A Tuesday Tutorial

Last year about this time I was in search of an easy project to store my cards for the upcoming year and to give them as gifts. This was a project I was going to use in a class so it needed to be quick to put together. I searched blogs and tutorial all over the web and found project that were using too much paper or took too much time. Finally, I came up with this quick and easy design that used only one sheet of 12" x 12" paper. Instructions for 8 1/2" x 11" sheets also available at the end of this tutorial.

Now...on with the show...

What you'll need:
· 12" x 12" cardstock or decorative paper
· Scor-pal or scoring tool.
· Very tacky tape (red line, scor-tape) or glue
· Embellishments (a great way to use up your scraps)

1. Score your cardstock at 3" & 6" as shown

2. Turn your paper a quarter turn and score again at 3" & 9" as shown

3. Fold all of your score lines. Always fold away from your score mark. When you score, the fibers of your paper are broken up to fold that way.

4. Cut into your 3" & 9" margins to the first intersection on the 3" & 6" lines. Do this on both sides.

5. Trim diagonally as shown. This is the top of your box.

6. Add your adhesive to the outside of the middle flaps and the inside of the bottom flaps as shown.

7. Fold the top diagonally cut flap over the outside of the middle flap on each side of your box.

8. Fold the bottom flap over the top and middle flap on both sides to form the bottom of your box.

To make your box sturdier, add a little extra cardstock around the inside of your box. This gives it a finished decorative look but also sturdies it up a bit.

Our design team came up with their own versions of the card file box...

For an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper, trim paper to 10" and score at 2" & 8" then turn paper to the 8 1/2" side and score at 2" & 4" and follow directions 3-8

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. Comments are welcome.