Mix cardstock papers to build your Baby Memory Box

Babies are a precious part of our lives and need a great box for all those first memories. Making your own Baby Memory Box is a great way to store those first memories so they may last forever. Check out how to make your very own below.

Instructions for Baby Memory Box

Paper-Papers has pastel papers in a very heavy weight, three of them are used here: Strathmore, Soft White in 600 gsm, Remake, Oyster in 192 lb ( 520 gsm), and Reich Savoy, Soft Grey, in 640 gsm. The box is lined in Plike, Purple, which is a 122 lb coated paper, sturdy like plastic and feels like suede to the touch.

Purple is a discontinued color, although some of the Purple color is still available at this time, along with other colors. Together the papers read as pink, blue and white.

Referring to the photos, the box is really just 3 basic boxes taped inside each other, starting with the Oyster, which reads like a soft pink alongside the Soft Grey. Score the paper 2″ in on all sides, going over the score lines; trim the corners at 45-degrees and cut tabs, taping them to the outside for decoration. This box is 2″ high and 4.5″x7″ on the outside on the bottom.

The Purple Plike is scored and folded to the same measurements, with additional extra score lines inside the 2″ so it will flex and fit inside the Oyster box, taping it with the 45-degree tabs to the inside. Notice there is a line of purple that shows above the Oyster. You can die cut the Purple Plike and let the Oyster show through, or add gilding flakes.

The Soft White is also scored to the 2″ plus 3 score lines to the outside of the 2″ line and cut to 1″ outside the score lines, leaving it 1″ on all sides. This is a very heavy paper and must be folded gently, using a fingernail file to smooth the edges.

ScoreTape it around the outside of the Oyster, taping the 45-degree tabs to match the Oyster tabs. Line the inside of the box with a strip of Soft Grey, cutting it 4.5″x 8.5″ and scoring a little past 2″ from the long edge, several times, so it will flex: trim around the top edges after taping it inside the Purple Plike.

Use leftover triangles from the 45-degree cuts and glue them into the corners for decoration. If you prefer a plainer look, you don’t need them: they add design to the inside of the box. With 4 layers of heavy paper, the box is extremely stable and long lasting. The outside has triangles of Soft Grey and Jolee’s Boutique Sheep.

The lid is 6.25″x8.5″, with the 3 layers stacked, each smaller than the other one. The top layer, the Soft White, is 100% Pure Cotton and inked before applying. The brand doesn’t matter, just pick colors you love, dip an old toothbrush in the liquid and splatter it on.

Sometimes the best parts are the happy accidents: instead of acrylic sealer, I grabbed the spray adhesive, so, I sprinkled on Martha Stewart’s Hearts and Stars Glitter, then added about 5-6 layers of spray acrylic, covering the adhesive, sealing the surface. Use a heat gun as needed. Before adding the lid decorations, add the Purple Plike strips to the inside, to seat the lid.

Cut 2 strips 1″x8.5″, score and fold down the center. Add ScoreTape on the bottom, score 1″ in from each side, cut tabs, fold, and overlapped them 45 degrees. Mark the corners with pencil lines for guides. The glitter photo corners, also Martha Stewart, will hold a baby photo.

The 1.25″x6″ Soft Grey strips on the top were scraps, with ribbon looped behind them, stuck to the ScorTape. Each ribbon loop is around 4.5″, before looping, with 1″ to 1.5″ showing; just use the ribbon off the roll and arranged it to suit with 7 ribbon loops on each side.

The ribbon is wired, but it doesn’t matter. After arranging the ribbon, add more tape and lots of glue, holding it down for a bit. Add a flower or two, some dots of glue and more glitter. Enjoy.

Materials for Baby Memory Box

• Savoy 100% Cotton
  • Soft Grey 236lb Cover Weight Paper
• Plike
  • Purple 122lb Cover Weight Paper*
• Strathmore 100% Cotton*
  • Soft White 220lb Cover
• Remake
  • Oyster 192 lb Cover Weight Paper

*If a brand or color is not available please make sure to check out the “Shop Color” or “Cotton Paper” for available options.