unusual box, recycle

I thought I would try to make boxes out of record album covers. I love kitschy vintage record albums a lot. I separated the front from the back of an album cover, then I used a ruler to make lines on the back side to mark the folds for the sides of the box. At first I just folded on the lines and the cardboard had a random tear kind of effect on the top folded edge, kind of sloppy. Then I used the ruler and an exacto knife to lightly slice along the line. This was tricky because in some spots I cut too deep. It did help that ragged look though. I used some wide clear packing tape to run along the edges and at the fold edged. It still looks kind of sloppy and tacky. I think, anyway.
I made the bottom of the box the same way from the back side of the record album cover - making it slightly smaller of course.

I was hoping to make some as gift boxes for a fun surprise, but I am not satisfied with the look of them. It's all about presentation, right? So, in the mean time, until I figure out a way to perfect this fun recycling craft idea, I will use the boxes I make to store some of my paper ephemera that seems to be abundant!!

This album cover was from the 1950's and says Tea and Trumpets.

isn't it for the kids?

I have a short rant, and maybe I am totally wrong here. N. has been working on his Pinewood Derby car for Cub Scouts. This is his first year to do all this scouting stuff. He is so very excited and has been working hard. He is so proud. Isn't that what it is supposed to be about? I took him to a practice run with his car... and guess what?...Some of the cars looked like they could never have been totally done by a boy of this age group. You know why? Because they probably weren't!! I am so disappointed and I hope I am wrong!! Please tell me I've made a miscall. I'll bet that the majority of the boys were allowed to do their own work along the whole process but still I couldn't shake the feeling that some of the cars seemed 99% completed by someone over the age of elementary school!!!!
I hate that N., in his naivety, feels less talented to do that kind of work. I tried to explain that those cars were probably not really done totally by a young boy. I hope I am wrong. I believe
kids need activities that don't involve a grown up "fixing" everything.

a dish of art

My ATCs (artistic trading cards) I have made, in a glass vintage 1920's powder dish, with vintage dictionaries in the background.