DIY Exploding Box with Butterflies - Full Tutorial & Free Pattern!

Get the free exploding butterfly box pattern at jennifermaker....
Learn how to make an exploding butterfly box with moving parts and hidden secrets! Butterflies are so thrilling to watch in nature, but did you know you can make some of your very own? Yes, you can make butterflies that move on their own (ok, with a bit of help) as part of my new exploding butterfly box! This project was inspired by my endless explosion box, which so many of you have made! One variation - the heart explosion box - just didn’t seem like enough, so now you have another option! This gift box would be a perfect gift paired with my easy butterfly card. Let me show you how to make two explosion boxes in different sizes!
I appreciate every subscriber. It's free and easy to subscribe -- just click here: bit.ly/sub2jenn...
MATERIALS LIST (contains my affiliate links):
View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project at a.co/i8SPY5p
* 12″ x 12″ 65-80 lb cardstock in whatever colors you wish - I used black (5 sheets for the exterior and details, white (1 sheet for inner note cards, and various colors for the butterflies and accents (8) - amzn.to/3vZR7gl
* A method to cut your material - see jennifermaker....
* Green StandardGrip Machine Mat 12″ x 12″ - amzn.to/3i0Yhcf
* Brayer, Scraper Tool, and Measuring Tape
* Craft Glue like Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue and Hot Glue Gun and Sticks
* Scoring Stylus - optional, for the files with score lines
* Design # 397 (My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files are available in my free resource library - get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
If you’d like to add the butterflies, you can purchase some Magic Butterflies at amzn.to/3FR0ySv to use with the larger box, or make your own using the following items:
* Four Popsicle Sticks
* 16 Gauge Jewelry Wire
* Four #31 Rubber Bands (1/8″ wide by 2.5″ long) - I used the medium sized ones from this package
* Jewelry Pliers Set
Topics covered in this exploding box video:
00:00 - DIY Exploding Butterfly Box with Cricut
01:15 - Supplies & Tools
02:46 - Get Free Exploding Butterfly Box SVG Files
04:41 - (Learn How to Upload SVG Files to Cricut Design Space)
04:59 - Prepare and Cut Exploding Butterfly Box Design
08:47 - Assemble Your Exploding Butterfly Box Design
15:02 - Assemble Magic Wind-Up Butterflies!
21:37 - Wind-Up Butterflies and Place Inside Box
23:10 - Test Your Flying Butterflies Box
23:47 - Add Personal Touches
24:13 - Closing Notes and Link to More Information
#cricut #cricutmade #designspace
============
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Blog: jennifermaker.com
Facebook Page: / jennifermakercrafts
Facebook Group: / cricutcraftersandmakers
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Pinterest: / jenuinemom
Please subscribe to my channel at / jennifermaker for more video tutorials to craft a life you love!
Credits:
Introduction: PixelBytes (my child!)
Music: Cute by Bensound (licensed, royalty and copyright free)
Videography: Jennifer Marx on a Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 DSLR 4K camera
Design: A Jennifer Maker original!

[@dorothythomas53]

Made this for my daughter’s birthday . It was a big hit and delight. Plus my son in law almost bought a similar one on Amazon for 50 dollars. But Jennifer your design is much prettier and colorful than Amazon. Thank you for sharing and video tutorials to so many wonderful designs

[@JenniferMaker]

Great job! That is so awesome and way cooler that you made it!! 🥰

[@Jana-TheCraftyGambler]

Good morning Jennifer. This is so cute! I thought I’d share something with your subscribers. If the don’t have a scoring tool, an alternative would be to get a tracing tool that is using for transferring patterns to fabric. It’s great to use for making a score line by taking a ruler and placing it just over the area to score a slide it across. You might want to put a piece of card board box underneath it be fore running it across.

[@JenniferMaker]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@debrafreeman7506]

You never Disappoint!!!!! Learning from you is a joy! Butterflies?...... ABSOLUTELY!

