Ghost Shaped 3D Box Decor

Friendly “spook” box is created as LID and BASE 

with offset-inward angular, multi-facet boxing strips 

that fit snugly together. Curve-edge LID and BASE shapes

 are layered and stacked for strength. 

Front ghost character has many details: overlay center body, 

cutout eyes and smile, mini swag stringer 

holds layered jack o’ lantern and miniature bats. 

Small paper layered button can anchor a fabric swatch bow tie. 

Measures approx. 7.125” tall x 5.75” wide x 1” deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A LID main offset base shape (2-3 for layering thickness)
B LID bottom layer (shown reversed) with boxing guides
C boxing straight edges shape
D boxing strips - lower, left/top, right
E BASE main offset base shape (2-3 for layering thickness)
F BASE top layer (shown reversed) with boxing guide marks
G boxing straight edges shape
H boxing strips - lower, right/top, left
I ghost body with face contrast cutout
J ghost body center contour   K face contrast oval
L button circle base (4) and rim ring (2)
M swag stringer with optional knot overlays
N pumpkin assembly (main, overlay, contr. oval, stem)
O bat assembly (2 sets - wings, body, eye contr.)

2. Layer the build-up shapes  for LID and BASE 
and glue together into their individual 'stacks', taking
care that ALL edges align as precisely as possible.

Immediately, while liquid adhesive is being allowed to dry, press

under a heavy flat weight such as this fabric-covered re-purposed

weight machine bar, or similar object (book, wood plank, etc.)

until completely dry, to help avoid warping and curling.

3. Identify the guide mark dash cuts of the inward layer shapes 

(bottom for LID; top for BASE); these will be used later

in the assembly to position the prepared boxing assembly

so that LID and BASE will fit together appropriately. Then . . .

. . . position and attach the LID onto backside of
LID stack, aligning edges as before, and pressing flat.
Also position and attach the BASE shape with guide marks
onto the backside of BASE stack, aligning, attaching and pressing.

4. While LID and BASE stacks are drying, position
the body front center shape over the main body shape,
center so that cutouts for smile dimples will still show
the contrast through cut outs, with bottom straight edges
of both shapes aligned, and glue touching surfaces together.

5. Reverse the assembly to position and attach
the contrast oval behind the face cutouts.
Press the glued-up shapes flat while drying.

6. Position the stringer over ghost body with knot

positions covering the guide holes.

Position and attach the optional knot overlays

where stringer edges will align.

NOTE: if preferred, actual cord could be used

in place of the card stock stringer.

7. Prepare the jack o'lantern accent by positioning

and attaching pumpkin center shape over base shape

(similar to ghost body and center, above), then position

and attach contrast oval behind, with stem on top.

9. Prepare 2 bat accents by layering body over wings base

and attaching in place, with eyes contrast shape behind.

10. Position pumpkin stem area over center of stringer

and glue in place. Then position and attach bat wing tips

over stringer, one on each side.

11. Position the completed ghost assembly from Step 10

over the front of LID build up stack with even

offset margin all around, straight bottom edges matched,

and attach. Press flat while glue dries.

12. Prepare each boxing strip by bending bottom edge flange tabs

back, and also bending along segment perforations and

end tabs.

13. Locate and identify the various single (LID) and double (BASE)

symbols that will assist in the boxing assembly.

Here the triangle single symbol that indicates 

the bottom segment is being pointed out.

This illustration shows the positioning of the various

symbols at the ends of the three boxing strips

that compose this box.

14. To preview and re-bend the strip segments to more

closely follow the straight faceted shape to which they

will attach, it may be helpful to position them around

the shape, with symbols assisting.

The shapes shown here are for the BASE.

15. Begin (LID shown) by positioning the bottom segment

tab along the bottom edge of the straight edge shape,

then align and attach, with tab wrapping around edge

and attaching onto backside.

16. Continue to position and attach each segment tab

along edge of main shape in similar manner.

NOTE that there may be a bit of margin or looseness

to how boxing fits to shape, allowing for paper weight

variations. Simply adjust and attach in best fashion possible.

This reversed position image, below, is showing 

the process from the step described above, 

with tabs wrapping to backside.

17. At the end of the first strip, locate the matched symbol

to identify the next strip in the sequence, then position

the straight end of new strip to overlap the end tab

and attach in place.

18. Continue to position, wrap and attach tabs

along the main shape, then . . . 

. . . repeat to attach the third boxing strip.

19. Complete the wrapping and attaching process,

then at final segment, position bottom tab and ALSO

tuck the end tab under the beginning straight end

to complete that final boxing seam.

20. Repeat the process to complete the BASE boxing

assembly in the same manner.

21. Identify the guide marks on backside of LID stack

which will assist in positioning of the boxing assembly, then . . .

. . . apply glue to backside of assembly,

position so corresponding straight edges align

at ALL guide marks, adjust, and glue in place.

NOTE it may prove helpful to a secure attachment

to place a flat book of relative weight to hold boxing

down while glue dries.

22. Repeat Step 21 to position and attach BASE

boxing to the BASE built-up stack.

23. Assembly the paper button by layering the circle

shapes with cord holes and edges aligned exactly and

gluing together. Align and glue rim rings together.

Position rim over circle with edges aligned 

and glue together. Press flat while drying.

24. Prepare a fabric swatch bowtie by cutting a shape

slightly larger than 1" x 2.5" then wetting a fraying

edges for rustic look. Cinch and stitch or wrap center.

25. Position bowtie at 'chin' and attach in place.

26. Add cord tie and bow through button holes,

then position and attach at bowtie center.

27. To close the box, fit the LID over the BASE

while assisting the shaped boxing as needed,

and slide the two together.

Here is the completed, closed box.