you want to go the drill route, I found a tutorial here.

Since I couldn't attach the brackets with the screws provided, I decided I'd just use super glue on the brackets. However, when I flipped the frames over, the back wouldn't allow me to attach the bracket and still have the frames connect at a 90 degree angle. I ended up scrapping the idea of using brackets to connect the frames completely, and instead just used the glue to attach the frames to each other. Yes, you read that correctly - I super glued our cardbox together, and it worked perfectly!

Materials needed:

• 4 frames (I used 8x10, but you could use bigger if you want to)
• L-brackets (Also called corner brackets) - 12 if you use the brackets to connect the frames, 8 if you use my method (Can be found at Wal-Mart or any hardware store)
  
• Foam board
• Exacto knife for cutting foam board
  
• Super glue
• Paper/fabric/something to cover board for top of box
• Tape to secure paper (or something stronger to secure fabric)
  
• Lazy susan (optional)
  

I'll post a tutorial, but it's pretty self-explanatory. I started with my 4 frames and used black and white engagement pictures:

And then I literally just glued the sides of the frames together to make a box. It doesn't take much glue at all, and I only had to hold it in place for about 20 seconds:

*Make sure you already have the pictures in the frames before attaching them to each other!*

Then I glued 4 L-brackets just below the tops of the frames and 4 more at the bottoms of the frames.

This was before I'd done the brackets on the bottom:

I measured the opening and cut 2 pieces of foam board for the top and bottom of the box. For the top, I cut the slit for the cards and I covered it with damask wrapping paper. You can use wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper, fabric, whatever you want.

There are brackets at the bottom and another piece of foam board sitting on top of them, but I didn't take any pictures after that point. I'll also be putting it on a lazy susan so that guests can turn it and see all of the pictures. You can find them at Wal-Mart or any hardware store.

 

I'm really pleased with how well it turned out, and I love that I was able to do it for $20. I know we'll have it out on display in our home after the wedding (I'll be changing out the top piece for one without an opening).

Have you been able to save money by DIYing projects? What are you using for a cardbox?