Hello Everyone!!
Welcome to another Tek Tuesday at TCC!!
I've ALWAYS wanted to make one of these Photo / Inspiration Boxes but was always too chicken to try it!! Or maybe too lazy to figure it out? Maybe a combo of both? =) In any case I have overcome my fear and have done one to show you!!!
There are quite a bit of steps but it is SO SUPER easy!! And it would make an AMAZINGLY meaningful gift to someone.
Ok here we go!!!
Materials Needed:
- images from the STORE!!!
- 4 sheets of solid 12"x12" cardstock (one for the lid and 3 for the box which encompasses all panels)
- as many coordinating designer papers that you'd like to use
- coordinating embellishments and ribbon and/or photos
- bone folder
- paper trimmer
- adhesive
- trimmer with scoring blade or a scoring matte
Box and Interior of Photo / Inspiration Explosion Box
Cardstock Sheet 1 (L1)- 12"x12" - this will be the outside of your box as well as your first layer - score 4" on each side and trim out the 4 corner panels
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaI0RkrEOrpbPlCQOnIcAvP1PWF_Ln2xqvrdo8yCJ6cixJ9CL-AlHQTgYU_nlYOIhrfQenWiINeZmpEI-BUfRJsQ0zDoxvMjqpFmAb1aSVqL_76dyVTTXNCwUeVxV_jaNJZpK1-C4mYaI/s280/blog_4.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbmiaSibt9wIlaZ0ViPC-tePdCkRt0oWP2sXVAqiEdElmHg7IglbcC4DD4_NZ7__j5ODIQ-dANyCY5AxC6Qs4WbeZ54_cirOUOtCB-mJ_c1QcLzWytUmMgS1zzC7PCHwVSHGyA-RVbXkg/s280/blog_11.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAotj5Bs7qB083xf1pIaRz6mmCujd2VmqAsnWnoxG64ae0MQ0_MDEig8dYY8DY6eGlRWNDJq6NQH1BvOmw_rmVy83xGfLkRtQm0o6vMA1Opr0rVint909ePKWkNNxoNN8UTF9i0hnZXl4/s280/blog_22.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5bni38tjip0c5oEbxcWBnaTskeOTszANP4nHg9OnRXDMoAXP-XNMe18wWf2IdXde1eezkLjfi7YvnwmCzrrKGdCGL9ymPtiqwJvMGJB09MAqs5_nz4_oPojXGvGnvSaZ8-APRA-hAkUy/s280/blog_24.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdR9rIT2j46ruEh379d8pYlmopwIzdmavbe3GwfpQljxCTcazmi1p4ABjcqBjMOhQipvHMQoX_hv-6I8gBdSPCNm0GcjFYFu9nx1rT18ruZw9LaqCxCUNSrNuMsTmNY-LK3h9fzQZy_2L/s280/blog_21.jpg)
I chose to decorate my panels first before adhering them together in the center.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZawLhKlRA9wWblGPOn0Nab-JB75r7z-29Nfe5LOEOzPUnGUmoA9LgfJtcBp6DzBoU31YB2irTNMnGrHUjZ7EMRzGnvc7lUN1NkE9cZfhiOu3gUnOjI66Vf9o9Rm8q_aodIrU3ubRkJQrc/s280/blog_26.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK-A2qy-8Ndk4dqkPo0h6KVxUB5llfFO-CEWLvq3sWRbW4CTSSJfvtATu6HvYH9epBKBdu1LD7geY-_qKZ8DGe-5QXdF_DXT8bWKhtZoqzqR2uUh-hV-uhrFsJvT5piQJPk9e2Qdu5gge/s280/blog_25.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsYDWwdLUxxFUkh6kA5OTL3Q_slbmGKORxtFz8oo9-InbnOde9jtCJCoWFq210pgnu2WVTtRvRv8D_v6zaC3FBnrXP7ADOfM3_ml6PArllpAKrY6rSB3_XjVASoLnO4bKpZBA_ztmOKa5/s280/blog_27.jpg)
I also chose to decorate both sides of each panel. That way you have twice the surface area to play with and have fun!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvu4hn4bLPeJZhRuD-0YEpJE3m6SUVWI2kTo_WkiXBsGmvMo8wuDPTtJs5i78YdEtx_S2AEgMssZrB-ltZQxhsco_bP64Yf-mx3HOE3ZhQvEM0vygVdNiFpbZ10CUR4Vd9rw8Ll62JgdF/s280/blog_35.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4CS0Ll1ntqErDPHq0jUB3m-JdQtZs3CDmDs-eol4vPBV-dxkVgDJaMBAIhtqwCztgl2WrJB5BrBOgWwTLc_CAmLxOxedsRjiBeS9Hpfnygb2K-NE22aDJeLu_sKgGsMuijIpJfH71GC1/s280/blog_34.jpg)
L1 - Panels all measure at 4". Depending on how you want to decorate the interior, you could start by going down incrementally by 1/4 " or more depending on the look you want. The same goes for all layers.
