Fairyland Tunnel Book Tutorial

           Hi friends,  sharing a special Fairyland Tunnel book made with  gorgeous papers from Graphic 45 and Crealies dies .

Fairyland Tunnel Book

This tunnel book has 6 layers connected by accordion folds which helps the whole book fold flat and expand out accordion style on pulling!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

The book rests on a base made using the Crealies arch die and multiple layers of foam .

Fairyland Tunnel Book

The doorway in each layer keeps narrowing as you go inwards adding to the 3 D effect. One of the really cool features of a tunnel book is that you will be able to see  different elements when you look inside from different angles!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

Now let me take you on a ride into fairyland!
On the entrance is a little green fairy beside a  mushroom and lovely peach flowers with micro-pearl centres! To keep the design coherent I used Graphic 45 papers to make all the elements including the flowers, mushroom , butterflies and even the grass!!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

Hovering above the archway is another elegant blue fairy with the most gorgeous  shimmering wings! On an aside note: she was so tricky to cut but turned out so beautiful !

Fairyland Tunnel Book

Peeping in you get a glimpse of fairyland ,with all the magical creatures- cute bunny families, magical birds, whimsical little mice  and the ethereal fairies!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

Deep inside fairyland you can spot a peach fairy sitting atop magical flowers

Fairyland Tunnel Book

Behind her is "Momma" rabbit talking to her little ones!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

And at the very back is a magical trio of fairies having a meeting!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

When you angle your head as you come back you can see fairies at every level hovering above wonderland playing sweet music!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

 And if you are lucky you may even spot a baby fairy atop a chubby bird!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

Diligently guarding the entrance is a cute green fairy sitting delicately atop a pretty flower!

Fairyland Tunnel Book

And bidding you farewell as you leave is the elegant guardian fairy !

Fairyland Tunnel Book

 I hope you liked the journey through fairyland!
And here is the Tutorial
Tunnel Book Tutorial  

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

Tunnel Books are works of art which are rather easy to make with nesting dies, but in case you don't have a die-cutting machine do checkout this Tutorial which I made in 2011 with no sophisticated supplies whatsoever : Tunnel Book Tutorial 

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

I used the Crealies dies to  die cut  doors with progressively narrowing apertures from thick card-stock and pattern paper . You can actually use any large nesting die set in your stash.

The double layering is to give a sturdiness to the layers since they form the framework to add your  designs.

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

The most interesting part of tunnel books are the elements you see when you look through the aperture . You can use stickers, stamped images or fussy-cut images from pattern paper and arrange them over your apertures in such a way that the images in the layer in the front don't completely obstruct the images in the layers behind it.

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

As you can see my front most layer is really bare and the apertures get crowded as you go back. I did a lot of fussy cutting from the Graphic 45 Once upon a Springtime papers for this project. I had been hoarding those papers just for the right project !

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

Use fairly good quality paper to make the accordions . If you have a double sided paper it is especially advantageous as the accordions are visible both from the outside and the inside of the tunnel book. I used Graphic 45 papers from Artisan style to create 2 accordions. 

For this tunnel book I scored two  12 x 4.5 inch papers every 3/4th inches. I also had to use extra strips to create accordions for the outer layers and the jutting side panels.

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

First glue the accordions to the layer which will go at the very back. Leave one mountain fold and stick the next layer onto the mountain folds[ as shown by pink bone folder] on the accordions on each side

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

Keep sticking the layers leaving one mountain fold in between each layer to allow enough room for your tunnel book to expand.
Though it sounds very easy, I urge you to first experiment gluing the accordions with  scrap pieces of paper as it is a bit tricky and you can go wrong if you are not careful!

Tunnel Book Tutorial 

Finally have fun adding little finishing touches on the outermost layer and the optional base!

Tunnel Book

Supplies

Papers : Graphic 45 Once upon a Springtime, Graphic 45 Artisan Style

Dies :  Crealies