March 2000
Heart Flap Boxes for Spring
Designed By Judi Kauffman

If you're new to the FIT IT Template CD, you're in for a treat. The Heart Flap box is a chameleon, changing from ring box to jumbo with a click of your mouse. It's a perfect shape to decorate for any time of year, but I've designed some "Spring" projects for you to use at Mother's Day or for graduation gifts, or for no occasion at all! After all, a box can hold a note as well as a present. In fact, the Heart Flap shape can be flat for an envelope instead of having box sides.

When you change the size of the box, look at the left side of your screen for measurements as well as looking at the template pattern. If you know you want to make a box to fit a bar of soap or rubber stamp, measure it and then size your template to fit.

The tiny boxes are a perfect way to use little fabric scraps. All of the boxes can be used again and again if you use an adhesive-backed Velcroä dot for a closure.

MATERIALS

For all boxes

Red Castle FIT IT CD - Heart Flap Box template

Pansy stamp from Flower Plate #42110 Roses, Daffodil, Pansy, Grapes and Coreopsis (see below)

Bone scoring tool and KAI(r) Scissors

For floral boxes

For briefcase-style box

For pansy pattern box

STEPS

For floral boxes Print Heart Flap Box template in size and shape desired. Glue template to back of fabric (or use Xyron adhesive cartridge on the back of the template). Cut, score, fold and assemble boxes. Brush edges of pansy box with Stickles for a touch of glitter. For ring box, decorate top with lace and ribbon flowers glued as shown or as you prefer. For pansy box, stamp pansy and emboss with Eggplant embossing powder. Color with markers, cut out and glue to front of box using foam tape. Fabric boxes can be made using Fun-dation stabilizer instead of card stock as the underlayer for a more durable project. Feed the pre-cut sheets through your computer printer.
For briefcase-style box Print template and glue to back of handmade paper. Option: Xyron with adhesive cartridge. Cut out, score and fold. Cut two pairs of slits in heart flap, at an angle as shown. Assemble box. Feed raffia through slits and glue to top section of front, top, bottom and bottom front flap of box so it wraps around the box. Add a small extra piece at each slit so there are two tails. Knot the ends of a piece of raffia and glue in place as a decorative handle, or sew handles through top of box, reinforcing with extra card stock on inside, if you want a "real" handle (larger boxes require this step).
For pansy pattern box Print Heart Flap Box template onto card stock if you can feed it through your computer (weight and size will determine this), or print onto computer paper and glue template to back of card stock. Option: Xyron with adhesive cartridge. Cut out box, but do not score or fold. Stamp an overall pattern with pansies onto green background using Honeydew pigment ink. Stamp a small rectangle of card stock for a gift tag if desired. Emboss with Verdegris embossing powder. Color pansies and stems with marker. On uncoated stock a marker matching that color stock will darken or tint the stock just slightly. If you prefer a bolder look or more contrast, experiment with other markers on the scrap stock and choose a different color. Score, fold and assemble box. Glue bow and gift tag to lid.

OPTIONS AND OTHER IDEAS

• The Heart Flap Box template can be made into an envelope by decreasing the depth till it's flat. Decorate a card to match.
• For an extra special gift, make a box about 1-1/2" deep and fill it with a set of matching note cards and envelopes. Envelopes should be 1/2" smaller than the box, cards should be 1/2" smaller than envelopes.
• The "briefcase" style box, enlarged, would be an excellent storage box for desk or dresser (keep love letters or memorabilia inside).
• Elongate the box for a necktie or set of markers or pens.

All brand names and product names are trademarks, registered trademarks or trade names of their respective holders.

(c) Copyright 2000 by Judi Kauffman and Red Castle, Inc. Red Castle, Inc. - P.O. Box 39-8001 - Edina, MN 55439-8001 All Rights Reserved.