Jack in the Box Valentine Gift Box

by Cabin Annie
(Loup City, NE)

Remember as a child the excitement you got when the jack-in-the-box jumped out at you? How about making one to give to your sweetheart? Imagine their surprise when it pops open but instead of Jack a gift jumps out at them!

This jack in the box is made from a plastic snack container and uses a springy piece of plastic to pop open the lid.


Who did you make it for?

My sister Diane is my biggest craft fan and I made this with her in mind. She has the red rose bush that was our Mother's that is the reason for the red roses on her Jack in the Box


What materials did you use?

• container with a snap on lid
  
• 1 sheet of red cardstock
  
• Scrap of white cardstock
  
• Black marker
  
• Hot glue
  
• Tacky glue
  
• Double sided tape
  
• Scissors
  
• Deco scissors
  
• 6’ x 12’ red tulle
  
• 1/2 valentine ribbon scrap
  
• 4" x 8" piece of coordinating fabric
  
• 12 small rosebuds or other flowers with stems
  
• Acrylic spray paint red or white
  
• Scraps of high loft quilt batting
  
• Light weight cardboard
  
• Clear plastic for hinge ½" x 1" such as package casing
  
• Clear plastic for spring ½" x height plus twice the width of your cup
  
• 2 TB rice
  

How did you make it?

Choosing the container
The size of the gift will determine the size of the container you need. My container is a YoCrunch fruit Parfait cup. It is about the size of a cupcake. If you want to give a larger gift than will pop up as these earrings do you could put a note on the pop up and lay your gift in the container. If you use a bigger container you will need to adjust all of these supplies.

Decorative paper band
If your container is wider at the top than the bottom you cannot make a straight band it will be an arch. To make a pattern for the band on the cup lay it on its side and roll it on a piece of paper; as you roll it draw a line along the bottom and the top edges. If your container is straight up and down measure around it add ¼” and measure the height just under the lip. Cut your band this measurement. I made mine from cardstock but you could use fabric and glue the edges under; be sure to account for the extra length and width if you do. Use decorative scissors to edge your paper. Make your pattern now but don’t apply your band until the last thing. Repeat for the lid.

Padded inserts
Lay your lid upside down on your cardboard and draw around it for your base for the padded top. Make two circles this size. You will assemble these inserts after you paint and let your container dry.

Spray paint the inside and outside of your cup completely and the rim only of the lid. Set these aside and let them dry while you work on your padded circles. Cut batting just the size of circles; put a drop of hot glue on a circle, top with the batting then a layer of fabric slightly wider than the circle. Using the hot glue and working from opposite sides slightly stretch your fabric until it is smooth and secure in the glue around to the back; repeat with the other sides and other circle, I left the fabric off the one on the inside of the lid. You don’t want very much bulk on the back of your inserts so you might have to trim so it will lay flat. Once the lid is dry glue the fabric covered one to the lid and the batting one to the inside of the lid.

Topnotch
For the tulle topnotch – cut two hearts one slightly smaller than the other, add your sentiment with your marker, glue together. Cut two 6" squares of tulle, layer them together then rotate one so you see 8 points. Fold both layers in half corner to corner twice. Then gather it into a fan shape, place your note ½" up from the bottom, put a staple right at the bottom point of your note securing it to the folds. Bend the point to the back below your note, place a drop of hotglue on the padded top where you want your topnotch and push your folded point into the glue bending the fan back at an angle and hold it until it holds in place.

Plastic strip
Take your clear plastic strip, glue it to the inside bottom of your container starting at the front center and going straight to the center back, stop gluing at the rim at the top of the back. Fold it over and cut it ¼" shorter than the width. Pour in the rice for weight. Make a third cardboard circle and finish it off with batting and fabric so it fits snug enough to enclose the rice. Put a safety pin in the center of your circle then run hot glue around the edges of the back and push it firmly down onto your rice.

Decorating the inside
Use the double sided tape to apply ribbon or cardstock to the inside of the container to dress it up. You could put fabric around the inside before you put your rice and padded circle in. Punch holes in your clear plastic to hang your gift on if needed.

Hinge
For the hinge you will want to make a slight bend it the plastic, with your hotglue attach it to the lid. Depending on the lip of your container you may have to trim it some if it juts out. It will work much better if your hinge lies straight up and down almost. Divide your hinge in half and glue half on the lid and half on the cup. Hold it until it is firm. With the hot glue it you need to you can remove it and redo it. If you remove some paint you can always hide it with ribbon or paint.

Attach your bands to your lid and cup, decorate with your roses. Insert your gifts and wait for the surprise.


Anything else you'd like to share about your project?


Wouldn’t children get a thrill out of seeing a picture of themselves jump out, fill the cup with candy, toys or money!

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