Decorated Halloween Gable Tote Project

(This project requires 12x12 paper stock and min. cutting capacity.)

Large-scale tote container has gable-shaped and 

slotted side panel extensions, with upper front and back panels 

that bend together to form handle at top and latch hooks 

that fit into slots for closure. 

At bottom, latch flaps are attached to hull panels 

to fold and interlock. 

Front and back panel size accommodates special 

Graphic45 print panel sizes with contrast .125" offset 
margin accent panels.

Upper panel offset accent shapes also included. 

Add embellishments for a fun gift container or decor accent. 

Measures approx. 8.5" tall x 6.5" wide x 4.5" deep 

when completed and closed. 

The model project is decorated using Graphic 45

October Cut Apart #4501047 card stock print

from the "Time to Flourish Collection".

All of the months in this collection are set up

with the same size panels, so a different tote

could be created using any of the months.

The sample project is embellished using other cut designs:

October Word Art Tracing and Base,

Bow 3D Lattice 2 Layer,

and Web Semi Circle Overlay with Punch Hole.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main hull shape (2)
B Front bottom panel
C Back bottom panel
D & E side bottom panels
F front & back accent panels
G front offset inner accent panel (back not shown)
H upper front and back accent panel (2)
I center handle tab
J side accent panel (2)
K upper side accent panel (2)

Here are the panels that are fussy-cut from
the Graphic 45 print paper:
A October word cut (uses die cut template
to trace, hand cut; offset colored accent;
duplicate shapes stacked and glued together)
B front panel accent with trimmed print panel
(file includes a template shape to assist)
C composed back panel with accent panel underneath
D & E composed side panels on side panel accents

2. Prepare the main hull shapes by bending

back on wall panel and flange perforation lines.

Also fold forward at slot extension and handle

panel perforation lines.

3. Overlap the plain side edge of one hull panel

over the side flange to perforation line of

second hull panel, adjust so that hull panel

lower edges line up, and glue in place.

4. Position the B-E bottom latch panels along

hull unit lower edge EXACTLY as shown,

then attach to the bottoms of corresponding 

front, sides and back panels by overlapping

hull onto flange and gluing in place.

5. Position and attach the accent panels

while the hull section is flat.

(Substitute the Graphic 45 print panels

if you are using those panels as accents.)

6. Form the hull into a tube to align and join
the second side seam.

NOTE: the symmetrical shape of the tote

allows for the box to be flattened to apply

finger pressure all along the edge as shown.

7. To close the bottom latch flaps,
first fold in the FRONT panel . . . 

. . . then fold both side panels inward . . . 

. . . then fold the back tab into position, and push

all panels slightly beyond the horizontal to allow

the tab to slip under the front slot edge.

Then push bottom latch panels back to

perpendicular.

To unlatch tote box bottom, reverse the process

to press inward until Back panel un-slots itself,

and the panels can be unfolded into flat positions,

allowing the box to be flattened for storage, for instance.

8. To close gable top, bend front and back panels

toward center until the handle openings line up,

then push side extension slots over tabs to lock.

9. To prepare the October word cut embellishment,
prepare the shapes:
A traced and fussy-cut October word cut
B contrast offset margin base shape
C duplicate base shapes to thicken the base (5-7)
NOT SHOWN: template shape for word cut tracing

10. Position the template over the October

panel of the Graphic 45 paper, adjust for

centering and even offset "space" margin

all around, then hold in place and trace

 with very fine pencil.

11. Use scissors to carefully hand cut on 

the marked pencil line.

12. Position the word cut shape onto the offset

contrast base shape, center with even offset

margin all around, and glue in place.

13. To prepare build up, position each of

the duplicate shapes into a stack, gluing

each layer, and taking care to align

cut edges of each shape as precisely as possible.

Use a flat weight placed on top of the stack

to press until glue is completely dried.

14. Position the word cut unit on top of the stack

and adjust so edges are all aligned,

then glue in place, and press with weight.

Here is the completed October word cut shape.

Here is the decorated box, front view.

And back view.