Advent Box

Advent calendars are all the rage this month. Practical Scrapper Charity here with a new take on this tradition, the Advent Box and a tutorial so that you can make your own!

Small Advent Box



Supplies:2 12x12 sheets heavy cardstock
strong adhesive
scissors
scorer
Kiwi Lane Designs Template: Shapes 2T (small hexagon)

Instructions:

The process of tracing, cutting, folding, and adhering this box is quite intricate. Make a sample box to ensure you fully understand the process before making your final product. This will hopefully cut down on the pencil and ink markings on the inside of your project.

Bottom of Box

Step 1:Beginning at the center of a sheet of cardstock, trace 2T so that 3 conjoined hexagons result. Step 2:Draw a dashed line that intersects one of the hexagons from corner to corner and lines up with the edge that joins the other two hexagons.

Step 3:Line the template up with each edge of the conjoined hexagons. Trace only two side of the hexagon as illustrated by the blue lines in the photo.

Step 4: Label the blue lines from 1-9 in a clockwise direction. Beginning with the blue line that joins the dashed line.
Step 5:Draw a straight line across the tops of the blue lines, (closing the shape). Leave the blue lines from 2-3, 5-6, and 8-9 "open." I used a green pen to close the shape.
Step 6:Place the letter "A" on the inside end of blue lines 2, 5, and 8.
Step 7:Place the letter "B" on the inside end of each of the lines labeled "A". (Check the photo for an illustration of this step.

Step 8:Draw a straight line that joins letter "A" at the inside end of blue line 2 to the outside end of blue line 3. Repeat this process for the letter "A" on the inside end of 5 and the outside end of 6; as well as the letter "A" on the inside end of 8 and the outside end of 9.

Step 9:Using a straight edge, trace red lines that will divide each half hexagon into a rectangle and two small triangles, as illustrated in the photo. Score these red lines. These small triangles will be used to adhere the sides of the box together.

Step 10:Cut out the perimeter of the shape. Also, cut each blue line and each line labeled A-B. This process will leave 9 half hexagons attached to the 3 central hexagons by one edge only. Fold the half hexagons towards the central hexagons along these lines.
Step 11:Cut the small triangles off either side of the half hexagons labeled 3, 6, and 9.

Step 12:Adhere the half hexagons to the new rectangle tabs, using their scored triangles. When lining up the edges, let the right edge of the rectangle overhang the adjoining hexagon by 1/16 of an inch.

Step 13:Trim off excess cardstock so the sides look flush. This process will make the top edge of the box just a slight bit smaller so that the top will fit smoothly.

Step 14: Cut 3 pieces from identical patterned cardstock that measure 1 3/8 inches square. Score each square 1/2 inch from one edge. Fold small flap toward the center of the square.

Step15:Adhere the small flap of the square to the bottom of the box and then adhere the triangles of the adjoining hexagons to the square. When lining up the edges, let the right edge of the rectangle overhang the adjoining hexagon by 1/16 of an inch. Trim off excess cardstock.

 

Top of Box

 

Steps 1-11 are exactly the same as the ones used for making the bottom of the box.

Step 12: Cut the half hexagons and rectangles around the perimeter of the central 3 hexagons down to 1/2 an inch.

Step 13: Adhere the half hexagons to the rectangle tabs, using their scored triangles.

Step 14:Cut 3 rectangles from identical patterned cardstock that measure 1 3/8 inches by 3/4 inch. Score each rectangle 1/4 inch from one edge. Fold flap toward the center of the rectangle.

Step 15:Adhere the small flap of the rectangle to the box and then adhere the triangles of the adjoining hexagons to the square.

As you can see, these are only the instructions for the smaller of the stacking boxes. Because of the length and intricacy of the instructions for this advent box I spread them out across three blogs. You will find the instructions for the larger stacked box here
http://kiwilane.com/here/blog/
and the instructions for the individual hexagon boxes and the roses on my blog
http://www.menemenetekeluniversity.blogspot.com/
I hope you enjoy this project. It was LOADS of fun to design. I'd love it if you'd link your project to my blog when you've finished!!!

~charity~

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