Magic Boxes: A Life As Lou Online Class
To begin, choose your paper. You need six sheets of matching paper (preferably a heavier weight). Choose one for your outside, a contrasting one for your lid, and 4 to create the inside boxes. Cut as follows (all measurement are in inches):
Outside: 6 x 11 3/4ths
Lid: 8.5 x 8.5
4 inner boxes: 8 x 8
The only challenging part of this project is creating the lid and inside compartments. The good news is, they follow the exact same process.
1. Draw a line from corner to corner on the back side of your paper. 
2. fold the tips of your paper in so that they meet at the center. It will look as though you are folding an envelope. 
Fold in all four sides, and then unfold. 
3. Fold the tips up to the folded line on each side. 
This fold gives you the sides of your box. Do it on all four sides. When you are finished you should have creases all the way around. I have taken a marker and drawn lines on my creases. This is not necessary. This is to help you see where there should be folds. The first two lines you drew will NOT be creased.
4. 
I have also colored four triangles. Cut those out. You will be left with this:
5. 
See the arrows? Cut those lines up to the tip of the arrows. You should get this: 
6. You have created two sets of tabs. Bring them together to form a wall of the box like so: 
Now fold the flap over those tabs. 
Do the same thing on the other side.
7. 
Your flaps won’t want to stay down on their own. Fold in the other two flaps and press the corners in firmly. 
Once all four corners are in, the box will stay together without any glue. 
Repeat this process on your 8 inch and 8.5 inch papers. You should have 4 boxes and the lid.
Now for the outside.
1. Take the 11 3/4ths x 6 inch paper and fold it in half.
2. Open it up and fold the ends into the center. You should have four perfectly even quadrants.
To put the boxes in, first adhere one to the very top right corner, making certain that you are flush with the corner of the outside paper.
Adhere the next one to the bottom left corner, once again flush to the edge.
Align the inside two boxes so that they are in centered in their own quarter of the paper, but not overlapping each other so you can still fold the box shut.
Once the glue is dry (I do recommend a liquid glue to extra staying power) you should be able to close your box and the lid should fit perfectly on top. One corner of the box will remain open, as no part is designed to overlap. To remedy this, I like to tie mine up with ribbons. You can embellish them any way that you like.
Here are a few that I’ve made.
transparency
Life as Lou hosts a number of different scrapbooking online courses and papercraft tutorials which can be found in my sidebar, and there are always more coming, so check back often and be sure to bookmark this blog!
You can see all scrapbook pages, cards, mini albums & the latest contests and give-a-ways right here!
http://www.leahkillian.com/]]>
so cute!
Thank you Leah! I love this, and I could probably even do it myself!!! Woo hoo!
< ![CDATA[Those boxes are very impressive. Maybe for Ellie's birthday, I'll have to go to the trouble to make one since I'm notorious for doing the male thing and just going with the gift bag. I'd have to 1) find the time to make one, 2) find something to give her that fits in one, and 3) find a place to hide it all.
Neat boxes.]]>
Yay! Thanks so much for the tutorial and saving me the headache of figuring out all the fiddly measurements. Can’t wait to make some!
It’s wonderful and now I can make my own – thank you!
Oh so very cute, thanks for the measurements so I can try to tackle one myself!
Wow, thanks for posting this! I love these, espcially the transpanecy one.
< ![CDATA[You never sence to amaze me with the things that you come up with. I am going home to make one.
Maria]]>
These are way cute. I am so going to make some of these.
Thanks for posting this Leah! Such a great project. Yours are so beautiful!
Just gorgeous, thanks for the tutorial!! I will have to make one this weekend.
Thank you Leah, you’re my hero!
< ![CDATA[I just have to say thank you for posting this. You have inspired me to be a little more creative. I went out and bought enough paper for 6 magic boxes. I have posted pictures of the first one on my blog -http://eteamphonehome.blogspot.com/
Thanks again.]]>
These are soo cute! Thanks so much for the tutorial! I can’t wait to make some, but what do you put in them??
What a great idea and I love the boxes you have made – awesome job. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love these boxes! I’ll definitely try them!
Fantastic!! And thanks so much for such a great tutorial!
Thanks these are great. Have placed a link in my blog.
Absolutely FANTASTIC – the descriptions are so good ( for dummies like me). THANKS !
You are so creative! I love this box. Thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try to make one.
Ah, this is wonderful!!! I’ve been making those little boxes and lids since childhood, and I’m so excited by this tutorial that I’m going to make one right now! I’ll have to blog it when I’m done. Thanks for the inspiration.
