While there are lots of tutorials around dealing with Explosion Boxes, I particularly like mine because there’s a lid for each interior box. Use the lid for decorations and to "introduce" the pictures that appear in each leave.
Here is the finished Explosion Box I made for our grandson, Quintin, when we visited the Portland (Oregon) Zoo in 2007. I used a 2007 Simply Scrappin’ Kit from Stampin’ Up! to make this box. It had everything I needed except the photos!
This is the outside of the entire Explosion Box.
Here is the box fully opened showing several of the layers and an interior lid.
And, finally, here is a picture of all the lids.
Now the tutorial!
Supplies: 2 each of 4 coordinating colors, 12” x 12” card stock. If patterned, good quality double sided card stock will work. OR 1 sheet 12” x 12” and 1 sheet 8-1/2” x 11” matching card stock in each of 4 coordinating colors/patterns. Glue, embellishments, coordinating background papers, photos.
A Simply Scrappin’ Kit from Stampin’ Up works perfectly with these instructions!
Directions: Cut all pieces according to the cutting and folding template.
Box: Fold on all fold lines; then cut away sections shown in black.
Lid: Fold on main center fold lines. Cut on heavy black lines. Then fold on red dotted lines. Cut away sections shown in black. Fold to construct the sides of the lid, catching the gray colored tab inside the fold of the section immediately to the right (looking down at the outside top of the lid). Apply glue/mono tape to inside of folded section. Press firmly all around lip of lid.
Finishing: If you wish, use a corner punch to shape the corners of each box section. Embellish/journal/paste photos on inside and outside sections of each box EXCEPT the center sections. Glue/tape the boxes together at the center section as follows: Color 2 glue to inside of Color 1; Color 3 glue to inside of Color 2; Color 4 glue to inside of Color 3. At this point, you may embellish, etc., the center section of Color 4. You may embellish the lids, but do not make the embellishment on the lids of Colors 2, 3, and 4 very thick or the lids will not nest properly.
Cropping and Attaching Photos.
The photos for the various layers will be different sizes. For the box sides that are covered by a lid, you may wish to crop the photos shorter so that the lid does not cover them.
Outside Layer (Layer 1; Color 1) Photo sizes for box side and inside lid: 3.75”
OR
3.75” background paper and 3.5” photo
First Inside Layer (Color 2) Photo sizes for box side and inside lid: 3-5/8”
OR
3-5/8” background paper and 3.3/8” photo.
Second Inside Layer (Color 3) Photo sizes for box side and inside lid: 3-3/8”
OR
3-3/8” background paper and 3-1/8” photo
Last Inside Layer (Color 4) Photo sizes for box side and inside lid: 3-1/8”
OR
3-1/8” background paper and 2-7/8” photo