BFF Memory Box

Follow this instructable to make a gift that showcases your most special memories with the one(s) you love.

This little work of art will be something they treasure for years to come. :)

This one you see I made for my best friend's birthday. We grew up in rural Missouri in the 90's. I tried to tie it altogether in a one of a kind keepsake for her.

To get started you will need:

a empty mint tin,

cardstock,

pencil,

craft glue,

school glue,

Scissors,

markers/scrapbook paper/embellishments

washi tape

Lots of imagination

______________

Make your pages into an accordion booklet 8 pages long. Each page should measure 1 7/8" x 3". This is a good size to fit inside your tin.

You will use both sides. Using both sides, thickens up the paper for extra strength adds an element of surprise that both sides are filled out.

Cut two pieces of cardboard or thick cardstock to 2" x 3 1/8". You can paint them for a more finished look.

You may do this step first or last. It really doesn't matter.

If you know the overall theme or feel of your memory box you can start by selecting a scrapbook paper that goes along with it nicely. Trace out your tin top piece on to your scrap book paper, cut and glue on to the top of the tin using regular school glue. Trim off any access.

Embellish the lid to make the box special. Here, I stenciled my and my best friend's first initial and added gems and a resin rose. I added a hand-drawn banner and cut and pasted it on the top of the lid.

Use washi tape around the lid and the bottom to nicely trim up the edges.

You can use a dab of glue on the seams if needed.

Plan out your pages. Make them each unique and out of various materials.

Make them on their own little 1 7/8" x 3" piece of paper and glue to the main cardstock later.

Here is the page I used colored scrapbook paper to make. Start with your biggest shapes and cut them out and then use trace onto other papers to make the smaller shapes. Here it was hair and clothes that were the tiny pieces that go on the body portion. Use a thin marker to add the tiniest details.

Use marker to write words. If you have a steady hand you can even use scrapbook paper letters too.

Here is another idea for a memory page. I trimmed a peacock feather to the size of the page and use school glue to hold in place. Then I used markers with matching colors to design the adjacent page.

This page is album covers from the 90's. This actually covers two pages but look pretty cool altogether.

The bird is a mix of scrapbook paper and stickers.

Another idea is to trim photographs exactly to the 1 7/8" x 3" size and paste them to the main cardstock.

Add all your memory pages to your accordion card stock with glue. Attach the ends of the accordion booklet to your painted cardboard pieces (painted side up) attach the card board to the inside lid and bottom of tin with craft glue. Let set completely before closing the entire tin.

Here is what my example looks like all put together.

Thank you for reading and watching :)

I hope your memory box is a true reflection of some of your most treasured memories with a loved one.