Flag 3D Stacked Blocks Display

Build and assemble three different size rectangle boxes 

(each composed of lid and base), 

add accent "stripe" or panel rounded rectangles (plus star) 

on the front faces, then stack into flag form. 

Cubic posts with .25" wooden dowel inserts cut to size 

can be used to insert through the stack strata 

to add strength and stability, 

assisting glue between box surfaces. 

For version without posts, extra LID designs are included 

without the pole insertion openings. 

Measures approx. 7.5" wide x 6.125" tall x 1.5" deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the pieces.
A star box LID and BASE, accent panel and star
B interior support strut   C top conceal panel
D optional support/connection posts
E short right side box LIDs and BASEs (2 ea.)
F short interior strut supports   G top conceal panel (1)
H long bottom box LIDs and BASEs (2 ea.)
I interior strut supports (4)    J bottom conceal panel

2. Prepare each of the stripe and panel boxes

in the same fashion, as will be demonstrated using

one of the long, bottom stripe boxes.

Prepare the shape by bending back  on all

panel edge perforation lines and tabs.

Prepare LIDs and BASEs in the same way.

3. Identify the BASE of each different length or size

box set by locating the symbol "cut out" on the edge

of a side tab (half circle, double half circle or V notch).

The BASE will fit inside the LID to complete each box.

4. Position and attach each of the stripe or panel accent

shapes onto the front of each LID.

Here are all five box LIDs with their accent

front panels (plus star on the taller box).

6. Form the LID shape into a three sided box "tray"

by bending the panels back. Bend the end panels

into position so that straight edges overlap

corresponding tab flanges to perforation line,

and glue in place. Repeat for opposite end.

7. Prepare the interior support strut by bending
forward at the center perf line, and bending back
 on edge tabs.
NOTE that the various size struts also have
corresponding symbol cutouts on one tab
to identify which will fit in long, short or tall star box.

8. Insert strut into the BASE of each box,
with flange faces being glued to inside of bottom
surface. Strut walls will angle at 'V' formation
to help support center of top & bottom walls.
NOTE: long bottom boxes will have a pair
of struts as shown.

9. Apply glue to strut top flange faces, then

insert BASE assembly into the LID.

Slide BASE nearly fully into LID, pausing to

apply adhesive along the bottom margin of each face

before sliding fully in and flush at bottom edges.

Apply pressure along all faces until secure.

(Prepare all 5 boxes to this stage.)

10. Prepare the optional alignment/connection post
wrap shape by bending on all long perforation lines.
NOTE: the side tabs were eliminated in the final version.

11. Use a 1/4" wooden dowel as a press-against form
to wrap the post shape around, overlapping
straight long edge over flange to perforation line,
then applying pressure all along seam,
adjusting as needed, until seam is secure.
12. Measure the dowel to length by aligning end
with base edge of end tabs, marking opposite
end of dowel at the tab perforation.
Remove dowel and cut to size, reinsert.
Prepare TWO posts.

13. Insert post through TOP opening of star box,

through interior, and out the bottom opening.

14. Glue tabs to top of box.

15. Insert post bottom end into  top of next box
(long stripe box), then apply glue onto underside
of upper box before . . . 

. . . sliding together to inside post
through stripe bottom box. 

16. Repeat post insertion and gluing through

bottom stripe box, then glue bottom tabs in place.

17. Position and attach the top 

concealing panel to hide the post assembly.

18. Glue the first short stripe box into position,

attaching to top of top long stripe and end to

star box. Then . . . 

. . . repeat for the top short stripe,

19. Insert post through all stripe openings

(this will require a bit of "fishing" to find openings)

working end tabs out fully if possible.

Glue tabs in place at top and bottom.

Glue top and bottom concealing panels in place.

20. Decorate the box stack as desired.

Sample has ribbon wrapped around outer edge,

with berries sprigs tucked into knot.

July 4 Number 3D Box Display

Dimensional numeral 4 is built as lid and base, 

then joined (enclosing a pellets or equiv. 

weight packet so it will stand upright). 

Accent shapes decorate the front, 

including divided front panel with "JULY" letters 

on the tall forward arm, and a trio of stars 

on the short back arm. 

A small punch-hole bracket on the lower panel helps hold 

the optional twine wrapping in place. 

Measures approx. 8.5" tall x 5" wide x 1.25" deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes.
This layout shows the LID front,
overlay accent shapes
(including the "JULY" letters and stars),
the add-on tie tab shape, & the 4 boxing strips

This layout shows the BASE main shape

and the 4 boxing strips.

2. Prepare the accent lower shape by

bending the pop-up tie tab with punch hole forward,

also preparing the add-on tab by bending the rounded

"top" portion back in mirror image of the pop-up tab.

3. The two rounded ends with punch hole (to accept
the twine tie at end of assembly) will be placed
together back-to-back, EXCEPT the add-on tab
is first inserted upward from the underside of 
the accent shape, with the extension end being
attached to the underside to fill in the pop-up up
tab's opening.
Position the add-on tab as described, glue
rounded tips together with edges matched,
and glue the add-on extension to the underside
of accent shape.

