BOX - 4-¼ x 4-¼

A girlfriend of mine showed me how to make these cute little boxes several years ago.  I believe she was watching the Carol Duvall Show but for the life of me, can't remember.  The boxes are so versatile and great for that petite little gift that you don't have a box for.  Similar to the origami, I prefer to make this version because you will not have a crease showing on the bottom part and top parts of your lids so if you're particular about your creases you'll appreciate the "no creases".  Here's a short tutorial:

You will need:
* Once piece of 12x12 cardstock (cut down to 11-3/4 x 11-3/4)
* Once piece of 12x12 patterned paper

* Ruler
* Pencil
* Bone folder

1. First, take your 12 x 12 piece of cs and trim off 1/4" on 2 sides to make your piece measure 11-3/4 x 11-3/4 (you want to make the bottom part of your box smaller than the top to keep it from gapping after you put the top part of the box on).  Take your ruler and draw an "X" from corner to corner.

2. Next, you will use the center point of your "X" as a center guide.  You want to take one corner of your paper and fold up to the center of your point.  Then do the same with the remaining 3 corners until you have created a square piece.

3. Next, you will want to fold out the pieces that you just creased as shown below.  Use the fresh creases as another point of reference to fold up each corner to create a new crease as shown in the next picture - repeat with the remaining 3 corners (you will have to fold out your pieces as you go).

4. Here is what the piece looks like after doing the step above.

5. Next, you will use your crease lines for guidance for the last fold, see the picture below.  Once you've completed these folds, you're ready to assemble your box.

6. Next, you will want to cut, taking one corner piece in hand, using your creases for guidance, and cut up to your second crease line.  Do the same thing on the other side only (do not do all 4 sides - see picture below - I have folded up to the crease where I stopped cutting).  You will see the bottom of your box beginning to take shape.  Look at the following pictures to get a visual if you need to.

7. Next, take the two sides that you did not cut and fold them in as shown below.

8. You will see in the picture below that your small corner folds are forming the bottom of your box which makes the box sturdy.

9. Next, you will take the long edges and fold them in on the sides as seen below.

10. Next, you will take the remaining flappy-dos and fold them in.

11. Here is another picture at a different angle showing you the folds.

12. Here is the last fold.

13. DONE!  I always take a bone folder and give those edges an extra crease so they make nice sharp edges and I'll tape down all four corner pieces in the bottom of your box to keep them from coming up. 

14. You can use just the bottom part of your box to put a goodie bag in or you can do this all over again to make the top part of your box.  Remember with the top part of the box, you DO NOT need to cut your cs down, you can leave it as a 12x12 piece.  Repeat the same procedures.  Then embelish the top of the box as you wish!

Let me know if you have any questions or if the tutorial is wonky.  Sometimes it sheds a whole new light when you're the one reading it and trying to figure it out!

Thanks for stopping by!  Until next time...