TOTE-IT!!! NOTE IT!!!

Hello, everyone! Again today I'm presenting another monthly DT project here and at Pam's. If you haven't joined me there, I hope you're joining me here!  If you'd like to also visit the Bugbytes Blog, just click on Pam's name -- it's a direct link!

Today, I'm sharing a little tote bag project.  This project was lifted from one I'd seen similar somewhere while cruising the internet some time ago.  Whoever created the original for this bag, I wish to let them know I think it's just the cutest!  Having found myself again at the last minute trying to figure out a DT project to do, I decided to finally give this one a go, and I hope you like it.  I'm calling this "Tote-It , Note It"; you'll see why at the end of the tutorial.  For now here's my project tote bag:

What I needed to make this tote:

2- 15" long strips of grosgraine ribbon (for the handles)

2- 4.25"x 5.50" cardstock (for tote front and back covers)

2- 4" x 1.50" cardstock (for botttom and inside bottom cover panels)

1- 2"x2.50" cardstock (for tote pocket)

Starting with one of the 4.25" x 5.50" cardstock sheets; with the 4.25" side across the top of the scoreboard, I scored down the length of the 5.50" side of cardstock at 1":

Turning cardstock so that the 5.50" side is across the top of the scoreboard, I scored down the 4.25" length of cardstock at 1/4"; the next scores are scored only to the 1" scoreline across the 5.50" length of cardstock --  I do not exceed scoring below the 1" scoreline -- , score at 1.25"and 4.50":

I've highlighted my scorelines with a marker so you can see what it looks like after scoring:

Next, as shown below, I cut out the small corner section connecting the 1/4" and 1" scorelines, and drew in and folded a diagonal fold on each 1" corner square:

I did the same exact scoring to the other 4.25" x 5.50" cardstock making certain to bone-fold all the scorelines to precisely so that the tote assembly would be easy when constructing the tote.

With the tote front and back pieces facing upward, I laid them out and added glue to the tabs only:

I turned over one of the panels so that I'd have the top front of the tote opposite the top back as shown below:

 I attached the front of the tote to the back by laying the two cardstocks one on top of the other and  gluing the edges without tabs to the glued tabs on each side -- making certain to keep the edges on each side perfectly aligned:

Once the glue dried, I gently squeezed the sides of the box to slightly open it, and then I folded in the triangular corners in place on all four (4) sides and glued them down -- this is tricky, if/when you do this take your time!!!  This is also where  precise bone-folding will pay off:

When all four (4) corners are glued in place the bottom looked like this:

Now I'll add the handles by gluing the ribbon ends about 1" from the edges of the box bottom on each opposite end.  I'll repeat this for the ribbon handle on the opposite side:

After the handles are attached, as show beow, take one of the 4" x 5.50" panels and glue to the bottom of the box to seal and close off the gap/opening and seam:

I used the other 4" x 5.50"  panel and glue to the inside bottom of the box.

Now I'm almost done!  I glued the 2" x 2.50" pocket piece of cardstock to the front of the tote, then glued the ribbon handles in place up the lenght of the tote (for interest I added the strip of paper you see around the top opening of the tote) :

The box is done!  To embellish and finish it offt off, I used a white Pearl Pen to add the pearls to the ribbon and the same pen to outline the top of the pocket and along the opening edge, and popped on some little ribbon bows.  I decided to stick a pencil in the pocket and a matching notepad in the tote, called it my "Tote-It!!!  Note It!!!", and here it is:

Isn't this tote cute?!!!  Now it's your turn to make one!  If you do, I hope you'll let me see it when it's done!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope to see you all tomorrow at the Bugbytes Halloween/Fall Challenge Hop!!!

I'll be seeing you!!!