As In a Mirror

I recently invented a method of making my own paper CD cases, and I decided to share the recipe here for y’all (complete with pictures!), cuz sharing makes you feel good inside…right?

Here’s what you will need:

Construction paper or some similar heavy-duty paper
Scissors
Ruler
Highlighter marker (if you’re smarter than me, you’ll use a light-colored one)
Glue stick
Scotch tape
Pencil
Colored pencils
Utility knife

1) Cut a 6 inch by 11 inch piece of construction paper. (TIP: Make a perfect rectangle by measuring and marking a 6 inch length at the top and bottom of your paper.)

2) Fold your construction paper, leaving about an inch of a lip at the top.

3) Measure and mark 1/2 inch off each side. (TIP: It is very important to be exact here, because this ultimately determines whether or not a CD will fit in your case!)

4) Cut ONLY along the marks, ONE layer of your paper, as shown below.

Here’s a better look:

5) At the lip, cut at outward angles to make a nice edge for your flaps.

6) Fold the side flaps over firmly and tightly.

7) With the gluestick, glue these flaps generously, especially at the edges. Fold immediately and press down tightly first with your finger and then with your ruler.

8 ) Allow to dry (fortunately, glue sticks dry quickly ) You may want to tape the bottom edges as extra support.

9) Fold the top lip over to make a flap.

10) With a pencil, trace a line in the center just below your top flap (when closed).

11) Draw a semi-circle over this line.

12) Cut ONLY the semi-circle pattern, down to a little bit below your straight pencil line. (TIP: I used a very sharp pocket-knife for this job, but I imagine a small-bladed utility knife might also work.)

13) Erase your pencil marks.

14) Decorate your case with colored pencils! (These I recommend because regular marker will bleed through, and crayon will get on your hands!)

So now you have just saved on buying CD cases, and you can decorate it as you so desire! (BTW, my amazing artist brother, The Brickster, decorated the cover you see above!)

CAUTION: These cases are not waterproof, so be careful not to get them wet.