Birthday Explosion Box How-To

Hello crafty friends! It’s Rachel Alvarado from RachelAlvaradoDesigns.com, and I have a fun (and fairly simple) birthday explosion box to share with you today! I have step-by-step instructions below to help you figure out how to make the main portion of the box.

I used birthday-themed items here, however, you can use whatever colors and decorations that you like!

 

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Допис, поширений Spellbinders Paper Arts (@teamspellbinders)

Step-by-Step Instructions

To start, I created my largest box first – which would be my outer layer. I trimmed 5 pieces of card stock and then scored a ½” tab on the 4 side pieces as shown above. I used 100lb white card stock for this part so that my box base wouldn’t be too flimsy.

Next, I folded each piece along the score line and trimmed off the corner edges with a pair of scissors.

I used some adhesive to then add these pieces to the base portion of my box. Next, I trimmed some layers of teal-colored card stock to add to the center of my base piece.

Once that centerpiece was attached, I set aside my base piece and worked on the lid of my box (as shown in the right photo above). I trimmed a piece of card stock to 6 1/8” x 6 1/8” and scored my paper 1” from each side.

I then folded along the score lines and cut a 1” strip along every other tab. Once this was complete, I then cut off a corner from each tab so that the lid wouldn’t show any overlapping edges and have a cleaner look.

The photos below show you what the finished lid should look like once you adhere the tabs to the inner sides of the lid. Next, I added some layers (the same size as the ones on the center inside of the box) to the top of the lid.

Next, I used the Stitched Kaleidoscope Strip Etched Dies to cut some decorative layers to place on the outer bottom of the box. I created two finished strips and then cut them both into a total of four 4” pieces.

I used a paper trimmer to cut these strips because they were a bit thick after layering the 3 strips of card stock.

Here’s what your project should look like so far once you add those bottom decorative strips and lid.

I also wanted to add some decorative strips to the lid, so I cut four pieces of solid card stock to 4 1/8” x ½” and then layered each strip with some decorative pieces that I had die-cut using the Winter Borders Etched Dies.

I then attached these strips to the bottom portion of my lid.

Next, I trimmed some more layers of card stock (the sizes are shown above) to place on the inside panels of my box. I attached these pieces together with some double-sided adhesive tape.

Make sure to stamp any sentiments onto these pieces before you attach them to the inside of the box!

Next, I added some birthday embellishments to my panels using the Topsy Turvy Cake Dies, along with the Party Décor, and Slider Bar Accents Etched Dies.

Following that, I added a simple gift card pocket in which to place my gift. I started with a piece of 80lb card stock cut to 3.75” x 3.75”. I scored ½” from both side edges as well as the bottom. Once I folded my score lines, I then trimmed off the corner edges.

I used a scalloped edge die from the Winter Borders Etched Die Set to trim the top of my pocket and then adhered the sides and bottom tabs to my card panel to form my pocket (as shown in the top panel in the picture on the right above).

I then repeated the same process as the first box (with slightly smaller sizes) to create my second box. You can add as many boxes that you can fit, but I wanted to keep my explosion box as simple as possible and only added two.

For my lid, I again followed the same process as the first lid but instead used a 5 3/8” x 5 3/8” piece of card stock.

Next, I trimmed some simple panels to decorate the outside of my second box.

Here’s what the outside of the second box should look like once the panels are attached.

Next, I trimmed the panels for the inside of box #2.

Once again, I stamped any sentiments before I attached the panels to my box. For my balloons, I used the Color Block Balloons Etched Dies.

Once finished, I then used some liquid adhesive to secure the bottom of my second box to the inside center bottom of my first box.

I then created a fun 3D cake for the center of my second box. I trimmed two white strips and two “chocolate” strips from card stock using my paper trimmer.

Make sure to use 80lb card stock or less for this part. If the card stock is too thick, it will be hard to make the “cake” without creasing the paper.

I also die-cut 3 scalloped pieces from white card stock using the Classic Scalloped Circles Small Etched Dies.

I used my scissors to cut a fringe onto each section that I had scored. Once finished, I curved my paper to form a circular shaped and glued the ends together.

I used another one of the dies from the Winter Borders Etched Die Set to form some “icing” to set around my cake. Because I didn’t want my pieces to be dotted, I ended up using the negative pieces for the frosting.

Lastly, I adhered my circular pieces to the scalloped pieces to form my tiered cake. You can add whatever decorations that you want to your cake, or you can just keep it simple.  I ended up adding a few faux sprinkles to the top for some added color and texture (as shown in the photos below).

I love how the cake adds so much dimension and is a perfect focal point for the inside of the explosion box.

Here’s a view of both boxes completely open, and one of what the second box looks like before you open it.

And voila! Here is what your final product should look like! You can add a bow if you like (or whatever box topping you desire) or just leave it plain.

I will be giving this box to my mom for her upcoming birthday. I hope you will try one of your own!  If you create your own, tag me on Instagram (@theunpamperedstamper). I’d love to see what you make!

Rachel

Spellbinders Supplies:

Other Supplies

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.