These are pillow boxes made with the scrips and scraps left over from the tiny album in a box class I did for Live With Prima (with some minimal additions):

Lilly-ebox-sm
The one below even uses the packaging (the green scalloped card):

YellowButterflyBox-sm
I'm going to show you how to make the one below:

ButterflyBox-sm
Beyond the scraps from the kit, and the tools we used to put it together, you will need:

  • Glitter (I used Doodlebug in Bon Bon and Limeade)
  • Glue Pen (I used Sakura Quickie Glue Pen)
  • Prima e-line pearls (I used #300692)
  • Pillow Box Template (download the template and print it at whatever size you wish)

STEP ONE: Create the Box.

Tape two scraps of paper together.

Tapescrapstogethr
Cut out the pillow box template.

Cuttemplate
Flip the taped together scraps over and trace the template.

Tracetemplate
Notice that the seam (where the tape is) on the patterned paper scraps is perpendicular to the fold marks on the template. This is *very* important.  If the seam runs the other way, the box is not stable.

Once you've traced the template, mark the fold lines with a ruler and pencil.

Drawlines
Cut out the box shape.

Cutout
Score the two fold lines.

Score
Fold the box in half and then add adhesive to the flap.

Glueflap
Fold the flap over (on the outside of the box).

Foldflapover
Gently coax the ends to fold in.  They will somewhat naturally fold in on a curve.

Pushendsin
And now your basic box is done!

STEP TWO: Create the Butterflies

Begin by cutting out two butterflies.  One large and one small.

Cutbutterflies
Use a glue pen to trace the lines on the large butterfly's wings.  Pour glitter over the glue lines.

Glitterlines
In the photo above, you can see I've only glittered one little line near the top.  Work in small sections until all the lines are covered.  Don't forget to do the antennae!

Then use the glue pen to color in the edges of the wings and add larger glitter to those sections.

Addlargerglitter
When the butterfly is all glittered, it will look a bit like this:

Butterfly-glittered
We're going to use pearls to create the body of the butterfly!

Pearls
Use two small pearls for the eyes and then use a series of decreasing in size pearls for the body.

Pearls-added
Don't forget to glitter and glam up the small butterfly too!

Smallbutterfly
STEP THREE: Decorate the Box.

Take your remaining lace and wrap it around the box.  Use glue dots to hold the lace in place.

Addlace
Punch a large scalloped circle from one of your scraps.

Cutscallopedcircle
If you don't have a scalloped circle punch, cut it by hand or use a circle instead.  Any shape will do! 

Add one of the remaining flowers to the circle.  Place foam adhesive on the backs of the butterflies.

Foamadhesive
Adhere butterflies to circle and over the flower.

Layeredembellishments
Add this little collage to your box and voila!  A lovely way to give a gift!

Finishedbox
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  I have a Live with Prima class on Monday (May 3), where we'll be making this:

HouseFrameAd
Be sure to buy your kit and then come and play with me!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops, her online classroom www.balzerdesigns.com, and through monthly membership at www.MyArtPractice.com.

32 thoughts on “Pillow Box Tutorial

  • Great project! So pretty, you’ve inspired me, I’ve got tons of ideas going on in my head now 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  • Great project! So pretty, you’ve inspired me, I’ve got tons of ideas going on in my head now 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  • Great project! So pretty, you’ve inspired me, I’ve got tons of ideas going on in my head now 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  • Great project! So pretty, you’ve inspired me, I’ve got tons of ideas going on in my head now 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  • Julie –
    Thank you for this great tutorial! I’ve made the pillboxes before but never decorated them, just added a bow. The ones you’ve created are little pieces of art! I will trying these techniques. THANK YOU!
    Elaine Allen

    Reply
  • Julie –
    Thank you for this great tutorial! I’ve made the pillboxes before but never decorated them, just added a bow. The ones you’ve created are little pieces of art! I will trying these techniques. THANK YOU!
    Elaine Allen

    Reply
  • Julie –
    Thank you for this great tutorial! I’ve made the pillboxes before but never decorated them, just added a bow. The ones you’ve created are little pieces of art! I will trying these techniques. THANK YOU!
    Elaine Allen

    Reply
  • Julie –
    Thank you for this great tutorial! I’ve made the pillboxes before but never decorated them, just added a bow. The ones you’ve created are little pieces of art! I will trying these techniques. THANK YOU!
    Elaine Allen

    Reply
  • Love how you pieced scraps together for this project. And that pearl-body butterfly–gorgeous! Thanks for the tute!

    Reply
  • Love how you pieced scraps together for this project. And that pearl-body butterfly–gorgeous! Thanks for the tute!

    Reply
  • Love how you pieced scraps together for this project. And that pearl-body butterfly–gorgeous! Thanks for the tute!

    Reply
  • Love how you pieced scraps together for this project. And that pearl-body butterfly–gorgeous! Thanks for the tute!

    Reply
  • thanks so much for the tutorial, beautiful pillows.

    Reply
  • thanks so much for the tutorial, beautiful pillows.

    Reply
  • thanks so much for the tutorial, beautiful pillows.

    Reply
  • thanks so much for the tutorial, beautiful pillows.

    Reply
  • Love that green packaging cardboard and have used it before on a project as well. Glitter heaven with leftovers!

    Reply
  • Love that green packaging cardboard and have used it before on a project as well. Glitter heaven with leftovers!

    Reply
  • Love that green packaging cardboard and have used it before on a project as well. Glitter heaven with leftovers!

    Reply
  • Love that green packaging cardboard and have used it before on a project as well. Glitter heaven with leftovers!

    Reply
  • Beautiful pillow boxes, and thanks always for sharing. I love your colorful blog, and you see, I am not the only one who wants you to write a book! Take a look a yesterday’s comments. Three of us (and many more — I am sure) encourage you to start thinking about authoring a book. It will be a best-seller! You go, girl!

    Reply
  • Beautiful pillow boxes, and thanks always for sharing. I love your colorful blog, and you see, I am not the only one who wants you to write a book! Take a look a yesterday’s comments. Three of us (and many more — I am sure) encourage you to start thinking about authoring a book. It will be a best-seller! You go, girl!

    Reply
  • Beautiful pillow boxes, and thanks always for sharing. I love your colorful blog, and you see, I am not the only one who wants you to write a book! Take a look a yesterday’s comments. Three of us (and many more — I am sure) encourage you to start thinking about authoring a book. It will be a best-seller! You go, girl!

    Reply
  • Beautiful pillow boxes, and thanks always for sharing. I love your colorful blog, and you see, I am not the only one who wants you to write a book! Take a look a yesterday’s comments. Three of us (and many more — I am sure) encourage you to start thinking about authoring a book. It will be a best-seller! You go, girl!

    Reply

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