Massive Notecard Box Tutorial!

The original tutorial for this box can be found at Valerie Stangle's awesome website...check it out! She's got a lot of other wonderful paper crafts to look at there!

I decided to make my own for 3 reasons: I don't own a ScorePal, so the instructions were a bit confusing; I wanted to use 8-1/2" x 11" paper, not 12" x 12"; and I wanted to include a plastic insert to protect the contents.

Remember, you can click on the pictures to view a larger version. I purposefully made most of the pictures in this tutorial rather small because it's so long.

Please let me know what you think! I'd love to see what other people come up with!

To make the Notecard Box:
You will need 1 sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" CS (I used Real Red) as well as some scrap CS and DSP.

Here is a diagram of the score lines and pieces that get cut away. You might want to refer to it as the score lines don't show up very well in the photos.
1. With the shorter edge along the top of the trimmer, score an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of CS at 6/8". On my Fiskars cutter, it was simplest to line up the right edge of the paper with the 6/8" mark to the right of the blade.2. Turn the paper around (so that the score line made in step 1 is to the left of the blade) and continue scoring at 1-6/8", 6-3/8", and 7-3/8". (Here's a good spot to try clicking on the picture; if you do, the score lines become more easily visible.)
3. Trim the CS at 8-1/8".4. Turn the CS so the long edge abuts the top of the trimmer. Score at 6/8". (Again, it was simplest to line up the right edge of the paper with the 6/8" mark to the right of the blade.)
5. Turn the paper around and score at 1-6/8", 7-5/8", 8-5/8" and 10-1/8". You do not need to trim anything this time.
6. Cut out the areas that are grey in the diagram.
7. Cut slits and tabs as shown in the diagram.8. Using a bone folder, fold all scored lines.
9. Apply adhesive to the tabs as shown. Glue down.
10. Turn over your CS so that all the folds look like mountains. Apply adhesive as shown by the yellow dots. Do NOT glue down yet.11. Flip over your CS so that all the folds look like valleys. Apply adhesive as shown by the yellow lines.12. Using the pictures as a guide, assemble box. I like to start with the simple end first: just line up the tabs and press, then fold down the flap.Here's a close-up of the corner when the tab has been glued to the inside.Now affix the other two tabs. It's important to use permanent adhesive for making the box. I used my ATG gun, and am really pleased with the results.Glue down the long flaps. This leaves only the top of the box to glue down.Glue down the top flap. Make sure the side tabs align nicely with the edges of the box.13. Cut a scrap piece of CS (I used Kiwi Kiss) at 4-1/2" x 1-3/8". Cut a piece of DSP at 4-3/8" x 1-1/4". Punch out a large oval (I used Cameo Coral CS), a 1-1/4" circle (I used Real Red) and a 1" circle with a stamp (I used Cameo Coral ink and the fleur de lis from Lovely Letters Alphabet). Assemble.Here's a close-up of the decoration. I used Raspberry Tart DSP (now retired) and popped up the Real Red circle with dimensionals.

To make the Clear Box Cover:
You will need 1 sheet of acetate.

1. Trim acetate to 7-3/4" x 6-3/8". Score each edge at 1". Crease folds with a bone folder.
2. Slice to create tabs.3. Turn acetate over so that all folds look like mountains. Put adhesive on tabs. (It doesn't matter if it shows; this will be hidden in the final product.4. Assemble box cover.
5. You can slide this cover inside your box. Sliding it out again is a bit trickier, but because the acetate is flexible without creasing, you don't have to worry about destroying it!
To make the Envelopes:
You will need 4 white envelopes.

1. If you need to, use a Stamp-a-ma-jig for positioning. I used Cameo Coral ink and the fleur de lis fromt he Lovely Letters Alphabet.
To make the Card:
You will need 2 sheets of 1 colour CS (I used Kiwi Kiss), 1 sheet of a second colour CS (I used Rose Red), and scraps of another few colours and DSP.

1. Cut 4 card bases from your 2 sheets of CS. I used Kiwi Kiss for this step. With the long edge of your CS along the top of the trimmer, cut in half at 5-1/5". With the long edge of your card base along the top of the trimmer, score in half at 4-1/4". Use a bone folder for a sharp crease.2. Cut 4 pieces of 5-1/4" x 4" from your second colour of CS. I used Rose Red for this step...my last sheet!3. Cut 4 pieces of CS at 5-1/4" x 1-1/4". I used Kiwi Kiss here. Cut 4 pieces of DSP at 5-1/4" x 1". Stamp 4 fleur de lis with Cameo Coral ink on Whisper White CS. Punch out with 1" circle punch. Punch 4 1-1/4" circles out of Real Red CS, and 4 large ovals out of Cameo Coral CS. Assemble as shown.6. Assemble card front as shown. I like to use the grid on my work surface to position and centre all the elements. Sometimes eyeballing just doesn't cut it!
To make the Card Inside:
You will need 4 pieces of 4" x 5-1/5" Whisper White CS, 8 pieces of 5-1/4" x 5/8" Real Red CS, and 8 pieces of 5-1/4" x 1/2" DSP.

1. Assemble as shown. Attach to inside of card.
To make the Stickers:
I like to include stickers with my cards so that the people who buy them can choose a sentiment. They don't really cost anything extra to make (except for the adhesive) since I usually have enough scraps. Here I used the Oval All stamps and hand-coloured them with Real Red, Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss, and Rose Red markers.

1. Punch out the stamps with the small oval punch Layer on matching CS that has been punched out with the scalloped oval punch.2. Cut strips of double-sided tape (leaving the protective coating on) and attach one strip to the back of each sticker. Put the stickers in a small zip-loc-type baggie (I bought mine at the dollar store in a package of 50 or so...what a deal!) to keep them together.

To assemble:
Turn the clear box upside down. Put in the baggie first, then the cards (face down), then the envelopes. (The envelopes will be a tight fit. Gently ease them in.) Turn the clear box with its contents right side up and slide into CS box. You can be fairly firm. If you're worried about ruining anything, don't glue down the top flap in step 12. Use ribbon to hold the top flap closed once all the contents have been placed inside.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial...let me know how it works for you, and if you have any suggestions for improvement. Thanks in advance!