Craft Project ©2005Abcteach.Com

Craft Project Grade Range: 3rd grade and up Difficulty Rating: Medium Time: approximately 20 minutes for project Categories: Recycle, Gift

Recipe Box #1

What you will need:

1/2 gallon milk carton; washed and dry Scissors Adhesive: double-stick tape or glue Contact paper in desired design Ruler Pencil or pen 4x6" index card

1. Open the top end of the milk carton. 2. Refer to the photograph before cutting. You will completely cut off one side of the milk carton. If the milk carton has a special pour spout, be sure to cut that side off. 3. Take the index card and stand it up inside the milk carton for sizing. You will want the recipe card box to be slightly larger than the index card so the cards can be moved easily inside the box. 4. Make a mark with the pencil or pen on the inside of the milk carton. Measure and mark on the other sides. Cut down along the corners to the marks. 5. Use the ruler and mark across to create fold lines. Press firmly with pen or pencil when marking, as this will help make folding easier. 6. Fold ends in. Secure with either double-stick tape (ideal) or with glue. 7. If using glue, you will need to stand the milk carton up on its end, place a heavy object inside and leave overnight to dry. If using double-stick tape, proceed to the next step. 8. Cut contact paper to 13" in length. 9. Remove backing from contact paper and place it sticky side up. 10. Place milk carton on contact paper, centered in the middle. 11. Pull the contact paper up on the ends of the milk carton. Cut contact paper from edge to the corner as shown in photograph. 12. Fold the contact paper to the front and back as shown in photograph. Cut the contact paper from the edge to the corner on the top of the contact paper to make it easier to fold down. Fold down edges of contact paper. You may trim the paper to adjust the length of the fold on the top of the milk carton. 13. Pull the front piece of contact paper up. Fold over and press. Repeat for the back piece. 14. Fill with recipe cards. Idea: Decorate blank index cards to give with your recipe box.

Notes: This can easily be adapted to 3x5" index cards by cutting the sides and ends of the milk carton shorter. One nice feature of the contact paper adhesive is that it is repositionable if it does not smooth out the first time. Make sure the scissors the children are going to use will be able to cut the contact paper easily.

You may add a bow or something decorative to the box if desired. Keep in mind though that this will be used in a kitchen and will need to be washable. You could use stickers to add decoration or even alphabet stickers to personalize.