Matchbox DIY

Hello!

Today I have a matchbox tutorial for you.I know there are tutorials out there already but they all seem to be videos which a lot of people out there can't keep up with including me!
I get sick of having to stop and start the video every 30 seconds and then I lose track of what I'm suppose to be doing.
So I thought I would make a tutorial myself that you can follow at your own speed. This one will have a lot of photos but I've tried to make it easy to follow and I will even show you how to make a bow at the end. :)

You will need:

• 2 x A4 card (2 colours)
• Glue
• Scoring tool
• Scissors
• Envelope Punch Board
• Gems / Diamontes

First to create the box tray, you will need to cut one piece of card stock to 6'' x 6''. Then you need the envelope punch board and punch at 2'' on one side and score down the guide. Rotate your card 90 degrees and punch at 3'' and score. Rotate again and punch at 2'' and score. Rotate again and punch at 3'' and score. Your card should look like this...

Next you want to line up each of those score lines that meet the edge of the page with the pointy bit that comes out of the punch. Punch and score at each of these points. Here's a picture to help you line up your score lines.

You should end up with a rectangle in the middle, with two large flaps at either side and two small flaps at the top and bottom. On one of the small flaps, you need to fold the first score line and punch a notch in the center of that fold to create the little pull hole so you can open and close the box.

Now you need to fold all of your score lines and also makes another fold by folding the triangle into the rectangle as pictured below...

Once you have done this on all four sides your card should look something like this... 

If you look at your card, you will notice that in between each triangle there is a little square in each corner. You need to cut down one side of each of these squares. These squares with become little glue tabs to keep your box together. 

Now you have finished with all the cutting and scoring on this part, it needs to be all stuck together so apply glue to the triangles and between score lines and fold into center of box making sure to secure the squares inside the long edges of the box as shown... 

Now this part is optional, you are going to make a base for your box tray to make it look a bit neater. If you are putting tissue paper in or anything like that, I wouldn't bother with this bit as the bottom will be covered anyway.

To make the base, you need to cut out a piece to 2 1/4'' x 3 1/2'' and simply glue to the bottom of your box tray. 

Now that's the hard part over, now you just need to make the wrap around bit to slide your box into. All you need to do for this part is cut a piece of card to 6 3/4'' x 3 3/4''. Score at 1 1/4'', 2'', 4 3/8'' and 5 1/8''.
Fold along all of these score lines to make it easier to wrap around your box. Then add a line of glue to one end and fix to the opposite end. Sometimes its easier to do around your box. 

Now you can either leave it plain like this or you can embellish with whatever you like. I am going to put a bow on mine and I will show you how to make one that's fits perfectly using the envelope punch board again.

You need to cut a piece of card to 1'' x 71/8''. Punch each end using the envelope punch board to make it look like the ends of ribbon. 

Now you need to punch down each side at 1 1/2'' and 3 1/2'' then flip it over and punch each side again at 1 1/2''. It should look something like this... 

Curl the two sections in the middle with a pencil or a bone folder to help bend them like a ribbon. 

Now add a small amount of glue into the center of the bow and if you are using patterned paper, the glue needs to go on the back. Bend the other two thin sections to meet up to the middle making sure you bend the ends out again. It should look like this...

Apply some glue on the back of your bow and stick it to the top of your box. I have added 3 pearl gems into the middle of my bow but you can put anything there from diamontes to a small embellishment or even add a tag if it is a gift. 

You can use these match boxes for anything from gifts to storage for paperclips and little things like that, even advent calenders with 24 of them glued together.
I will post a blog one day showing you all the different things I have made with these matchboxes to give you some inspiration. 

Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and find it easy to follow and have fun making matchboxes!

Thank you so much and if you have any requests or help with anything just comment below and I will try my best to help. :)


Stay Inspired
Amy
xxx