Victorian Puzzle Purse Instructions
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Supplies:
- Decorative Cardstock
- Paper cutter
- Scissors
- 6-inch Ruler
- Mechanical Pencil
Victorian Puzzle Purse Folding Steps
First, cut a 9-inch square from cardstock. Measure at 3 inches and 6 inches, dividing the paper and folding it into thirds vertically. Step 2: Fold horizontal lines across the paper to divide it into thirds, resulting in a total of 9 squares. Step 3: Fold and crease the paper diagonally, corner to corner, in both directions.
Flip the paper back over.
Fold four corners inward. As you pull two opposite corner folds up, coax and let the paper take shape. Twist slightly so a pinwheel forms.
Fold the flaps inward to make a purse. Tuck the last flap under the first flap you folded.
Customize the paper to make it special and unique for the recipient.
Tips
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Okay, so I may be a little bit OCD. (I’ve explained to my family that a little bit is a good thing.) Since I used cardstock and wanted to have nice crisp edges, a scoring board seemed a logical tool to use.
There are videos on Pinterest that show how to make these. Instead of using a 6-inch metal ruler to make the folds in steps 4 and 5, they make a fold across the adjacent center section, too. Therefore, each of those sections will have two folds.
My first attempts used that process. It took me several minutes to finally fold it into the pinwheel shape. So, I used the metal rule and limited one-fold to each of the four outside center sections. The puzzle purse folded up so much easier, and in seconds, I couldn’t believe it!
I simply laid the ruler from one corner of the middle square to the other corner. Then, I folded the paper up along the ruler. Lastly, I removed the ruler and reinforced the fold with the scoring tool.
As shown in the picture above, the pinwheel shape is clearly visible.
Pull 2 opposite corners up and twist slightly, and the pinwheel forms. Then, just fold the flap inward, tucking the last flap under the first to form the puzzle purse.
Then, fold the flaps inward to close the puzzle purse.
Decorate the Puzzle Purse
Since this is a birthday card, I wrote “Happy 18th Birthday, Sophie!” on the pinwheel flaps. Then, I added flowers, vines, and leaves on each of those flaps.
On the inside, I wrote: You have been loved for 18 years. That’s 216 months. That’s 939 weeks or 6574 days. 157,785 hours or 9,467,086 minutes.
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Then, I opened up the card and used Inktense watercolor pencils to make grid lines on the pinwheel flaps. A small paintbrush with a small amount of water brushed over the lines softens and brightens them.
Decorating the Front of the Victorian Puzzle Purse
Paint pencils and markers were used for decorating the front of the Victorian Puzzle Purse. I first drew the hearts lightly in pencil. Then added the vines and leaves.
Next, I drew over the pencil design with the watercolor pencils. Then, I went over the design with a little water on a brush and added a little depth with markers.
18th Birthday Sentiment
With a little help from AI, we created this 18th birthday sentiment. I used Pic Monkey to create the little card, which is printed to size to fit inside the 3-inch center square of the puzzle purse. Then, I tucked the folded money behind the sentiment and folded the puzzle purse closed.
Well, she seemed to like her gift. 😊
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