I'm in (Panda) Love!

What a week!  I've been so busy.  Well, wait a minute.  Have I really?  It seems like I was going every moment.  And yes, we did go to Lyric to see Spamalot on Thursday evening and to see Begin Again at the movies on Friday night, but what about the rest of the week?  I seriously don't know where the week went.  But, it certainly got away from me!

One thing is for sure, I've been in Panda Love this week.  Pandas are adorable - real ones, especially!  Since I'm not going to be adopting a panda anytime soon, I'll just make do with these darling Panda images that I found at  Miss Tina on Etsy.

I put together a note card set and had to have something cute to contain it all.  I settled on a matchbook type box.  This pretty paper is from Below Blink.  I printed the paper on 110 lb. paper so my box would be really sturdy.

You could use one of the die sets out there to make this box, but you don't need to.  If you have a cutter and a bone folder, you can make it easily.  (I used my scoring pad to score my box - it does make nice scores.)  A matchbook box is easy to make:

These dimensions are for a box that will hold cards that are 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 and envelopes that are 3 3/4 x 5.  Use double sided paper for your box so that the inside is finished.  I chose two different patterns to print.  For this size box, you will need to cut two pieces of patterned paper.

Cut one paper to 6 1/2 x 9" and one paper to
 4 x 4 3/4". 

Score the 6 1/2 x 9" paper -  this will form the back and the holder for the cards.

1.  Turn paper horizontally (long side is at top) and score 2 1/2" from right and 3 1/4" from right.  Also score 3/4" from the left.

2.  Turn paper vertically and score 1 1/4" from each side.  Score 1/2" from each side.

3.  Cut off sections marked above and make the 4 cuts from edge of paper to the 1 1/4" score.

Score the 4 x 4 3/4 paper. 
1.   Turn the paper horizontally and score 3/4" from left side.

Your papers will look like this:

Hint:  You really want to punch the holes for the ribbon now.  It is much harder when the bottom is glued.  

Lay the front piece on top of the back matching the edges.  I've used scrap paper so that you can see the front and back.  Punch through both pieces at the same time.  That way you will have mactching holes.  After punching the holes, you are ready to fold the box.

Glue the front to the back at the 3/4" fold.  Glue the front 3/4" fold on top of the back 3/4" fold.  Thread the ribbon.

Let's talk envelopes.  I used  my Envelope Punch Board to make my matching envelopes.  I printed the paper on one side of a 28 lb. Hammermill copy paper - which makes lovely envelopes.  

I printed one of the panda images on white sticker paper to make envelope seals.  I also die cut blank sticker paper for the front of the envelopes.

I just love this panda card set!  The box will hold 6 cards, 6 envelopes and the glassine bag with the envelope seals.

I've got some more Panda cuties on the way.  Happy Panda Love!