< ![CDATA[thank you - these boxes are great. i made one the other day, and i loved it.
(i found your blog from 'today's creative blog' - i just love it)]]>
Wow, these boxes are great. I especially love the black one with the transparency wrap. Thanks for sharing how to make them.
Hey, thank you for sharing they are awesome and I can’ wait to make them.
These are wonderful – I will have to try one of these soon!!! What brand of glue did you use – I generally don’t use much liquid glue – and really don’t have the first clue what kind would work best! Thanks!
< ![CDATA[This is so cool I'll have to try one.
Thanks for sharing
Pat]]>
This is wonderful, you certainly have my creative juices running, thank you
Love the tutorial! Awesome idea to help organize my “craft crap” (as my kids say!) and look pretty too! Thanks again from Calgary, Canada!
Thanks for sharing.. I love this idea.. and can’t wait to make some!!!
< ![CDATA[THANKS!
I loved ir, so beautifull and so easy, you rock!]]>
this is an awesome project!!
< ![CDATA[Thanks for the fabulous inspiration. Here are my boxes:
http://ingeniousinkling.typepad.com/ingenious_inkling/2008/12/christmas-magic-boxes.html>
These boxes are totally awesome!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful tutorial!
these are wonderful!
< ![CDATA[These boxes are great!!!! Thanks for sharing this tutorial!
]]>
Very neat. I see lots of these in my future! Thank you!!
< ![CDATA[Magic Boxes
Leah at Life with Lou is showing us (in exquisit detail) how to make her Magic Boxes, the greatest thing made from paper yet. This is wonderful–giving a gift IN a gift, and with total class.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “”, url: “” });…]]>
Great gift idea. I got to show my wife!
This is a great way to wrap up jewelry that you are giving as a gift.
My mom made these boxes years ago for us 3 girls for Christmas. I still have mine and treasure it. Now I am going to try to make them too.
What a fantastic idea. I love it.
< ![CDATA[Wow!! I've never seen anything like these! What a great way to make gifts personal. You could probably even do something with photo collage or something. Oh the possibilities!
--Katie
Advertise your business with http://www.bizadsplash.com
]]>
< ![CDATA[I was brought here through Tip Nut. As a recycler I found this post very nice! I'll make my own and show the world I learned from you. :) Then I can add to my blog which is long overdue. Thanks!
-C5]]>
This is so creative. The wrapping is actually a gift too.
What beautiful work! Most anyone would desire those as special gifts!
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is truly beautiful. I love your blog.
shopped
< ![CDATA[Muito muito legal!!!!!!
Parabéns!!!!]]>
Beautiful… will try this over the next free weekend!
That is THE coolest thing. I can’t wait to make one for my mom. She loves interesting boxes and will flip over this!!
this is so great! it was my sisters 18th birthday to day and this perfect for jewelry i made her! thank you!
< ![CDATA[Finally, here is my version plus a toy
My Version Of Magic Box That Produced The Idea Of A New Toy]]>
I love that you took a basic origami box (one that I’ve made dozens of times) and made something so creative and fascinating (I can see myself opening and closing this over and over). Thank you for so generously sharing the complete instructions!
Oh the magic of paper. Cool stuff.
What a lovely idea. I just made my first one and it works! Your directions are great. Please keep up the great ideas.
I would love to buy one! Does anyone here sell them? Perhaps on Etsy?
I made this for a girlfriend for her birthday. I lined the little boxes with additional paper and filled them will little candies. That way, the original box doesn’t get dirty from the sugar, and she can use the boxes again for something else, i.e. earrings. She really loved the way it looked. I also added a flap to the outside box and a magnet so the entire thing snapped closed.
This was so much easier than i thought it was going to be! I had an old box that had a magnetized flap, so I cut the magnets out and attached them to the bottom box and the outer flap, and the box didn’t need ribbons to close (though they also look very nice).
Looove this
thanks so much for putting this up
Hey girl! I was just playing with stumbleupon and guess whose site came up? These boxes are so cute! I think I’m going to give them a try now that I’m home with the little one.
How are you and the family doing? How’s your little one?
Awesome, I’m totally making some of these for Christmas 2009
Great for gifts.. looks expensive but hardly costs anything!
those are absolutely gorgeous! thank you for the directions…i have some beautiful paper that will make some beautiful boxes.
I can’t wait to try this out!
Thank you for this! I just found this via stumble upon, and I’m now making my own with old comic books.
< ![CDATA[Today I posted an entry on my blog with a link to this tutorial.
Would you let me know if that's OK?
