Oct 17 2008
The Box That Couldn’t Be Easier
You may not have even noticed, but I’ve had a few days away from my blog. My husband is home on vacation; I had a birthday “get-away” day; my son came home for a birthday visit… One thing after another and, well, let’s just say my focus shifted for a while. I’m back now and I’d like to take the time to share this little project with you.
It’s been over a week since I worked on designing this box, photographing, writing the instructions, etc. and I finally put the finishing touches on it today. It’s the way the flaps are folded that makes this box so incredibly easy and, once again, the concept is derived from the 2-4-6-8 box that I use so often.
While in the process of designing this project I visited one of my favorite blogs – that of my friend, Sharon Johnson — and found a wonderful post in which she shared three beautiful boxes made in the same manner. A bonus! Sharon’s boxes are a different size and shape so I’d like to encourage you to visit her post here to see her measurements and some absolutely fabulous ideas for turning a simple gift into something especially delightful. Thank you, Sharon!
My simple box is sized for cards. It will hold six A2 cards (and envelopes) with an average degree of layers and embellishments.
I decorated my box with Memory Box Winterberry paper on a shimmery ivory cardstock and topped it with the large poinsettia from Flourishes’ Poinsettia and Boxwood stamp set. The poinsettia is watercolored with SU! inks and layered with dimensional foam tape. The center pearls can be found at Flourishes here. Gold elastic cord is attached under the poinsettia and wraps diagonally around the box to make it look just a bit more “giftable”. It slips on and off easily.
Here’s how it’s made:
- Cut the box bottom 8 1/2″ x 7 1/4″.
- Score all sides at 1 3/8″.
- Clip to score lines as shown.
Tip: When you make the clips as shown above, you may find your corners more tidy if you create a little space where you clip. Cut along both sides of the score line and remove that narrow section (about 1/16th”) as shown in the photo below.
- Apply red liner tape to the flaps.
- Fold to the bumpy side of the score line and adhere.
Subsequent photos will clearly show where the tape is applied.
The next photo is the box top. Whether top or bottom, the red liner tape is applied the same.
- Cut cardstock 7 1/2″ x 6 1/4″. Score all sides at 13/16th” — that’s 1/16″ past the 3/4″ mark.
- Cut two designer paper strips 5 3/4″ x 3/4″
- Cut two designer paper strips 4 1/2″ x 3/4″.
- Cut one designer paper panel 5 3/4″ x 4 1/2″.
- Adhere as shown.
This is the underside of the box lid, showing where the tape is applied. The tape is applied the same to the inside of the box bottom. All that’s left is to fold and adhere the box. Be certain to fold the short flaps to the inside.
And that’s all there is to it! Although this box is sized for cards, there are many other gifts which would nest nicely within it, too — a silk scarf, socks, gloves, candy… I hope you enjoyed!
I’ll be back Monday with more fun to share. Until then, have yourself a wonderful weekend!
Thank you Thank you Thank you! I was wanting to make an A2 size card box but could only find instructions on the 3X3 or 4X4 sizes. You have saved me much searching time. You are a dear!
What a lovely, lovely set. I enjoy making all sizes and kinds of boxes and must try this one, too. Your card is beautiful. Belated Happy Birthday to you!
Your box is absolutely FABULOUS Leslie!!! I WILL be back to take these measurements as I LOVE to make gift sets of cards and this is SUCH a perfect idea!!! LOVE your poinsettia and pretty papers used!!! FABULOUS PROJECT!!! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks much for the link!!!
This project is gorgeous! Thank you very much for the instructions! Love the flower so much! The papers are so beautiful! Fabulous gift box!!!
Oh Leslie, your box and card are just exquisite! Thank you for taking the time to spell out the dimensions and writing the tutorial. I’m head over heels with that sleigh and the BG DP on the card. I want to CASE the card but I’m so initimated with the sleigh. Sigh. Happy birthday to you, albeit belatedly. Mine’s just around the corner this month. Thanks for sharing such a lovely card and box.
Beautifully done as always, Leslie! Such a useful size too. I love the gold cording closure, and that gorgeously colored and sparkly poinsettia makes this an extra special gift box. Great way to use designer papers too. I’m so glad you shared this, and thank you for all the details! Linda
Gorgeous! I LOVE this stamp from Flourishes! It keeps calling out my name! LOL! Thanks for sharing this wonderful creation and instructions with us!
Leslie, your box is just a beautiful as the card that goes in it! What beautiful presentation! And it’s the perfect size! Thanks so much for sharing for the instructions. I KNOW I will be using them for my own boxes.
A belated Happy Birthday and hope you enjoyed your time away.
Thanks for the tutorial on making your gorgeous box-very pretty and a handy size. tfs
Leslie this is absolutely gorgeous!
wow, great idea for the coming holidays!!! TFS…..Gina
Leslie, these are wonderful. I love the card, but that box really takes the whole project up a notch! Just gorgeous. BTW, happy belated birthday. I’m glad you had a time-out for yourself and your family.
Breathtakingly beautiful! I too had been thinking I would like to do a box like this, and got my score-pal a few weeks ago! Hope you had a marvelous birthday! Thanks for all the inspiration!
Happy belated birthday! I hope your day was the best ever and you look forward to many more. Thank you so much for this box tutorial. It “was” easy. I “did” it! Thank you so very much. It’s beautiful.
