Silhouette Cutting File Tutorial: Stationary Box

Today I'm going to show you how to put together my new A2 Stationary box. This project will maximize the use of two 12 X 12 pieces of double-sided card stock. You can put it together with or without the lid, you can add all contrasting panels or use just some. The box will hold A2 sized stationary (8.5 x 11 quarterfolded cards.) Customize the box how you want with ribbon and embellishments!

First, you will want to open the design in your electronic cutting machine's software. I'm demonstrating the file on the Silhouette Cameo using the Silhouette Studio Designer edition.

First off...I recommend using a double-sided card stock with a detailed design on the front and a subtle design on the back. I used my Antique Damask cardstock from my Traditions collection for Carta Bella. This worked perfectly, as the yellow on the back was a subtle complimentary color to carry the detailed damask on the front.

 When you open the design, half the cut lines will appear in the active area. 

Go ahead and set up to cut this in this position.

Now you will want to select the design with your move tool, and shift the entire design over 12 inches so that the other half of the design appears in the active cutting area.

Now that the design is cut, find these two pieces as shown above. Be careful when finding the piece on the right side with the angled corner--there are two other similar pieces, you will want to choose the one that is the larges of the three. The smaller two will become the contrasting panels for the sides of the box. 

Now glue the tab on the larger piece to the piece on the right.

Fold all the score lines, and glue the tabs to attach the angled sides to the bottom, as shown below:

Put glue on the front tabs and glue them to the angled sides.

Find the lid piece, and add contrasting panels if you wish. I only added the front artisan shaped panel and left the panels off of the top of the lid to expose more of the yellow card stock.

Glue the tab on the lid. You can choose to glue the lid on the inside or the outside of the box. I chose to glue the tab to the outside of the box...I'll show you why in just a second... 

 When glueing, I hold pressure on the glue point until adhered.

I like to use a good paper glue like: Tombow Mono Liquid Glue. This won't warp paper and when it dries...the bond will not fail. It is permanent--and when I say permanent, if you try to pull your paper apart, it will tear your paper before the glue is compromised. It's really good stuff.

Remember how I chose to glue the tab to the outside of the box...you can see my joint...

as I said...

I did this for a reason...

Here's the reason for glueing the tab to the back. I chose to use a contrasting panel on the back of the box. I placed the panel over the tab on my lid, as the tab would be strengthened by being between both the box and the panel--cool huh!

Fold the tabs on the optional interior divider. 

Place the optional divider where it suits your needs. You can add more than one divider...
you'll just have to ungroup the design in your cutting software, and select more to cut. 

Here's your finished box with the lid closed. 

It would be really cool to add thin magnets to latch it closed.

Here's the box in the open position.

Here's the box filled with a few cards...

Have fun customizing your box!

Happy Crafting!

Samantha Walker

Here are some of the supplies and other fun stuff!

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