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• • • • •
Time
1h00

A box Bursting with memories!
I found this tute on my early days exploring tipnut.com. I used the basic design and added a few things to make it more personal (scrap booking embellishments, small gift). These were used a mother/father/grandparents gift for my wedding. I included embroidered hankies but you can put any light gift in them if you so chose. I got lots of tears and hugs from these, it was waaaaay better than any store bought gift. ***Note*** This is kind of a two part tute as you will construct the box and the lid!

Posted by Sew Lizzy from St Louis, Missouri, United States • Published See Sew Lizzy's 10 projects »
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  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 1
    Step 1

    I started by making templates out of craft paper. For illustrative purpopses the blue is the template and the red is the part you cut out. Measure 3.5 inches from the left corner and mark. Measure the same distance from the right corner and mark. When you cut out the four corners the "plus sign" left will measure 5 inches on each side. (12in-3.5in.-3.5in.= 5 in.)For the next size template measure 3.75 inches and the "plus sign" gets smaller. Repeat by increasing by quarter inch increments as many as you like (I use three sizes and find it's a perfect size).

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 2
    Step 2

    Whew! That's a lot of reading! you have just completed the most labor intensive part of the project; measure, cut, measure, cut! I have lots of plus signs because I made six at a time. Make sure you keep and use the cutout squares for use with this or other projects.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 3
    Step 3

    Next take your trusty T-square/ruler/bok edge and optional bone folder. Line up the plus sign so you can score the paper and make an easy, beautiful fold.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 4
    Step 4

    Once all four sides are scored, fold them up to form a loose box.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 5
    Step 5

    Repeat for each "petal." As you can see from the pic, I rounded the edges off. To get a uniform curve I lined a quarter up (25 cents) so that it touched both edges near the corner and traced then cut off. You can leave this step out but I think it gives a finished look.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 6
    Step 6

    ********Before you add embellishments and photos on; this is the mini tute for the box top. Start by cutting out a piece of craft paper 2 inches longer than the longest "petal", in this case 7 inches.********

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 7
    Step 7

    Take your bone folder again and score the square 1 inch all the way around. When you make your cuts (4 of them) make sure you cut across from each other as pictured (if that makes sense)

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 8
    Step 8

    fold the little wings in and glue to the long piece. While you are adding your embellishments set this aside to dry.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 9
    Step 9

    To decorate the "petals" pick out your photos or pictures and embellishments (gems, gromits etc.) and glue to each "petal." You can decorate the outer-most "petal" but I choose not to (pictured next).

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 10
    Step 10

    To put the "petals" together, start with the smallest plus sign and glue the BACK of the CENTER of the plus sign. Line it up with the next biggest plus sign and and press down to secure. -OR- use a gromit to secure the middle pieces. I did both.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 11
    Step 11

    Almost done! now that you have lovingly decorated your petals glued/gromitted together, add your small gift before your place the lid on and secure it all with ribbon or twine.

  • How to fold a paper explosion box. Surprise! Photo Box - Step 12
    Step 12

    Voila! this pretty box can also be decorated on the outside. It is worth the effort to see the look on the recipients face when they untie the ribbon and take the top off to find a mini scrap book full of happy memories!

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Comments

hannah g.
hannah g. · Horten, Vestfold, NO · 74 projects
aha my best friend will love this Happy thanks so much for sharing
Reply
Goth Kitty
Goth Kitty · Great Yarmouth, England, GB · 19 projects
What an awesome idea for an upcoming anniversary present! Thanks ^_^ *fav*
Reply
Sew Lizzy
Sew Lizzy · St Louis, Missouri, US · 10 projects
i just wanted to say that over 100 people hearted this project and everytime a new someone does it sends a thrill through me. It reminds me of when i gave those gifts out and saw the reactions on the recipients faces', completly priceless. Hope everyone has given as a gift or will give as a gift. They really are special!
Reply
Jillibean :)
Jillibean :) · 2 projects
Aww the box is cute and so awesome I am going to make them for my bffs as christmas preasents!!!
LOVE THEM!!!
Reply
Kimmyduh
Kimmyduh · U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, US · 22 projects
So cute. ^_^
Reply
Carli
Carli · Wales, Wales, GB · 2 projects
Wow, this is an awesome idea.. and yes this tutorial is much easier to understand than others like it.
I'm going to do this with little notes, concert tickets and keepsakes my boyfriend and I have collected together, with some pictures to go with.
Yay for giving me an idea for his birthday! ^_^
Reply
Vicky
Vicky · Colchester, England, GB · 55 projects
That is such a brilliant idea!! Absolutely gorgeous! I bet the box would look pretty covered in some lovely scrapbook paper ^^ And there would be a gap in the middle, you could put something special in it Happy

Much better than a common scrapbook ^^
Reply
Sugarlishes
Sugarlishes · Fort Hood, Texas, US · 136 projects
omgosh this is wicked kewl, i saw the tut on the net somewhere and i kinda got overwhelmed with the instructions, yours is so much better to understand and thanks for the pics! love it love it!
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