How To Tuesday - Make an Exploding Scrapbook Box

Two days ago I shared my first first explosion scrapbook box that I made for Mother's Day. What the post doesn't show you is that I went through three totally different measurements and different size boxes until I created the one that worked best for me. Today I'm sharing some step-by-step photos to make the scrapbook box in a non-frustrating way!

Oh! And I also made my first video to show you the box in action...

Supplies to construct the box:

4 pieces 12x12 good quality cardstock (I use DCWV)

Paper trimmer (I use Fiskars rotary trimmer)

Scoring board (I use Martha Stewart's)

Strong tape adhesive (I use Scotch ATG gun)

Glossy Accents or other strong liquid adhesive

step 1. trim your cardstock

Step 1: Trim 3 of the cardstocks that will create your box. Trim one piece at 9"x9", another piece at 8 5/8"x8 5/8", and the last one at 8 1/4"x8 1/4"

step 2 - score the cardstock

Step 2: Score your cardstock on each side so you have a grid of 9 squares
- Score the 9" square piece at 3" on each side
- Score the 8 5/8" square at 2 7/8" on each side
- Score the 8 1/4" square at 2 3/4" on each side

step 3 - cut off all corner squares

Step 3: Cut the corner squares off of each cardstock. Follow the scored lines to cut off the corners. I used my trimmer (very carefully) for this step, but if you're confident in your straight-line-cutting-skills you can use scissors.
Optional step - Next I rounded all of my corners, but that is up to your personal style preference.

step 4 - glue middle squares together to create layers

Step 4: Adhere the center of your box. You will adhere the larger cardstock to the mid-size cardstock. Then adhere the mid-size cardtsock to the smallest cardstock. You only adhere the CENTER square! Make sure your side flaps are not glued together. (I used my ATG gun to adhere these pieces)

step 5 - fold flaps along score lines. Fold all flaps toward center piece

Step 5: Fold each of your flaps at the score lines. Fold them in toward the center piece and crease em up goood

And your main box is finished! Now we'll make the lid...

Lid - cut 5 3/4" square and score along 1 1/4" on each side

Step 1 for lid: Cut your last piece of cardstock to 5 3/4" x 5 3/4".
Step 2 for lid: Score all sides at 1 1/4" and fold inward at score lines.
Step 3 for lid: Cut a slit along one side on each corner (don't cut both slits or you will remove the corner. We still want to keep the corners to glue the lid together).

glue the folded flaps to the inside to create lid

Step 4 for lid: place adhesive to inside corner flaps and adhere to the sides of lid. Just fold it all up and glue the corners til it resembles a lid ;) I use my ATG adhesive and glossy accents to give it extra hold. Using the glue with the tape makes it so I don't have to hold the corners to dry, they'll stay together and dry on their own.

OK! Now the fun part! Decorating your box!

Cut 21 squares of coordinating pattern paper (this makes a mat for each flap) in the following measurements:
9 squares at 2 5/8" x 2 5/8"
8 squares at 2 6/8" x 2 6/8" (otherwise known as 2 3/4")
4 squares at 2 7/8" x 2 7/8"

I used 5 different patterns of paper and alternated the patterns inside the box

For embellishments, I cut out a lot of little banners and sayings from various cardstock stacks. A lot of your paper stacks will have one pattern that is dedicated only to phrases or tags. Use your scissors and cut em all out!

Start embellishing and adding photos. I put together each square (a photo, a banner, and a rhinestone or brad) before it was finally adhered to the flap inside the box.

Happy crafting! If you have further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below and I'll get back to you. To see the original post for more photos, click here

<3 Rachel w k