FotoBella: Graphic 45 Woodland Friends Card Set and Decorative Box

Hi crafty friends! Today, I want to share a sweet card set and decorative box I made using the new Graphic 45 Woodland Friends collection. The Woodland Friends papers are adorable and made this project so much fun to make. Head over to the FotoBella online store to grab the Woodland Friends bundle and craft along.

Cutting and Preparing the Card Pieces

First, select card stock or pre-made card bases to match the papers. I am using cream card stock that I have cut and scored to make 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch cards. From the Woodland Friends collection pack, select the paper “Be Happy.” Cut four pieces measuring 5 1/4 x 4 inches. Then, pick one piece of solid paper from the Patterns and Solids pack. I chose the brown paper with white floral pattern on the back. Cut four pieces measuring 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches, and round all four corners. Then, select four of the small journaling cards. These three papers will be layered together on the front of the card. Finally, cut two pieces from “Be Happy” to measure 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches for the inside of the card.

Once all of the papers are cut, roughen up all of the edges. I use my craft scissors to do this step. There is a paper distressing tool you can purchase, too. Then, select a distress ink and distress all the edges. I used Tim Holtz Ground Espresso. I recommend using Evergreen Bough.

After inking the edges, select two or three pieces for each card from the Woodland Friends Die Cut Assortment. Using the Graphic 45 Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flower Dies, I cut four tiny flowers and two stem/leaf pieces from cream card stock. Finally, ink the edges of all the die cut pieces you selected. I also used pre-made bows and flat back pearls on each card.

Assembling Each Card

Once all papers are cut, glue each small journaling card to the solid paper with rounded corners. Second, glue the solid paper to the patterned “Be Happy” paper. Then, arrange the die cuts on the front of the card and glue into place. Add the bow and flat back pearls. Finally, open the card and glue the 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch strip of “Be Happy” to the inside base of the card.

Making the Envelopes

In order to create my envelopes, I used a We R Memory Keepers envelope punch board. However, if you don’t have one, you can make your envelopes using a ruler, score board, and scissors. First, cut four pieces of matching card stock 8 1/8 x 8 1/8 inches. Starting at the top left corner, measure and mark at 4 1/8 and 4 3/4 inches. (Labeled 1 and 2 in the picture). Next, measure on the left side from the bottom and mark at 3 3/8 and 4 1/8 inches. (Labeled 3 and 4 in the picture). Then, measure the bottom from the right side and mark at 4 1/8 and 4 3/4 inches. (Labeled 5 and 6 in the picture). Finally, measure on the right from the top and mark at 3 3/8 and 4 1/8 inches. (Labeled 7 and 8 in the picture).

After all sides are marked, use a score board and score from 1 to 8, 2 to 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 7. This will create the folds to make the envelope. Using scissors, cut out the small triangle pieces where the score lines intersect. Then, round the corners and fold along the score lines. Next, cut off the tip of the bottom fold. Then, add glue to the side edges and fold the bottom flap up to make the envelope.

Creating the Decorative Card Box

In order to make the box, I used two pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 inch light weight cardboard. You can use a cereal box or heavy card stock, too. First, score one piece along the 8 1/2 inch side at 1/4, 1 1/4, 7 1/4, and 8 1/4 inches. Then, rotate and score along the 11 inch side at 1/2, 1 1/2, 6 1/2, and 7 1/2 inches. Fold on all score lines of both pieces. Next, cut a piece from the second sheet of cardboard to measure 3 x 6 inches. Then, cut out the bottom and top corners to the second score line on the sides. Finally, cut along the score line between the two side pieces.

In order to assemble the box, glue the 3 x 6 piece to the underside of the 1/2 inch tab. The decorative paper will hide the seam. Next, glue the small bottom tabs to the inside of the side panels. Then add glue to the 1/4 inch side tabs and fold the front panel up to make the box. After the glue is dry, measure 1 3/4 inch up from the bottom and 1 3/4 inch from each side. Pierce a small hole in each side for a brad. The oval chipboard piece with the squirrels will be fastened on the front to form a closure. Finally, use a marker or paint along all of the edges of the box.

Decorating the Outside

I used leftover pieces from “Be Happy” to decorate the bottom front of the box. Cut the piece 3 x 5 7/8, ink the edges, and glue to the top of the front panel. Then, cut the “Everyone Needs a Friend” border strip from the “Be Carefree” paper. I centered the saying and cut small pieces off of each end. Ink the edges and glue the strip to the bottom of the front panel. Then, re-pierce the holes through the decorative paper, and insert two brads through the chipboard piece and into the front of the box. Fasten the brads to secure them into place.

Using the “Woodland Friends” paper, cut the bottom 5 inches from the paper. Then cut out the piece of the paper that says “Woodland Friends”. This piece will measure 2 7/8 x 5 7/8. Finally, round only the bottom corners with a corner rounder, ink the edges, and glue onto to lid.

To decorate the sides, cut two pieces of “Be Happy” to 4 7/8 x 7/8 inches. Ink the edges and glue to each side. Then, cut two pieces of “Be Happy” to 1/2 x 5 7/8 inches, ink the edges, and glue to the top and bottom of the back panel. Finally, select one large ephemera card, ink the edges, and glue in the center.

Decorating the Inside

For the inside, I chose the white and green squirrel paper from the Patterns and Solids pad. Cut one strip 5 7/8 long x 12 inches. From the top, cut pieces measuring 2 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches, 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches, and 4 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches. Next, round the top corners of the first piece, and ink the edges of all pieces. Then, glue each piece in the order you cut them to the inside of the box. Using the back solid green side of the same paper, cut two pieces 5 7/8 x 7/8 inches. Ink the edges and glue one piece on the outside top and bottom of the box. Last, using the brown solid paper leftover from the front of the card, cut two pieces 4 7/8 x 7/8 inches. Ink the edges and glue to the inside side panels.

Once assembled, place your cards in their envelops and tuck them inside the box. These would make a great gift for a friend, co-worker, or a loved one! I hope you will be inspired to purchase these gorgeous papers yourself. Check out the FotoBella Online Scrapbooking store to purchase the entire collection today!