Teacher gift tutorial

Wow, what a wet day. Just got back from Derby, after trying several different routes which were impassable due to flooding.

The batteries are charged and now I can show you the teacher gift idea I demoed on Wednesday night.

It’s a very simple box which holds one of those small bags of Thornton’s chocolates (about 99p from the Co-op or Home Bargains), making it an affordable gift when you have lots of teachers to thank. I got the idea from my downline and friend, Donna Taplin, but have tweaked it slightly so that you can get one out of a sheet of A4.

I used the fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Papers – I’m SO glad these are back, even if it’s only for July, as they were my favourite papers of all time. Clearly I’m not alone as SU have given into demand and are giving us until the end of the month to get hold of them... while stocks last that is!

I’ve also used the gorgeous ribbons and brads which are also available during July only – these are FREE with a £45 order, and they are already proving really popular. The ribbon is only 1/8” wide so really useful for projects like this one. And the brads co-ordinate perfectly with the Everyday Enchantment paper.

Edited to add: the template was incorrect so I've fixed it!

So, without further ado, here’s how to make the box:

1. Take a sheet of A4 cardstock and cut it down to 11” long. You could stamp it if you wished – if so, do this before scoring
2. Score at 1½” down one long edge and repeat on the opposite edge
3. Now, measuring along the long edge, score at 1½”, 5”, 6½” and 10”
4. Fold along all of these scorelines, in the same direction
5. Cut along all of the short scorelines, six cuts in all
6. The end of the card which has the 1” flap will be your lid – the two flaps on each side need to be cut down to 1”.
7. Apply adhesive (Sticky Strip is best) to the four small square flaps and assemble 

Now you have the basic box and can decorate it as you wish. I did this:

1. Take a strip of Designer Series paper, measuring 12”x4”
2. Using Tombow adhesive, carefully stick it to the box, folding it gently around the corners as you go. Don’t be tempted to score it at the same points as the box as it just won’t fit. Also don’t be tempted to stick it to the cardstock first, as this can stretch the paper and cause tearing.
3. You’ll be left with a flap of paper just under 1” – you can trim this off or fold it over. I folded it over because it’s quicker!
4. Wrap around Baker’s Twine or narrow organdy ribbon to hold the box closed, attaching a tag before you tie it off.
5. Finally, add the flower, but make sure you only stick it below the ribbon line, so that the ribbon can be slid off, leaving the box intact.

Here's one made with Sweet Shop papers and brads

The flower is made with the new Blossom Die. I punched three flowers from the same paper and snipped the petals with scissors. The centre of the flower is a 1” circle, again snipped to give it a bit more dimension.

Here’s the recipe for the box in the main picture. I’ve also shown a few others that I’ve made, using different papers and products. Need to make one for a man? Don’t worry, just change the colours and omit the flower – I have one to show you later but not tomorrow as that is, of course, Caturday!

And here's one using Cheerful Treat hostess papers

Stamps: For My Family

Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla

Paper: Everyday Enchantment

Ink: Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment ribbons and brad bundle, Blossom punch, 1” circle punch, Modern Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones

All products by Stampin’ Up!®