Explode with Joy: Create a Stunning Graduation Photo Explosion Box
Want to add a few graduation elements to an explosion box file you already have?
I’ve put together a bundle of SVGs so that you can turn ANY of my explosion boxes into a Graduation-themed Explosion Box.
The graduation cap just sits on top of the explosion photo gift box, so you can use the explosion box for any occasion simply by changing out the design accents.
⬇️ – Scroll down to see the step-by-step tutorials if you’ve already purchased the SVGs.
You can use the Gal-entine Explosion Box for the base.
If you have the Birthday Explosion Box, you can use that too. (And if you have the expansion pack, the banner in the center would be perfect for graduation!)
You’ll just love watching your senior take the lid off an explosion box and see their face light up as the sides fall down.
The gift card holders will only fit on the first layer of the explosion boxes.
Stick cash, gift cards, notes, or photos in the pockets.
Want to make a jaw-dropping photo explosion box?
When I graduated from high school, my mom surprised me with a photo book. This was in the days before digital photos and Shutterfly, so it was actually hundreds of photos from my childhood and high school years cut into collages and put in a binder in page protectors.
I’m pretty certain that it was the first time I cried when I received a gift.
Having all of those memories together, and being able to relive moments in your personal history from photos is priceless!
Here’s my Kindergarten Graduation!
You don’t need to fill the box with photos only.
What else can you put into this explosion box?
Write a heartfelt note in one of the folders, or put a letter written on a long scroll in the final box.
Tuck cash into one of the small envelopes.
In the final and smallest box, it’s up to you.
You could fill it with a blank filmstrip with room for 64 photos…. or you could gift jewelry, or a key, or something else that’s very special.
You can choose if it will be a simple, special gift with just 10 photos, or if you want to create an elaborate, pop-out scrapbook with up to 200 photos!
Right now, the Graduation Celebration SVG Bundle is free with the purchase of the workshop.
Ready to learn how to use the Graduation Celebration SVGs?
To Create The Graduation explosion box, You’ll Need:
- a SVG file for an explosion box. Options include:
- the free file from the Gal-entine Explosion Box
- the one from the Birthday Explosion Box Workshop
- the Interactive Photo Explosion Box Workshop
- the Graduation Celebration SVG Bundle (purchase it here or get it free if you purchase either workshop)
- a full-size cutting machine such as the Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, or the Explore Air
- Brayer – I have both the Cricut brayer and the Speedball soft rubber brayer; I’m always setting them down in the wrong place so I just have two.
- scoring tool – either the scoring stylus or scoring wheel
- bone folder to burnish the score lines
- Glue – my favorite for this project is Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
* Links to products are for your convenience in finding tools and materials, however, they are affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. *
The gift card Holders
Upload Graduation-Gift-Card-Holders_minorDIY.SVG to Design Space.
Ungroup it.
Hold down your shift, key and click on the lines shown to select them. Choose Score from the operation menu.
Now, click on the group in the layer menu to select it, then Attach the score line to the cut piece below it.
The red rectangle is just a piece you can slide in front of whatever you’re putting into the gift card holder, so that there’s a different solid color behind the cut-out, icons, and words.
If you position the paper just right, four gift card holders will fit on one sheet of letter-size cardstock.
Tip: Use the “Cardstock for Intricate Cuts” material setting. Be sure that the fine letters are cut well. They should stick to your mat when you gently peel the gift card holders away from the mat.
The gift card holders will only fit on the first layer of the explosion boxes.
I used the silver from the Astrobrights Metallic Cardstock pack for the top two gift card holders. You can use any type of cardstock; preferably 65-lb.
The icon accents
Upload Graduation-Icons_minorDIY.SVG.
UnGroup.
The accent circles are ready to be cut as is.
If you use the larger icons as accents for the squares on the side of the explosion box, be sure to check the position when the lid is on the box.
See how the icon would be cut off if it was centered in the square?
If you’d like to try the icons with a pen, such as a metallic marker, simply highlight the icon row as shown.
Then choose Pen, and the appropriate style of pen and color from the operation menu. (I love the gold metallic markers!)
Click the top of the group layer to select both the writing and the cut piece below it and then click the Attach button.
These are for the circle accents on the corners of the first layer of the explosion box.
The Graduation Hat
Upload Graduation-Hat-topper_minorDIY.SVG.
UnGroup.
Hold down your shift key, and click on the two layers as indicated by the red arrows. Now choose Score from the Operation menu.
If you’re cutting the entire piece out of a 12 x 12 piece of card stock, just select it all and click on the Attach icon.
I used a sheet of textured Bazzill cardstock from the Little Black Pack from the 12×12 Cardstock Shop.
If you are going to be using letter or A4 size cardstock, Attach each of the score lines to the cut piece below it (separately).
Click the green Make It button to cut everything out.
Tip: Use the “Cardstock for Intricate Cuts” material setting.
Cut one loop of thread or string longer than 12 inches.
For the tassel, wrap the string around two fingers many times.
Loop the longer string through the small loops and double-knot it.
Cut the loop and trim the ends.
Tie a knot at the end around the 6-inch mark. In my opinion, 6 inches is the perfect length of the whole tassel.
Glue the three C shapes to the middle of the hat.
The opening should be facing to the right side, if you want the tassel in the traditional “graduated” position.
Traditionally tassels are worn on the right side and moved to the left during a special portion of the ceremony for high school graduates. For college graduates, Bachelors again wear the tassel on the right side until their degrees are conferred, then move to the left. Graduate students wear the tassel on the left from the beginning. (Source: Oak Hill Gown)
Glue the knot of the tassel in the center of the C shape.
Finally, glue the small circle over the top of the knot. I like to give it a more rounded shape just by bending the center up a little.
Burnish along the score lines of the two identical side pieces. These will form the hat band.
Glue this tab to the edge of the other side piece.
Now, glue the other tab to the end of the other piece to form a circle.
Set the hat band over your explosion box lid. You’ll notice it does NOT fit perfectly over the lid.
Apply glue on the tabs.
Use the strips to pull both sides together, so the V parts of the hat are both flat against the lid. This will make the other two sides curve out, just like it would be if it were on a round head.
I only used three strips, but you can use all four to cover the entire lid.
Finally, glue the hat onto the hat band base.
The hat can just sit on top of any explosion box lid; you don’t need to glue it on.
It’s actually easier to re-fold the explosion box and put the lid back on if the hat is not glued to it.
We’re done! Leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Brenda R says
Love reading this. Great for a graduation gift!