Tea Cup Explosion Box Tutorial

This weekend Joan had a workshop at her home and I had the privilege of designing the products she would be teaching.  She wanted to use the Sizzix Big Die "3-D Tea Cup" for one of the projects.  Isn't it a great tea cup.  To give a surprise element to the project I asked if I could design an explosion box and have the tea cup in the center.  She loved the idea. 

To create the explosion box I started with a 12x12 inch piece of pink card stock.  Not all 12x12 card stock is exactly 12 inches so I cut it down to 11 3/4 inches.  I needed the box as large as possible in order for the cup and saucer to fit perfectly in the center.  This piece was scored at 3 3/4" on all four sides.  For the lid, use a 6 1/2" square piece of card stock and score it at 1 inch on all four sides. 

To create the box, cut away the four corners, cutting right on the score lines,  and your piece will look like this.  Use a bone folder to crease all the score lines.  The sides of the box will be held up with the lid and will fall down to show what is inside.

For the lid, cut a 1 inch slit up to the score line.  Do this on both ends of that side.  Turn the lid completely around and do the same thing on the opposite side.  Cut off the corners at an angle starting from score line cutting out to the edge. By cutting the corners off, the pieces will fit better when taped down.  Decorate the top of the lid first, then put ScorTape on each corner and tuck them in to create the lid.   

The products used to decorate this box are: as mentioned above the Sizzix Big Die "3-D Tea Cup;  JustRite "You Inspire Me" and "Mother Nature's Gifts" stamp sets; Martha Stewart "Monarch butterfly trim" punch; Martha Stewart "Monarch Butterfly" punch; Sizzix Corner Flourish #2; Sizzix Branch with Leaves; Nestabilities Lotus Pendant; Pink and Purple vellum for the flowers.  The saucer that comes with the die was too large so I used two Nestability ovals:  the smallest Petite Oval Lg and the second smallest Classic Oval Scallop.  The cup was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I did not emboss the handle to make it look more realistic.  The trim on the lid was something in my "stash".  It was attached with ScorTape. All products used for this project can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

Two other projects were completed at the workshop and I will show them tomorrow.  I think every one had a great time working on this project.  Joan's next workshop will be in June.  These workshops usually fill up even before she announces them, so if you would like to attend, be sure and email Joan for date information and to make your reservation.  There is no charge for her workshops.  You can see the other projects and read about the workshops she had this weekend at Joan's Gardens.

A few weeks ago, I showed you a lid from another explosion box I made.  That one is a different size and I will post that box again showing the inside, and will give you the dimensions.  Watch for that one later this week.