Two 12” by 12” pieces of thick scrapbook paper Glue – Mod Podge, glue stick, etc. Scissors Foam paintbrush Ruler Paper slicer
Having it in a diamond shape in front of you is important for the purposes of this tutorial. Corners will be referred to as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” and “right. ” Keep the paper in front of you in this shape to make it easier to follow along.
You should be looking at an oblong shape with a point at the top and a point at the bottom.
Fold lines should be going down the center of the right and left sides of each triangle. Cut the triangles on these lines until the triangle stops (when the pretty paper ends). This forms two new triangles on the sides of each main triangle (what is now a house shape).
Fold it into the original fold line, where the flaps first met the center. You’re essentially taking the “house” and separating the “roof” from the base with a fold.
You can see now that these are the creases of your box – the sides are starting to form.
You can use Mod Podge, a glue stick, or regular white school glue – just make sure you don’t get it all over the place and wind up with a sticky mess.
Wrapping the top and bottom over the sides and having their points meet in the center will form all 4 sides of the box – now it all just needs to be adhered together.
Then, all you need to do is repeat. The two sides, when finished, will fit snugly together into a beautiful, sturdy gift box.
This shape of box has a taller bottom half and a shorter lid, hence the size discrepancy between the two sheets of felt. Of course, you can adjust these dimensions how you see fit.
This shape of box has a taller bottom half and a shorter lid, hence the size discrepancy between the two sheets of felt. Of course, you can adjust these dimensions how you see fit.
Make cuts on the sides forming two 3” flaps that are 3” deep in the center of the paper. In other words, make a 3” inch cut at inch 3 and a 3” cut at inch 6 on either side. On the tops and bottom, make lines at 3” and at 6” going all the way down to the center, where the flaps you just cut stop. At this point, you’ll have a cross or a plus sign shape. At 1. 5” inches on each side of the top and bottom lines, cut diagonally into the center, where the flaps stop. You now have a plus sign that looks triangular on the top and bottom.
On the sides, at 1. 5 inches from the top and at 1. 5 inches from the bottom, make a 1. 5” deep cut. From the corners, cut diagonally until you meet the other cut you just made, removing little triangles from the edges of your square piece of felt. You’ll see a fatter plus sign (fatter than the one you just made, that is), also triangle-shaped at the top and bottom.
You’re essentially turning this odd shape into a plus sign, with little triangles on the left and right of each of the strips on the top and bottom.
You’re essentially turning this odd shape into a plus sign, with little triangles on the left and right of each of the strips on the top and bottom.
When you bring the sides of the box up, the top and bottom tabs should be on the inside of the right and left sides of the box. These are the connectors that will join the sides together.
Fold the sides into the center, making the bottom distinct from the sides of the box. Lift up all the sides, making sure the tabs on the top and bottom are on the inside of the right and left sides.
Let it dry for a few minutes, holding the tabs to the sides of the box. Then place the box top over the base of the box and marvel at your handiwork.
If the card has writing on it that you want to cover up on the inside, simply glue down a piece of paper over it. It will be the bottom of your box that won’t be seen once filled.
If you don’t have a paper cutter, you can use a ruler and a bone cutter or even an empty ballpoint pen. Essentially this just ensures a perfectly even fold line.
If you don’t have a paper cutter, you can use a ruler and a bone cutter or even an empty ballpoint pen. Essentially this just ensures a perfectly even fold line.
Do your best to fold perfectly straight along the lines. If the folds are off, your box won’t be even and it likely won’t fit together as well as you’d like.
There should be two on each side – an inch from the bottom and an inch from the top. This calls for 8 cuts (4 for each half), which creates four “tabs. ” These are how your box halves will fit together.
Alternatively, you can use double-sided tape. Try to stay away from regular tape as this adds bulk to the sides of your card and can keep it from fitting together and looking clean and put-together.
Press the tabs into the side and hold them for a few seconds, holding them together. Make sure the tabs directly line up with the edge of newly-formed box.
Place the box top over the box bottom; it should fit snugly. The only task left is to fill it!
