Thursday, April 28, 2022

Pleated Pocket for MOTHER Accordion Card


Classic pocket with high back provides 
a specialized presentation for a thick card (such as 
the coordinated design “Card MOTHER Panels Twist Letters”), 
or other dimensional card, goodies or gifts. 
Lower front “pocket” has accordion pleated bottom and 
side gussets to adjust to needed depth. 
Back and front panels each have offset accents 
to add thickness, sturdiness, with daisy flower garnish for front. 
Pocket measures approx. 4.375” wide x 7.65” tall 
x .375” deep when completed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A pocket main base   B back accent panel
C front duplicate panel (for added strength)
D front accent panel
E double petals daisy accent with double centers
2. Prepare the pocket shape by creasing the accordion
pleats at side extensions and bottom:
bend back around front short panel (mountain folds),
then alternate forward and backward folds through
the sequence. NOTE that the final tab or back panel 
perforations will be folded as mountain folds.
3. Position and attach the back accent panel
on the inside face of pocket panel, offset evenly
between side edges, at lower edge to perf line,
and at shaped top, with punch hole aligned precisely.
4. For front pocket panel, position and attach offset
accent panel onto the duplicate pocket front panel,
with even offset margins on all sides, and punch hole
aligned.
5. Position and attach the front panel assembly onto
the front of pocket with edges and punch hole
precisely aligned.
6. Prepare the daisy "button" by first adding back curl
to the petals, if desired, then . . . 
. . . positioning and attaching bottom petals layer,
then positioning second petal unit with petals rotated
to offset between bottom unit.
Also position and attach the larger then smaller 
flower centers on top.
7. Prepare to complete the side seams by compressing
the gusset folds, then . . . 
. . . fold the pocket base so that the side tab will
attach to back side edge, with tab tucked inside.
Side edge, with bottom pleats folded/compressed,
should align at bottom perforation of back panel
as shown. 
Apply pressure and join the side seam.
Repeat for the second side seam.
8. Add ribbon cockade at top to complete the project.

Tuck the card contents into the pocket.
(NOTE when using the pocket to hold
the MOTHER accordion dangler card
it may work best to tie the ribbon so that
knot and bow are at center front.)

MOTHER Accordion Card with Twist Letters

 
Six accordion panels with letter-mounted plaques 
are connected to frame by twine (or perle cotton) so that 
they “twist” within their frame windows. 
Layers of frame panels and letter plaques give this display card 
definite weight. Accordion panels are connected with 
3 or 5 folding brackets. Letter plaques can be assembled using 
“print & cut” interior letters that include leaf and berry
printed details, (or, optionally simply as letter cut outs), 
with narrow offset black base letters for outlined effect. 
Panels each measure approx. 4.125” wide x 5.75” tall. 
Completed card measures approx. 24.75” long, 
is self-standing for display. 
Bundle and tie the completed and folded card using 
a narrow ribbon threaded through front panel slot. 
Coordinates with Envelope 3D Pocket Pleated separate design. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A front end single card base panel
B middle double card base panels (2)
C back end card base panel
D panel "hinge" strips (3 or 5)
E offset accent panels (1 front end, 5 reg)
F offset accent front frames (1 front end, 5 reg)
G twister medallion base (6)
H split twister medallion overlays (6 left, 6 right)
I medallion front accent panel (6)
J print & cut MOTHER letters
K opt. berry overlay  tiny circles (6)
L narrow offsets for letters MOTHER
2. If selected, follow the print & cut procedure to
print the MOTHER letters with cutting registeration
lines on white cardstock, then . . .
. . . place printed sheet on cutting mat and send
to cutter.
Finally, remove the cut letters
3. Prepare the twister medallion bases by
positioning each split half onto the whole base
with outer cut edges of both layers aligned
as precisely as possible. (This assembly will create
the narrow channel for the twine.) Repeat to assemble
all 6 twister bases. Press under flat heavy weight
until fully dried.
4. Layer the main letter shapes on their offset (outline)
contrast bases, then . . .
. . . center onto the contrast twister medallion shape.
If selected, position and attach the separately-cut
berry circles over the printed berry.
Place the assembly on flat surface, then press flat
with heavy object such as this thick book, possibly
with something else heavy on top.
Repeat the letters process for all 6 letters.
5. Cut six 5" to 5.5" lengths of twine or perle cotton
in selected color. Position (centered) over twister
medallion front channel, and glue in place. Repeat
for all 6 medallion assemblies.
7. Position the letter/medallion assembly on top
front of medallion base, with side edges aligned,
and centered top to bottom, and attach in place,
concealing all but ends of twine plus extra tails.
Repeat the pressing and drying process.
leaving under weight until fully dried,
for several hours or over night.
8. Prepare the double card panels by bending at center
perforation line as mountain folds.
9. Assemble the front end panel by positioning
and attaching offset frame over front of base,
aligning window opening cut out, with equal narrow
margins all around.
10. Position the appropriate letter inside the window
of panel frame . . .
. . . then add quick-grab glue into the top and
bottom channels. Immediately position the twine ends
over the channels and press to attach ends securely.
When glue is sufficiently dried and ends secured,
use scissors to trim ends even with channel ends.
11. Position the top frame accent over front of
panel assembly, aligning window opening,
with equal offset margin all around, to
conceal the twister twine ends underneath.
Press flat until thoroughly dried.
Repeat for all 6 letters.
12. Repeat the assembly process to prepare
back end single, double panels in similar manner.
Take care to attach the correct letters
in the appropriate positions, with 'O' and 'T'
into the first double panel, and . . .
. . . the 'H' and 'E' in the second double panel,
with the 'R' on the back end panel.
13. Prepare the "hinge" brackets as mountain folds
to attach between the separate panels.
If desired, also prepare the optional 2 brackets as
valley folds to position and attach at double panel
center perforated folds.
14. Position the bracket behind the first seam area . . .
. . . centering top to bottom, with panel edges tucked
as snugly into the fold as possible to still allow
the panels to bend together face to face, and glue
to edge of each of the involved panels.
(This image shows the 'M to O' seam, from backside.)
Repeat for the other three seam positions
to connect all four panels.
If desired, position the optional brackets (valley folded)
behind the double panels, tucking the fold snugly into
the panel bend.
Once brackets are in place, fold the entire assembly
into its accordion arrangement and . . .
. . . apply fingertip pressure along the seams
to lock in the foldability.
15. To finish the card, thread a length of ribbon
through the front end slot . . .
. . . pass the lead end around the card counter clockwise,
then tie knot and bow, either on the side as shown,
or at center of the medallion (backside).
Consider preparing the companion pocket envelope
design where the closed card can be tucked
for presentation.
Find the assembly guide for the pocket HERE.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Honey Jar 3D Hexagons