L2 - Panels all measure at 3 1/2" x 4".
L3 - Panels all measure at 3" x 4".
Once all panels have been decorated you will now start with L3. Put a strong adhesive on the bottom of the center panel, I used "red liner" tape and press it firmly into the center of L2. Repeat this process when putting L2 and L1 together.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF9y9oLItXi3S34JnmulhAGPTYbZuWhFe9zxlZtH7Kr4RvXAqiYwXACx2eURjZM-1lpimXDqyYnPCtFLyZfdVzDLOdM-js6Iq4oBua1hCrKItc14MCzlEoDxfMJUdfusfn6-OLpEWHLuu/s280/blog_28.jpg)
Top of Photo Inspiration / Explosion Box
You should have one last piece of solid 12x12 cardstock left.
I've chosen to "alter" an elastic headband (I buy them in packages of 6 at CVS) and wear them when I run) to use as a mechanism to secure the box a little more when people pick it up to look at it. This isn't at all necessary because the top holds it all together nicely but the band gives it a bit more sturdiness if you think it's going to be handled a lot.
I took the band and slipped it around the exterior of the box. I pinched the extra fabric in my fingers not that it was so tight that it now bent the paper but just snug enough to hold it. I put a stick pin into the fabric and slid it off the box. I ran the section that I had pinned through my sewing machine and then snipped off the excess. Where the seam showed I added this cutie little button detail with my hot glue gun.
I chose to use CUTIE PATOOTIE Blossom to decorate the lid!! I fell in love with her the minute I laid eyes on her!!! I colored her with a combination of my Copics and colored pencil. I added a cute rhinestone detail to her adorable dress and totally glittered up her hair!! I'd totally wear my hair that way AND that color!! So stinkin' cute!!![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNj2i9GdLrsxQYotVBcttTqElb2WRRXvcHWVUYjmWAC9mg7QNSbxO7c-1XbFgehKU0YaVmvgNpFUlEOfKsxhUGUAj3hEW-kmiRqMEBSdKPZ2QZ-MvlUDQrpNmNJO3Yrx0Bd6upVFOByhyphenhyphen/s280/blog_30.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIbCRapdsxHk7IYwuF0ONuhDNEmfrlLRTvtYKd_SWxYaiirfoWZVY_jz6r_HgxrTTt3UU_90Vit9zMP1I9qWAnuDKciv2GoxSfX30u7ki6HIeaXcMjPuq7J9KZbzAv-MYvvTiK5SSBZJd/s280/blog_32.jpg)
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial!! If you have ANY questions don't hesitate to leave them in the comment section and I'll check back to answer them!!
XOXO-
**I had to research how to do this before writing/photographing this tutorial. I found my information HERE. I used this tutorial to come up with my own interpretation and explaination but I used her measurements. I just wanted to give credit where credit was due! =)
- Trim this down to 6 1/8" x 6 1/8"
- Score 1" on each side
- Trim off triangle on corners where score lines meet
- Fold lid on score lines
- "Pinch" the corners inward
- Using adhesive adhere the corners together. Hold overnight with binder or bulldog clips.
