We’ve got a fun Exploding Box Project by Dawn which makes a trendy hidey hole for those oh so yummy creme eggs!
These are the materials and basic tools that are required to make the exploding box, all available from the shop section.
- Four 12×12 sheets of coloured card, two shades of yellow and blue were used.
- Corner rounder punch.
- A length of yellow satin ribbon.
- Graphics and backing paper taken from the Bunny Angels Designable collection.
- Basic crafting kit, to include, craft knife, scissors, ruler and pencil, bone folding tool embossing tool, a selection of double sided tape, glues and foam pads.
- Cadbury crème egg or similar.
- Optional – Cuttlebug die cutting and embossing system or other die cutting system and a Cuttlebug large embossing folder.
1 – The important part of this project is accurate measuring. To begin take three pieces of the 12×12 card. Cut the first 12×12 piece down to 30x30cm, the second down to 28.5×28.5cm, the third down to 27x27cm.
2 – Taking the largest piece of card make faint pencil marks at 10cm intervals along all edges of the card. Taking a ruler and small tipped embossing tool, score the length of the card, using the pencil marks as a guide. You will end up with a grid of nine equal squares. Carefully cut away the four corner squares. Repeat with the middle sized card making marks at 9.5cm and the smallest piece of card making intervals at 9cm, scoring and cutting as above.
3 – Using the corner rounder punch, punch all the corners of the squares.
4 – Cut 4 lengths of contrasting card 10cm by 5cm. Cut a length of ribbon for each.
5 – Apply double sided tape to the ribbon and attach to the card ensuring the ends of the ribbon are secured around the back of the card.
6 – Glue these strips to the largest piece of card. These will form the outside of the box.
7 – Cut a square 20cm x 20cm, in the final piece of card, make a faint pencil mark 5cm in from each side, join these marks by scoring with your ruler and embossing tool. Take opposite edges and cut into the embossed line, up to the square formed in the middle as shown in the picture, I’ve drawn the embossed lines in pencil to make it easier to see.
8 – Apply a strong glue such as book binding glue or tacky glue to the flaps and fold your box lid together. I’ve used low tack tape to hold the box lid together until the glue dries – paper clips or pegs will also work.
9 – Carefully cut out your chosen graphics using a pair of scissors and craft knife.
10 – Print out the backing paper. Cut out five squares measuring 9cm x 9cm (one will be for the lid). Four squares measuring 8.5cm x 8.5cm and four squares 8cm x 8cm. Using the corner rounder punch round the edges of the squares. An additional option to add a nice touch if you have a Cuttlebug or other system is to emboss the squares with one of the large embossing folders.
11 – Glue the squares onto the card.
12 – Add your graphics with foam pads to add some dimension. I’ve added the graphics to the first and second layers, leaving the third layer with just the backing paper on.
13 – Glue the last square of backing paper to the lid, then stick your final chosen graphic to the lid with foam pads – I’ve used the frame image and layered it on a piece of silver mirror card.
14 – Take the bottom layer of the box and apply double sided tape to the centre box as shown. Stick the second layer on top and apply double sided tape to the centre box, and stick the final layer.
15 – Cut a piece of card 15cm by 5cm, score along the middle, then cut triangles along the bottom half (this doesn’t need to be exact).
16 – Form this into a circle and glue. Use low tack tape to hold together until the glue has dried. Cut out a circle and glue in the bottom of the cup.
17 – Glue the cup into the centre of the box. Add some tissue paper, then place your Cadbury crème egg in the cup – yum yum!
18 – This box is very versatile, once you’ve made one you’ll want to make lots in different designs!
19 – Try adding photos and messages to the flaps and hiding a variety of small gifts in the box – have fun!
©2008 Dawn Corner
