The Winter Meadow Designer Series Paper is so pretty, and the cool colours in it pair really well with the cold, wintery blast that we are experiencing here in New Zealand right now.  I created this fun clamshell gift box to show off this patterned paper in all its glory...

Bundles: Magical Meadow Stamp Set + Magical Meadow Dies (cling: 162144). Stamps: Translucent Florals (cling: 162243). Ink: Basic Gray (149165), VersaMark (102283). Card/Paper: Smoky Slate (131291), Moody Mauve (161732), Misty Moonlight (153086), Basic White (159228), Winter Meadow 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (162133). Accessories: Faceted Gems Trio Pack (162148), Silver & White 1/2" Sheer Ribbon (162149). Tools: Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653), Nested Essentials Dies (161597), Very Best Trio Punch (159878), Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108).

Winter Meadow 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (162133) - $26.25
Twelve sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs.

The design of this unique gift box came from Ludivine Bertois and it begins with a square piece of cardstock.  The size of this cardstock can be anything, but to make score lines easy to measure, choose a size that is divisible by four.  So, you could start with a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock for a generous gift box.  This is scored at 3", 6", and 9" horizontally, and 3" and 9" vertically.  To make a smaller gift box that fits on A4 cardstock, start with a 20 cm x 20 cm piece of cardstock, scoring at 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm horizontally, and 5 cm and 15 cm vertically.

After scoring these initial fold lines, you will also need to add a couple of angled score lines for the box to fold in on the sides...

Then it is a simple case of cutting along the vertical score lines to create tabs to adhere the box together, then - the fun part - decorate!

I created my clamshell gift box using Smoky Slate cardstock and added a piece of the beautiful Winter Meadow Designer Series Paper to each side of the box.  To hold the gift box closed, I wrapped a strip of Moody Mauve cardstock around the middle to create a belly band that can slide off.

I decorated the belly band too!  I stamped the cardstock with the leaf image from the Magical Meadow stamp set in VersaMark ink - this makes a pretty watermark, which is perfect for a background effect.  I then added a die-cut branch and words.  Do you see the fun ends of the branch?  I also die-cut little dots from Misty Moonlight cardstock and adhered them to the ends of the branch.

The belly band is a nice addition to the clamshell gift box and I didn't want to do too much to take away from the stunning imagery and colours in the Winter Meadow Designer Series Paper.  I think I got the balance about right.  Now to fill the box... handmade soaps, handpainted silk scarf, or handcrafted chocolates?

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