Faux Suede Stationery Box Tutorial

Below is a tutorial on how you can turn an ordinary box into a really cool faux suede box that you can use to hold handmade stationery.  This is a multi-step project, so today I'll show you how to make the box.  Coming up I'll show you how to make the contents of the box. 









Supplies Needed to Make the Box:

Purchased Cardboard Box

Mod Podge

Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade 

Scissors 

Sanding Block

Stampin' Up! Soft Suede Card Stock 

Stampin' Up! Soft Suede Classic Ink Pad 

Stampin' Up! Soft Suede Classic Ink Refill 

Stampin' Sponge

Sticky Strip 

Crop-a-Dial 

Stampin' Up! Jumbo Eyelets

PART ONE

1)  Start with a cardboard box, any size, any kind.  I found this Hannah Montana box on clearance.

 

2)  Since you will all be using different sizes and types of boxes, I'm not going to list any cutting and scoring measurements.  In the photos below, you will see that you need to measure the lid, inside, outside, and the bottom of your box.  You will then need to cut pieces of cardstock to fit each section.





3)  Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge over each section of the box and attach each piece of cardstock to its corresponding section on the box.



4)  Rub the sanding block all over the Stampin' Up! Soft Suede cardstock.  The sanding technique will break the fibers of the paper and give the paper the appearance of suede.



5)  You'll probably have a lot of "boo-boos" on your box.  You know what I mean...spaces where the paper didn't meet up exactly, creating areas of the box that aren't covered with paper.  Don't worry!  Grab your ink, ink refill, and sponge, and get busy covering-up those spaces with ink.



PART TWO

Okay, take a deep breath!  We're almost done!  Now we are going to make the inside divider piece and the pocket envelope on the inside of the lid.



Once again, since you will all be using different boxes of different sizes, I will just guide you in these steps without giving you exact measurements.

1)  To make the pocket envelope, cut a piece of cardstock to a size that will fit on the inside of your box lid, making sure to leave an extra 1/2" on three sides.  Score at 1/2" on three sides and cut out the bottom corners.  Sponge cardstock with ink.  Add sticky strip to the three scored sides.  Adhere to the inside of the box lid.



2)  To make the divider that goes inside the box, cut a piece of cardstock the length of the box and  1" more than the depth of the box.  Score the cardstock at 1-1/8" along the length of the cardstock.



3)  Add Mod Podge along the scored edge and place the divider in the box.



PART THREE

Now let's add the eyelets.

1) To add the eyelets, punch a hole in the top of the box and the bottom of the box with the Crop-a-Dial and add eyelets.  The placement of the eyelets depends on the box you use.  Here are photos for you to reference.

 



My box lid didn't close completely, so I wanted to make sure I made a strong clasp.  I didn't want it to open and have all of the contents spill.

I used a hinged jump-ring that opens and closes easily.



Add some fun ribbon, too.



Decorate the lid.  You're done!  Woo hoo!  You did it!