[@JenniferMaker]

I'm so glad you like it! 😃

[@NeysaMendez]

Made it! Loved it, easy to follow your video. I can’t wait to make it for my daughters baby shower ❤

[@mariacacioppo6622]

Just finished this. It’s beautiful I’m so proud of it lol. Thank you for this awesome tutorial

[@JenniferMaker]

You’re welcome! 😊 Please feel free to post it in my group! I love to see what people make! 😃💜 facebook.com/groups/cricutcraftersandmakers/

[@nadinewiley8717]

Thank you so much, Jennifer! I have been wanting this for so long and you out did yourself! Amazing! I can't wait to make this and many of them.

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you! So glad to hear that! 😃

[@teddiev2720]

These boxes are so adorable. Definitely will make…. Than k you Jennifer. I love watching and learning from you. Thanks to all your helpers too,

[@JenniferMaker]

Aw! Thank you so much! This is so sweet! 🌸

[@gerryannbrown9645]

So lovely and fun. Not just for the kids, but the adults too. I love this video and at some point will make the exploding box, Thanks Jennifer.

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! 🌸

[@nicoleniemitalo4943]

Love this! I made the heart explosion box. It is great. Would love another option of box that could be for mothers day.

[@JenniferMaker]

This can be fun. jennifermaker.com/cut-cardboard-with-cricut/

[@jewelbartle857]

Thanks Jennifer, for another fantastic video. I am definitely going to try this and make one for my sister and brother-in-law. They love surprises!

[@JenniferMaker]

Wonderful!

[@wilmarodriguez2139]

Hello from San Juan, Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

[@JenniferMaker]

Hello! 😃

[@anaharden9887]

This is Awesome! Will probably take me months before I can complete the butterflies. Thank you Jennifer Maker!!!!!!

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome! You can do it!

[@charlottehiggins5782]

Love these so much. Thank you for showing us how to create them!

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome!

[@LisaVornhagen]

Those are beautiful and look like so much fun! I love them!

[@JenniferMaker]

Thanks so much 😊

[@candygrubisic]

Gotta love a good exploding box...and butterflies are a fave of mine.

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you!

[@mariereynoso1617]

So cute!!

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you, Marie!

[@CarolynDorr]

I love this! Thank you! I have used your links to order the cardstock, glue and butterflies.

[@JenniferMaker]

Yay, thank you! 🌸

[@heiditruman9295]

I absolutely love this, as I love butterflies. I will Def be making this box! 🦋🦋

[@JenniferMaker]

Please do!

[@maggierivera]

they are beautiful and I love it!

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you so much! 🌻😊

[@rachelpana7851]

OH MY GOSH! That is just to cute!!! I can't wait to make it. You are amazing Jennifer! thank you!

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome!! I can't wait for you to try this! 🌸

[@user-nc2yt7eu5k]

I made this beautiful butterfly box. It is AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial!! I need some pointers on how to make the butterflies actually fly. they don't shoot out of my box and fly. They don't even unwind!! I'm sure I missed something, but could you please help a girl out?? THANK YOU!!!

[@JenniferMaker]

Double check your steps on our blog, the link is above. 😊🌻

[@sinamonga]

Thank you so very much Jennifer, I really appreciate you sharing your talents 🤎

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome! 🌸

[@mrmrsmz4987]

Thank you for such a fun project cant wait to try to make HOW FUN!!

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome!💗

[@kerstinluscomb8085]

Thank you. I just finished my box. Tried the flying butterflies. You make it look so easy . Need to get better wire and my rubberbands are to thick 😩. But just ordered the wire and bands, thank you.

[@JenniferMaker]

You can do it!💗

[@DarkItalianPrincess6]

I can’t Wait to try this

[@JenniferMaker]

Awesome! 😃

[@LaMuseAuto]

Can't wait to make these with my daughter

[@JenniferMaker]

Yay! 😃

[@dianamoyer]

These are so much fun!

[@JenniferMaker]

Aren't they?? I love them! 🌸

[@mariemeyer2885]

Love it!!! So fabulous and lots of laughs.

