My First Explosion Box

I am SO excited to share this special Valentine's Day project with you! This weekend, I was searching the web for new and exciting project ideas and came across a craft that immediately caught my attention. It's called an explosion box. Think pretty gift box meets awesome scrapbook or photo album and you have the idea. There are a good number of tutorials out there on how to create these adorable boxes, so I looked at a bunch and took the components I liked most to create mine. I added a bunch of pockets that I slipped little gift tags in to make it an extra special Valentine's gift.

I am VERY happy with the result, but the process was a little painful. The biggest problem I had was making the top of the box. The instructions I used said to cut the top at 8 X 8 and I thought I did that, but I actually cut it at 9X9 because I am still getting used to my paper cutter. Then, I redid it at 8X8 and the top was too small. Finally, just like Goldie Locks...3rd time was a charm...I split the difference and cut the third top at 8.5 X 8.5 and that finally did the trick!

I am not sure if you can see in the picture, but I also used my BRAND NEW CUTTLEBUG to emboss flowers on the top layer and to line the pockets on the middle layer!

It is very hard to "get" what an explosion box really is without seeing it in action, so I am adding my very first video here to show you! Explosion Box Demonstration

Recipe

Box

Bottom layer (outside of box) - 12" x 12"  - Score 4" in from all sides

Middle layer - 11" x 11"  - Score 3 3/4" in from all sides              

Top layer - 10" x 10" - Score 3 1/2" in from all sides

Cut out the corners from all three sheets so they look like this:

Lid:

Use a piece of cardstock cut to 8.5" X 8.5 "  Score 2" in from each side. Then, score the four corners on a diagonal as well. Fold each corner in and glue it to the side to create the lid. Use paper clips to keep the lid together while the glue dries. I didn't have any paperclips, so I used my daughter's hair clippies! Here is a pic of the first lid I made while it was drying (I did NOT end up using this one):

Final Lid

Embellishments:

I added fun details to the four side panels on all three layers. 

I created triangular pockets for tags using another technique I will feature in another blog post

 On the bottom layer, I used a pretty light pink ribbon with hot pink stitching

I added a beautiful flower from the Cricut Pagoda cartridge (Flower8 p. 57) on the top - I used dimensionals for a more 3D effect

I finished the top flower with Stickles in the middle for a Glitter Panda sparkle

Middle Archway Structure

I used the archway design from The Disney Princess cartridge to create the arch

Then, I flipped it and added a square in between the two and welded them together with the Gypsy

Once it was cut out, I folded up the two sides and that made the archway stand up!

I added the pagoda flowers using dimensionals and Recollections Brads for the middle

I am entering this project into the following challenges:
The Cuttlebug Spot - Box It Challenge
Paper Crafting Journey - Challenge #1 - Floral  
Bitten by the Bug 2 - Bloom Dimensional Flower  - Cricut Pagoda cartridge Flower8 p.57
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

Link Parties
Jaihart - Sundays are Lovely #5