Okay, so this is the first time I am actually writing instructions for something I designed and created myself. I loved making this, it's fun and extremely simple to make and personally I think very original :)
Well here goes:
You will need:
12 x 12 Cardstock
Co-ordinating patterned paper (some double sided)
Bind it all
20 loops of small bind it all wire (I used 3/8")
Glue
Scissors
Length of ribbon
Hole punch
Corner rounder (optional)
Embellishments as desired
Step one:
Cut your cardstock and patterned paper as follows:
6 x 3" square from cardstock
12 x 2.75" square from patterned paper (this does not need to be double sided)
8 x 2.5" square from double sided paper (these will form the pages of the inside mini book, so feel free to add more pages if desired).
Optional: Round the corners of your patterned paper squares, but DO NOT round the corners of your cardstock squares.
Step two:
Lay out your cardstock squares as in the picture below (the picture shows the squares with the patterned paper already stuck on)
This is the template of the box. The "centre" square (third from top) will be the bottom of the box.
Step three:
Stick your 2.75" patterned paper squares to your cardstock squares on BOTH sides.
NOTE: if you are using directional paper, i.e. words or stripes make sure that you stick them on in such a way that it won't be viewed upside down when the box is open.
Step four:
You will now need to prepare you box and mini book for binding.
Firstly create binding holes as follows:
The "centre" square - i.e. the bottom of the box will need holes on all four sides.
The four square adjacent to the "centre" square will need to have holes on the side that will be attached to the bottom of the box.
The square at the top of the "centre" square will need holes on both the top and the bottom.
The top square - i.e. the lid will need holes on the bottom only.
TIP: When making the holes with a Bind it All, I suggest using the little spacer bar to get the holes closer to the edge, otherwise the mini book pages won't fit properly and you'll need to make them smaller.
Alternative: Instead of using the Bind it All you can punch holes and bind with ribbon.
You now need to make binding holes in the pages of your mini book. Punch holes on one side of each page. Once again, if you are using directional paper, make sure to punch it so that it does not look upside down once bound together.
Step five:
You are now ready for binding. Place two of your mini book pages on each of the squares that will form the side of the box as they will be bound together to the "centre" square.
Although your BIA will have made six holes, you should only use four loops. If you use all six then the corners will bulk up on each other and you won't be able to close it. I used 3/8" wire, but you could go a little bigger if you add more pages or bulkier embellishments.
Now bind each of the four sides of the "centre" square to each of the four sides of the box together with the minibook pages.
NOTE: When binding make sure that the sides of the square that will be on the OUTSIDE of the box are facing each other. This will ensure that the binding closure will be on the inside of the box.
Finally bind the lid to one of the sides of the box (the one which has binding holes at the top and the bottom).
Step Six:
Punch three holes in the lid, one in the centre of each side that is not bound. Punch one hole in the centre of each of the three sides of the box that are not attached to the lid as shown.
Step Seven:
Put your box together to form box shape and thread three lengths of ribbon into holes and tie into bows. Your box is now complete.
Now for the finale. The great thing about this box is that it can be both a box AND an accordian book. You can fold the book as an accordian book. Leave the ribbons in the lid part of the box and tie into little knots or bows to create a quirky cover for your accordian book.
