Suitcase Card Box For Graduation

This suitcase card box idea is a perfect way to collect graduation cards.

Supplies Used:

Suitcase or box
Fabric
Foam Core
Paper, for letters
Twine
Tag (for thank you)
Ribbons (to decorate the tag)
Hot glue and/or tacks to attach letters
Cutter and cutting mat for foam core
Ruler, to determine size of foam core and assist with cutting

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Pick your suitcase or box.

I found mine at Ross. I went with an inexpensive one, knowing that I could decorate the inside of the box to coordinate with our party theme.

Here are a few from Amazon that would work great:

Determine the size of foam core and cut it.

I measured the inside of my suitcase (both top and bottom) and then cut the foam core about a 1/4″ shorter on each side so that it could easily push in after it was covered with fabric. Note: Dollar Tree carries foam core so you pick this item up at a low price.

Cut fabric and glue it around the foam core.

I cut my fabric to be about 1.5″ bigger around each side of the foam board.

Place the foam core on the cut fabric, with the design facing down.

Use a glue gun on a cool temperature to place a line of glue along the edge of one side of the foam board.

Then press the fabric onto the foam core. Continue this on each side of the foam core, being sure that the fabric is pulled tight so that there isn’t wrinkles on the front.

The corners take a bit more glue and time. Make sure the fabric doesn’t peek out to the front.

Put covered foam core pieces into the suitcase card box.

I was able to insert my foam core pieces without gluing them into the suitcase because I cut the sizing just right. If the fit isn’t tight, simply put hot glue in each corner and press the foam core into the suitcase.

Cut letters that you plan to hang in your suitcase card box.

I cut the letters to form the word CARDS. I also cut my daughter’s name because she is doing her party with friends and I thought this would help people put the right cards in this card box.

I love my Cricut machine! If you’re not familiar with cutting machines, take a look at this Cricut on Amazon.

String and hang words in the suitcase lid.

I poked a hole in top of each letter and then threaded twine from the Dollar Tree through each letter to hang my CARDS letters.

Then I put a glue dot in each corner of the suitcase lid and pressed the twiner into it. The first time I did it my CARDS hung too low, so I re-did it getting the letters up higher.

Once I got the letters turned around I was disappointed that my letters didn’t pop more so I added cut rectangles from gold glitter card stock and placed them behind each letter. You’ll see this in the bottom photo.

Make the Thank You tag.

I thought that a Thank You tag would be a great finishing touch. As people drop their graduation cards into my daughter’s box, they will see her words of appreciation.

I started by cutting a small Thank You out of glitter paper using my Cricut cutting machine.

I started with a basic Kraft tag. I glued some strips of ribbon on it. Then I glued the Thank You note onto the tag and added ribbons to the tag’s hole so that I could tie it onto the suitcase handle.