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you! 😃

[@lawrenesolberg6118]

Jennifer, thank you for all you do for us and sharing your amazing creativity.. The joy on your face when the butterflies fly out is endearing and priceless. Will I be able to cut out the intricate pieces on my Cricut Joy?

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome!

[@cpech2]

WOW!!!!!! I LOVE this hope to make one for someone special!!

[@marisolcruz5807]

I will definitely make it for my daughter she loves butterflies.

[@JenniferMaker]

Please do!

[@VeganDoris]

So cute and pretty!

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you so much! 🌸

[@rebelmarshall3632]

You can make the wind up butrerflies smaller for the smaller boxes.

[@JenniferMaker]

That is a great idea! Thank you! 🌸

[@jaime2595]

Can I make this with a cricut joy xtra? Do you have a video for this? Thank you!

[@karen3490]

Thank you! Love this. Can’t wait to have an occasion to make it!

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome!🌸

[@TnVolGal737]

This is so awesome. I just wish I was as calm as you are.

[@JenniferMaker]

Awe! Thank you so much! 🌸

[@JenniferMaker]

I am not always calm. 😊

[@sk281]

Ich mache das mit meiner klasse

[@elizabethbarlow3714]

Love love it Jennifer

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you so much! 🌸

[@celiamalave7218]

Very creative, love it. Thank you for sharing

[@JenniferMaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@HeatherHunterJ]

@Ozella Hardy will be good at this!!

[@anaharden9887]

Butterflies!!!!!🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@JenniferMaker]

I love butterflies!

[@twistednerd23]

Wow amazing!

[@JenniferMaker]

Aw! Thank you so much! 🌸

[@conniesobczak2177]

Really cute, love it,ty

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you! 😊

[@joannamaciel8432]

This is awesome !

[@JenniferMaker]

Thanks so much!

[@anaharden9887]

Love this!

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you! 💜

[@leumk01]

@jennifermaker Will gift cards fit in the pockets of the smaller box? Or are the pockets too small for standard gift cards?

[@JenniferMaker]

They should🥰

[@shariz2998]

Thank you for this amazing pattern and tutorial. You are not only incredibly talented but also very generous!!

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you so much! I am glad you like it! 😃❤️

[@lizjune2007]

Hi: can you make a hexagon explosive box, and a flower explosive box, please. Thanks

[@JenniferMaker]

Those are some great suggestions! Thank you! 🌸

[@Donisiarene]

I love this!! You always have the best tutorials!! I hope to make this weekend. May I ask what are the final dimensions for the bigger box? I saw you put them for the regular size.

[@JenniferMaker]

They're approx 4''x4''. Thanks for watching! 😊🌻

[@lisahughes3012]

i like this video

[@nikkihoffman2891]

This looks like an adorable project! Can’t wait to try it! Many thanks..💕💕💕

[@JenniferMaker]

You are so welcome!

[@alicedombroske9114]

After the boxes are completed do you glue the bottoms to previous layer or is each Box left unattached?

[@JenniferMaker]

You can glue them together or keep them as separate boxes. It is your choice.

[@alicedombroske9114]

Thank you. Was very easy to complete using your tutorial. Amazed with the results

[@lori-jocarroll]

Delightful

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you! 🌸

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you!

[@jeannettekelbaugh3876]

This is so cute making one as I type. I used the SVG file with no score tool and I thought it would have fold cuts, but it didn’t. I’m sure it’s operator error. If anyone else had this problem, would be helpful to know if I missed a step.

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you! The files with no score lines should show dashes (cut lines) where the folds are.

[@selayma]

Okay... Got the boxes built... However... I was half asleep, and I don't have time to remake a while sheet, etc... Is it possible to slice a butterfly to print just that? I put the butterfly wings on backwards... On one butterfly 😢... There's no way to make this look like it was on purpose 😭 So I figured maybe I could print just a butterfly, and then glue that on the otherwise re black on top of the color... Is this makes any sense 🤪

[@JenniferMaker]

Yes, you can print just the butterfly.