Thanks,
Nancy Ward
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com>
< ![CDATA[Thanks for this tutorial ^_^
I would like to post it on my diary, if you don't mind. May I?
http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/en_tori
P.S. (I didn’t do it yet)]]>
< ![CDATA[Thanks so much for posting this tutorial. I added a link to my blog, if you don't mind, with a picture of one that I made. If you do mind, just let me know and I will take it down. Thanks again, this was great! I gave one to my mom for mother's day :)
http://raindropechodesigns.blogspot.com>
Those boxes are so beautiful. Thanks for the great instructions.
http://www.creativityprompt.com/creativity-prompt-how-to-make-a-cute-box-of-drawers/#comment-13948
< ![CDATA[http://today-i-made.blogspot.com/
I tried my own.]]>
come to see my blog, and leave some comment ^_^
Wonderful! I’m definately making one of these for Bekkah’s welcome home present.
oh my gosh!!! this is an awesome tutorial!! i will definitely make one (and hopefully successful! hehehehe) thanks so much for sharing this idea!
Lovely!!! fabulous..art
Thx for sharing~ Like it very much~~
< ![CDATA[It is so simple and great idea!
Thank you very much!]]>
This is so amazing! I need to make them! Thanks for the amazing tutorial!
< ![CDATA[I love this idea. I'm always on the look out for gift ideas, as I take two classes and love to give them handmade gifts for xmas.
I start looking around early to leave me plenty of time to do the job neatly.]]>
< ![CDATA[These are just lovely!
I'm itching to go and make some now!]]>
these are GREAT…thanks for sharing these MAGIC BOXES…i use these boxes for my beads when shipping orders…i’ve never stacked them like this…LOVE IT!…
I liked verry much.
creative! loved it! will try soon
I love it too! going to try to make one together with my kid!!thanks for sharing
Oh! I do so love these too….definitely will need to make some up for gifts.
Great boxes! I made this over the weekend. I created a pattern to use on my cricut and it takes about 20 minutes to complete the whole thing!
I love this idea. When I was a kid we would make the inner boxes, but with their own lid, and give to our friends with small things, or secret messages in them.
Very nice. I like it.
This is a wonderful idea, great gift, beautifully photographed, easy to follow! What more can I say? – It’s perfect!
Nice, thanks for share!
I have just StumbledUpon these. They are so clever and look fantastic. I have never seen anthing like them. Love it.
I too StumbledUpon this site. These are so fun! Thank you for sharing the directions. I will make them using Christmas scrapbooking paper, and will have fun filling them with little trinkets and giving them as Christmas gifts. My recipients will be impressed; I will tell them you deserve the credit!
way too cute, thanks for the tips!! keep up the great work!
Hi, they’re awesome but ı’ll try to make a one. But where did you find the transpancy one. how is it called? where can i but it, online ? just beacause i live in Turkey. Thanks by now.
< ![CDATA[My hubby found this site for me. I am very glad he did.
I have made one already and I know that they will be given as gifts to my family and friends. Great Idea. Thank you]]>
it´s so beauty, I´ll try to make a one!!!!!!thanks
< ![CDATA[Thank you for sharing.
Its a great thing for Christmas time. ]]>
< ![CDATA[I've just started getting into making things with paper. When I was little (45 years agoish) I would always make things out of paper. I loved it. Not sure why all these years I'm made/make just about everything else but no paper crafts. I've been trying to find things to make with easy directions and thanks to you..I'll be making boxing. These are wonderful thank you for sharing and thank you for the wonderful directions!
Just me,
Suellen]]>
< ![CDATA[Thank you for sharing - what beautiful work!
xxxx]]>
check these out
< ![CDATA[Hi Leah,
I love these magic boxes! I have never seen anything like it...fabulous idea! Thank you so much for sharing! I came over from Altered Geisha's Crafty Musings!]]>
OMG! this is so great! how crafty. thanks for sharing. I love your blog and all the great stuff you share.
Wow they look amazing….I gonna try it out soon..
Absolutely adorable! I love the idea. It’s a shame I already have everyone’s Christmas gifts this year.
I’ve just followed some links to these boxes, I am AWESTRUCK they are gorgeous, thanks for sharing.
I learned how to make small boxes years ago and have since forgotten – this was a welcomed find! The woman who taught me used old photographs and greeting cards for the box tops.
I’ve just discovered this and they’re brilliant. I think there could be a few being made for Christmas.
This is WONDERFUL!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Wow, very impressive! I will definitely try my hand at these, they are beautifl! Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic! I can’t wait to have a go at making this box!
