Sweetest HEART Chocolate Valentine Box Card

"Sweetest HEART" is the message of this

chocolate-bearing dimensional box card

that is perfect for Valentine's Day.

Back panel banner, doily lace side flaps,

trio of layered hearts, and

middle "layer" of tiny hearts floating arch

(they are mounted on a clear shape)

are some of the featured elements of this

very busy card.

Design measures approx. 3" wide x 3" deep x 6.5" tall opened.

There is a companion envelope that this card

can tuck inside, once it is folded/flattened.

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base (sample is red striped)

B box front panels (3)

C back inner panel

D bridge strips (2)

E back panel decor banner & "sweetest"

F clear arch base with 7 mini hearts

G choc layers (2), wrap paper back, front

H pedestal base, lower and rim

I side flap duplicate overlays,

with lacy panels, bows, hearts

J front flap three-layered hearts, "HEART"

K front flap edge shape for glitter

2. Assemble the accent shapes onto the box card while as much as possible for ease: box front panels onto lower fronts, back inner panel onto inner back space, duplicate side panels (optional) with lacy overlays, bows and heart buttons.

3. Also attach the front panel rim edge as contrast. OR, as shown here, cut the shape from double-sided adhesive, remove the back liner layer and position the rim at the flap edges.

4. Once the adhesive shape is placed, remove the front liner layer to prepare to add glitter . . .

. . . protect your work area with a paper sheet to help you "recapture" extra glitter, then apply the glitter to the adhesive area.

Remove extra glitter on the non-adhesive areas with a soft bristle, dry paint brush.

5. Form the box into a tube to bring together the straight left back side edge to overlap at the back flap side tab, adjust so the lower edges line up exactly, then attach tab to join seam.

6. Prepare the bridge strips by folding back the end tabs of each.

Apply adhesive to the tab face surfaces of the back bridge, then insert it into the squared-up interior space of the box. Position the tab approx. 1/3 of the way forward from the back panel, then attach tabs to the sides interior surfaces, taking care that the top of the bridge is even with the top of the box compartment (i.e., the perforation fold for the side flaps).

Hold for initial grab by adhesive, then before the glue is completely secure . . .

. . . fold the box into its flat shape and apply pressure in the area of the bridge tab connections to help the card make any minor adjustments between bridge and card positions.

(Do this after the second bridge is positioned, as well.)

7. Add glue and insert the second front bridge in a similar manner, positioning it halfway between the back bridge and the front interior of the card (i.e. at the first 1/3 position). Adjust for even position with box compartment top edges, then repeat the flattening/adjustment procedure.

This is how the box card will look opened with both bridges in place. 

8. Assemble the back panel banner by placing the center top layer over the base layer, the "turn-back" triangles below, with "sweetest" word cut as shown.

9. Center and attach the banner to the top of the back panel.

NOTE: for added dimension, consider using dimensional foam squares to attach the decor shapes to front and back panels.

10. Prepare the mini hearts arch unit. Cut the clear panel from clear acryllic (report cover sheet from photocopier, etc.). To assist with hearts positioning, also cut a guide paper template (white here).

Place the template behind the clear panel with lower edges lined up. Line up each tiny heart with the contour edges at the top of the template shape as you attach the heart lower portion to the clear panel.

Here you can see the hearts all attached with template contour behind.

NOTE that the template shape also has tiny notches that show the approx. depth that the panel bottom will extend below the bridge edge when attached in the next steps.

11. Prepare the clear panel to attach to the bridge by applying adhesive strips to the lower margin front surface (area shown by notches in previous frame).

As shown, I prefer a double-stick narrow tape when I am attaching clear shapes.

12. Slide the panel behind the back bridge, center it and adjust to level prescribed, then attach securely.

13. Prepare the chocolate pedestal accent assembly. Layer choco swirl layer over base. Layer pedestal support with heart and rim over base layer, with accent paper wrap (pink here) above rim shape.

Finally, position chocolate over wrap back shape, and add wrap front shape to match up with sides and bottom edges of back wrap shape.

(NOTE the final pedestal "pole" extends slightly longer then shown in this prototype, so that the bottom straight edge will line up approx. with the lower edge of the front bridge when attached in the next step.)

14. Position the pedestal in front of the front bridge, centered, and glue in place securely.

15. Layer the three hearts for the front flap panel, then attach the "HEART" word cutout. Center the heart assembly over the front flap, with top curves slightly above the flap perforation line. Attach (with dimensional foam squares if desired) in place.

Fold the card flat for sending (I prefer to fold the lower flaps up to even out the bulk).

Consider preparing the custom-sized box card envelope available to purchase and download.

Here is the box card completed

and open for display.