An explosion box looks like a small gift box. Lift the lid and the walls fall open, then a second box falls open inside it, then a third. Every panel can hold a photo, a note or a little treat. Channin Pelletier shows the whole build for Scrapbook.com with three layers and three lids, all cut from 12x12 paper with a scoring board and a trimmer.
Once you know the measurements, each layer takes about ten minutes. No die cutting machine needed.
Explosion box measurements
Each layer is a square of paper scored a third of the way in from every side, so the middle panel becomes the floor and the outer panels become the walls. Each lid is a square scored at 1 inch on all four sides.
- Layer one: 12 x 12 inches, score at 4. Lid: 6 1/8 inch square.
- Layer two: 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 inches, score at 3 3/4. Lid: 5 7/8 inch square.
- Layer three: 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches, score at 3 1/2. Lid: 5 5/8 inch square.
The pattern behind the numbers: each lid is 2 1/8 inches bigger than the box panel it covers. That leaves 1/8 inch of wiggle room so the lid slides on without crushing the walls. Use the same rule to make a bigger or smaller box.
Choosing paper
Double-sided patterned paper is the secret. The outside of the box shows one pattern and the inside of every wall shows the other, so the box looks finished from both sides before you add a thing. Pick a medium weight paper or light cardstock, around 65 to 80 lb. Thin paper will not hold the walls up. Very heavy cardstock cracks along the folds. Channin uses one collection for every layer so the colours tie together.
Save the corner squares you cut off. They are the right size to mat photos and sentiments later.
What to put inside
- Square photos of a trip, a wedding, a new baby or grandchildren.
- Short notes on each wall, like a card that keeps going.
- A treat in the centre of the smallest box: wrapped chocolates, a gift card or folded cash.
- Stamped images and sentiments if you are a card maker.
A small square die set is handy here. Because every panel is square, a nesting square die cuts photos and mats that sit centred on each wall.
Gift ideas
An explosion box makes a good birthday card, anniversary gift or Mother's Day surprise. It also suits a family reunion keepsake, like Channin's. A grandchild can help pick the photos and write the notes. Write the name on the outer lid so it looks like a wrapped present on the table.
Troubleshooting
If the walls flop outward, crease every score line harder with a bone folder. If the lid will not fit, the box walls are leaning in. Check that each layer was glued in the centre of the one below. If a lid is loose, your lid square was cut a little big; trim 1/16 inch off and score again.
Want more fun folds? Try a pop up card or a waterfall card. For a lidded box with no glue, see how to fold an origami box. Have more photos than walls? Make a mini scrapbook album.
