When Aliens Invade—Make Something

We are beset with allergies at my house and boxes of tissues have become beloved pets. We’re thinking of naming them.

I’m convinced allergens are little alien creatures gleefully sharpening their claws in anticipation of wreaking havoc in our wimpy Earthling bodies. They certainly do so at every opportunity and are ever so prolific. As such, I have a slight concern our house will be quarantined by the military as a sort of Area 51 site.

In my mind, this creates a need to make something—inspiration comes from sometimes odd events. Having recently made a tissue box for myself, I decided my husband needs one. Invoking his inner maleness, he declined anything “frou-frou.” Being me, I invoked my inner woman and advocated pretty. The photo depicts our compromise (my “girly” box is in the background).

I’m not super proficient with paper crafting but here is how I made our tissue boxes.

Honesty Moment: you could just use tissues in their store-bought format without doing all this or you could paint the wood boxes instead of papering them, but then I wouldn’t have anything to make and share with you.

Materials

• Unfinished wood tissue box (both Michael’s and Jo-Ann’s Fabrics carries these).


• Enough scrapbook paper, wallpaper, or whatever material you choose to cover the sides and top.


• Glue ((I used a product called Yes)


• Disposable foam brush
  

Instructions

• Trace around each side of the box on the wrong side of the paper. I penciled a tiny number on each box section and a corresponding number mark on the paper pieces. Cut these pieces out.


• Using a foam brush, paint each box section with an even coat of glue.


• Start with one side (save the top piece for last) and, moving around the box firmly stick the applicable numbered paper onto its corresponding box section. As you move to each new section, match or overlap edges to keep things nice and tidy.


• Stick your tissues inside.

And there you are—a simple tissue box cover to place strategically in your house to confuse and ward off alien infestations.