It won’t be long before the Stampin’ Up! 2019 Holiday Catalogue goes live and our attentions turn to Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas. So I thought it might be helpful to begin a series of tutorials showing you how to make different types of treat and gift packaging. Today we’ll start with a basic tray-style box with a separate lid, like this.

CUSTOM TWO-PART BOX

This box is essentially two open trays, with the bottom of the lower one slightly smaller than the lid. They are easy to cut, score and assemble and you’re only limited by the size of card you have to start with.

Here’s a video I made some time ago explaining the basic process , and how I calculate the card I need to start.

All you need to decide is how wide and long to want the base to be and choose the height of the box. Then insert those measurements into the diagram to calculate the size of card you need to start. Although I show a square box, you can use the same formula to create a rectangle box too.

Just remember to make the 1/32″ adjustment to either the top or the bottom piece (not both) so that they fit together snuggly.

Here’s a neater version of the diagram I created in my video.

SIMPLE BUT STUNNING BOX

Tray style boxes are probably the easiest to make and can be dressed up in so many ways. I created today’s 4″ x 4″ x 2″ box using products from the 2019 Annual Catalogue. The striking lid uses some of the Noble Peacock 12″ x 12″ Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP). I made the lid 1″ deep so that some of the 2″ deep Very Vanilla bottom box is visible. This creates a nice contrast.

I began by cutting the Noble Peacock Paper 6″ x 6″ (so I can get 4 from each sheet) and scored it on all sides at 1″. Then I assembled it into a tray box using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Next I cut some Thick Very Vanilla Card 7-31/32″ x 7-31/32″, and scored it at 2″ on each side. Then I assembled that tray box in the same way and fitted the lid on top.

COPPER ACCENTS

To decorate the top of the box I first cut out the maple leaf from Copper Foil Sheet using a die from the Seasonal Layers Dies. Normally I would remove all the tiny pieces but when I took the leaf from the die all the pieces came with it. So I changed my mind and carefully covered the back of the leaf with liquid glue.

Next I punched out some Vellum Cardstock with the Starburst Punch and attached the copper leaf to it. Then I fixed the assembled piece to the top of the box using liquid glue where it would be hidden by the leaf.

For the sentiment I chose “Just for you” from the Vibrant Vases Stamp Set. First I wiped some Thick Very Vanilla Card with an Embossing Buddy, and stamped the sentiment using VersaMark ink. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder and tapped off the excess. Once I’d removed a few stray specks I melted the rest using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To complete my project I cut out the sentiment using the #1 oval die (smallest) from the Stitched Shapes Dies. Then I added it to the top of the box with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I really can’t stop looking at this box, the Noble Peacock Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) is simply stunning. I love the Pretty Peacock colour and it works so well with the copper accents. That little bit of Very Vanilla also creates just the right amount of contrast for the decorated lid.

I mentioned that you can use the same diagram to create a rectangle box. You can see an example of one I created last year in my blog post Easy flower arranging.

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