How did it get to be July?!

Wow! I can't believe it is July already! What happened to June? I am really sorry that I didn't post much last month. I do have a few exciting announcements and a (hopefully) fun new tutorial for you. Maybe this will make up for last month being so slack!

So let's get right to it! First, some announcements...

The new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog is here! Woot! It is oh so dreamy! You can order from it now! Like NOW! You can go to my website and click on the shop now button at the top. I really think this year's catalog is one of my favorites! After you go take a look-see, be sure to come back and check out my tutorial below.

Also while you are over on my SU website, be sure to check out the awesome new promotion called Summer Fun. The first thing you will want to check out is the Special of the Week! This week's special is the scallop edge punch. A must have tool! And it is on sale this week only for $10.99. Be sure to check back each week of July for a new special.

Ok, now for the tutorial. On page 14 of the new catalog there is a Hostess Stamp Set called Christmas Punch. It is a set of 7 stamps that are for making gift tags. They coordinate with several of our punches, including the scallop oval, wide oval, and tag punches plus others. The sample for the set is a little divided box that holds 4 sets of tags. I have seen some other examples of the box on sites like SCS. However, they all have only the 4 sections. I wanted to have a box that I could put 6 tags in, because there are 6 stamps that make tags in the set. (The 7th stamp is a to/from stamp.) So I set about creating a box with 6 compartments. I hope you like it! Now, let's get started.

You will start with an 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of cardstock. From this you will cut the following pieces: 6 x 6 1/2, 5 x 1 7/16, and 2 pieces at 7 15/16 x 2 3/16. This first picture shows you how I fit all the pieces onto the 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock. I slid them apart a bit so you could see the edges. Please excuse the puzzle - I ran out of space to take pictures. sorry! Maybe one day I'll be all rich and famous and will have a room, a big room, all to myself. And I will spend all my time in there crafting and taking amazing pictures and listening to music that is not by Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers.... well, maybe the Jo Bros can stay, I do like that Love Bug song ... but I digress.
Now for the scoring. Score the 6 x 6 1/2 piece at 3/4 inch on all 4 sides. Score the 5 x 1 7/16 inch piece in half (it's right around 3/4 of an inch). Score each of the other two pieces at 1 1/2, 2 1/4, 3, 4 5/8, 5 3/8, 6 1/8. (That is 6 score lines on each of those 2 pieces.) They will look like this:

Next, we will fold and assemble. Fold the 5 x 1 7/16 piece in half. (Later I added some adhesive on the inside to make it sturdier.)

Fold the 2 rectangular pieces into mountain folds. Like so:

You will need to cut 4 slits in the 6 x 6 1/2 piece at the edges to make the corners. Then you will fold up the flaps and use a strong adhesive (like SU's sticky tape) to make the box.

And now for the inserts. I ran a bit of snail (double sided adhesive) along the bottom of the inserts. I flipped each piece over and put the snail on the 3 flat spaces. This will help make the box stronger. Put in one insert, being sure to get it lined up in the corners, and smooth over where the adhesive is. Add the long middle piece next. (the 5 x 1 7/16 piece) No need for adhesive here. Then add the second folded insert, smoothing over where the adhesive is again. This should all make a nice snug fit. And look like this:

I put some tags in there just for the picture. These tags weren't finished or anything.
Now to make the cover. I used a window sheet (or transparency) that I cut to 5 1/8 x 11. Score along the 11 inch side at 2 7/8, 3 5/8, 8 1/4, and 9 inches. Fold on all of the score lines using a bone folder to be sure to get very crisp folds. You will have about a 1/4 inch overlap left to add the adhesive. This will make a sleeve to slide over the box. It's a bit hard to see here, but you know, maybe one day I will be rich and famous and have a room.... oh, you know....

And there you have it. Now all you have to do is fill it with tags and finish it off with some ribbon or what have you. Here is my finished project:


Now, go forth and make one of your own. And if you have an 8 year old, be prepared to answer the "Why are you working on Christmas stuff in July??" question. Because I can. Because I am dreaming of cooler weather. Because I can't wait for Daddy to buy everything on my Stampin' Up! wish list! I'm sure you'll think of something.

All right. I am done for today. I really hope you enjoy this tutorial and that you find it useful. I would love to hear your comments! And as always, I hope y'all have a Stamptacular Day!