London Skyline Milk Cartons

Maxi - and minis.

Midi-Gherkin (variation)

Today's post is a bit of a stretch - but stay with me, since it is the festive season and you could probably do with some gift packaging solutions. I'm still on my milk carton binge - experimenting with new shapes. A worthy type of box! These milk cartons are loosely inspired by the new generation of London skyscrapers that have been popping up lately. So... there's a triangular Shard, a bulging Gherkin, and a top-heavy Walkie-Talkie. There's also a slightly wider midi-Gherkin - I just liked the shape.

Here are your free downloads:
GherkinMilkCarton.pdf 
MidiGherkinMilkCarton.pdf 
ShardMilkCarton.pdf 
WalkieTalkieMilkCarton.pdf 

To make the milk cartons, print them up on copier-quality cardstock and cut them out. I've used American Crafts Cardstock, which is printer-friendly - takes the ink beautifully and has a lovely texture. (You must trim it down to A4 to fit the printer). Score the folds, then pre-fold them. For the prints, you will have to eyeball the location of the folds - you'll figure it out. Next, glue the ajacent sides, then the top flap. There's access to the box contents through the "trap door" on the bottom:

Fold the side flaps first.

Then tuck the tab into the slot.

I like to punch two holes in the milk carton top and tie a craft thread bow through them. You can thread on the gift tag while you are at it.

Of course, you can enlarge or reduce the designs as desired.

So that's milk carton mania for today!

This project has been sponsored by Handy Hippo, which has 20% off its products today! (You must key in the code: SAVE20).

Mini Milk Cartons & Crates

Today we have some cute Mini Milk Cartons - and Milk Crate Holders. Fill the cartons with goodies or small surprises - fun party favours or stocking fillers. They are quick and easy to make. 

Here are your free downloads:
MiniMilkCartonCrate.pdf 
TallMilkCartonCrissCrossCrate.pdf 
MoreCrates.pdf 

MiniMilkCartonCrate.svg
TallMilkCartonCrissCrossCrate.svg 
MoreCrates.svg

Your printables look like this:

If you are going to make this project by hand, then you will need to carefully cut out the holes in the crates with a craft knife. (Alternatively, you could choose not to cut out the crate holes - the finished result will still look fun.)

I have made this project with AC Cardstock. It comes in 12 x 12 sheets, so you need to cut it down to A4 size to fit through your printer. This is worth the small effort, because the cardstock prints and folds beautifully!

Making up the project is super-easy, but here's a tut, anyhow:

Milk Carton & Crate Tutorial

1. Above, the pieces cut out and folded. All the folds are mountain folds except for the folds at the top of the "V's" and the top flap, which are valley folds. If you are hand-cutting the project, don't forget to cut the slit in the base of the milk carton.

2. Next, join the side of the milk carton, either with tacky PVA glue or d/s tape. Your carton should now look like this:

4. Next, fold the bottom flaps. First two: the side flaps. Fold one over the other, like so:

Then fold the flap with the slot upwards. Finally, secure the bottom of the carton by inserting the tab into the slot:

5. Time now for the milk carton top. Make sure that the sides have been folded inwards:

Squeeze the top together as shown (sorry for blurry pic). Next, seal the top flaps together with d/s tape. You can also punch or piece two holes through the top and tie it together with a craft thread bow.

6. Time now for the crate:

Above, a crate cut out, scored, folded. Apply d/s tape or glue to the side strips of the side panels. Join flaps to adjacent sides to complete the milk carton:

Below, the finished milk crate:

All the crates are made this way, no matter what the style.

That's all there is to it. Add a gift tag if desired.

Enjoy the milk run! 

 This project was sponsored by Handy Hippo .