Hi, Crafty Friends!! Amanda here from @ladedesignsstudio_. I’ve been asked for a while now about the Pool Box I have posted on Instagram. I found a really cool file in Design Space that features a deeper box and a sturdier ladder, so I wanted to share the assembly with you. I think what makes this box so beautiful and different is that the glitter, acetate, and cellophane shards work together to give a realistic water look. Let’s get started!
Materials:
- Cardstock Warehouse cardstock papers:
- Cut File: Pool Box (Cricut Design Space)
- Cricut Cutting Machine
- Adhesives:
- Acetate
- Glitter/Cellophane Shards (optional, gives “water” look)
Open the Design Space project and adjust your paper colors if you’d like. The text in the file is meant to help you with cutting out your pieces, and you can delete those text boxes before you cut. I used the White Diamond Print inkjet glitter paper and the print-then-cut feature to add a pattern for the blue pieces, but this is optional. Alternatively, you could cut these pieces out of a blue metallic paper like Stardream Aquamarine or Lagoon, or use Rainbow Holographic Mirror paper. Once my pieces were cut, I set up my cardstock in three separate sections and decided to start on the ladder assembly since it had the most work.
To start assembly on the ladder, grab the steps and glue two of each together, but only in the middle part — do not glue the tabs together, as we’ll be inserting them through the holes on the side of each ladder and gluing them on there. Push the stair tabs through the slits on the rectangular side pieces. Repeat for each stair step so that each side of the ladder rails has the glue tabs attached.
For sturdiness, there are two pieces for each side of the ladder railing. Glue a railing piece with a tab to one of the railing pieces with no tab. Repeat this for the other set. Make sure the pieces with the tabs are on the outside of the ladder, not sandwiched between the non-tabbed piece and the stairs. If it’s easier, you can glue the non-tabbed railing pieces to the sides of the ladder, then add the piece with the tabs on top. The tabs on the rails will be attached to the box later, but for now, set the ladder aside to assemble the box first.
Let’s start assembling the base of the pool box. Begin by folding along the scored lines and attaching the two like pieces together with glue. Fold upwards and glue the longer tabs so that they provide a sturdier pool wall for your box.
Once all tabs are glued toward the inside, stand the box upright with the smaller tabs on the bottom folded inward. Apply glue on the inside of the tabs and place one of the hexagon pieces inside the pool. Once it’s dry, flip the box over, place glue on the outside bottom, and cover with the second hexagon to hide the tabs. Set aside while we begin the pool area.
Before the shimmery fun, assemble the area the pool fits inside of. Fold along each scored line and apply glue. Glue the triangular tabs, then fold the bottom portion of the tab upwards and glue. After creating the pool box lid, fold along the scored pool edges (small white rectangles) and glue them onto each corner of the box and lid.
Bring on the glitter paper. Fold and glue along the scored lines for the water insert, keeping the glitter side inside. After gluing the two pieces into a hexagon, fold the larger tabs inward, apply glue, and set the printed hexagon pool base inside. Fold the small tabs on the top outward.
Flip the pool water over and slide the large pink open hexagon piece over it so the small tabs glue under the pool tabs. Add the hexagon lid piece we created earlier on top so the rim is sturdy. Now add your glitter or cellophane shards for the water effect.
Cover the pool to trap the filler. Glue the printed small shape with the two holes on top of the acetate hexagon, lining up the holes. This covers the ladder tabs once inserted. Add the final pink hexagon border on top after the printed piece is glued to the acetate.
Insert the ladder tabs through the holes and glue the tabs underneath. Apply glue on the rim so the lid with the ladder can go on top. Glue the inside of the two small front ladder tabs so they adhere to the box lid and stay in place. The top section of the pool, including the water, is now one piece that functions as a lid.
Print and cut clipart for extra decoration. Print the images onto White Diamond Print Inkjet Glitter Paper, duplicate and mirror the image so it’s visible from either side, and use foamies for thickness. Add a pinch of hot glue on the bottom and place the characters on the acetate.
Now your box is ready to be the center of attention at the party. You can add a special treat or gift inside or use it as an awesome centerpiece. Feeling ambitious? Make one as a party favor for each guest.
I hope this project inspired you to Make Something Beautiful®! I can't wait to see your projects.
Follow me at @lacedesignsstudio_ for more party and paper decor ideas, and share your creations with Cardstock Warehouse on Facebook and Instagram! Tag your projects with #cardstockwarehouse to be featured on our page!
Happy Crafting!
Amanda (@lacedesignsstudio_)