Magic Boxes: A Life As Lou Online Class
Due to popular demand, I am doing a tutorial on the Magic Boxes I showed off in some previous posts.
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 neccesary. 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 reccomend 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
so cute!
Comment by Amie — January 31, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Thank you Leah! I love this, and I could probably even do it myself!!! Woo hoo!
Comment by Ellie — January 31, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
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.
Comment by Robert — January 31, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
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!
Comment by Heidi — January 31, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
It’s wonderful and now I can make my own - thank you!
Comment by Zarah — January 31, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
Oh so very cute, thanks for the measurements so I can try to tackle one myself!
Comment by Joni Kuehl — February 1, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Wow, thanks for posting this! I love these, espcially the transpanecy one.
Comment by Angie DeMeyers — February 1, 2008 @ 9:48 am
You never sence to amaze me with the things that you come up with. I am going home to make one.
Maria
Comment by Maria Mears — February 1, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
These are way cute. I am so going to make some of these.
Comment by Selena Kimsey — February 1, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
Thanks for posting this Leah! Such a great project. Yours are so beautiful!
Comment by Kate O'Brien — February 1, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Just gorgeous, thanks for the tutorial!! I will have to make one this weekend.
Comment by Roxanne — February 2, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Thank you Leah, you’re my hero!
Comment by Jan — February 3, 2008 @ 11:50 am
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.
Comment by Esther — February 3, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
These are soo cute! Thanks so much for the tutorial! I can’t wait to make some, but what do you put in them??
Comment by Julee — February 4, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
What a great idea and I love the boxes you have made - awesome job. Thanks so much for sharing!
Comment by Lesli — February 4, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
I love these boxes! I’ll definitely try them!
Comment by Rosanne — February 4, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Fantastic!! And thanks so much for such a great tutorial!
Comment by Kathleen Summers — February 5, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Thanks these are great. Have placed a link in my blog.
Comment by SewDelish — February 6, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Absolutely FANTASTIC - the descriptions are so good ( for dummies like me). THANKS !
Comment by Stine Byager — February 8, 2008 @ 12:40 am
You are so creative! I love this box. Thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try to make one.
Comment by Marie — February 10, 2008 @ 11:49 am
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.
Comment by Tanja — February 10, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
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)
Comment by Tiffany — February 13, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Wow, these boxes are great. I especially love the black one with the transparency wrap. Thanks for sharing how to make them.
Comment by Christine — February 13, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Hey, thank you for sharing they are awesome and I can’ wait to make them.
Comment by Lynn — February 26, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
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!
Comment by Stephanie — February 28, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
This is so cool I’ll have to try one.
Thanks for sharing
Pat
Comment by pat — March 6, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
This is wonderful, you certainly have my creative juices running, thank you
Comment by Chris — March 17, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
Love the tutorial! Awesome idea to help organize my “craft crap” (as my kids say!) and look pretty too! Thanks again from Calgary, Canada!
Comment by TamStamper — March 22, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
Thanks for sharing.. I love this idea.. and can’t wait to make some!!!
Comment by Bridget — August 4, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
THANKS!
I loved ir, so beautifull and so easy, you rock!
Comment by Jo marini — September 1, 2008 @ 10:34 am
this is an awesome project!!
Comment by sherri — December 8, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Thanks for the fabulous inspiration. Here are my boxes:
http://ingeniousinkling.typepad.com/ingenious_inkling/2008/12/christmas-magic-boxes.html
Comment by SmilynStef — December 24, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
These boxes are totally awesome!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful tutorial!
Comment by Joanne — January 3, 2009 @ 9:05 am
these are wonderful!
Comment by Sally in Gibraltar — January 3, 2009 @ 10:47 am
These boxes are great!!!! Thanks for sharing this tutorial!
Comment by Karina — January 6, 2009 @ 4:17 am
Very neat. I see lots of these in my future! Thank you!!
Comment by Toni — March 25, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
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.
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Trackback by Grooving2Music — March 25, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
Great gift idea. I got to show my wife!
Comment by Ryan — March 25, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
This is a great way to wrap up jewelry that you are giving as a gift.
Comment by Caroline — March 26, 2009 @ 9:45 am
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.
Comment by Beth — March 27, 2009 @ 12:28 am
What a fantastic idea. I love it.
Comment by Wendy — March 27, 2009 @ 5:24 am
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 www.bizadsplash.com
Comment by Katie — March 27, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
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
Comment by c5 — March 28, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
This is so creative. The wrapping is actually a gift too.
Comment by RN4081 — March 28, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
What beautiful work! Most anyone would desire those as special gifts!
Comment by Beverly — March 28, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is truly beautiful. I love your blog.
Comment by ˙Hope Anita Smith — March 29, 2009 @ 9:10 am
shopped
Comment by . — March 29, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Muito muito legal!!!!!!
Parabéns!!!!
Comment by Nicka — March 29, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Beautiful… will try this over the next free weekend!
Comment by Lisette — March 30, 2009 @ 5:59 am
That is THE coolest thing. I can’t wait to make one for my mom. She loves interesting boxes and will flip over this!!
Comment by Kristina Kriechel — March 30, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
this is so great! it was my sisters 18th birthday to day and this perfect for jewelry i made her! thank you!
Comment by stacey j — March 30, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
Finally, here is my version plus a toy
My Version Of Magic Box That Produced The Idea Of A New Toy
Comment by c5 — March 31, 2009 @ 1:19 am
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!
Comment by Amber S. — March 31, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Oh the magic of paper. Cool stuff.
Comment by Rubber Stamps — March 31, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
What a lovely idea. I just made my first one and it works! Your directions are great. Please keep up the great ideas.
Comment by Kathy C — April 4, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
I would love to buy one! Does anyone here sell them? Perhaps on Etsy?