< ![CDATA[i've just made one!!!
it's so easy! and looks great..=)
btw i'm from Mexico =)
]]>
потрясно
< ![CDATA[I just finished making one of these boxes for my friend and I have a few comments.
1- The boxes are a lot littler than I was expecting, about the size of a slightly elongate size of soup.
2- I also found it helpful to instead of using 11 and 3/4 in length for the big sheet of paper to use 30 cm. It will fold easier.
3- Use hot glue from a hot glue gun! I love glue guns and this makes it so easy.]]>
need a gal fren to try these……heh
I made one with pastel paper, with the boxes headed down from left to right, and put “BABY” on the front of the boxes when it’s all unfolded. This is great for a baby shower gift! I can put little things in each box, and have the box be part of the gift! Thank you very much for sharing!!
very good
AWESOME!! i read this post and made it right away.. vl put up a pic on my blog soon with link to urs.. thanks:)
< ![CDATA[THis post is almost 2 yeaars old and now it is actual! :)
Thank you for this class ]]>
Thank you so much. My roommate and I stumbled upon this and loved it. I made four for Chirstmas, including one for her! Thanks again.
How cute are these! Great projects for kids. Thanks for a great tutorial!
These are amazing! I will be making them for teacher gifts since they can be feminine or masculine! Such a great tutorial too! Thanks so much!!
I love this idea! Totally gonna make them!
Just made this box…and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! I’m making a whole batch now!
Great! Looks easy! Want to try it immediately! Thanks!
How clever, thanks for sharing this with us!
yapamıyorum yardım edin bana daha kolayı yokmu.4.basamaktan sonrasını yapamadım
Such a great idea…
< ![CDATA[Hi....
its a very nice idea... tried it... came out well... have to practice further for perfection. thank you for a wonderful tutorial....]]>
< 
< ![CDATA[According to your information that is very simple and clearly understand for students to grip. Thanks for your research on academic knowledge.
]]>
hi
i like cheese
Nolan is cool
very nice post.
Great now I know what my daughter can do today. x
Great! Looks easy! Want to try it immediately! Thanks!
This is a really a magic box……m glad to learn these innovative piece of art frm ur tuts……..these r awesome thnk u
These are VERY cool, and so much easier than I thought! I know I’ll be making more of these in the future. Thanks for the tutorial!
< ![CDATA[it's good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the link which i was looking for my research.
]]>
it’s good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the link which i was looking for my research.
< ![CDATA[Preciosa caja magica, muchas gracias por compartir.
Besos.]]>
< ![CDATA[Nice blog reading i like commenting here......
thanks]]>
Thank you for the share, you have been a great pleasure, just keep us fed!
< ![CDATA[
Wonderful posting i found at blogsome i keep on reading this attractive blog.]]>
Wonderful posting i found at blogsome i keep on reading this attractive blog.
Wonderful article,thanks for putting this together! “This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!”
I have been visiting various blogs for my research work. I have found your blog to be quite useful. Keep updating your blog with valuable information… Regards
Oh my god !! they are amazing !
< ![CDATA[Oh my goodness I am in awe! These are so awesome & beautiful. You are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your incredible idea with all of us.
Hugs,
Jennifer]]>
< ![CDATA[This is so clever! I've never seen anything like it.
Taylor
http://www.maryjanesandgaloshes.com>
OMG! How creative you are man. I didn’t think before that this simple piece of paper can mold and make these great things. Good artistic work done by you.
@Jennifer O’Hara…Yes you are absolutely right here. Only few people can share these kind of great tips and tricks with online audience.
Thanks for a great project and tutorial. I will certainly try this out!
Thanks for sharing this.
< ![CDATA[Wonderful article,thanks for putting this together! "This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!"
]]>
< ![CDATA[I want to express my admiration of your writing skill and ability to make readers read from the beginning to the end. I would like to read newer posts and to share my thoughts with you.
]]>
I just made one in about 1 1/2 hours. Wicked easy!
SO COOL!!!
wow!!!! i loved it!!
its really cool. thanks for putting it up!!!! folding trees i love your page!
finally. now i know how to make these boxes and will have lots of hand-made things to put in them!
Good work! Your post/article is an excellent example of why I keep comming back to read your excellent quality content that is forever updated. Thank you!
its showing terrific talent here. thanks for sharing this with us..
Awesome, reminds me of those Japanese bento boxes, great for surprises you could put each part of a set in that earring in on necklace in the next and so on
Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing.
wholesale jerseys
My mom made these boxes years ago for us 3 girls for Christmas. I still have mine and treasure it. Now I am going to try to make them too.
