Design Team: Jennifer McCrae Week 11 Term 2

Baby Love

You are all in for a treat! Jennifer is known for her fanous exploding boxes, and today, she will be sharing her how -to with you! And the best part? This project was inspired by a special little someone! Read on...

For My Brother and his son Jackson...

"You're Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me)"

6lbs and 9oz. lookin' up at me

Like I have all the answers

I hope I have the ones you need

I've never really done this, now I know what scared is

Sometimes I'll protect you from everything that's wrong

Other times I'll let you just find out on your own

But that's when you'll be growin',

And the whole time I'll be knowin

[CHORUS:]

You're gonna fly with every dream you chase

You're gonna cry, but know that that's okay

Sometimes life's not fair, but if you hang in there

You're gonna see that sometimes bad is good

We just have to believe things work out like they should

Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me

You're gonna be

I'm afraid you'll have to suffer through

some of my mistakes

Lord knows I'll be trying OH to give you what it takes

What it takes to know the difference

Between getting by and livin'

‘Cause anything worth doing is worth doing all the way

Just know you'll have to live with all

the choices that you make

So make sure you're always givin' way

more than you're takin'

[REPEAT CHORUS]

Someone's everything

You're gonna see

Just what you are to me

You're gonna fly with every dream you chase

We just have to believe things work out like they should

Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me

You're gonna be

Always loved by me

-Reba McIntire

Jackson was a long time coming...but he’s so worth the wait!

 

This is one of my infamous exploding boxes...  The only reason I say it’s infamous is because this box is my #1 requested item.  Its also how I earned my eCraft - so to say that these boxes are special to me, is an understatement.

Yes, I’m sure you seen these types before...but I doubt you’ve seen anything like some of mine (I’ll add pictures of other ones at a later date).  Each one is unique and caters specifically to the recipient...

Since each one is so different, I’m going to give you ‘basic’ supplies you’ll need.

eCraft

eCraftshop Pro

good quality cardstock - My ‘go-to’ paper of choice is eCraft Diecutable Card Stock.

Coordinating pattern paper

Shrink n’ Bake paper - the stuff is awesome for creating little goodies that really POP!

Foam squares

Scotch ATG

Score Board

Scor-tape

The rest depends on you and where this box takes you...  One thing that I did find that was a total lightbulb moment - printing phrases on vellum.  Why I hadn’t thought about doing this before is beyond me!  lol  But you can bet that I won’t be handing over anymore money for the store bought ones...no more hunting for ones that have just the right quote or one with the print in the direction or size that I need it.  Oh the freedom!  :)

The sign, the baby, the feet and the rattle are all made with Bake n Shrink - I told you that stuff was cool!!!

 

Exploding Box Card

Three or four 12”x12” sheets of cardstock (1 for each layer in the box).

Extra cardstock or decorative papers to decorate the tabs.

Embellishments, quotes, stickers and other decorative items for the sides of the box and inner tabs.

Outer Box:

Using your score board, put one 12”x12” piece of cardstock in place, score at 4” and at 8”, turn the sheet and repeat. Cut out the corners.  Round the corners, unless you prefer them straight.

Middle Box:

Take another piece of cardstock and trim it down to a 10”x10” square.  Using the score board, score the sheet at 3 5/8 and at 6 3/8.  Turn the sheet and repeat.  Cut out the corners.

 

Inner Box:

Take another piece of cardstock and trim it down to 7 1/2”x7 1/2”.  Using the score board, score the paper at 2 7/8 and at 4 5/8, turn and repeat.  Cut out the corners.

 

Fold all score lines, completely...this will help the box to lay nicely when the lid is removed.

 

The Lid:

Take another piece of cardstock and trim it down to 6”x6”.  Depending on how snug you want your lid; use your score board and score the sheet at 1”; turn the sheet and repeat until you have a score line on all 4 sides.  Cut the top 2 and bottom 2 score lines ONLY, do not remove the corners.  Fold along the score lines and glue the corner tabs to complete the lid.

 

Assembling the Box:

Be sure to decorate the pieces first before assembling the box, its much easier that way.  Don’t forget to decorate the lid as well...  To assemble the box, turn each inner box 45o and glue it to the layer below it (I used double sided tape).

To make a Bow:

 

Take a piece of 12”x6” decorative paper, cut 8 - 1”x6” strips of paper, turn the sheet and cut 1 - 1”x4” strip of paper.  Turn the sheet once more and cut 4 - 1”x5” strips of paper.  Take the shortest strip and glue it into a circle.  Take the remaining 12 strips of paper, turn them and glue then ends.  Hole punch the ends of each turned piece and 1 side of the circle.  Use a long brad to assemble the bow, starting with the loop, the 4 smaller ‘petals’ and then the 8 larger petals.

 

*I punched a hole in the center of the lid and used the brad to attach the bow, then gluing a square of decorative paper to cover the brad.

And POOF, you have just made an exploding gift-box card! 

Please note - these are my instructions that I created, please do not post them or share them or claim them as your own.  Life is sweeter when we all play nice in the sandbox.

-Jennifer


WOW!! this project is amazing! Jenn is on a roll with baby projects! and how can she not?! Her nephew is an inspiration!!!

See more of Jenn's creations on her personal blog:

http://www.firestormdesigns.com/

Like Jenn's project? Leave her a comment!!!