Christmas in July Shabby Chic Card Kit - BOX #1 - FREE Instructions

Welcome Back!

I think that you will have fun with this post, and the next one, as they will be instructions on how to make two different boxes for those square and lavishly embellished Shabby Chic cards. There is no way you can get one of those cards into a regular square envelope!

Since Scrapbook Parade asked that I make Shabby Chic Christmas cards for the yearly Christmas in July theme, I knew we would need to make something to put the cards into. So, for today's box instructions, I will be showing you how to make a pizza box for a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square card that is about 1" thick with all the embellishment on it. (These boxes can be made thicker if needed.)

Let's begin.

This is how I figure out how to make a box for a thick card. First, I decide what kind of box I want to make. For this one I chose to make a mini pizza box. I know the size of the card and usually add 1/4" to the card measurements. Then I draw that measurement on grid paper (I have a grid note book that I use all the time), and then from there I know how thick the box needs to be, and continue adding to the sketch. When I'm done, it will look like this.

I next figure out the cutting dimensions, how many cardstock sheets I will need, wether it is better to use 12 x 12 or 8 1/2 x 11, and where I need to score. (The scoring info is on the next page in the photo above.) In this case 12 x 12 was the only option I had.

For this box you will require 2 sheets at 12 x 12, and cut one to 9 3/4"W x 9 1/4" H. The second sheet needs to be cut at 7 3/4"W x 6 3/4"H.

SCORING

Take the smaller piece - 7 3/4" x 6 3/4" with the 7 3/4" across the top and score at 1" and 6 3/4".

Turn the piece with the 6 3/4" across the top and score ONLY on the left side at 1".

With a large pair of scissors (you can cut a straighter line) cut as you see below on either side of the score line and then rip the sliver off toward the back/inside

I can't believe that I forgot to take the 2 photos of the larger piece and scoring each way! So I hope the following will work for you.

1) With 9 3/4" W going across the top, score at 1", 2", 7 3/4", & 8 3/4".
2) Turn the piece around so that the 9 1/4" is across the top and score at 1", 2", 7 3/4" & 8 3/4" leaving a 1/2" attachment tab.
3) With those longer scissors cut the piece as you see below.

BONE FOLDING & ADHESIVE

After making your nice bone folded creases along all the score lines you will need to use up some double sided adhesive tape.

For the bottom piece inside, this is where you will place your tape.

Then flip the piece over to the outside and place adhesive as below. There is some along the edge of the fold at the top here, and then on the two tabs at the bottom.

THE PIZZA BOX TOP

Decorating

This is where you can decide how you would like to decorate your box; and there are many options! You can stamp images or words, heat emboss, stencil with ink and blending tool, or with paste. I used NUVO Moonstone Glimmer Paste and then quickly heat dried it and watched it puff up.

You can also use beautiful designer papers and cut pieces 1/4" smaller than the box panels are so when you attach the paper you should have a 1/8" border of cardstock showing all around the paper.

BONE FOLDING & ADHESIVE

Then once you have finished creasing all the score lines with your bone folder, attach adhesive tape on the outside of the lid as seen here.

Then turn it over to the inside, and place adhesive tape as seen below.

JOINING THE 2 PIECES

1) Remove the backing off of the tape from the inside edge of the lid that has no fold, and bottom piece with the 1/2" tab on the outside of the box piece.
2) Carefully place the top/lid straight edge over the 1/2" joining tab right along the fold without overing the fold.

3) In the photo below, look at the corner. The outside part of the tab is attached on the inside lip of the box. Do this on both of the bottom corners as you see below.

4) Now do the same thing with the corners on the lid of the box. (Left side of the photo below)

5) Going back to the bottom of the box, remove the tape backing and fold down the flaps to not only strengthen it, but to also cover the tabs. Now it will look nice and finished, and it will better hold in the lid.

In the next photo you can see what the finished box looks like on the inside.

When you close the lid, you will place the lid section on the inside of the box bottom.

Now you may wish to further decorate the box. If you are putting a fancy Shabby Chic card into it, you will want the box to be just as elaborate. This is what I did with my sample for you.

And here is the box with the Shabby Chic Christmas card inside.

You could even make a little envelope with your Envelope Punch Board, attaching it on the inside of the box lid, to hold a gift card or two.

I hope these instructions are straight forward enough. If you have a question, just ask in the comment section below, because if you need to ask then someone else will too. I answer your comment and everyone gets to read the answer that needs it.

The next Card Box I will be sharing how to make, will be the more traditional Envelope Box to fit these cards and any other future Shabby Chic or other type of thick card.

Once you are done making your first one, the others will come along easily for you. Have FUN!

ADDED JULY 29, 2020

I thought I would add another mini pizza box for the thick Shabby Chic Christmas cards, just to give you an idea on how you and use just patterned paper on it.

Here we go.