Oh, Origami!

The sweet little Origami box shown here holding Valentine cards can be made quickly and with very little cutting, making it a great project to use as a custom gift box, container for chocolate treats, or card holder. The measurements I'm providing will create a box bottom aproximately 3 1/8" x 3 1/8", so for larger boxes you can simply start with a larger piece of card stock (ex. the 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper makes a gorgeous box bottom - see the end of this post for an example!)

Step 1: To begin, select the paper for your project. Papers should be heavy weight, so Stampin’ Up Card Stock and Designer Series paper both work well. If using solid coloured card stock, consider stamping it before you begin folding to ensure an even stamping surface.

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Step 2 (right): Create a guideline on your paper from each corner to its opposite corner – this can be done using a pencil and ruler, or by scoring the paper gently. You should have an x in the centre of your paper when you’ve completed this step – be sure to create your x on the side of the paper you do not intend to show when the box is complete.

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Step 3 (left): Fold in all four corners so the points line up approximately 1/8” from the x in the center of the paper; crease them well using a bone folder and then unfold them.

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Step 4 (right): One at a time, fold each of the corners so that it lines up approximately 1/2” from the farthest crease line opposite that corner, crease and unfold it. Do the same with the three other corners.

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Step 5 (left): Finally, fold the smallest crease line on each corner in, catching the excess to create your final fold. When you unfold all the corners you will reveal an overall pattern of creased squares.

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Step 6 (right): Make two cuts in the paper at one corner, two squares deep and two squares apart. Make identical cuts on the opposite corner.

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Step 7 (left): Fold in the uncut corners of your paper, bringing the two sides up vertically. Securely fasten the centre points to the bottom of the box with Snail Adhesive, and then bend the pointed wings of excess paper toward one another, crossing them.

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Step 8 (right): Bring the remaining sides of the paper box up and over the crossed ends, folding it tightly and securing the centre points to the bottom of the box with Snail Adhesive again.

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These instructions will create an open box similar to the one shown at the top of this post. If you want to “put a lid on it”, use a piece of paper approximately 1/2” larger than the paper used for the base and repeat Steps 1 – 8. Try it using solid coloured Card Stock for the base and Designer Series paper for the lid, as shown here! Special thanks to Roxy for creating these beautiful Designer Series paper boxes...