Tote Purse Tutorial

Yesterday I posted a card purse tutorial that used the clear card boxes cut in half the long way. Today, I am going to share a variation where the card boxes are cut in half the short way. Much of the assembly of this tote is the same but the dimensions are different.
For this taller tote you need two pieces of card stock cut 5" by 8 1/2". (again each tote only requires one sheet of card stock and one clear box!) You will score one end of each piece at 2 1/8". Overlap the shorter ends leaving a little room at the score lines. This will hide the exposed edge better at the bottom when it is assembled. In my photo I show how I applied the sticky strip. On one piece the SS is on the inside of the card stock and on the other it is on the outside. This will ensure you don't have any sticky strip exposed, causing you grief later on ;).

The cutting of the boxes is definitely easier on this one, as they can be cut in half on the cutter with just one cut. Assembled, the boxes are just shy of 6" so you will cut them short of 3". Remember that measurement is for the folded box, not the flaps on the flat version. Just measure shy of 3" from the score line to the flap. These half boxes assemble without any adhesive, another bonus!

Add sticky strip to the back side of both boxes.

Remember the tip from yesterday, place your box on the middle panel against the fold and bring the side up to meet it.

I decided to go with flat note cards for the inside of this tote. I made 8 total, 4 each using 2 different papers. They are the size of a quarter sheet of card stock so they use A2 envelopes. I used Just Rite stamps to create the top circle. Papers are always artichoke, riding hood red, baja breeze and very vanilla in addition to 2 different DP from My Minds Eye.


Here is a close up of one of the note cards. If you have last minute gifts to make, this is a quick and simple idea that is light on supplies.

I used 2 lengths of 24" of ribbon to create the handles on this, they are attached with sticky strip in the same manner as yesterday's project. You could revise the handle to use less if you wanted. Or fashion your handles from card stock and attach with brads.

The front of the tote uses DP, the bottom edge was done with a Fiskars border punch. The little pocket was made using the Mega Curved Rectangle dies. I cut the top of the die because I wanted a flat edge at the opening. The pocket really works, I may stick some stamps in the pocket when I give this away. I found a faded blue button to match.

Because the flat note cards are less bulky than regular cards, I find there is more room in the boxes. I plan to pack a mini CD calendar in with the cards and maybe a pen or some chocolate. Again, the ideas are many for how to stuff the insides.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas!

EDITED TO ADD: Clear boxes can be found at http://www.clearbags.com/, item # FB17, they measure 4 1/2 x 5 7/8 x 1