Posted on: Saturday, February 11, 2006
SATURDAY SCOOPS
How to make your own french-fry boxes of love
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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Using a McDonald's french-fry container as inspiration, we spent an hour or so adapting it, duplicating it and decorating it until we finally had a miniature box to present gifts for Valentine's Day. Here's how to make your own.
DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser
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Here's a weekend project you can whip out in time for Valentine's Day, which is Tuesday.
Using a McDonald's french-fry container as inspiration, we spent an hour or so adapting it, duplicating it, decorating it.
Voila! A miniature box to present candy, stickers, tiny erasers or any other gift for your class, your sweetie, your work colleagues.
This could be a productive family project, particularly if the young 'uns need 24 boxes to pass around to classmates.
Download a PDF version of the pattern here: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2006/Feb/11/waynesbox_design.pdf
Use the same size, or enlarge to accommodate a larger pre-wrapped cookie or several miniature candy treats.
If there's an artist in your midst, you can download a pattern without a design: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2006/Feb/11/waynesbox_nodesign.pdf
You can then decorate it with heart stickers, puffy paints, silver or gold pens, magic markers. Inscribe "I Love You" or use appropriate heart rubber stamps.
Use red or pink card stock paper; white, if you plan to use red stickers or paints.
Have a sweet time — and Happy Valentine's Day!
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HOW TO MAKE WAYNE HARADA'S VALENTINE'S DAY BOXES
Materials/tools:
Vellum (card stock) paper, in red or pink; white, if you're decorating in red; available at FedEx Kinko's or other copying or stationery shops
Scissors
Double-edged tape (to secure box)
Access to copy machine
Scoring tool (a ballpoint pen without ink will do)
Ruler or other straight edge
Flat items like Dove chocolates or Andes mints
Instructions:
Print out the pattern you downloaded
Duplicate; if desired box size is small enough, place 2 or 3 patterns on sheet to maximize box count before duplicating; if enlarging, one box per sheet.
Once pattern is duplicated on card stock, use scoring tool and ruler to "score" the straight edges (dotted lines on pattern); for the curved elements of the design, cut a similar curve on unused section of card stock to use as a scoring guide.
Cut box around solid lines.
Fold the scored edges before assembling box.
Tape should go on the underside of both side flaps to secure to box; use a little tape on the "hinge" of the cover to seal box.
If you prefer to use the container to house a selection of treats without the "cover," open up the box and use it as a tracing template on card stock; decorate before cutting and assembling and load up on the treats.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