[@jillguber7219]

OMG! Jennifer this is amazing and I love it!!!! I can’t wait to try it and give to someone. Could you also do one with pumpkins and one with snowmen? I love watching you and your channel explode like your butterfly boxes! Keep crafting the amazing things you do! ❤️❤️🦋🦋🦋

[@JenniferMaker]

Great idea!! Thank you so so much! 🌸

[@alexandrasousley1397]

Is the PDF file for the big box or the little box? I'd like to do this project, but don't have a cricket. I would also like to purchase the butterflies. Please let me know!

[@JenniferMaker]

There are 2 different sizes and also with score or with score lines as well. The printable pdf file is only one size. jennifermaker.com/exploding-butterfly-box/

[@Rendosian]

Yay!

[@JenniferMaker]

Glad you like it!

[@harteisjs]

Just for anyone who want to know if you order the butterflies off Amazon and take the wings off and replace them with the ones from Jennifer here just cut two of the bottom pieces to the butterfly they fit the small box

[@JenniferMaker]

Thanks for the information! 😃

[@kittymso]

Which is preferable, no cut or tool for scoring?

[@flrn64]

No cut!

[@kittymso]

@@flrn64 Why?

[@JenniferMaker]

It is a personal preference. It is faster to not have to use the scoring tool.

[@shelleyweisman3]

The wires part is confusing especially the second wire. How did you do that?

[@JenniferMaker]

Here is the tutorial for details. jennifermaker.com/exploding-butterfly-box/

[@shelleyweisman3]

@@JenniferMaker Can you get away with using one pair of pliers for the project or do you also need the other two?

[@alexandriaspann8194]

just want to say that i am a new subscriber and i have made my first video telling my story of having MS and future videos crafting with MS anyway i was wondering if you have any tips or videos for people that live on a budget P,S, I love watching your videos

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you for subscribing! Congratulations on making your first video! I wish you the best! I do have some tutorials. Here is a Dollar Tree and also a Target blog post. ❤️ jennifermaker.com/dollar-tree-cricut-projects/ 🎯 jennifermaker.com/target-dollar-spot-diys/

[@cidviz12]

❤❤❤

[@JenniferMaker]

Thanks! 😃❤️

[@gloriabello9922]

Omg thank you i love it i definitely will do one 🙏😀

[@JenniferMaker]

I so hope that you do!! 🌸

[@traceylebrun3918]

I cant find the download only the instruction page comes up and there is no search available to find download very frustrating library page cannot find the download cut file ugggg

[@JenniferMaker]

It is #397. You can search the blog jennifermaker.com for the project and click on the link to the library in the materials list to find things more easily. jennifermaker.com/exploding-butterfly-box/

[@debdonnelly8930]

I can not seem to get any help on here facebook group so I proceeded to cut the first box however it did not score the score lines please help anyone????

[@JenniferMaker]

The red cut lines in the project need to be changed to Score lines and Attached to the layer below it. 😊🌻

[@mariemullan8682]

Can u use A4 card for this

[@JenniferMaker]

You can size it down to that or move them to more mats. jennifermaker.com/exploding-butterfly-box/

[@suedempsey1038]

Help folks! No matter what glue I use, the cardstock warps. What am I doing wrong?

[@JenniferMaker]

You're likely using too much glue. You really only need a small amount. A high quality glue is important too. 😊🌻

[@suedempsey1038]

thank you!

[@traceylebrun3918]

Is there a dragonfly box like that

[@JenniferMaker]

No sadly there isn't. Maybe you could design your own! 🌸

[@JenniferMaker]

Not that I have made but that is a good idea! You could change it and make one! 😃

[@yadiraquiles6841]

Do I have to join a group to get the password?

[@JenniferMaker]

You can sign up for the library here. You do not have to join the Facebook group. jennifermaker.com/resource-library/

[@sandramartinez-pumar1927]

What kind of wire do I need for these butterflies?

[@JenniferMaker]

I used 16 gauge jewelry wire. You can see it it the materials list for my affiliate links. jennifermaker.com/exploding-butterfly-box/

[@michealstokes1776]

𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘮 🙃

[@JenniferMaker]

Thank you!