Friday 25 July 2008

Note Card Gift Box Tutorial


This box is very simple to make, and can be made either square or rectangular. The lid and base are constructed in exactly the same way. The first part of the instructions covering how to calculate the size of card to cut, takes far longer to explain than to do! Click on any of the photos for a closer look.

First of all, you need to measure the envelopes for the cards you will be putting into the box. Add on 0.5 or 1 cm to both the length and width of the measurement, depending on how thick the card is, and how much space you want around the envelopes. This box was made from Stampin' Up Whisper White, which is a thinner card, and I added on 0.5cm. For thicker card I would use an extra 1cm. Then you need to decide how deep you want the box to be. To do this, I stacked up the cards and envelopes and measured the height of the pile, rounding up to the nearest half cm. So now you have the measurements you need to calculate the size of the piece of card to work with.


My envelopes measure 8cm x 8cm, and the stack measured a little under 3cm. This is the calculation I did:

In the diagram below A = width of the envelope + 0.5cm i.e. 8 + 0.5 = 8.5cm
B = length of the envelope + 0.5cm i.e. 8 + 0.5 = 8.5cm
C = height of the stack of cards and envelopes rounded up to next half cm i.e. 3cm

So to calculate the size of the piece of card needed for the base of the box I did

Width C +C + A + C + C or 3 + 3 + 8.5 + 3 + 3 = 20.5cm
Length C + C + B + C + C or 3 + 3 + 8.5 + 3 + 3 = 20.5cm

Then the size of card for the lid just needs to be an extra half cm overall ie

Width 20.5 + 0.5 = 21cm
Length 20.5 + 0.5 = 21cm

So once you have done your calculations, cut out the two pieces of card to those measurements. In my case one piece 20.5cm x 20.5cm and the other 21cm x 21cm. Do the following with both pieces of card.

Measure in from each corner the height of the box (3cm for my box) and then the same amount again. Do this on all sides. Score at these measurements as shown in the photo. The extra half cm for the lid will end up allocated to the centre, which is where you need it to be.
Cut along the score lines to remove each corner as shown.

Fold and crease along each scoreline. Flatten the card back out, then score diagonally across all of the small corner squares as in the picture below.
Put double sided tape on the four edges - here I have used Stampin' Up's tape as it is a nice strong one.
Remove the covering strip from the tape, and fold in the flaps on two opposite sides, sticking them down. Doesn't matter which sides, as long as they are opposite each other.
Take one of the corners and fold in as shown.
Now fold back along the diagonal score line and press along the fold to crease well. Make sure as you do this that the fold is falling so that the corner will be nice and square. Now is the time to make any adjustments to the folds to ensure squareness. Worth taking some time here to get a good finished result.
Do the same on the other side of that edge. You need to end up with two triangles pointing towards each other on the side like this.
Remove the cover strip from the tape, and fold the flap over to cover the triangles. Press down firmly to stick in place. Do the same on the other side of the base.
Will look like this when it's finished - nice and neat.Nice and neat on the outside too - with no 'raw' edges.
Repeat with the piece for the lid. The double thickness on the sides gives a nice sturdy finish to the box, even when thinner card is used.

Decorate the outside of the box to match the cards within.




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16 comments:

Nic said...

I've been looking through your site and I love, love, love your paper flowers!

It's 5.40 in the morning and I've been up since 4. I feel the need to play with paper and glue so I'm off to try out your no tools required flower tutorial. I'll send you a photo when I've made one that I like!

Thanks for sharing all your beautiful work.

Gill said...

Your instructions and diagrams for the box are superb. A beautiful set of cards. The whole project has given me an idea for Christmas presents.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the box tute. As above, a great idea for presents. Many thanks. Am off to get this done NOW! Valda

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this very clear tutorial. Looks like a perfect hostess gift!
kathynruss

Tracy.H said...

I just got some 3 1/4 X 3 1/4 envelopes to try out some 3 X 3 cards...this is perfect. Thanks for the tutorial!! :0)

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial...thanks for sharing...

Minerva

Val said...

Awesome tutorial! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Wow !!!

Super, extra, etc. ideas.

Flower - beautfull .

Salute !!!

Lengow

Anonymous said...

The score of this box looks like mine ... thanks for share!

http://crearenelwebdigiulia.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/scatola-porta-post-it/

Curt in Indy said...

An absolutely wonderful, professional looking project! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Best, Curt

Anonymous said...

Wow instructions don't come much clearer than that Joanne, thank you so much!
Huggles Mandie (ALL-J CoC)

scraphobby said...

Thanks for sharing all your beautiful work
gr Marian

Bon said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial Joanne, I managed to make a box for my fairy castle card in no time.

Firefox said...

I am just looking for a box for my necklace.Thanks so much. It exactly what I need!

Emma Harrison said...

Thank you so much for this. I'd been looking for a tutorial on how to make these boxes everywhere.

Alex said...

Great tutorial Joanne, will have a go at this soon :)

Have a good weekend,

Alex x

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