I wanted to store and see my washi tapes because I love love love them and use them a lot..... so, I've been thinking about a container to store and a light bulb went off the other night... I figured out the container and now it's a container, clear and a dispenser too! A lot of work went into the dimensions to maximize each sheet of acetate that I used and that the size would be easy to carry and store.
So, I'm glad I pulled out my foil wrap the other night .... basically, I used the same design, and since I just finished roll.. I borrowed the serrated cutting blade from that box and used it on my box. After assembling two boxes... I actually discovered that I don't need to use a serrated edge... the edge of the plastic container cuts the washi nice and straight! . BONUS!!
So, here is my tutorial... hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think...
Acetate 2 sheets in 8.5 x 11
Paper Trimmer (easiest and fastest)
scissors
Sticky Strip (you'll want a very strong adhesive to hold the box together)
1" circle punch
Corner rounder punch
Designer Paper if you choose to decorate the box
Velcro with adhesive on back to use for closure
serrated edge - from foil wrap container
NOTE: In this tutorial I used cardstock because it was too hard to show with clear acetate....
Box construction:
1. Take your acetate sheet and place on your trimmer so that the 8.5 side is on tope and the 11" side is to your right along the cutting edge. You will score at 1 7/8", 3 3/4", 5 5/8" and 7 1/2" (each section will be 1 7/8") and then the left over section will be 1" for the box closure flap.
2. Turn the sheet 1/4 turn to left... so 11" is on the top and 8.5" on right cutting blade. Score at 1 7/8" and then move the sheet to 6 5/8" and score... this will leave both side with 1 7/8" box sides. This size works well with the Stampin'Up! washi tapes (and others). It keeps them snug and cozy.
Let's describe the pic in step 2...
A is front of box with serrated edge,
B is the bottom of box,
C is back side,
D is the top (clear section) of box and
E is the flap that holds the box closed.
3. So, you'll want to cut of the squares to the left and to the right of the D and E rectangles.
See pic: You'll also use your 1" circle punch and punch out in center of the 1 7/8" square and cut off the small tab left. Do this for both sides and hold on to those punched squares for step 11 below.
side tabs cut off and punched, then remove small rectangle
4. So, You can now cut into the flaps that will be the 1/78" sides of the box. To the left and to the right of A, B and C.... or labeled 1, 2 and 3 here:
5. So, now you have your box all cut out. the E flap, you'll want to use your corner rounder on the two corners, so as to not poke or cut yourself... makes the closure look nicer. Fold all the score marks so as to form the box... just so you get the feel and look of the box.. make any minor corrections on flaps etc.
6. At this point, if adding serrated edge to A... you would adhere to inside of edge... right to the edge so it cuts.... I used sticky strip to adhere on the first box, then I just left the plastic edge without a serrated blade. It cuts nice straight edges.
7. Adhere sticky strip as follows to close box sides: in pic labeled with numbers for how you fold the sides in... A=3, B=1 and C=2
A - sticky strip along all edges, but not the score mark
B - no sticky, but first to fold in
C - Along both edges parallel to the long rectangle... see marks in blue highlighter in pic below
You will adhere in order above:
B is first, fold in
C is next, stick to B
A is last and stick to B
This order will assure all sharp edges will be toward the back of the box where you don't see them.
See pic:
Adhere other side the same... you now have the box almost complete. If you choose to decorate with Designer Series Paper.. now is when you would do so... if not, go to cylinder construction step 9
8. For DSP: cut a piece for front, bottom and back of box at: 7 1/8" x 5 5/8". Score along short side at 1 7/8, 3 3/4" and the last section will be about 1 7/8", if not.. shorten it so it is. Fold the scores well, so it sits in box easily. I used my tape runner to adhere the inside front, bottom and back. Then cut out 2 squares 1 7/8" square and tape to the sides of the box.
Cylinder inside to hold tapes:
You are going to make your own cylinder "tube" that will hold your tapes in place.. cardstock is not very giving and wrinkles a lot. I like the plastic sheet, but it is challenging to stick down.
Pic of Finished cylinder inside box
9. From Acetate sheet, you 'll need a piece that measures 3 1/4" x 7 5/8", along the long side, score at 3/8" and then at 7 1/4... you'll then take your scissors and cut in from edge to the 3/8 score mark.. make little snips at 1/4" intervals until the edge. Do the same on the other edge...
See pic for reference. It looks like a scarf with little fringe.
10. Now, take a piece of Sticky Strip and add it to the center piece on the very edge. You're going to make the tube now... roll the plastic and only remove about 2" or the red sticky strip cover to expose only that much adhesive... this is how you want to start... stick down that corner first and begin to maneuver the plastic to cover over the sticky strip so that the plastic only overlaps the width of the sticky strip, about 3/16" or a bit more.. no more than a 1/4" overlap... it'll make your tube too narrow. Once you have that 2"section stuck down, remove the remainder of the red cover on the sticky strip an adhere the rest of the tube, so it's pretty even. Whew!! That was the hardest part!
See pic here:
11. Remember those squares with the circle punches in them (step 3)? Bring them out... slide one on tube, and fan out the little fringed edges so it holds the square on tube.
12. Once you've selected which tapes you'll want to include on the tube, make sure you feed them on the tube after the square, so that the tape end.. sticky or not, all face the same direction. In other words, you will want them to all peel open in the same direction.. towards you or away from you, but all the same.
13. Once your tube is full (not tight or they won't turn)slide in the second square with the circle punched out and open the fringe so it holds the square in place. DO NOT GLUE TOGETHER. **When you run out of a tape and want to replace one.. you can slide the whole tube out, remove the square and replace your tape. Then reassemble and slide back in. Easy Peasy!!
14. Slide the cylinder in the box carefully.. one side first, then other... making sure that the tapes are all facing up.. in other words.. they will unravel If you pull up on the tape from the bottom up and toward the back of the box... see pic here:
One side first:
Inserted all the way
15. Optional: Now, you can make little tabs for the ends of the tape or not.. they aren't necessary, but I added them in, see tapes up close below so you see what I mean.. on all other boxes I didn't do this. :)
16. Last step In box assembly is to add a strip of acetate across the top of the tapes... I call it a "belt". The belt measures: 3/4" x 7 7/8 long. Score each side at 3/8" so you will have two 3/8" tabs that fold down. This belt sits over the washi tapes a little towards the back of tapes and sticks down on each tab to the Side squares. This is where you rest the the edge of your tape on...
The washi will rest on the belt until you need to cut it. See pic:
Washi feeding from bottom front up towards back and resting on plastic belt
17. When you wan to use the tape, just open the box and pull the desired tape from the belt... pull up gently and slide back towards front of box.... over the edge and pulling at an angle, cut smoothly. Then, take the tape, pull back up and over the plastic belt to hold for next time.
18. To finish the box, I adhered a small rectangle of sticky back Velcro to the front flap of box and closed it snug. This prevents any from falling out. I covered it on the front with my label that says Washi, but you can cover with anything you like.
Please tell me if you end up making these and send me a pic... I'll post it! And let me know if the instructions were good. I appreciate any feedback and hope you enjoy making these. I already have 6 that are full.
Until next time....
Sandra
