We created this project to ensure your out of town guests make the most of their trip by introducing them to your favorite local sites and restaurants. Not to mention that it's small enough to make for easy packing when they make the trip home. Enjoy!
Supplies
1. Local Visitors Guide- look to your local convention and visitors bureau for guides
2. Paper Mache Box- Should be large enough to fit a stack of Post-Its
3. Needle and Thread- We preferred to use a slightly thicker, cotton thread
4. Post-It Stack- We used the traditional yellow but you're more than welcome to add your own style and use any color!
5. Scissors
6. Local Map- The large folded map works best especially if you intend to make multiple gifts
7. Ribbon- We used 5/8" for this project. Slightly smaller would be ok as well
8. Craft Glue
Step 1
Unfold the map and measure a strip that is as wide as your paper mache box and that will also wrap all the way around the outside in one piece
Step 2
As shown in the inset of the photo above, take the craft glue and on one side draw a zig zag line. Take the end of the strip of map and line it up with the edge of your box and gently press the map into the glue making sure it matches up with all the edges of your box, and smooth out any bumps. Repeat on each additional side, one at a time, wrapping the strip of map all the way around the outside of your box
Step 3
Place the lidof your box upside down on another piece of the map and trace an outline leaving an additional 1/4" perimeter as shown above. Cut out that piece of the map, draw a zig zag line with the craft glue on the top of your box lid, and gently press the map to the box and smooth out any bumps. Turn the lid right side up and as shown in the inset above, take your scissors and cut a small slit in the map at each corner (click on the photo above to make it larger for more detail)
Step 4
Begin with one of the long sides of your lid and run a thin strip of glue along the length of the map and fold onto the lid as shown above. Take care to glue down the corner piece as shown above as well. Repeat on each additional side, one at a time until your lid is covered as seen in the inset above. Then repeat Step 1, this time wrapping the perimeter of your lid with a single strip of the map creating the finished box above
Step 5
Take the stack of Post-Its and write a series of messages to your guests, we did 5 total. This is your opportunity not only to welcome them but to introduce them to their gift. We chose the following messages, one Post-It per message; "Welcome to Denver!" "We hope you enjoy your time here" "Thank you for sharing our special day" "Here are a few of our favorite places and activities" "We hope you enjoy them too!"
Step 6
Begin to unroll your ribbon leaving about 2 inches of ribbon before placing first Post-It onto the ribbon. Use the remaining stack to measure an empty space on your ribbon the lengthof a Post-It, then place your next message as shown above. This empty space is extremely important as it will allow your messages to be folded accordion style one on top of the other. Continue until all of your messages are attached, leave an empty 6 inch tail of ribbon then cut it from the spool
Step 7
Thread your needle and beginning with your first message, begin with your first stitch from the back at position 1 and pull your thread through just enough to allow you to put your needle and thread down through position 2. With the same thread, from the back poke your needle and thread through position 3 and finish by threading down into position 4 to create the "x" shape shown in the photo to the right. Cut your thread from the needle and tie a few small knots using the tail end of your thread.
Step 8
Repeat Step 7 above for each Post-It message until they are all sewn onto you ribbon
Step 9
Take the lid of your box and flip it upside down as shown above. Grab the ribbon at the top of your message strand and draw several lines of glue on the top 1 inch of your ribbon. Glue the ribbon to the center of the inside of the box lid so your messages laying are face down and let the glue dry
Step 10
Grab the last message on your strand to ensure that all the messages are face up and the ribbon is not twisted anywhere. At the tail end of the ribbon, place glue on the last 1 to 1 1/2 inches as shown above and glue this piece to the center at the inside of your box and let dry
Step 11
While you're waiting for the glue to dry, take your local visitors guide, the remaining stack of Post-Its and a pen. Now for the best part! Use the Post-It's to leave additional messages for your guests all throughout the guide signaling them to your favorite sites to see or restaurants to visit, like we've done above
Step 12
Once the glue has dried, lift the lid of your box to reveal all your messages in a vertical line. Begin with the last message and gently place it face down into the box. Fold the ribbon directly above it on top of that Post-It and repeat, folding all of your messages face down, accordion style into the box and place the lid on top. The goal is to lay your messages into the box so when your out of town guests lift the lid, they reveal each message one at a time as shown above
Finished Project
Ta da! Once you're finished you can place the guide and the box, as shown above, in each guests hotel room and let them enjoy your city as only you know it!
Next up, the official review. See how much this project cost and how long it took before you even begin!
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