A few days ago, I saw a video on how to make a DIY twisty photo box. This was new to me. This lady glued the twisty box onto a drawing of a camera. While this was cute, my thought is that the twisty box can stand on its own as a Valentine’s Day gift.
Duplicating the dimensions she used, I made one of these twisty boxes from construction paper. That version is made from two rectangular cutouts overlapped to create an ‘X’ shape.
After some searching, I found a simpler version. I made one from construction paper. This version works just as well.
In the first example, the lady used a photo inside the box to go with the camera image. Instead of a photo, I’ve used a cupid foam-backed sticker for Valentine’s Day. A Valentine printout or a cutout from old Valentine’s Day cards could be used, too.
How to Make a Twisty Photo Box
Supplies:
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- Decorative Cardstock or Paper
- Sharp scissors
- Metal ruler
- Twisty Box Template
- Mechanical pencil or pencil
- Tacky Glue
- Scoring Board and Tool (not absolutely necessary)
- Photo, Valentine Cutout, or Sticker
Directions:
You can draw your own template. The squares are 2-1/2 inches. Each arm on the X includes an extra tab for folding and gluing to the square with the round cutout.
Or, you can download a template ◄ here.
Choose your paper or light cardstock. The cardstock I used was slightly more difficult to twist and turn at first. But I like that it is more stable.
Then, cut out the ‘X’ and the square for the top. Cut out the round. I used a compass with a blade on it to cut the circle. You can also draw the circle and cut it out with scissors.
Fold the outer tabs upward. I used a scoring board and scored on the outside of the dashed line. You don’t want the tabs to be too short. The box won’t close properly. Better to fold on the outside of the line rather than the inside.
Next, lay a ruler from the inside corner diagonally to the edge of the square where the tab meets the square. See the picture below. Pulling the flap up against a metal ruler will give you a sharper crease. Repeat on the other three flaps.
Next, fold the flaps around the center square upward using a ruler, and then inward. Alternatively, score the lines with a scoring board. Then, fold inward.
At this point, cut a square slightly smaller than the center 2-1/2-inch square. I cut this square from a coordinating cardstock. I cut a 2-1/4 inch square. Then, center and glue the smaller square onto the center square.
I used a foam-backed sticker of a cupid and the word LOVE to adhere to the smaller square. (I found these stickers at Hobby Lobby.) If you’re using a photo, glue it here instead.
Folding the Flaps
Begin by folding along the crease and folding the top arm downward. Then, fold the left arm inward. The tabs on these should face upward so they can be glued to the square with the round cutout. See the pictures below.
Next, fold the bottom arm upward.
Then, slightly lift the first flap and slip the last flap underneath.
The tabs should all be loose on top. Lay the square with the round cutout on top. If too much of any tab is showing under the round cutout, you might want to cut a little off the tab so it won’t show.
Then, fold the tabs inward, apply Tacky Glue, and adhere the square with the round cutout on top.
At this point, you should be able to gently twist the top counterclockwise to release the box.
This little twisty box can be made for other occasions, too. Just imagine all of the different occasions this could be a part of! For birthdays, it could be adorned with bright, festive colors. Even for small, everyday moments, this twisty box can hold heartfelt notes or tokens of gratitude, making any day feel a little more special. The possibilities are endless, and with a touch of creativity, it can become a cherished part of any celebration.
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