Comment by cathleen — April 7, 2009 @ 11:17 am
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.
Comment by Sue — April 7, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
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).
Comment by clare — April 8, 2009 @ 6:01 am
Looove this
thanks so much for putting this up
Comment by Min — April 12, 2009 @ 1:40 am
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?
Comment by Artzyjen from the HER board — April 12, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Awesome, I’m totally making some of these for Christmas 2009
Comment by Matt — April 12, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
Great for gifts.. looks expensive but hardly costs anything!
Comment by Emily — April 13, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
those are absolutely gorgeous! thank you for the directions…i have some beautiful paper that will make some beautiful boxes.
Comment by Jayne — April 13, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
I can’t wait to try this out!
Comment by Kathy — April 24, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Thank you for this! I just found this via stumble upon, and I’m now making my own with old comic books.
Comment by brianna — May 2, 2009 @ 7:58 am
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
Comment by Nancy Ward — May 2, 2009 @ 9:01 am
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)
Comment by Victoria — May 4, 2009 @ 5:02 am
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
Comment by Ann V — May 11, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
Those boxes are so beautiful. Thanks for the great instructions.
Comment by Foodaholic — May 13, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
http://www.creativityprompt.com/creativity-prompt-how-to-make-a-cute-box-of-drawers/#comment-13948
Comment by Aurielle — May 27, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
http://today-i-made.blogspot.com/
I tried my own.
Comment by Erin — June 1, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
come to see my blog, and leave some comment ^_^
Comment by magical — June 18, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
Wonderful! I’m definately making one of these for Bekkah’s welcome home present.
Comment by J. D. — June 22, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
oh my gosh!!! this is an awesome tutorial!! i will definitely make one (and hopefully successful! hehehehe) thanks so much for sharing this idea!
Comment by Donna E. — July 3, 2009 @ 6:18 am
Lovely!!! fabulous..art
Comment by Lakshmi — July 3, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Thx for sharing~ Like it very much~~
Comment by Catherine Yeo — July 3, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
It is so simple and great idea!
Thank you very much!
Comment by Lana — July 4, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
This is so amazing! I need to make them! Thanks for the amazing tutorial!
Comment by Alejandra Quiroz — July 4, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
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.
Comment by Ronel Wasserman — July 5, 2009 @ 1:06 am
These are just lovely!
I’m itching to go and make some now!
Comment by Edinburgh Wedding Photography — July 28, 2009 @ 5:48 am
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!…
Comment by eileen — July 28, 2009 @ 9:21 am
I liked verry much.
Comment by Maritza Hernandez — July 31, 2009 @ 11:39 am
creative! loved it! will try soon
Comment by aj — August 1, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
I love it too! going to try to make one together with my kid!!thanks for sharing
Comment by Vidar , Norway — August 1, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
Oh! I do so love these too….definitely will need to make some up for gifts.
Comment by Debo Hobo — August 3, 2009 @ 4:46 am
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!
Comment by Lori — August 12, 2009 @ 8:37 am
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.
Comment by Maria — August 24, 2009 @ 4:40 am
Very nice. I like it.
Comment by John — August 26, 2009 @ 12:08 am
This is a wonderful idea, great gift, beautifully photographed, easy to follow! What more can I say? - It’s perfect!
Comment by Rioritasjewelry — August 30, 2009 @ 4:45 am
Nice, thanks for share!
Comment by dorela — August 30, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
I have just StumbledUpon these. They are so clever and look fantastic. I have never seen anthing like them. Love it.
Comment by Gail — September 4, 2009 @ 4:06 am
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!
Comment by Gwen — September 6, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
way too cute, thanks for the tips!! keep up the great work!
Comment by Susan — September 10, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
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.
Comment by Fatma Demirbaş — September 15, 2009 @ 1:43 am
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
Comment by Sue — September 20, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
it´s so beauty, I´ll try to make a one!!!!!!thanks
Comment by KAr — September 30, 2009 @ 12:05 am
Thank you for sharing.
Its a great thing for Christmas time.
Comment by pedro — October 5, 2009 @ 2:58 am
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
Comment by suellen — October 8, 2009 @ 9:17 am
Thank you for sharing - what beautiful work!
xxxx
Comment by LazyKay — October 10, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
check these out
Comment by kristin — October 11, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
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!
Comment by Carol Anne — October 12, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
OMG! this is so great! how crafty. thanks for sharing. I love your blog and all the great stuff you share.
Comment by Melissa — October 13, 2009 @ 7:47 am
Wow they look amazing….I gonna try it out soon..
Comment by shruti — October 13, 2009 @ 8:01 am
Absolutely adorable! I love the idea. It’s a shame I already have everyone’s Christmas gifts this year.
Comment by Kristin G. — October 13, 2009 @ 9:23 am
I’ve just followed some links to these boxes, I am AWESTRUCK they are gorgeous, thanks for sharing.
Comment by Helen — October 15, 2009 @ 9:33 am
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.
Comment by Delphyne — October 16, 2009 @ 6:15 am
I’ve just discovered this and they’re brilliant. I think there could be a few being made for Christmas.
Comment by Nigel — October 17, 2009 @ 12:11 am
This is WONDERFUL!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Comment by ScrappyHappy — October 20, 2009 @ 8:25 am
Wow, very impressive! I will definitely try my hand at these, they are beautifl! Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Rebecca — November 2, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Fantastic! I can’t wait to have a go at making this box!
Comment by Linda — November 8, 2009 @ 10:32 am
i’ve just made one!!!
it’s so easy! and looks great..=)
btw i’m from Mexico =)
Comment by Sharo — November 18, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
потрясно
Comment by dany — November 22, 2009 @ 5:22 am