Gift (Pizza) Box

As you might have learned in previous posts, I've been doing a lot of soul searching, goal setting, personal life coaching this year. I have a dear friend who is going through her own goal setting, decision making period right now; so I decided to get her a journal and make her a tool for her own life mapping.

I didn't want to just hand it to her in a bag, and my gift wrapping skills at Christmas were atrocious; so I decided to make a "pizza" box to put it in. You may have seen mini versions of this on Pinterest. The mini ones were all I was able to find online, so I decided to create a tutorial to share with you for a larger version while I was making mine.

My journal measured approximately 7" x 9" so I started with two 12" x 12" sheets of paper. I chose the Pool Party cardstock for my base so it was nice and sturdy; and a piece of Designer Series Paper from the I Am Me package for the top. I primarily chose to use the DSP since it's double-sided and I would have a pattern on the inside and outside. 

For the base, I used the Simply Scored tool to score at 1-1/2" on all four sides. Or if you only want to have to turn your paper once; 1-1/2" and 10-1/2" on one side, then turn 90 degrees and repeat. Next I cut along the score marks to create flaps. Finally I used Sticky Strip to adhere the flaps to the sides of the box to complete my base. 

I wanted to make sure the top would slide over the base, so I scored it at 1-3/8" on each side. Or 1-3/8" and 10-5/8" on one side, turn 90 degrees and repeat. In order for it to open like an actually pizza box, I cut the flaps entirely off on the part that I wanted to be the "bottom." I created flaps on the other end and again used the Sticky Strip to adhere them to the sides. Then I put Sticky Strip across that entire bottom strip to glue it to the back flap of my box. 

Here is the finished project with the lid open. Anyone else think that they always have a ton of leftover tissue paper, but can never find it when packaging a gift? 

Finally, here is my completed box tied with a bow and gift tag. I realized while writing this post that there was even more symbolism with the gift box than I had intended. I did choose the DSP for the "world view" on the inside. I didn't realize at that time that the paper was called "I Am Me." Most ironic and least intentional was that the friend who this gift is for is constantly craving pizza right now! 

Thanks for stopping by today. If you would like some other box ideas created from paper; check out Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration where our design team members have shared an assortment. 

Supplies used:

  Cardstock: Pool Party

  DSP: I Am Me

  Stamp sets: Simply Sketched, Express Yourself

  Ink: Basic Grey, Pool Party

  Embellishments: Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Gold Baker's Twine

  Punch: Scallop Tag Topper

  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored, Bone Folder, Paper Snips

  Adhesive: Sticky Strip