Turn two cereal boxes and a little paper into an interactive folio
Materials: two cereal boxes that are the same depth front to back, two accordion bases to attach pages (paper cut 8” x 2.5” and scored every 1/4”), plus scrapbook paper for pages
I used the Tonic Studios my memory book spine die #2279e “Keepsake Book Maker Simple Spines Die”. This is still available for $5 new https://www.tonic-studios.com/products/tonic-studios-dimensions-simple-spines-2279e (or Amazon $7 https://amzn.to/4qr5LWQ) or you can easily cut and score a base without a die. To make your own, cut a piece of cardstock to the desired height (a little shorter than the spine of the folio) and score every 1/4 inch until you have 10 sections (which is enough for three mountains and four valleys.)
Instructions: cut the boxes into book shapes by removing the top and bottom flaps and one side from each box. Trim the boxes to the desired height and width. Attach the back of one box to the front of the other so that you have a spine on both the left and right sides. Decorate cover as desired. Optional: reinforce the spines with additional cardstock strips.
Assemble: attach the accordion bases to the spines, then the pages to each “mountain” of the base.
I cut four accordions so I used one the extras to add a waterfall on the center of the folio.
Inspiration: the mechanics of this folio are based on the Art Impressions brand Watercolor Journals Collection Steel Dies – Journal Template. Their die set is lovely, but the finished book is 4.5” tall and 3.5” wide. The dies have to work within the constraints of the standard die-cutting platform, which is about 6” x 9”.
Short process video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@papercraftcrystal
Papercraft Crystal 