I recently was inspired by a friend who sent me a box card for Valentine’s Day, and I came up with my own for a class. Here it is:

I used half an 8 and 1/2 x 11 inches sheet of cardstock for the box frame plus the cardstock for the hinge and dividers. Folded, it will fit into an A2 envelope! For the box itself, you’ll need a piece of cardstock 4 and 1/4 x 11 inches. That is scored down the middle lengthwise at 2 and 1/8 inches, then turn it 90 degrees and score it at 2 and 3/4, 5 and 1/2, and 8 and 1/4 inches. You will have 8 equal boxes. Cut the paper as shown below from the long edge to the center score line. You will now have 4 attached boxes and 4 flaps.

Next, cut a hinge, 2 and 1/8 inches long by 3/4 inches wide, and score down the middle lengthwise. Cut three pieces of cardstock 3 and 3/4 inches long, and score 1/2 inch from each end, as shown, to make the interior supports. I think it works best to attach the box decoration next, before assembly- glue a sheet of designer paper, 1 and 7/8 inches by 2 and 1/2 inches to each of the four connected boxes. Now turn the flaps down, so they cover the just-attached paper, and glue four pieces of designer paper to the flaps. Pay attention to any direction you pattern may have- you may want to reverse the direction on one of the flaps that will be used at the back. Now, fold the cardstock so that it forms and open-bottom box, and the flaps face outward. Where the two edges come together at the bottom, attach the hinge on the inside to both edges to form the box shape. Next, apply glue to each 1/2 inch end of one of the interior supports and insert it into the box, about 1/4 inch below the level of the box. Repeat for the remaining two interior supports.

To decorate you should plan for at least 6 elements and the front embellishment. In my case, I used the Sweet Strawberry stamp set and punches shown below, and stamped 3 strawberries and sepals, punched 8 flowers and centers, and stamped and punched 4 leaves. For the front, I stamped my sentiment to a 2 inch white circle and glued that to a 2 and 1/4 inch green circle, and added two flowers and a leaf. That was glued to the front flap. The six elements were the 3 strawberries with sepals, and three bunches of two flowers and a leaf glued together. Take a piece of window sheet 12 x 1/2 inches, and cut it into 6 pieces. Use GLUE DOTS to attach each element to a piece of window sheet, making “lollipops”, which can then be attached to the back of the support pieces, two elements each, again with glue dots. The glue dots will give instant and relatively permanent adhesion to the window sheeting that glue or tape would not.

This is the view from the top:

When you have the elements placed, fold the card to make sure that they don’t extend too far out from the card stock, as this will interfere with fitting them in the envelope:

If you use a dark cardstock like this, put a 1 and 7/8 by 2 and 1/2 sheet of white cardstock on the back of one of the flaps in order to write your greeting. You’re done! I knew you could do it! 🙂 Message me if you have questions…

Happy stamping!

Michelle