Letter Box O 3D Two Versions

Build dimensional letter O composed of LID and BASE, 

each with an interior opening form that facilitates fitting 

the curved boxing along the edge. 

Decorate the front with the patterned or contrast 

front ‘O’ overlay which contains tip and tail location guide marks 

for positioning the two leafy arcs with overlapping leaf tips. 

Also includes an alternate front decoration offset O 

with flower and 3D button.

Measures approx. 3” wide x 3.75” tall x 1.75” deep assembled. 

 Designed specifically as one of the 3D letter boxes 

that create the BLOOM Ensemble. 

Measures approx. 3” wide x 3.75” tall x 1.75” deep assembled. 

ASSEMBLY: Identify and cut the shapes.

A LID O main shape      B-C LID boxing strips

D LID interior cutout guide shape

E LID interior cutout boxing strip

F BASE O main shape    G-H BASE boxing strips

I BASE interior cutout guide shape

J BASE interior cutout boxing strip

K accent shapes for leafy O variation

L accent shapes for button flower variation

M two-layer flower with scallop base (button flower)

N button shapes: rim rings (3-4); button circle (3-4)

The boxing strips can be identified by symbol 'L'

for LID, or half-circle notch for BASE.

Both LID and BASE are composed of main 'O' shape

and interior cutout guide.

BASE shapes will have the half-circle notch.

Also NOTE that guide mark dashes are cut along

the LID and BASE main shape edges to assist

with positioning of the straight portions of boxing strips.

2. Prepare the boxing strips by bending back on

end tabs.

Also bend slightly at cross perforations.

3. Position and join the shorter boxing strip to

the longer at end seam.

4. Add back curl along the segments with multiple wedge tabs

that will attach along the curve edges of the O main shapes

using a rod tool such as the 5/16" dowel shown here.

This shows how the main shape boxing should be shaped.

5. Position, align and attach the tab of first straight

segment (longer) at the top of the main O shape,

adjust ends to align at guide marks, and glue in place.

6. Move along the strip to align and attach the next

straight segment at guide marks, and attach. Then . . . 

. . . adjust and shape the curve portion of strip

to conform to the O curve shape, and glue in place.

7. Continue to position next straight segment

at guide marks, glue in place, then adjust and glue

curved portion between straights, in same manner

around remaining corners of O.

At the final portion, under-lap the tab at curved end

under straight lead edge, and glue seam.

8. Prepare the LID's interior boxing strip by bending

slightly at cross perforations, then adding tight forward

curl at the segments with multiple wedge tabs that will

fit along interior opening top and bottom curve edges. 

Use a rod tool (dowel) to tightly roll the strip in

the appropriate area and apply pressure to shape strip.

NOTE: it may be easier to roll and curl the strip

before bending the tabs back.

9. Form the interior opening boxing strip into an oval ring

to align and secure end seam, with tab on the outer surface

(backside of strip).

10. Position the interior boxing tube over the backside

of guide shape . . . 

. . . to align straight and curve sections along 

corresponding guide shape opening edges.

Adjust and glue edges to confirm as closely as 

possible to the opening edge . . .

. . . using fingertips to shape and push the seaming

edges into alignment.

11. Position the interior opening assembly into

back of O LID assembly . . . 

. . . so that the guide opening aligns precisely

with main shape opening, adjust and glue in place.

12. Repeat steps 2-7 to assemble the BASE main

shape box, and steps 8-10 to assemble the BASE

interior guide. Repeat step 11 to position and join

the two.

13. Insert the BASE box inside the LID, and push

partway in, then apply glue to the exposed inward BASE

walls before pushing fully together. Or . . . 

. . . push fully together, then flex LID walls outward

slightly to insert glue applicator between walls. Then

use fingertip or palm pressure to attach walls

to create tightly joined letter box.

14. To assemble the button flower decoration for O front,

center and join inner O onto larger O; layer flower petals

together, then on top of scallop shape with holes aligned;

layer button circles together, rings together, then stack

on top of each other with outer edges and inner holes aligned.

(HINT: press multiple glued shapes under a heavy flat weight

while glue is drying to avoid warping and curling.)

15. Tie ribbon or twine through button holes,

then position and attach, centered, over accent opening.

16. To assemble the leafy arcs accent O, position

first arc over inner accent, locating the stem tip

guide mark, and leaf tip guide mark, and attaching

(leave leaf tip unglued for a moment).

17. Position second arc with stem tip at guide mark

and tucked under the first leaf tip, and overlap

leaf tip over first stem tip, and glue all remaining

leaf vine surfaces in place.

18. Position and attach the top layer onto the offset

base accent O. 

(HINT: press multiple glued shapes under a heavy flat weight

while glue is drying to avoid warping and curling.)

19. Position and attach either prepared O accent

assembly on the front of LID. 

20. For the BLOOM ensemble, the button flower version

O letter box is centered on the inverted bottom of

terra cotta 3D pot (long points side-to-side under O bottom)

the quick-grab glued in place.