Your card and box are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
OMGosh! Leslie, that box with the poinsettia is just stunning! I’ve been trying to resist the poinsetta set, but I think you’ve pushed me over the edge!
Hope you had a very happy birthday. Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial and I love the box you made with this template. TFS.
Debbie/Phx AZ
OMG! This box and card are absolutely gorgeous!! Thank so much for sharing a tutorial. Can’t wait to try it! Happy Belated Birthday!
Oh Leslie the box is absolutlely fantastic. It is beautiful and glorious. I really can`t think of the words that will cover your work of art. I only wish I could touch it.
Heather
OMG Leslie, you have outdone yourself with the simplicity of your box and the beautiful way you decorated it with DP and the gorgeous dimensional Poinsettia. Your tutorial pictures and description is absolutely Stunning and so easy to follow. I just can’t wait to share with all my stamping friends. Thank you, Thank you……
Oh, how gorgeous!! And, how simple to make! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Wow!!! This is so stunning. I love the paper, the flower, everything!!
I just got this set and I am just in awe of your beautiful art work. Love it!
Stunning results on the box and card Leslie. You are one talented lady!!
Amazing! You are TOO brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing this easy elegance! :O)
Wow, just Beautiful, lovely box and that flower is just gorgeous, your paper piecing in your card is just lovely, what a special card to recieve!
Fabulous Leslie, perfect for the holidays! Thank you for sharing your box tutorial with us. Your box and card are gorgeous, and what a great idea to make the coordinating cards to place inside. This is perfect for making a beautiful box and placing all occasion cards inside, i.e., birthday, get-well, anniverary, retirement, thinking of you, etc. Just love this!
Happy belated Birthday, Leslie! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Your box is so pretty and a gift in itself!
Happy Belated Birthday, Leslie!! I absolutely LOVE your gorgeous box!! Your poinsettia is STUNNING!! Thanks soooo much for your awesome tutorial too!!
Gorgeous box and cards!!
Happy Happy! I love this box so very very much! I have a special friend who was living with me and had to move to another town to live with her son. I plan to send this to her for Christmas. She did a lot to help me with my healing. Thanks for all you do and don’t feel too guilty for taking some family time. I think everyone out here who knows how hard you work and what you do for everyone will certainly understand, but you were missed! Linda Crowder
Leslie: This pointsettia box and card are so beautiful! Your coloring is just amazing! Thanks so much for the tutorial– I must try one of these!
Love your project and your finished product. Thanks for the detailed “how-to”.
I am so happy that you enjoyed yourself, even if only for a while!! Life brings many complications and interruptions and once in a while, we all need a little ‘me’ time. The box is gorgeous…I love Flourishes stamps, as you know. These images are no exception…the box tutorial looks so easy, gonna have to try that one, whenever I can find time. Have a great week girl
What a fabulous set!!! Words escape me as I’m just awed!!! TFS
That is beautiful, Les….help gets me in that festive mood. I loved the “button down” baby card, too! Trudy
[…] I will post a few pictures from the other sets as soon as I can. I plan to do a box tutorial when I get a chance but Sharon has an excellent one and so does Leslie. […]
What a stunning box, Leslie . . . gorgeous papers, awesome coloring of the poinsettia, it’s just breathtaking!
Gorgeous box! Thanks for the tip re: decorating before assembly. Such a simple thing that makes perfect sense!!!
I am in awe! For such an “easy” box, it sure is beautiful! Amazingly beautiful! That is a gift in and of itself!
LOVE this gorgeous and perfectly sized box, Leslie. Thank you so much for the measurements and picture tutorial! In the process of printing it right now! This is such a lovely gift idea.
How beautiful! It’s the best Christmas card/set I’ve seen this season!
You should rename this “The box that couldn’t be easier or more beautiful!” It’s gorgeous, Leslie! And thanks for the instructions! I have a feeling that this Christmas everyone on my list will be receiving boxes of cards as gifts!
My friend and I are new to cardmaking and we loved your box and made 2 of them yesterday! Your tutorial was great and it was really easy to make and looked really professional when finished. Thanks so much for your detailed instructions!
What a gorgeous box! I’ll be taking note of the measurements.
This is fantastic! The paper and that poinsettia are gorgeous! What a great gift!! Thanks for the instructions!
What a stunning box and card set! Wow! That sleigh is just so elegant. I love that you paper-pieced it. Gorgeous poinsettia as well!
Beautiful project Leslie! Great tutorial! Thanks! Deb
Thanks for doing all the hard work and sharing it with us!!
Thank you so much for posting this gorgeous project. I am hoping to make this for Christmas. Thank you again for your time and willingness to share.
Sue L
[…] Stamp Sets Cup Of Stuff. I also made a box today for these cards. To make a box I was following great tutorial by very talented Leslie Miller. I love Leslie’s blog and her tutorials and tips! This one was […]
Thank you for this tutorial. I have made lots of boxes before, but I like this method the best as it gives you sharp corners.
Just came over here from the Classroom where Susan Roberts mentioned your box. I think what you’ve done is breathtaking! Lovely lovely lovely!!
[…] is the finished project. The set consists of 6 cards and my favorite little box (template by Leslie Miller) in which to put them […]
To this day you have a great tutorial!