Thanks for your tutorial, it was really easy to follow and my box turned out perfectly.
cool…..=*
< ![CDATA[hey gorgeous, hope you don't mind but I have just "shared" this post on my facebook page ~ such a FAB idea ;o)
Found your blog through StumbleUpon....got my coffee, gonna take five to have a read through your blog! ;o)
hugs
hello gorgeous xxx]]>
Although I doubt I will ever make this box It has given me a spark of inspiration for a box I have been needing for a while, Thank you x Your Boxes are gorgeous. Happy holidays.
Really interesting reading… I really like the way that you write… Your blog is now bookmarked
You entirely new creative stuff,I will try it.
Wowww!!! Truly amazing. Fantastic. Mind-blowing. That’s some great stuff. I have no words to describe how much I liked this blog of yours. Thanks for sharing.
Don’t know this fantastic fact before that a simple piece of paper can converted into a great piece of art.
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality This is a really good read for me. its really very good post. Thanks for posting this informative article.
This is such cool stuff, easy to make yet so detailed… awesome tutorial
That’s one great blog. A very well detailed tutorial. I am already bookmarked this URL. I am surely going to share this tutorial with my friends. Thanks for this great share.
This is Fantastic! I’ve been wanting to make something with my Red & White Checked Contact Paper, and one of these would be awesome with Black accents!!!
I really loved this post! I also linked to it in my blog: http://abitofrain.blogspot.com/2009/10/pablo-neruda-and-magic-box.html. Thank you so much for posting! Take care and keep it crafty!
These creativity is so impressive and have great art. Its best for kids.
Those are absolutely awesome. I could see filling them up with candies or beads for a great hostess gift!
< ![CDATA[Quite cute. Thanks for the eye candy. xoxo
http://rawpotatoes.blogspot.com/>
The only challenging part of this project is creating the lid and inside compartments. The good news is, they follow the exact same process.
The only challenging part of this project is creating the lid and inside compartments. The good news is, they follow the exact same process.
I just love it. This is simple but totally ingenious.
This is so clever! I’ve never seen anything like it.
I’d have to 1) find the time to make one, 2) find something to give her that fits in one, and 3) find a place to hide it all.
Wow! Fantastic. Brilliant work. This is one of the best tutorial I have ever come across. Thanks for sharing.
which are exactly measures in cm??
Love this tut. I was looking for a follower link but did not see it. So I am sad. I did however add your link in my favorites and will drop by again.
< ![CDATA[woah.
This is so awesome its ridiculous!]]>
Wonderful! I’m definately making one of these for Bekkah’s welcome home present.
Wow, this is great! I can’t wait to try it. It’ll be a sweet gift idea for my grandchildren! Thanks!
absolutely awesome. I could see filling them up with candies or beads for a great hostess gift!
Thanks! These are great!
< ![CDATA[Hi
I am a newbie here.
Glad to find this blog…as what I am looking for]]>
< ![CDATA[It is really interesting post. i like your writing style.
Great job
Essay Writing Services]]>
This is to help you see where there should be folds. The first two lines you drew will NOT be creased.
I love the creativity you show and the instructions are really helpful.
Just linked this to my blog! Awesome tutorial!
I love that you took a basic origami box (one that I’ve made dozens of times) and made something so creative and fascinating (I can see myself opening and closing this over and over).
< ![CDATA[lovely tutorial!
Thank you so much.
Fantastic present for mothers day...]]>
I especially love the black one with the transparency wrap. Thanks for sharing how to make them.
< ![CDATA[Nice presentation!! I think Magic Boxes and Oregami are in the same level. Both requires creativity and deft hands.
You should be proud you have both. :) ]]>
Out standing way to guide about magic boxes.
I am going to book mark this page.
You really got the amazing ideas, its very creative that is just easy to look and learn. But hard to do.
< ![CDATA[That is exactly what I was looking for, I would check back for more at this site. Thank you for sharing this useful stuff here.
]]>
Im definitely going to try this out when i get home from work
Wow, hvis disse kasser stor. Jeg elsker især den sorte med gennemsigtighed wrap. Tak for at dele hvordan man laver dem.
Wonderful article,thanks for putting this together! “This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!”
beautiful box…waiting to give it a try ..Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for this post. I Stumbled it. Lately I have been making things out of rinsed out orange juice cartons, so I think I will try it using the cartons.
[...] 8- Teach the kids how to make Magic Boxes. [...]
[...] The Magic? Four more little boxes, great for earrins, chocolates, gift cards. . .the possibilities are endless! For full instructions (of course I have them for you!) See my blog right here. [...]