A flip-top box design that elegantly reveals a surprise gift inside is the inspiration for this pretty box. My idea is to combine a monetary gift with paper butterflies that fly out when the flip-over box is opened. Imagine the surprise and joy on everyone’s face as the butterflies escape!
Decorative Flip-Top Box
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Materials Needed:
- Chipboard or Mat board
- X-Acto or Mat knife
- 12″ x 12″ Decorative paper
- 6″ x 6″ Decorative cardstock
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Tacky glue
- Ribbon
- Corner guides
- Scoring board
Directions:
Make the Flip Top
I had a blue mat board left over from another project. The color doesn’t matter since the mat board will be completely covered with paper and cardstock.
First, cut two squares 5 x 5 inches from the mat board. Then, cut a rectangle 2 x 5 inches from the same mat board.
Next, cut two 7-inch squares and one 5 x 9-inch rectangle from decorative paper. These papers are two pads, the smaller one is from Hobby Lobby, and the larger one is from Micheal’s.
Glue and Score
Glue the mat board rectangle in the center of the decorative paper rectangle. Then, use a scoring tool and scoring board to score around the edges of the mat board. The paper will fold nicely if you score before folding.
Repeat this process, glue, and score each square mat board.
Glue and Wrap the Spine
Then, apply Tacky Glue to the top flap, fold it over, and press the paper onto the mat board and the paper onto itself. See the picture below. Use the scoring tool to smooth the glued pieces and press along the mat board edges. Set this piece aside.
Prepare the Squares
Then, using sharp scissors, cut and remove the outside scored squares on each corner. Apply glue to the flap of the square edge that will butt up to the spine. Turn it around to see the front and ensure it faces the right way.
Assembling the Base, Spine, and Fold Over Flap
Apply glue to the glued flap, which will butt up to the spine, and half of the outer flap on the covered rectangle. By gluing the outer edges of both, you don’t have the glue on edges where you don’t want glue.
Then, lay the glued flap on the spine on top of the glued edge of the square. Flip the piece over and ensure the edges line up and the glued edge is straight along the spine.
Apply glue to the top flap and fold down. Use the scoring tool to smooth the paper. Repeat on the bottom, folding the flap upward. Then, glue and fold the side inward and smooth the paper again. Repeat on the back inside cover.
Attach the Ribbons
Cut two pieces of ribbon. Put glue on one end of each ribbon, approximately 2-1/2 to 3 inches long. Adhere one in the center of each, the front and back with the tail facing outward.
Create Lining for the Inside Covers
Cut a rectangle 5-7/8 inches long x 3 inches wide from decorative cardstock. Apply glue and place this piece over the center spine. Once again, use the scoring tool to smooth the glued cardstock.
Glue a coordinating piece of cardstock cut to 5-7/8 inches in length x 6 inches in width to the inside front cover. Cut another piece the same size and glue it to the inside back cover.
At this point, I am loving this cardstock! So, I’m contemplating using some of the coordinating cardstock from this pad to add to the outside of the box. The paper folded easily and covered the mat board nicely. I could leave it as is, but I’m allowed to change my mind. We’ll see.
Make the Cardboard Box
You first want to cut a square for the bottom of the box from the mat board. You can purchase and use sheets of chipboard, or mat board, at the craft store or use the back of a pad of paper.
I’ve seen that others have made these flip boxes with decorative cardstock, but I want a sturdier more substantial box. The mat board or heavier chipboard will accomplish this.
Next, cut four pieces of chipboard for the sides of the square. You can see I subtracted 1/16 of an inch from the 5-inch width measurement to allow for the width of the mat board. The sides are 2 inches long, the same size as the spine of the outer cover.
Corner Guides
This set of corner guides comes in handy to make it easy to create a square box. We R Memory Keepers corner guides – hold corners tightly while adhesive sets. It’s not absolutely necessary, but it works nicely.
Apply Tacky Glue to one of the short ends of the cut chipboard sides. Butt the glued corner up to the edge of one of the side pieces. Place the glued piece in three of the corner guides. The corner guides make it easy to hold the two pieces securely as the glue sets up and keeps the box square.
Then, apply glue to one of the open side ends and adhere to another of the side ends. Each side should have one end butted up to the flat side of another piece. The other end should have another end butted up to it. In this way, each side will be the same length.
Apply glue to the remaining chipboard sides and glue them in place. Allow the glue to set. It won’t take long with Tacky Glue.
Cover the Box with Decorative Paper
Cut a 6-inch square to cover the bottom piece.
Measure the length of two sides and add 1/2 inch to the measurement. Cut a sheet of 12″ x 12″ decorative paper this length. In this case, 5″ + 5″ + 1/2″ = 10 – 1/2″.
Measure the depth of one of the box sides. Then, double the measurement and add 1/2 inch to the measurement. Transfer this measurement to the piece of decorative paper and cut. You’ll need to cut 2 of these.
Using a scoring board and tool, score at the added 1/2-inch mark. Fold on the scored lines. Make sure to make the 1/2 inch score on the left end of one and the right end of the other piece of paper. In this way, the unfolded ends will overlap the glued-down flap.
Cut the center fold to the center line on the short side. The shorter side will be the inside facing. See the picture above.
The Box Bottom
Score 1/2 inch around the four outer edges of the square mat board. Then glue the paper to the mat board bottom, leaving the outer flaps loose. Smooth the paper down with the scoring tool.
Set the bottom inside the box with the flaps inside and upward. Press down the bottom piece, and press down on all sides so the bottom is flat.
Then, apply glue to the loose flaps and smooth against the edges with your finger and the scoring tool. (This little tool comes in handy for this!)
Cover the Sides
Before gluing the sides, place one of the papers over the side, covering the inside and out. Then, lightly crease a spot on the bottom edge. It should be a half-inch from the edge. Lay the paper on the scoring board. Use your crease as a guide to score along the bottom. This ensures you’ll have a nice neat fold at the bottom. Repeat for the other piece of paper.
Apply glue to one of the mat board sides. Place one of the prepared pieces of paper with a folded flap end on top of the glue. Smooth the side with the scoring tool.
Clip out an angle at the corner to reduce bulk. See the picture above. Then, apply glue to the flap and smooth with the tool again.
Leave the remaining side loose. Position and glue the second piece onto the side over the previously glued flap.
Then, glue the connected folded side with the flap. Lastly, glue the remaining side, overlapping the first glued tab.
Glue all four of the tabs to the bottom of the box. We won’t be covering the blue mat board. It will be glued to the flip-over base.
Fold the lining pieces to the inside. If you need to, trim off any excess. Unfold the four lining pieces and apply glue to one of the inside facings. Smooth with the scoring tool. Repeat for each side.
Glue the Box to the Flip-Top Base
Apply glue to the bottom of the box and center it on the flip-top base. Position the bottom flap on a cutting mat to make it easier to center the box. Press down firmly on the inside base.
Then, set a heavy book, but not too heavy, on top of the box while the glue sets.
And here it is! I have plans to decorate the flip-top box and make flying paper butterflies. You’ll want to sign up for our newsletter below so you won’t miss it!
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