Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
Making Heart-Shaped
Boxes at Home

~ HE pretty little heart-shaped boxes
for holding candy ETC., so appro-
pirate for use on Valentines day,
are, unfortunately, entirely too expensive
to purchase for those with only moderate
means. Although it involves some trouble,
it is, however, possible to make quite sat
isfactory ones at home, and if one begins
early enough, even the work may be mini
mixed.
The foundation for all such boxes, how
ever they may Later be covered and elab-
! GRATED, is rather heavy white cardboard, of
quality somewhere between the thickest
| and the thinest varieties of bristol board.
This may be purchased by the sheet, a 10
cent sheet making from three to ten boxes,
according to the size desired.
Having determined upon the size, cut out
| for each box two heart-shaped pieces OF
cardboard, one slightly smaller than the
other. The greatest care must be exercised
here, as the lid for which the larger Of
the two pieces is designed must mt ex-
actly, and be neither too loose nor too tight.
There should be difference Of not quite
sixteenth of an inch.
Now cut out four strips of the cardboard.
about a quarter of an inch wide. These
should fit the first two pieces exactly, each
one extending from the point of the heart
to the opposite center of the lobe. They
should then be attached, either by means
Or narrow StrlpS OF white paper,
gummed, or by white passe partout bind
ing.
plete, and what remains Is more matter
Of taste and daintiness than Of mechanieal
skill. The covering may be of any suitable
material. Crepe and tissue paper are ia
vorites. but silk and satin are also pretty.
In the latter case the lid of the box
should be first padded with cotton. A
unique material, If it is possible to procure
1t, is thin white kid.
The edges should be finished with bead
Ing either of lace, gilt or silver paper, or
material of the cover. In the case of the
leather. the passepartout binding may again
be used
As to the further decoration Of the box.
paper box may be adorned with small
bunch Of artificial flowers, violets or forget
me-nots being especially pretty, with the
paper in a corresponding shade.
Or, If the maker has any artistic ability,
silk or satin may easily be painted making
beautiful, and often valuable, gift.
Again, they may be first embroidered, or
linen may be worked with rafla, If heavy
enough.
Many other materials, ranging from
plain wall paper to scrim, may be employed.
and each decorated according to Its own
nature. The decorations. too. are unlim-
tied as to variety Many odd and original
conceits may be planned. Sometimes pdc-
ture-a quiet landscape, or the head OF
pretty g1rt-may be pasted in the mfddie,
and surrounded. medallion wise. by mar
row strip of gilt paper beading. Sometimes
a box covered with plain white or tinted
paper or thin bristol board may bear an
original sketch or clever verse or prose
sentiment in pen and ink. One very pretty
box, somewhat on this style. is made in the
semblance Of one Of the heart cards Of the
pack. This Is especially appropriate as
euchre prize or favor. The hearts are cut
out of red paper and pasted on. In another
the entire lid is succession of red and
white hearts. each slightly smaller than the
last, and all pasted on the cover. The
hearts may be conventionalized. departing
somewhat from the usual outline.
The cost is slight, especially when COM
pared with that Of the boxes II purchased.
According to the elaboration desired, the
making Of ten boxes should not cost more
than from 50 cents to 81.
Finally. 1t would be well to visit the
stores before making, in order to gather
ideas which may be later worked out at
home.