Container imitates a specialty glass honey pot with 
edge-structured walls on front and back, 
six solid side walls. 
At top panel, bottle’s neck is fashioned from 
ten-facet ring with rim and closely-fitting dimensional lid.  
Jar measures approx. 4.375” tall x 4.25” wide 
x 2.125” deep when completed. 
Consider adding “Bee Wildflower Honey Decal” to 
front panel, attaching “Honey 3D Disc Dipper” 
companion design to complete the ensemble. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main hull lower shape
B main hull upper boxing (to join to A)
C jar neck band
D bottom foot shapes to stack for thickness (4)
E clear front, back panels (2)
F lid (sides) boxing strip
G boxing strip top panel insert
H lid top contrast panel
I lid top panel with bee cut out
2. Prepare the main hull and add-on boxing panel
by bending back on all perforation lines for front,
back and boxing wall panels, flanges and tabs.
3. Layer and stack the "foot" bottom squared rings
and glue together, taking care to align all cut edges
as precisely as possible. Then . . .
. . . place on a flat surface and press with a heavy flat
object such as this thick book volume, perhaps
with another heavy object on top, and leave in place
until foot ring is completely dry, for several hours
or overnight.
4. Position the foot stack on the outside bottom surface
of main hull shape, centered within the perforation lines
that define the bottom panel, and attach. 
Press with heavy weight until glue is dry.
5. Begin the hull assembly by bending one side bottom panel
up into position, tucking the flange tab behind
the hexagon front or back wall, with wall straight edge
overlapping flange to align at perforation line,
and glue in place.
6. Repeat step 5 for three more lower side flange seams.
7. Position and attach the first end of the upper boxing
strip to the end flange tab of main hull, overlapping
straight edge to align precisely at boxing perf line.
8. Repeat step 5 to attach both edges of one 
upper side panel, and . . .
. . . both side edges of top panel.
9. Prepare the bottle neck strip by bending back on
all perforation lines for segments, inward tabs
and end tab, and forward for bottom tabs.
10. Form the strip into a tube to overlap plain side
edge wall across side tab to perf line, adjust for
top and bottom alignment, then join seam.
11. Bend each of the six top tabs inward and glue
backside to inside wall.
12. Insert neck through one of the openings (front,
back or upper side) so that it can be . . .
. . . pushed through top hex opening.
Push through opening until bottom tab perforations
"catch" and seat at cut edge, then glue tabs in place
to backside of top panel.
Use openings to reach fingertips to interior to
press and secure neck tab attachment.
13. Use permanent 1/8" wide double-sided tape
such as this Kool Tak product . . .
. . . applied to all six edges of each of the clear front
or back panels.
14. Insert clear panel through side opening, then . . .
. . . adjust and position behind front or back
panel opening edges, and stick in place.
Repeat for the remaining front or back wall,
using the end of a suitable tool to apply pressure
to secure the panel's adhesive taped edges.
15. Tuck unattached boxing panel side flange tabs
down behind hull side wall margins, end tab inward,
then position and join the three seams, using
top opening to reach inside to assist with pressure.
16. Prepare the lid rim strip by bending back on all
perforation lines for side wall segments, each narrow
bottom rim margin perf line, top tabs, and bending 
forward on inward tab narrow tabs.
17. Form the rim strip into a a ring to align and
join side seam.
18. Identify the lid hexagon insert by the tiny notch
cut from on side, then . . .
. . . apply glue to the underside of top tabs, and
insert hex shape into lid interior to seat each edge
snugly against a corresponding wall.
Apply pressure all around to secure.
19. Apply glue to narrow edge flange, then . . .
. . .  bend flanges to inside of lid cavity to attach
narrow tab to inside of rim face, with end cut edge
tucked next to insert.
Repeat for all six segments.
20. Position and attach contrast back panel to . . .
. . . backside of selected lid top panel.
21. Position and attach lid unit to top of lid
assembly.
22. To close honey pot, slip the lid over the neck
of the jar top. If lid doesn't stay on as securely
as desired, consider placing a pair of sticky dots
on the underside of lid next to side walls, so that
top of neck will catch and grab when touching dots.
Here is the completed honey jar as seen from top . . .
. . . and showing underside angle.
23. Consider placing the Wildflower Honey emblem
on front of jar, if desired.