Make My Day Camp: Explosion Box (Part 3.2 - decorating the 3rd and 4th layers)

Monday, May 29, 2023

Explosion Box (Part 3.2 - decorating the 3rd and 4th layers)

Ok, final installment of how to make and decorate an explosion box! Whew, no wonder it took me a year to share this project with you hahha!

In case you missed any of the other posts regarding this gift idea, click below to see it all:

1. making the base and lid

2. how to make the layers

3. decorating first 2 layers

*3rd layer - belly bands around multiple photos and notes

2 squares have an accordion piece of cardstock with photos front and back. To make it - I cut a piece of cardstock 12" long and folded into 3 inch sections creating a pleated or accordion shape. Attach one square to the layer piece, fold back and forth on itself. Glue a strip of cardstock into a circle to slide over the accordion paper and hold in place. See pics:

The other 2 squares have one photo and then I stacked a couple different notes and cards on top of each other and held in place with belly bands (the cardstock circles).

*4th and final layer - 4 of my favorite pictures with money behind each one.

This layer is the easiest, I didn't get too detailed after all the other stuff going on in the other layers! Glue photos to cardstock, glue only the sides to the layer creating an opening behind the cardstock to slide in some moolah. I wrapped bills in decorative paper and attached to cardstock rectangles with a decorative paper clip.

*To finish - I went thru and added little gems and glittery paper shapes here and there, and added a cute note to the top center square. Glue all the layers together using just the center squares of each layer. I also made a tiny graduation cap to sit in the center square, it isn't attached to anything just sitting in the bottom of the box holding a little ring.

Click here to see how to make the mini graduation hat

I glued glitter letters and silk flowers to the lid and then tied a big ribbon around the whole thing so it wouldn't accidentally 'explode' open before I gave it to her!