Blossom Box Tutorial

I have a tutorial for you on how to put together the Blossom Box Die.  It's a little tricky but once you get the hang of it it's really simple and goes quickly.  This is a long tutorial there's lots of steps.  Someday, when I catch up with the 21 century, I'll get myself a video camera that works well, unlike my current one.  But until then it's a tutorial with step by step pictures. 

 First you'll need to cut 2 pieces from the die.  Make sure you run them through separately, you want to make sure your score lines are nice and pretty.  I've traced over all the score lines on my box so you can see all that you'll have to fold.  Then cut the tabs off of one side only, doesn't matter which side. 

 Line your box up and make sure that all the angles are pointing in the same direction.  In this case the angles are all going in a clockwise direction.  They can also go counter clockwise, just make sure both pieces are going in the same direction. 

 I've numbered the score lines and now that I'm seeing it on the screen it's a little small.  You should be able to click the picture and make it bigger.  All lines with a #1 on it will be a mountain fold.  The #2's will be valley folds. 

You'll do all the mountain folds first. The first folds you want to make are the 2 circles.  Pinch them, then use your bone folder to make really good creases. 

 Next will be all the straight lines that go from the niches around the edge of the box to the bottom half circle. Again pinch then use your bone folder.  The better your creases are the easier this box will go together. 

 For the valley folds, you'll fold all the angle the opposite direction.  Make sure these are really creased well, these tiny little corners are usually the reason your box isn't going together right. 

 Once all your folding is done, fold everything up, just like a fan (one in, one out, one in, one out...) At this point you should see half your box formed.  If it's not coming together go back to all your score lines, make sure they're folded well and check those tiny corners.  It's easier to fix it at this stage then later when it's all put together.  Once you have a nice half box do your other piece the same way. 

 Once they're both well folded, you'll put sticky strip on the side with the tabs on the tabs. 

 When you stick them together make sure you circle line up exactly and double check your angles make sure they're going in the same direction.  Remember you're using sticky strip so you really have to get it right the first time.

 Then the box will fold up easily, you'll need to start it like you did with the half boxes, one in, one out.......but at this point it should go together easily.  You'll need to help it around the edges with the sticky strip.

 Once it's together correctly I like to open and close it a couple times.  The more it's opened and closed the easier it is to re close it.  So if you open it and close it a couple times when you give it to the lucky recipient and they try to close it, it'll go together easily. 

Here's another one all jazzed up with ribbon and a tag.  I hope this tutorial was helpful.  I know I sure love this box. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!