Designed by Jane Beard.
Materials:
13 A-2 envelopes
12 pieces of 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" foam board
1 yard ribbon
assorted rubber stamps:
- E-0143 "I love you"
- J-1025 "Love Letters"
- C-1051 "Love Cancel"
- D-1052 "Happiness Post"
freezer paper
double-sided tape, dry transfer adhesive or transfer tape
wax seal (or small quantity polymer clay)
decorative or textured paper
ruler
hobby knife
pencil
Steps:
1. Embellish the envelopes that form the top and bottom of the box with rubber stamps, faux postage, handwriting, etc. (figure A).
2. If desired, "age" all the envelopes by stippling some brown stamp ink around the edges (figure B).
3. To make all the envelope liner boards: Trim a window opening in one of the boards. Leave at least 1 inch on all sides. Trace this shape onto nine of the other boards, moving the top board into a slightly different position on each board (figure C). Trim out all the center openings. If using foam board, bevel the outer edges.
4. Make a gluing sleeve. Cut a doubled piece of freezer paper so it slides into the envelope with about 2 inches hanging out of the opening (figure D). Fold over 1/2 inch on the folded end and staple along the fold.
5. Apply double-sided tape to both sides of a solid board and slide into the gluing sleeve. Slide both together into the box bottom envelope (figure E). Carefully remove the sleeve, press the envelope to the board, then seal the envelope. Repeat for the top of box envelope.
6. Glue the remaining boards which have openings cut into all but one of the plain envelopes.
7. Trim away the center paper on all but one of the plain envelopes (figure F).
8. On the remaining envelope, cut the center corner-to-corner. Carefully trim away the lower layer of envelope, then fold under the top layer, forming a clean edge around the inside opening (figure G). Glue the cut envelope in place to the underside. This will be the top inner envelope.
9. Place the bottom solid envelope bottom side down and begin to glue the envelopes with openings into place in a stack. Lay each one on top of the next, aligning the center openings. The outer edges will be slightly irregular as you build the stack (figure H). Glue together all but the top two envelopes.
10. Line the box inside. Cut a lining from decorative paper to fit the bottom and sides of the opening. Let a little bit wrap up and over the top edges (figure I). Glue the lining into place.
11. Add two pieces of ribbon around the bottom and sides of the box (figure J). Attach an end of one piece to the top inner edge and another to the left inner edge.
12. Apply tape to the top of the stack, then wrap the ribbon up and around the outside and tuck under the inside top edge of the opposite side. Leave some extra hanging out so you can tighten the ribbon (figure K). Set this top envelope in place, and snug the ribbon pieces. Trim off any extra ribbon.
13. Tie the remaining ribbon to form a centered bow onto the lid envelope. Be sure to line up the ribbons on the lid to the ribbons on the box (figure L).
14. Glue a wax seal in place over the ribbon. Open up an extra envelope and cut off 3/4 inch from the top edge to form a hinge for the box. Glue in place over the flap of the lid envelope; then glue the remaining strip to the inner top envelope to form a hinge.
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