Heart Box with Doves in Wreath

Classic scalloped-edge chocolate box heart is presented here 

with folk art inspired feathered wreath and pair 

of sweetheart doves. Lid includes window behind 

“icing” style wreath which is backed from the inside 

with clear panel. 

(Solid lid shape included in cut file.)  

Lid boxing fits snugly over base boxing. 

Optional interlocking vertical and horizontal 

cross dividers can be glued into base, 

creating spaces that can be filled with 

four different loose treats. 

Box measures approx. 7.5” wide x 6.75” long 

x 1.5” deep when closed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A LID front rim with window main shapes (2 for strength)

B LID middle front rim, cut as half-shapes, providing 3rd layer

C LID clear window panel

D LID boxing shaper panel with connected pop-out panel

E LID boxing strips

F doves and wreath filigree and echo heart

G left & right dove assemblies

H BASE inward layer with guide marks

I BASE middle layer cut as half-shapes, providing 3rd layer

J BASE bottom layer

K BASE boxing shaper panel

L BASE boxing strips

M & N interior interlocking divider panels

NOTE that both the LID and BASE shapes are offered in

the cut file in order to cut the three layers from ONE

12x12 card stock sheet, shown here for the BASE

inward, middle half shapes, and bottom whole shape.

One of the halves needs to be mirrored.

2. NOTE that the inward BASE shape includes

the 'V' cut-in guide marks which will assist in placement

of the BASE boxing and shaper panel assemblies. 

The LID rim shape does not include guide marks because

the window opening will provide placement guidance.

3. Complete BASE and LID panel pre-assembly, so that

these can be pressed and drying while other

assembly work progresses.

A) position and attach the middle layer half heart

BASE shapes onto the backside of inward heart

BASE (includes guide marks), taking care to align

outer cut edges as precisely as possible (here and

throughout).

B) position and attach bottom "plain" whole layer

on top of previous assembly, checking edge alignment.

C) immediately press under flat heavy weight(s), such

as this thick book volume, with something else heavy

placed on top. Press until glue is completely dried,

which may require several hours or overnight. Pressing

helps minimize warping or curling inherent when using

liquid adhesive.

D) repeat step A above for the LID hollow rim shape.

E) repeat step B above for the top LID rim,

then press under heavy flat weight as

described above.

BASE ASSEMBLY

4. Prepare the BASE boxing strips by bending back

on all vertical perforation lines for segments and

end tabs on one of the strips. Also bend the bottom edge

connector tabs back/under, and the top fold-over rim

flanges inward.

5. NOTE the cut-out symbols in end tab and

adjacent edge tab that confirm which strip ends are

intended to connect, then join the seam by overlapping

straight edge across end tab to perforation line,

adjusting for top-to-bottom alignment then gluing.

6. Bend the top flanges back and attach to backside

of strip - EXCEPT  leave the flange at the "plain" 

straight edge end unattached until later in assembly.

Press flat, possibly using weights, until fully attached.

(NOTE that the boxing strip assembly tab end is

shown here, with adjacent flange folded back and

attached in place.)

7. Position, align and join the final side seam of

BASE boxing in same manner as first, then . . .

. . . bend back the final inner wall flange into position

and attach in place.

8. Prepare the insert the BASE boxing shaper panel

(includes side edge notches for identification) by

bending the bottom edge tabs of boxing strips inward.

Then, apply glue to backsides of each tab, and

insert shaper panel within the "ring" of boxing.

TAKE CARE that the top center boxing seam bend

is as "valley" fold to fit into the top angle of heart.

(Identify the top center position by the narrow 

side-by-side segments of boxing; bottom center

segments are considerably longer.)

NOTE that the face side of shaper panel is up.

Adjust the shaper panel and boxing so that segments

and facet edges align, then secure in place by

pressing with fingertips all around the edge until ALL

are securely in position.

9. Prepare the optional divider panels by bending

back along center rim edge, as well as bending

forward on all end and bottom tabs.

10. Apply glue to one side of divider panel

on inside, then . . .

. . . fold divider together and attach wall portions only.

Take care that end and bottom tabs remain unattached.

11. Interlock the long side-to-side divider over

the shorter vertical divider by sliding slots together

and pushing together completely so that top fold

edges match up.

12. Insert assembly into BASE heart interior,

aligning cross beam at the widest angle, and

pushing fully down flush with "floor".

Attach end tabs to walls in all four positions,

"pinching" tabs around top center crest, within

bottom center corner, and at side angles. Also apply

pressure to attach bottom long flanges to "floor".

13. Prepare to attach BASE boxing assembly to

BASE heart inward surface by identifying guide marks

at top 'V' and bottom point.

Then position, adjust, and apply pressure to "floor"

to ensure complete and secure attachment.

LID ASSEMBLY

14. Prepare the LID boxing strips in similar manner

to BASE strips, except there is not a wrap-over rim.

Join strip ends to form the heart "ring", re-bending

the top center perforation (at seam) so that it will

correspond to the center "valley" of shaper panel.

15. NOTE that the LID shaper panel that will be used

with the window version of the box is presented as

"whole" but will later become "hollow", when center

portion - connected in place only be a series of 

narrow "bridges" - will be trimmed away.

LEAVE ATTACHED.

16. Prepare the LID boxing by bending top tabs

inward, then . . .

. . . insert the LID shaper panel in similar fashion

as was done with BASE.

Align, adjust, then glue in place, taking care to

push the center top segments inward to match

shaper panel. 

Apply fingertip pressure all around.

17. Use an art knife or tiny scissors to trim through

the connector bridges that are holding the window pop-out

panel in place, and remove panel.

18. Complete LID assembly by applying adhesive

to the underside of wreath filigree ONLY , then . . .

. . . position on front of LID heart rim, centered and

with narrow rim edge inward edges aligned with

heart's window edges.

Position outer heart echo, centered, around filigree

wreath filigree shape with even margin between . . .

. . . noting that rim and bottom tail feather edges

nearly touch. Press under weights until dry.

19.  Add double-stick adhesive tape - tape with backing

paper is recommended - to edge of clear panel. Then . . .

. . . remove paper backing.

Position on backside of LID heart rim/filigree

assembly, centering it so that edges fall approx.

.25" beyond window cut out edge.

20. Apply adhesive to the backside of LID boxing panel,

then invert onto backside of LID heart assembly,

align window cut out edge of boxing with corresponding

window edge of LID rim, and attach firmly in place.

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

(This will be a fairly snug fit.)

Here is the finished gift box.