- Decorate top and sides of lid
I've chosen to "alter" an elastic headband (I buy them in packages of 6 at CVS) and wear them when I run) to use as a mechanism to secure the box a little more when people pick it up to look at it. This isn't at all necessary because the top holds it all together nicely but the band gives it a bit more sturdiness if you think it's going to be handled a lot.
I took the band and slipped it around the exterior of the box. I pinched the extra fabric in my fingers not that it was so tight that it now bent the paper but just snug enough to hold it. I put a stick pin into the fabric and slid it off the box. I ran the section that I had pinned through my sewing machine and then snipped off the excess. Where the seam showed I added this cutie little button detail with my hot glue gun.
I chose to use CUTIE PATOOTIE Blossom to decorate the lid!! I fell in love with her the minute I laid eyes on her!!! I colored her with a combination of my Copics and colored pencil. I added a cute rhinestone detail to her adorable dress and totally glittered up her hair!! I'd totally wear my hair that way AND that color!! So stinkin' cute!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNj2i9GdLrsxQYotVBcttTqElb2WRRXvcHWVUYjmWAC9mg7QNSbxO7c-1XbFgehKU0YaVmvgNpFUlEOfKsxhUGUAj3hEW-kmiRqMEBSdKPZ2QZ-MvlUDQrpNmNJO3Yrx0Bd6upVFOByhyphenhyphen/s280/blog_30.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy1WJYrauE-aoDDGn-q0vk3yi096Fub33S8RjWDfCt6Ves4kzskky4-iXPDxQ9-Yy-Io8DUSRD5_z263EEkeQ_lKsK3Lvn_Vo_d1b9flHcuFnb2sUyAmH_fu1ouNt2Y6nMlaQVwbR-RsC/s280/blog_29.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIbCRapdsxHk7IYwuF0ONuhDNEmfrlLRTvtYKd_SWxYaiirfoWZVY_jz6r_HgxrTTt3UU_90Vit9zMP1I9qWAnuDKciv2GoxSfX30u7ki6HIeaXcMjPuq7J9KZbzAv-MYvvTiK5SSBZJd/s280/blog_32.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Tp4QMsG6Z8jh2qz-hLs5c1GFEjjUVID9hlDR1Akf_0yLbXDPJVY8_i06mM0cuhwk86kVxHJbipjmQrdYXgQ0TI9bL6n8QxsOUDL_5h7GSxPE1__qg8_xkjVh08f8jPUjJS3nfN-h1asc/s280/blog_33.jpg)
XOXO-
![](http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/292/4F3730D126A3A233862FC9340CE1CFD8.png)
**I had to research how to do this before writing/photographing this tutorial. I found my information HERE. I used this tutorial to come up with my own interpretation and explaination but I used her measurements. I just wanted to give credit where credit was due! =)
P.S. Don't forget to play along with our Feature Friday Challenge #3, you only have until Thursday night at 10pm EST to get in on the action!!! This week is a colour challenge... maybe you could use the tut to make the box and incorporate the colours and voila!!! Anyone who does will receive a free image of their choice just because :) Happy crafting! Kendra
This is very cool! Maybe when I get a chance to breathe I can try one!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous Meredith!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Rachel
Wow Meredith! Your project turned out great :) I've been wanting to do up one of these beauties for the grandparents too, but I think I suffer from the same excuses as you... only now I may just go for it for christmas gifts... yes, personal and cheap (well, depending on the embellishments I guess!!! LOL) I'm feeling a bit crafty now!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow is this great! I love it! Meredith it just turned out wonderful! Thanks for your hard work!
ReplyDeleteincredible Meredith!!! i love your creations :)
ReplyDeletesarabeth
Wow!! Meredith, amazing tutorial, again I have never heard of these either.(Still such a newbie) I love the blue hair on Blossom.
ReplyDeleteKelly