Dec 07 2008
It’s the Little Things… Stamp Simply Celebrates!
Hello! I made today’s project for Julie’s small gift ideas challenge which can be found here. You can see more samples of small gift ideas by visiting Deb, Joan, Sharon, Jennifer, Barb, and Tammy.
In addition to Julie’s challenge and project, she’s also offering blog candy.
You can find blog candy at Sharon’s, as well.
We’re keeping the party going through this week as we help Sharon celebrate, not only her 1,000,000+ blog hits, but this wonderful holiday season, too. You can see the entire schedule of festivities on Sharon’s blog here.
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I was definitely thinking small for Julie’s challenge, and this is one of those cases where the packaging is as much fun (or more) than the gift. I made two boxes for this project. They’re both 4 1/4″ wide, but of two different heights, with certain adjustments made to fit the height. To avoid confusion, however, I’m going to share the “how to” for just one of the styles — the shorter box, measuring 4 1/4″ wide x 3 1/2″ tall x 1/2″ deep.
The box is shown below with the gift items that will be tucked inside. I made the ribbon and brad card from cardstock covered with designer paper. The mini stamps are by Inkadinkado – just a little gift for a stamper friend. The box will also hold a roll of 1/4″ Offray or SU! gingham ribbon. See this post for a decorated ribbon roll.
The other box I’ve pictured holds a cocoa pack and two of the chocolate squares. It’s the sort of gift I might leave on a coworker’s desk. There’s a mesh ribbon loop on the side of the box to secure the candycane. The decoration on the front of the candycane box was done with my JustRite Christmas Stamp Ensemble.
Now, to make the box:
The box sides are different than most and it may seem like an odd way to do it at first, but the beauty of these boxes is that you can make two from one 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock and some scraps. It’s as easy to make two at once as it is to make one.
- Cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock in half lengthwise to create two equal lengths, 4 1/4″ x 11″
- For each box you plan to make, cut two pieces of the same color cardstock 3 3/8″ x 1″. These will be the box sides.
- You’ll need Sticky Strip, or some kind of narrow double sided tape. I used Sticky Strip (red liner tape) which is 1/4″ wide.
Score at 3 1/2″, 4″, 7 1/2″, 8″.
These little pieces are for the box sides — see dimensions, above. Score the length of each side at 1/4″. To do it on the Score-Pal I placed the piece at the marks, as shown. After I made my first score, I turned the cardstock piece so the opposite end is against the marks and scored that side. Then I had a 1/4″ scored edge the length of each side. I hope that makes sense — I’m trying to minimize the number of photos.
Apply Sticky Strip the length of each edge, outside the score lines. Trim off any overhang.
Cut designer paper to fit, and adhere as shown. The shorter flap is the top, which will fold over to close the box. I punched a scalloped border on the top flap end and a half circle on the other end. The other end with the punched half circle is the box body.
Now, see the end with the punched half circle — cut 1/16″ off that end. This is an important step in getting your box to close with nice, square edges.
Any further decorating of the box is best done before the sides are added.
Adhere sides as shown in the photo below. Peel off the last of the Sticky Strip cover and fold up box, keeping edges even. If you’re more coordinated than I am, you can fold up both sides at once. I found it more fool proof to do one side at a time.
This is the inside of the finished box:
I hope you enjoyed this little project. It’s a quick and simple “do” and can be dressed up any way you’d like. It can hold cosmetic samples, photos (including a small photo frame), a little book, handmade soaps, 3 x 3 gift cards, paperweight, jewelry on a card . . . I tried it with a little round mirror, a compact, a lighted magnifier — just a few ideas.
I’ll see you again soon! Have a great day!
Oh Leslie I LOVE this darling box!! Those fibers are so festive! And what a wonderful tutorial. Great ideas for some fun little surprised to put inside, too. I LOVE THIS!!
Leslie these are fabulous… Thanks for showing us how to make the box too.
Have a wonderful day!
Oh my gosh…these are so fabulous, Leslie!! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial too!! I love the papers, images….everything about these!!
OH that is really sweet! 2 out of a reg. sheet got to love that!
Going to try them out I LOVE boxes 
Thanks for sharing darling!
How cute is this! Love it!
Your tutorial is wonderful. You put together the most adorable lil gift set that will be a joy to receive. Ty for sharing.
lablady2007@juno.com
I adore your hand made gifts. Your little gift boxes are just precious, and of course your choice in DP and design are genius. Thank you so much for sharing this excellent tutorial. I love it!
Oh wow, I keep getting more & more ideas from you guys! These are super! Thanks so much!
LeAnne
What a great idea and a great tutorial. Thanks
That cute little gift box is going to be really special to someone-lots of good “stuff” in such a small package! tfs the directions.
Just adorable Leslie! Thanks so much for the well explained and photoed tutorial as well! I’ll have to try one of these– what a fun gift for some lucky person!
These little boxes are so adorable!! Love the DP! I like how you used the Just Rite stamp with the Nestibilities - cool! TFS
Leslie, these are over-the-top fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial.
What a sweet lil gift!
Sweet sweet projects!!!!!
That box is adorable! I love how you made your own ribbon and brad card. Very cute idea.
What “Sweet” little gift packages
What did we ever do without our Scor-Pal’s or Scor-Its?!? TFS I am just loving Sharon’s 12 days of Celebrating!!!!
Oh these are just wonderful! So cute and clever!
Really cute Leslie - I want to make one!!! I REALLY need a Scor-pal but for now, I am doing it the old-fashioned way, lol!! Great projects, thanks soooo much for sharing! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Oh, Leslie, this boxes are so very very pretty! I love the possibilities with them! Thank you for sharing your wonderful tutorial!
Darling Leslie! You make it look so easy! I am going to try my hand at one of these little beauties! Love it!
Fabulous gift boxes and templates Leslie!! I love your ribbon and brad holder…and your boxes are gorgeous!! WOW!!
These boxes are just adorable - love them both!!! What wonderful little gift boxes!!! Thank you so much for sharing your template!!!
Thanks for the instructions. I have been searching for packing how to’s.
Well, this wonderful little box holds quite a lot! Nice and easy design too, especially when someone clever like you maps out all the details for me. Thank you! I like how the designer paper combo works on this too. Linda
What a beautiful gift idea!!! thanks so much for including the tutorial!
[…] Just a little something I’ll give to a coworker. I’ve made a box per my tutorial here, and a 4 x 4 gift card to go along with it. The box, made from Crystal Clear Cardstock, is sized […]