DIY Re-usable Gift Box using Vinyl and Free Flowers

"Just buy a dollar store bag and save yourself time", hubby said. But what's the fun in that? OK, so I was kind of rushed, but it's a different kind of rush right?

I salvaged a stationery box from work that fit my gifts perfectly, but of course it's ugly. I amassed the largest pieces of scrap vinyl (salvaged from a sign store) that would go together.

I made sure the vinyl would cover the box with some excess on all sides, removed the wax, and placed the box right in the middle, using a bone folder to squish out the bubbles from the middle to the outside edges. Then I cut 45˚ slits toward the corners.

I brought the long flaps up, stuck it against the box and trimmed off the excess triangles, leaving a tab to fold over to the other side. This ensures you'll never see the old box.

Then I adhered the short sides and trimmed off the excess all around.

My family and friends know I try to be as eco-minded as possible. I've had to ask for my xmas gift bags back and cushion their crestfallen faces by reassuring them another gift will come in the same bag next year. I don't tend to do that with birthday gifts, so when my sis-in-law saw this box, the first thing she said was "Can I keeeep it?" and hugged it to her chest. I can't tell you how happy that made me!

I've used this free flowers file for other projects in the past like cards and flower pots:
http://www.fordesigner.com/maps//10878-0.htm