Explosion Book

 

Video: Explosion Book Materials

Materials Needed

• ·         Paper

o   3 pieces of 12” x 12” paper in a complementary colour for your specialty papers

o   10 pieces of eco-dyed/gelli print/specialty paper that are 5.5” x 5.5” (this assumes a 1/4” border for a smaller border cut the paper 6” x 6”)

o   2 pieces of eco-dyed/gelli print/specialty paper for the cover decoration that are at least 7” x 7”

• ·         2 pieces of cardboard that are 6.125” x 6.125” (6 1/8” x 6 1/8”)
• ·         Adhesive
• ·         Cutting mat, knife, scissors
• ·         Ribbon

 

Video: Step 1 - Building the Base

Assembly

1.    Take a piece of 12” x 12” paper and fold it in half in both directions. Pick up one corner and fold it diagonally in one direction only.  This should leave you with two 6” squares and two areas that are divided into triangles.

2.    Manipulate the valley folds so that the triangles will fold into the center.

3.    Repeat this with the remaining pieces of background paper.

 

 

4.   To attach the papers together, put glue on one of the square sections and overlap with the square section of the second paper.  Since the triangle on the first sheet opened up into the center, for effect, I like to have the triangles of the second sheet of paper open down away from the center, rather than up.  This is accomplished very simply by turning the paper over.

 

 

 

 5.      I then have the triangles on the third piece of paper open up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.    Place your completed book under weight until dry.  Allowing the book some time under weight will allow the folds to be compressed.

 

Video: Step 2: Adding Decorative Paper

Decoration

1.    Once the base of your book is prepared, you are now able to create your decoration from your eco-dyed papers. Please note that the directions that follow are assuming that you have precut your eco-papers to 5.5” squares.

 

2.    The following directions assume a 1/4 “ border around your eco print paper. If you want more of a border you will need to adjust the dimensions.  If you want less of a border, you will have pre-cut the paper to 6” x 6” and trim paper now to your desired border size.

 

3.    You will need to adjust the dimensions for the triangles. Reserve 4 of the 5.5” squares for the full square sections of the book.  Fold the remaining six sections on the diagonal (to make a triangle) and mark 1/8” from the fold line.   Draw a line parallel to the fold. Trim along this line.  You will now have two triangular pieces of eco print paper that should fit the space in your book with the border that you need.  You will now have ¼“between the two triangular parts of your square – 1/8” on each side of the fold line.  You can always do it by eye and get the borders approximately even. You will need 12 triangular pieces.

 

4.    Decide where you are going to place your decorative pieces and glue in place.  Make sure that none of the pieces lie on a fold line or interfere with the smooth folding of the book.

 

Video: Step 3 - Making the Covers

Covers

1.    Use your 7” x 7” decorative paper to wrap your cardboard covers.  I frequently find it easier to apply glue to my cardboard and then place that on my decorative paper.  I then cut my corners on the diagonal leaving a few mm distance at each corner.

 

 

 

2.     Apply adhesive to opposing edges and turn in.  You can use your bone folder or thumb nail to tuck in the small edge of paper at the corner to make sure that the corner is covered.

 

 

 

 

 

3.      Repeat on the remaining sides.

4.    Before attaching the covers to the book, attach a ribbon closure along the middle of the back cover.

5.    The covers can be attached by applying adhesive to the front and back of the folded Explosion book.  The square section will be attached directly to the cover.  It is better to apply adhesive to the square and not the cover, because the cover is slightly larger than the square.  You want to try and center the square within the cover area.