Garden in a Box

Capture the spirit of spring with a flower-sprigged box that everyone will dig. Forget the green thumb – all you need is fabric, ribbon, silk flowers and a small scalloped-edge craft box with a removable lid. Fill the finished box with recipe cards, seeds, buttons, notions or trinkets to make a windowsill garden that will never need watering.
 

Here’s How:

1. Measure the distance around a wood or cardboard craft box and add 1” to figure the length, then measure its height, adding 1” to that. Measure the lid, adding 1” to each of the four sides. Cut three rectangles of lightweight floral fabric: one to fit the measurements of the craft box; a second to fit the measurements of the lid; and a third to fit the measurements of the lid plus 1”. The fabric should be crisp and wrinkle-free, so starch and press, if needed.

2. Spray the front of the box with Spray Mount® adhesive and cover it with fabric, leaving a ½” overhang at the top and bottom. Smooth flat, then continue wrapping the fabric tautly around the box, spraying one side at a time and smoothing it flat until the entire box is covered. Fold the end edge under, spray with adhesive and press it flat to the box.

3. Pull the front and back fabric overhang tightly over the top and bottom of the box and glue it down. Miter the corners, glue into place, the fold the two side edges over and glue them down. Carefully smooth the fabric over the scallops on the bottom of the box.

4. To cover the lid, place the larger piece of fabric pattern-side down on a table, spray with adhesive and center the lid, top-down on the fabric. Pull the long ends of the fabric up and over the edges of the lid, smooth it flat and hot-glue to secure. Miter and glue down the corners, then pull the fabric up and over the sides of the lid and glue into place. Spray the smaller piece of fabric with adhesive and press it inside the lid.

5. Glue a narrow accent ribbon around the base of the box and another ribbon around the lid. Glue a matching fabric flower and a seed packet to the top to finish.

If you want to line the inside of the box, measure and spray glue the fabric following the same process used for the outside of the box. Cut with pinking shears for decorative edges.

Great Gift Idea: For a housewarming present or hostess gift, fill with ready-to-plant flower bulbs. Copy or glue a photo of the full-grown plant on card stock to make a gift tag. Write planting and care instructions on the back of the card, tie a ribbon on top and tuck a small trowel in the bow.