Exploding boxes...

...or are they?

Scrapbookers often make what we call 'Exploding boxes' as a different method of displaying photos - especially if they want to make a gift for someone.
It is something a bit different from the usual photo album for granny or the framed picture for great aunt Bess. It can be decorated in any way to suit the occasion and has the advantage of actually looking like a gift...
The surprise comes when the lid is taken off and the whole thing flops open to reveal boxes within boxes that can hold lots of photos and little messages from the 'giver'. Some folk put a small fixed box in the middle to hold a token or gift...

But this is not a new idea.

Especially popular during Victorian times, boxes of this type were made - sometimes just for decorative purposes but mostly for quite practical reasons. A good many Victorian ladies would have their own Etui - decorative/ornamental box - and inside would be their workbox...needles, pins, threads etc.

A little while ago I saw some of these at a craft show and decided to have a 'play'.

My box is made from stiff card panels and is covered in fabric. The lid was padded with some wadding so that I could use it as a pin cushion.
When the lid is removed the box flops open to reveal a selection of sewing necessities. Using this 'exploding' design, it is surprising just how much you can fit into quite a small space. The tiny little fixed box in the middle provides a perfect home for the thimble (not sure why I bothered with this because I've never used a thimble in my life - can't get on with the things LOL)

I think Etui boxes are a lovely idea and could be used for lots of purposes other than needlework - a box for the dressing table containing make-up bits-n-pieces or even a little jewellery box (the panels could hold quite a few pairs of earrings) - they can be as plain or as decorative as you want to make them and obviously make super gifts.............................