Learn to Stamp and Scrap with Lynn Larson: TUTORIAL

All content (including text, photographs, and design work) is © Lynn Larson. My original artwork is for personal inspiration only and may not be copied for publication or contest submission without my written permission to do so. This blog is not endorsed or promoted by Stampin' Up!, it is my personal blog that uses Stampin' Up! products to share with you.

September 02, 2010

TUTORIAL - Cupcake Box

I think that it is time for another tutorial - what do you think? Do you want one? Well, today is your lucky day!

How "stinkin' cute" is this cupcake (or muffin) box? I plan on making some of these during the holidays to give to some friends. Do you think they will like it? It was a big hit at the Summer Stamp Fest where I shared how to make this box and a few other items during my "Packaging Pizzazz" demonstration at the Dolce Hotel and Resorts in Basking Ridge, NJ.

So, do you wanna learn how to make one yourself? Hold on to your hats, here it comes!

Supplies:

Cardstock / Designer Series Paper ("DSP"):

Old Olive for the Base - 10.5" square
Jolly Holiday DSP for the Lid - 6 1/8"
Very Vanilla - strips of scraps to punch scallop edge, scrap for snowflake punch, and 3 3/4" x 3" - for side panels
Cherry Cobbler (LOVE this new color red - and I am so-o-o not a red person) - 4 7/8" square
Window Sheet - 4.25" square

Other Supplies:

Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade
Bone Folder
Scallop Border Punch
Snowflake Punch
1" Circle Punch
Circle Scissors Plus or Container of Brads
Paper Snips
Sticky Strip (and Craft Scissors to cut it)
Cupcake or Muffin (to add inside the box when done)
Big Shot (I hardly ever create a project without this fabulous product anymore!)
Clear Circle Bigz Die

**Please note that this box is designed for a large cupcake or muffin. You can adjust the size of the hole in your insert to accommodate your cupcake. You can also play around with the size of your box so it fits better too.**

Now on to business...

You will need your piece of Old Olive for the base to start. Score it at 3.25" on all four sides. Kind of looks like a tic-tac-toe board when done:))

Using your paper snips, cut up the score lines from the outer edge of the cardstock up toward the first scoreline on two sides (either top and bottom or left side and right side).

You can see the cut I made on the left side of this photo. You will then take all four of the corner flaps and cut them on a diagonal. This helps to keep any extra cardstock from peaking out from the sides of your box.

This is where you will assemble the base of your box using Sticky Strip to adhere the sides. Once that is done, it is time to decorate your side panels. I chose to use Very Vanilla cardstock and Jolly Holiday DSP to accent my panels. Adding these extra layers adds strength and stability to your box (besides making it look nice).

Now on to the lid...

Cut your Designer Series Paper for your lid and score it at 1" on all four sides. You can start punching the strips of Very Vanilla cardstock with the Scallop Edge Punch. I just punch one long strip and cut it down to the size I need. My strips were actually long enough for me to get two sides of my lid decorated.

Once you have your lid cut and scored, you are going to fold the flaps up on two opposite sides and hold them in place while you center your paper on the Clear Circle Die. Do the same to the top and bottom by folding the flaps up and centering it on the Die. Put the Flaps back down so you can run the DSP through the Big Shot. When the circle is punched out, you have about 1/4" remaining between the sides of the circle and the scorelines.

Adhere your window sheet inside the top of the lid. Add the scallop edges to the four sides and assemble your lid with Sticky Strip to finish off.

To make your cupcake insert, score it 1/2" on all four sides. Then you will need to cut a circle in the center of your Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I chose to use a brad container, trace around it and cut out the circle with paper snips. You could also use your Circle Scissors Plus to do this. I find that this paper is just a little too small to hold in place without using a bunch of adhesive to hold it down.

Once you have cut out your circle, it is time to punch to half circles diagonal from each other in the insert for the "finger holes". You don't want to get frosting all over those fingers...okay, maybe you do. This helps keep the cupcake pretty when you insert it into the box (how's that?).

I use my 1" circle punch upside down to create my finger holes.

Are you still hanging in there with me? We are almost done with this adorable little box!

The insert is cut a little differently than the base and the lid. You are going to cut the four little corner squares completely off. (We are not adhering this lid so it attaches together.) You are going to cut a slight diagonal on all four flap ends so that your finished insert looks like this...

Fold the four side panels down and slide the insert into your box so it looks like this...

Doesn't this box make a fabulous gift presentation?

Punch out four snowflakes from some scrap Very Vanilla cardstock and adhere them to all four sides of your box. Be sure to attach them when you have the lid on the box so they are centered and not covered by the lid.

Voila! There is your completed cupcake box. I think I had better run and make some cupcakes to put inside now:))