[If you are looking for my Tuesday Morning Sketches post, click
here.]
Hi Friends! It's Tuesday, my favorite day of the week right now, because that means it's time for another
Timeless Tuesday Challenge--Bags, Tags, Boxes, and More! This week, Heather has challenged us to make anything but a card--a treat box, bag, or even a tag to hold some yummy Valentine candy! Right up my alley! I have discovered over the past few months that I love making boxes! So, that's what I have to share with you today.
With the tutorial today, this is a long post, so when you get to the end of it, don't forget to visit the
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge blog post for all the details of the challenge, and also to see what the rest of the design team has for you today.
Here we go...
I made this in the style of a matchbox--the box slides out of a sleeve, from either end. Once you get the measurements worked out, making this little baby is a piece of cake! (I made this
notecard set later, using the same matchbox template. It's SO easy to customize!) Here's how to make it:
First, you need to get your measurements for the interior box. Lay out whatever you want to put in the box, then measure the absolute longest length, width, and depth. If you're going to fudge, of course, always go bigger, not smaller, but get as close as you can to the actual size so the contents won't be shifting around inside. I wanted to put six heart-shaped Dove chocolates in my box, so I arranged them in a rectangular shape and my measurements were: 3-1/2" x 2-1/4" x 1/2".
Once you have your measurements, you can use the template below to work out the dimensions for cutting and scoring your cardstock. The measurements shown on the template are the ones I used for my box. If you are making a different size, just substitute your own measurements for mine. The 1/8" that is added to the length and width is to accommodate the thickness of the cs when it is folded over, so be sure to add it to your measurements also.
Once you've cut and scored your cs, go ahead and fold on all the score lines. I like to tests my box here to make sure everything will fit. Keep in mind that when the sides are folded to the inside, the interior becomes about 1/8" smaller in length and width. That's why you added the 1/8" in the initial measurements. :)
I used Scor-Tape as my adhesive, but you can use whatever you normally would. Just make sure it is strong.
Adhere the tabs before the sides. The tabs should be folded to the inside of the box. (You probably noticed that my tape for the tabs is on the sides of the box rather than the tabs themselves. Well, look closely--I have two pieces of tape in the wrong place. That's when I decided it would be better to put the tape on the tabs, just to make sure they end up stuck where they should be.)
I like to trim just a little bit off each of the ends of the interior folds so they will fit better without binding. Then, you can tape/glue them down, too.
Your interior box is now finished.
The sleeve is simple--just a rectangle, but you will need to take a few more measurements. For these measurements, be sure to measure along the outside edges of the box, not the middle. The middle may flare out a little bit, and if you measure there, the sleeve may be too big and your box might not want to stay in it. Also, be sure to include the thickness of the folded cs. The length and width will probably measure about 1/8" longer and wider than your original measurements for the box, but go ahead and take the time to use a ruler just to make sure.
Cut your sleeve cardstock according to your measurements.:
Length = length of box + 1"
Width = (width x 2) + (height x 2) + 1/2"
Now, you need to score it.
For the length (the side with 1" added to it), score 1/2" from each end.
For the width, score at your height measurement. From there, move over whatever your width measurement is and score, then move over your height measurement again from there, then again move over your width measurement and score. There should be approximately 1/2" remaining. NOTE: I like to add a smidgen--maybe 1/16"--to each of my score measurements as I go, to allow for the space the actual fold takes up. You should still have plenty left at the end for glue or tape. This insures that the box is snug but will still slide easily when you push it out.
To fold the sleeve, first fold the edges of the sleeve (the 1/2" score lines). These will be folded to the outside of the sleeve, so there won't be anything inside the sleeve for the box to get caught on. Adhere them down.
Then, make the folds that will fit around the box. I like to actually use the box and make the folds around it to make sure everything fits. If it seems too loose or tight, I can rescore the lines as I go because they will be covered with decorative paper when it's done. After getting all those folds completed, put tape along the two short ends that will overlap and tape them together. They should overlap along one of the sides of the sleeve, as in this photo.
When you are finished, your box is complete and ready to decorate. Notice that the folds along the ends are on the outside of the sleeve. They will be covered eventually. This is important to ensure that your box will slide in and out smoothly.
Give it a test run, then decorate your box.
I don't have a tutorial for decorating your box, but I do have a few hints to make it easier.
To get perfect, crisp edges, after cutting your paper the dimensions you need to go around your box, apply adhesive to all four edges of it, then attach one end to the sleeve and slowly work your way around, creasing the paper with your fingers at each edge.
If using two layers of paper or cardstock, as I did, you'll get better, crisper edges, if you apply each layer separately instead of putting them together first, then taping them to the sleeve.
It helps to keep the box inside the sleeve for stability, while decorating the sleeve. You might even want to turn the box upside down in it, if you need to apply pressure to the top.
Now, here are a few photos of the finished box:
I used the daisy heart from Flourishes
Hearts & Flowers set as my main image. After coloring it with Copics, I fussy cut it.
These are the colors I used.
I used the "Love" sentiment from Flourishes
Lace Heart set. I originally intended to stamp the sentiment on a separate tag, but decided at the last minute to put it directly on the bg paper, so I had to stamp on the finished sleeve. Because the sleeve is hollow, it was difficult to get enough pressure on the stamp, so I ended up having to stamp it three times, and didn't get everything lined up perfectly. Turns out I love this look, because it looks like it's handwritten with a calligraphy pen rather than stamped. I colored the little heart on the "L" with a red Copic and covered it with red Stickles.
I used Scor-Tape to adhere lace around the sleeve, and foam dots to pop up the daisy heart. Three pink pearls were the finishing touch. Here's the finished sleeve, ready to fill with my box of chocolate.
In we go. :)
Now, I just have to decide who I'll give this to on Valentine's Day! (Actually, I already know, but can't say. The little stinker reads my blog sometimes.) :D
So, that's it for my Timeless Tuesday project today. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial, and that it inspired you to create something fun. You can link up your own project on the
Timeless Tuesday #152 post, and you have until next Monday at 6:00 PM to enter.
Now let's see what the rest of the Timeless Tuesday Design Team has for us today:
Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and Happy Stamping!
~Hugs,
Stamps: Hearts & Flowers, Lace Heart (Flourishes)
Paper: The Basics (The Paper Studio); Classic White (Flourishes)
Ink: Memento; Copics
Accessories: Lace (Joanns); pearls; Stickles; Scor-Tape
Size: Finished box: 2-3/8" x 3-1/2" x 5/8"
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I made an envelope for this card using my Martha Stewart Scoreboard. Because the paper is patterned, I added pieces of solid cardstock for the mailing address and return address, and the scalloped border is decorative.
The inside is partially lined with paper that coordinates with the card. I really like making matching envelopes for my cards, but they are too time-consuming to do it often. 
