Explosion Box Tutorial (w/ Template)

Well Christmas is sneaking up on us sooner or later, so I have decided to get started with my Christmas projects for this year.

This weeks project features an "Explosion Box". 
This easy to make project is perfect as a special card for nearly any occasion (Birthday, Christmas, Thank you...).

I love to include LED tea-lights for the special "wow" effect. These tea-lights burn usually up to 120 hours, so I make sure that I start the light just before I give the box away, to ensure that the light is still on, when the box gets opened.

Material:

- cardstock 
- patterned paper
- tape runner
- glue dots
- embellishments 
- LED tea-light (optional)

Template:

Instructions:

Step 1:
Draw the box and the lid according to the template on card stock  Cut out both pieces and score the lines marked in green on the template.

Step 2:
Add a glue dot or any other kind of strong adhesive on the marked latches of the box template. Then fold the sides to form the lid.

In the image I have marked the area for the glue with a cross "X".

That's how the finished lid should look like.

Step 3:
Use decorative paper or plain card stock and cut out 5 squares, slightly smaller than the panels of the boxes. I chose 2.5" X 2.5" for my squares and I also added decorative corners.

Then use the adhesive and add one of the squares to each of the boxes inside panels.

This step will give your box more stability.

Step 4: 
Decorate the panels (inside and outside), the tea-light (if applicable) and the center of the box as you like.

I used poinsettia die cuts, which I layers to create a 3D effect.

For the tea-light I used the same die cut pieces, I just cut the pedals apart and glued the around the light center.

I glued the green leave to the center of the box, which will be the base for my tea-light.

I added one layered poinsettia flower to each of the outside walls of the box and the lid. Afterwards I added 1 yellow rhinestone to the center of each flower.

And that's my finished box:

And here are a few more explosion boxes I made:

Winter Wonderland Explosion Box:

The box of in the center of the Explosion Box has a LED tea-light inside. That's how the box looks in the dark, with the tea-light turned on.

 Birthday Explosion Box:

Card Of The Week - Center Step Card

This weeks card of the week features a "Thank You" card I made last week.

The design is called a "Center Step Card". It's actually quite simple. I made a little template, which shows you where you have to fold and cut the paper. 

If you have a Silhoutte machine, it's even easier to make this card, since they have cutting file for this card, which means that no cutting and scoring is necessary from your side. 
The "Thank You" phrase is also a Silhoutte cutting file, which makes this card a project you can create in no time.

The image of my card is a stamp from "Lily Of The Valley" (http://www.liliofthevalley.co.uk).
I just adore their stamps! 

Enjoy!

Tea-light Card - Tutorial

This weeks card of the week features one of my favorite card designs. 
I usually put 4 scented candles in the gift compartment of the card, but it's also a great place for candies, hot chocolate mixes and any other kind of small gifts.

Enjoy!

---------------------------------------------

Tutorial:

Template 1 (box and bookmark holder). The green lines need to be scored.

 Template 2: (deco element) You can use any kind of solid or patterned paper.

Template 3: (bookmark) Use any kind of card stock for this

Step 1:

Cut out "Template 1" and score along the green lines.

Step 2:

Cut out "Template 2"

Step 3:

Flip "Template 1" around and use adhesive to attach "Template 2" to it.

After that step your card should look like this:

Step 4:

Flip your card around again and add adhesive (I used a tape runner for the straight lines and glue dots for the corner) to the latches (hatched with white lines in my images), the back side of the very left lid and to the areas marked with white crosses.

Step 5:

Fold over the right side of the card.

Step 6:

Fold the left side of the card over and attache the very left lid (the one with the glue on the back side) to the base of the card so that a "tunnel"appears.

Step 7: 

Close lid on bottom of the "tunnel".

Step 8:

Fill "box" (I used 2 tea-lights with pumpkin scent and some candy corn, which I put in a plastic bag).

Step 9:

Cut out "Template 3" and cut a small opening on top of the book mark. This slit should be big enough, so that you can pull through a ribbon later on.

Step 10:

Decorate the bookmark.

Step 11:

Slide bookmark into compartment.

Step 12:

Decorate the card.

Paper Bag Mini Album/ Card

I was asked today if you could join my paper-bag mini album class, even if you don't like to scrapbook.

Of course you can!

Here are some pictures of the mini album/ card I made for Christmas. Instead of sending Christmas cards, I sometimes send out mini albums containing some of my favorites cookie recipes.

Front page: There is an opening in the side of the first page, which holds a tag, on which you can write your message.

Front page close up:

 Page 1:

Page 2:

Page 1+2:

Card Of The Week

Altered Binder Clips

Today I want to show you some name tags holders, which I made for one of my workshops. 

I used for the base large binder clips (you can get them from Walmart, Staples or sometimes even the Dollar Store)and it literally took my just a few minutes to make a dozen name tag holders.

Here is what you need:

- large binder clips (color does not matter, since you will cover most of the clip with paper)

  * you also can use smaller binder clips, I just had the large ones handy

- decorative paper or solid paper (it's totally up to you)

- Glue Dots lines

- precision point adhesive 

- misc. embellishments (ribbons, adhesive rhinestones, die cuts...)

Instructions:

- Cut a 8.5cm X 5cm piece of paper (if you use smaller binder clips, you need to adjust the size of the paper accordingly)

- Use the glue lines and glue them to each side of the paper and add 2 extra lines to the middle of the paper.

- Glue the paper to the base of the binder clip. 

- Now you can decorate the clip with anything you want. I like to cut a few pieces of ribbon and knot them to both sides of the metal hook. For my name tag holders I used flower die cuts, which I decorated with adhesive rhine stones.

And that's it!

These are really easy to make and what I love especially is, that you can use them for many occasions:

- Place card holder (weddings, baby showers)

- Recipe holder

- Photo holder (for your desk for example)

- Gift card holder

- Dinner table place card holder (Christmas, Thanksgiving)

- Party favors

- Stocking stuffers

- Thank you note 

Enjoy!

Card Of The Week (Sweatshirt w/ Zipper)

It's time for this weeks card of the week.

This is currently my ultimate favorite card design. You can completely change the look, but simply using patterned paper.

I bought this stamp from "Too Much Fun Rubber-stamps"at a craft fair a few weeks ago. They also have an online store, which you can find here:

http://shopping.toomuchfunrubberstamps.com

I absolutely love the surprise effect with the integrated zipper. Of course you also could make the card without the zipper, but I personally prefer it with the zipper since it's so unique.


Front Of Card With Closed Zipper:

Front Of Card With Open Zipper:

Card Inside: