Decorating the Box Pieces
You could just paint it and add a gift tag …… but what would be the fun or sense of achievement in that?
If you're using a downloaded rose paper pattern and the box you are making is similarly sized to mine which it should be unless you made a very long or very short stemmed rose from the paper rose tutorial. You will need to print out 3 sheets of the patterned print. I always like to cover my boxes in card stock as it strengthens the box somewhat ,I can be a little heavy handed with the glue sometimes and on card stock it doesn't matter too much, card makes for a smoother finish and covers any vivid colors on original box design, but regular printing paper will work just fine ,if you are worried that colors from box may show through you can always give box a quick coat of white paint (don't go using your expensive craft paints a dollar store variety will do just as well.)
My box is 8in long 2.5 in wide and 3in deep placed in center of printed pattern sheet I find 1 sheet of printed paper covers sides and bottom of box base almost perfectly
If using paper rather than card stock, the application of the glue will give the paper enough flexibility, no need to score fold lines(see below),just align paper along the lines to ensure box is not off center of printed sheet , apply glue and flatten by rubbing gently with clean cloth (like you do when applying wallpaper) to get rid of any bubbles.
But for card stock to make a snug and tailored fit we need to mark and score fold lines into our card stock.
Printed side down 8.5in edge of paper towards you, open end of box facing away, position box base on its long side 1/4in below the plain white border of printed pattern sheet, here mark a faint line in pencil, without moving box from sheet mark another faint line across card marking where the bottom of your box comes to.
Now without lifting box completely from card stock stand it in its upright position, so side edge is touching and level with last line. Now mark new line in front of box (we should now have 3 lines drawn), keeping bottom edge of box flush with last line drawn bring box to lay on its side, open end facing you ,draw another faint line, measure ½ in draw another faint line, you should now have 5 faint lines marked. Any surplus card beyond 5th line may be trimmed away.
With the rounded end of a small paint brush, a knitting needle, a dried out ball point pen or a paper embossing tool if you own one, make several passes up and down each line, using a ruler or some other straight edge as a guide. (Remember to use something light in color to lean on)
Now fold along each scored line you will find they will readily fold along your scored lines to match the contours of your box.
Generously (but not too generously) cover non printed side of pattern sheet with white glue. Fold onto box and smooth out any air bubbles.
Now using what ever you are using as paper clamps, don't know Canadian/American for some of these (only been here almost 20yrs) so here are pictures of what you might have around house to use
Clamp down edges of card stock until glue dries. What I am actually using are fridge magnets.
As paper is longer than box cut to fold just inside the box
Fold outside overlap edges over and glue into place, do not cut off, makes much neater corner, (I have used tape just to hold in place for picture) don't use tape anywhere on outside of box.
Before cutting and gluing on end pieces allow corners to dry, apply a little weight to ensure they lay completely flat, and therefore some kind of inner support is needed, I'm sure you'll come up with something even if it's borrowing the cat's lunch like I did.
When all dry, cut 4 rectangular end pieces of patterned print, two for box top and 2 for base of box,
