Explosion Boxes: A Life As Lou Online Class
The explosion box is actually quite simple to create, although a bit time consuming.
Begin by choosing 4 double sided cardstock weight papers.
The first paper (the one that will be the outside of the box, and the base layer of the photos) should be 12 inches by 12 inches. You will need to score the paper 4 inches in from all 4 sides, and cut out the corners (4x4 squares).
The next paper trim to 11x11, and score the sides at 3 3/4 inches. Cut out the corners.
The third paper needs to be trimmed to 10x10. You should score the paper at 3 1/2 inches on each side, and remove the corners.
This will leave you with 3 perfectly layered pieces for your box.
These layers can be embellished and decorated in many ways. I like to use simple decorations like photo mats and side bars because the spaces can only hold small photos and too much embellishment can be a distraction. With this kit, I used some of the flower die cuts as frames for photos. I also really liked how the flower accents looked with the ribbons. I used the add on stamp and cut out the information spaces, matted them individually, and used them as simple accents. Decorate both side of papers 2 and 3, and only inside of paper 1. I used brown ink on the edges of each paper to create contrast and texture.
When you have them all decorated, adhere the centers.
You can view all of the sides, simply by flipping the pages.
To create the lid you will need to trim your paper to 8x8 inches. Score the edges at 1 and 7/8 inch. This time, only cut one side of the square on the edge. Glue the flap you have created to the inside of the lid. Flip it over, and embellish at will. I used the Dutch Girl die cuts, American Crafts photo corners and Lily Cricket ribbons to decorate my lid.
Your lid should fit on your box bottom perfectly and give an exploding effect when removed.
To create this exact explosion box, you can purchase the March Home Scrap Club Kit here for $28. It’s a fully loaded kit with tons of great goodies.
Hope this class was helpful and that you have lots of scrappy fun making these great boxes for you and your loved ones!
Thanks. LC
Comment by Linda — March 6, 2007 @ 11:08 pm
Thanks for posting this easy-to-follow tutorial. Love the papers. Wish I could buy the kit but I am on a “purchasing diet”.
Comment by Paula — March 7, 2007 @ 5:06 am
This is awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to post these easy to follow directions. I’m going to be making this soon.
Comment by Theresa — March 7, 2007 @ 6:04 am
Great tutorial! I can’t wait to try it!
Comment by Nicky H — March 7, 2007 @ 9:02 am
I am totally going to get one! Thanks for the easy-to-follow instructions. Are the ribbons and everything included?
Comment by Jennifer — March 7, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Thank you so much for posting this! I love your boxes so much and have been wanting to make one myself:)
Comment by Rachel — March 7, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Thank you!!!! I have wanted to know how to make these since the last time you posted one.
Comment by msdramateacherlady — March 7, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Thanks so much for sharing these directions- I love it!
melissa
Comment by Melissa — March 7, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Thanks so much for sharing these directions- I love it!
melissa
Comment by Melissa — March 7, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Two thumbs up for those incredible step by step photos!!
Comment by Daphne — March 7, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Thank you so much for the tutorial! Maybe I could try this with my older children–they would love it, too! I also wondered how to do this since I first saw your explosion boxes. They are beautiful!
Comment by Mom2Six — March 8, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
This is soooo awesome. It makes me want one.
Comment by Soli — March 8, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Thank you so much for posting this! I will be making one (or more!) of these for Father’s Day this year.
Comment by Azul — March 12, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
Great tutorial, thank you for posting!
Comment by Angie from ScrapScene — March 14, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Yet again!!
I love this!
BTW - Are you and the kitty keepers? UPdate?
Comment by tj — March 14, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
These are so awesome. Where do you find the lids to use for making the tops?
Comment by Stacey Young — March 18, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
love your blog! great tutorials!!!
I found you via your scrappy site - awesome!!
Comment by AnneMarieZ — March 20, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
Thanks heaps for this tute! Would you believe ppl are charging about $5 for this exact same tutorial on Ebay?! Much love from Australia…Cheers!
Comment by Maria =o) — April 11, 2007 @ 3:03 am
THANKS LOVE YOUR DESIGN.
EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
Comment by ANITA — April 16, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Luurrvvvee this Box ! Luurrvvee your Blog.. You are so inspirational..
Comment by Leica :0) — May 9, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
Found It! I know that I can not make anything as lovely as yours, but the ladies at my assisted living will be impressed.
Comment by Janet Lloyd — May 25, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
I think your work is incredibly fantastic! I stumbled upon your blog through Papercrafts Mag. I made one of these boxes about a year ago and gave it away as a gift. I have since forgotten how the heck I made it. I recently have been itching to make more. I haven’t decided to make them teacher gifts, I have 5 children in school, or as gifts for my sisters, which I have 6. Thanks for posting this and once again I think your work is simply beautiful. Oh, by the way, would you also happen to know how to make the shaker boxes? I would greatly appreciate any help! Thank you!!!!
Comment by Christine Schmidt — September 15, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
Thanks so much for posting this!! Your instructions were so easy to follow and my box turned out gorgeous!! Love your blog, keep up the good work and thanks for your generosity.
Comment by Karen Dufresne — October 9, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Thanks soooooo much for your easy to follow instructions! I made one with great ease….now I am obsessed with them, but that is my scrappy life! Take care, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Lauri
Comment by Lauri — November 22, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Thanks for the instructions. I’m going to give this a go today!
Comment by krissy — December 8, 2007 @ 11:42 am
I love this, can you e-mail me the actual pattern. Thank you in advance.
Comment by marlelna — December 19, 2007 @ 12:13 am
Thanks, so much for the instructions. What a beautiful project. Happy new year….
Comment by Marni — January 6, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
Thanks so much! This is perfect. I can’t wait to get home from work and make this!
Comment by Jackie — January 8, 2008 @ 7:29 am
Thanks your tutorials are so easy to follow.
Comment by SewDelish — February 6, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
could I please get an instruction sheet on the explosion box? It is beautiful.
Comment by Jeri — February 20, 2008 @ 6:22 am
Thank you soooooooooo much for the easy to follow directions, the box came out so beautiful and i know my mom will love it for mothers day! keep the great instructions coming.:)
Comment by Michele Harford — May 9, 2008 @ 8:56 am
This is the best, and prettiest demo I have been able to find.Youshould offerthis exact thing in a kit!
Comment by Amy Goekler — June 1, 2008 @ 7:43 am
Awesome, Leah. I wish I’d read this before I made my box for the Nook week 2 challenge! I guess you learn by doing, though, right?
Comment by Becky Williams — June 17, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Im only 13 and im so excited that i have directions on how to make an “Explosion Box”!!! I can’t wait to make colorful ones for my friends… AND ME!!!!
Comment by Jessica — July 10, 2008 @ 6:07 am