My boss turned 70 in September 2012, and instead of buying a present, I decided to make him an Exploding Box with memories of his past. I had secret meetings with his wife and contacted his sister who lives in Johannesburg a few months before the event. Both gave me lovely stories relating to the photos, some of which he could not remember ever seeing! It was quite a mission and in the end I could almost not close the box! Try and fit 70 years of living into a little box! I added little fold-out and loose mini albums to maximize the space available.
I used cardboard boxes to cut the different layers which I glued together with a glue gun. I then distressed the box by tearing off pieces and chalking it with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.
The box consisted of 12 single pages, a mini fold-out album with 4 pages on each side, a small booklet with 6 pages, 8 single and 5 double-sided tags, 5 mini tags, a matchbook with 2 pages, 6 certificates, a holder with 6 photos sewn onto ribbon and a 3- tiered jacobs' ladder made of wood and ribbon.
The Closed Exploding Box
Open view from the top
The Lid (The newspaper is a copy of a paper printed on his birthday in 1942)
I had four themes inside the box (small to large pages) - His Childhood & Family, Life in Rhodesia, Life in England and Life in South Afirca.
Above is part of his life as a policeman in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
Yes, it is true - while staying in London, he was given the Freedom of the City, which gives him to right to drive his sheep and cattle over London Bridge while carrying a naked sword!
This is part of the fold-out booklet. The photo on the far right is of his little brother Dawson, who passed away as a young child. It was especially emotional as he had never seen this photo before!
The tags were nice to capture snippets of his life. Such as being granted
permission (by the then President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda),
entrance for one day into the country to get married!
permission (by the then President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda),
entrance for one day into the country to get married!
Another view.
Before I started this blog, a very good friend mine in the USA whom I met through scrapbooking (of course) posted an article on her blog of my Exploding Box. Here is the link to Carolyn's Creative Corner:
Following her blog is a bit like having a private teacher at home! She explains every project meticulously. Please feel free to join her circle.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Wow, this is a fabulous gift. He must have really loved it.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet to include my post! I am so impressed with your fabulous Exploding Box! Lots of folks click the link on my blog! Thank you for sharing, my paper crafting friend!
ReplyDeleteThe box is amazing so much detail put into 1 little place
ReplyDeleteThis box is absolutely stunning--and it's so easy to see the love you put into it. I've never made any exploding box at all, so this one is completely mind-boggling to me! How large is the box? I'm going to see if I can make one for two very dear friends of ours who are getting married in a couple of months--we were supposed to join them, but due to a health issue, we won't be able to. I'd like to make something very special for them to fill with their own photos. I'm thinking to make one side of the flaps wedding-related and the opposite side honeymoon related (Hawaii, beaches, etc.). Any advice you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
PS If it's improper to ask these questions, please accept my apology because I don't mean to be impolite. I live in a very small town with not many resources--I'm trying to learn techniques via the Internet.
Barb, first of all thanks for the kind words. The outer layer is probably the largest box I could find - TV boxes work well. I would guess you need at least 36" across, and smaller working towards the middle. I used cardboard boxes as it looked more rustic and you don't need specialized shops for your supplies. I raided a box recycling bin for my needs! I love your idea of the layouts. Please share once you have finished your project and I will post it on my blog. Enjoy the process - the blessing is in the giving! Please feel free to ask any questions. Carolyn gives fantastic step by step instructions how to create an exploding box: http://cccscraproom.blogspot.co.za/2012/04/explosion-of-hope.html
DeleteHealthy wishes from a beautiful day in Cape Town!