Monkey Valentine's Day Box

Recycle an empty cereal box into something cute and romantic that your Valentine card recipients will go bananas over!

Here's what you will need to make this box:

• Matte Mod Podge
• dark brown paint
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• cereal box
• scrapbook paper for the monkey and the heart
• marker
• X-acto knife
• organza ribbon
• paper hearts
• monkey template (you can find this template in the Big Book of Mod Podge on page 232)

First, paint the cereal box in dark brown paint and let dry. Once it's dried a little, trace the heart template on the middle of the box, then use your X-acto knife to cut out the heart.

Now, prepare the templates on your computer and print them out. You can either shrink the size or enlarge it to custom fit the size of your box. Then, after printing them out, cut out each part.

From there, grab a marker to trace each template, starting with the monkey's body on dark brown scrapbook paper. Then, cut out the shapes. For the belly, trace the heart on the belly part, then use an X-acto knife to cut the heart away.

For the heart that the monkey holds in his hands, cut and trace the "Be Mine" heart template on a piece of pink scrapbook paper. Then, use a black pen or black marker to copy off the decorations onto the heart.

For the monkey face, I used dark brown scrapbook paper for the main part. Then, I used a piece of yellow cardstock for the inner part. I also used pink scrapbook paper for the nose, cheeks, and insides of the ears, and drew in a mouth with a black marker. Finally, I used white cardstock and black construction paper for the eyes. Then, I glued the parts together.

When it came to the tail, I didn't have enough brown scrapbook paper to trace it out. So, I traced the tail on yellow cardstock and painted it brown so that it will blend right into the color of the box.

Then, I glued down the arms, belly, and heart right on top of the heart cut-out in the middle of the box. For the final touch, I used a piece of peacock feather printed ribbon tied into a bow, and used hot glue to stick it right below the monkey's head. I chose this ribbon to kind of make a great organic contrast to the quirkiness of the monkey.

I also added a few paper hearts to the sides of the box to give off some extra texture...and love!

Now, the box is ready to be stuffed with Valentines for Valentine's Day! When doing this project, my best tip is to make sure that you use a box that is big enough to store even the biggest cards!