A little something special to hold all your valentines! 💕 Follow these step-by-step instructions to build your own cardboard Valentine’s mailbox!
What You'll Need:
- A solid piece of cardboard (under 3mm thick)
- Our Postbox Pattern (PDF Download Here).
- Scissors
- Double Sided Tape
- Glue
- A ChompSaw (for cutting)
- A Scoring Tool (for creating folds)
- A Hole Punch (for punching holes)
Video Tutorial:
Steps:
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Grab Your Cardboard:
Pick three sturdy, clean pieces of cardboard large enough to fit all your pattern pieces. -
Print & Cut Out Your Pattern Pieces:
Use scissors or your ChompSaw to cut around all of your pattern pieces, leaving a small margin around each piece to help make gluing easier!
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Glue Patterns Onto Cardboard
Using a glue stick, attach each pattern piece to cardboard. Be sure to note the flute direction arrow on Part F and make sure the wavy lines on your cardboard match up with the picture on the pattern. -
Punch a Hole in Part F
Use your hole punch tool to punch a starter hole on the green circle in Part F. This hole will help you make an interior cut later! -
Cut Out Cardboard Pieces
Using your ChompSaw, carefully cut along the black lines of each piece. For side tabs, cut straight down first, then trim out the inner sections. To cut inner rectangles, stick the hole you punched over the ChompSaw's cutting head. -
Score Fold Lines
Grab your wooden scoring tool and locate the red dashed lines on your pieces. Run the scoring tool along each red dashed line once or twice and fold along the scored lines so the cardboard bends cleanly. -
Attach the First Side Wall (Part D)
Flip Part D over and apply double-sided tape over the purple cross-hatched areas. Align the sidewall tab with the red outline on Part A (the base). Make sure the notch on Part D faces the blank wall of Part A. Press firmly to attach. -
Attach the Back Wall (Part B)
Flip Part B over and apply double-sided tape to the purple cross-hatched areas. Line up the bottom tab with the red outline on the base and fold the tab inward and press it against the side wall edge to secure. -
Curve the Mailbox Lid (Part F)
Place Part F pattern side down and rub it back and forth along the edge of a table. Continue until the cardboard naturally curves. -
Attach the Mailbox Lid
Flip Part F over. Apply double-sided tape to the purple cross-hatched areas. Then line up the bottom tab of Part F with the top edge of Part B. Press firmly to attach. Fold the curved tabs inward along the side wall to create the rounded top shape. -
Attach the Second Side Wall (Part E)
Apply double-sided tape to the purple cross-hatched areas on Part E. Attach Part E along the red outline on the base.Fold inward and align with the lid tabs so both sides match evenly. -
Add Your Latch (Part C)
For the final touch, apply tape to the yellow cross-hatched areas on Part C. Place the latch in the center of the mailbox opening. Position it so about half extends over the edge. Press firmly to attach.
And there you have it! Your mailbox should now open and close using the latch.
Slide a Valentine’s card into the slot and open the door to grab your goodies!