4. Position and attach the upper and lower

accent shapes to the front panel,

noting that main accents are offset slightly

inside the panel edges.

Also insert and attach the JULY letter

shapes in the cutout openings,

and the stars in their corresponding openings.

5. Prepare the LID boxing strips by bending back

all attachment and rim tabs (long sides of strips)

and bending the cross perforation lines to

match the edge angles of the '4' shape.

One way to do this is to lay out the strips . . . 

. . . according to the symbol cutouts on

strip end or close-to-end so that they

are continuous . Shown here are

the LID (left) and the BASE (right)

showing the angle/corner where the strips

join up.

NOTE that the TOP tab includes a tiny 'T' cut

to identify it at the top tab.

6. Position and attach the LID top tab to the top
of the '4' shape.

7. Bend the next segment of the boxing strip

into position to align the perforation edge at

the edge of the '4' shape, and attach in place.

It may be helpful to invert the assembly onto a flat

surface and apply finger-tip pressure along the tab

and seam to achieve a secure attachment.

8. Bend the final strip segment into position and

attach in place.

9. NOTE the lower strip end that has been

attached includes a tiny triangle symbol cutout.

The matching symbol cutout will identify the
next strip and its end edge that will be attached
in place.

Overlap the straight end of strip 2 over the corresponding
end tab of strip 1 and attach.

10. Bend the strip to align the first segment with

the corresponding straight edge of the '4' shape,

and attach in place as with previous segments.

11. Locate and identify the end tab symbols
the show which strips should be joined
(refer to the illustrations at end of step 5),
then continue to position and attach strip segments
until . . . 

. . . the final long segment of final strip is ready

to position. At the same time as strip is positioned

and attached, also position and attach the final end tab,

aligned with the lead strip straight edge. 

12. Bend back the rim flanges and glue in place

to the backside/inside of the boxing strips.

13. Repeat the assembly process to position

and attach the BASE boxing strips to the reverse

'4' shape, matching symbols in similar fashion

to the LID.

14. Prepare a small plastic bag filled with 

"weighted stuffing material" such as the plastic

pellets used for the model to a size that will fit

into the BASE cavity near the 'leg' bottom as shown,

and insert into position. Secure with glue or tape.

15. Assemble (or close) the '4' box by placing

the LID over the BASE, then invert

and press flat to close.

Secure the LID and BASE box edges together

by easing the LID wall away from the BASE

to apply some quick grab adhesive between.

Then . . . 

. . . apply pressure to adjust the number form

to its actual shape, pressing side walls in

until they join appropriately.

16. Measure and cut the desired baker's twine

in a length that will wrap around the cross bar

of the '4' at least twice (three strands shown)

then thread the lead ends through the pop-up

tab. Wrap the twine around . . . 

. . . the cross bar, then knot the grouped ends

and tie a bow. Trim ends.

Here is the completed July 4 box.

Drum Shaped Card

Highly detailed, built-up layers create a stunning card

for Independence Day or festive Christmas giviing. 

Back layer "hinges" away from front at perforation line 

to reveal message space. Place optional standard gift card 

recess panel with wrap-over tab bracket 

which ribbon-ties closed to secure card in place. 

On front, layer drum main base with inner rim cutout base 

(provides contrast for main body show-thru cutouts), 

main body, front rim strips, banding detail with 

brackets and ball finials, arc flourishes and stars. 

Two-layer drum sticks are added diagonally across 

front and tied in place to card base punched tab 

(as well as foam square attached). 

Measures approx. 6x6 when finished. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A front card base

B (white) drum front silhouette (shows thru as skin)

C (dk blue) drum back rim/base shape

D (cream) drum hull with 'C' and

star flourishes in place

E hull accent cut-outs contrast liner

F front rim

G strapping shape with ball finials, bracket accents

H drum sticks base   I drum stick front

J card back base

K opt. gift card recess panel build up (3)

L gift card panel strap strip

2. Prepare the drum hull shape by positioning

and attaching the contrast strip behind the shape

so that it is behind the the circle cut-outs ONLY.

3. Layer the "skin" (or head) bottom shape

with the rim shape and the hull assembly shape

with side and bottom edges of each aligned, 

and attach each in place.

Use a flat weight to press the assembly during

the glue drying process if using liquid adhesive.

4. Position and attach the front rim shape over

the top edge of the hull shape.

Position and attach the bottom red trim strip

a scant 1/2" above the bottom edge.

5. Position and attach the strapping shape

over the top of the assembly, matching up

the corresponding ball finial shapes and side edges.

6. Position and attach the ball finial and bracket

accent shapes over the strapping shape.

7. Position and attach the 'C' flourishes surrounding

the square cutouts in each panel.

Position and attach star accent with arms

between the circle cutouts.

8. Position and attach the drum assembly

on the front of the card front base shape,

with edges offset approx. .1".

9. Prepare the optional gift card panel by

layering the three shapes and attaching together,

taking care to line up all cut edges as precisely

as possible.

10. Prepare the strap shape by bending back

the top end tab at perforation line.

Position, centered, over the card window panel,

with tab wrapped around top edge,

and glue tab in place.

NOTE it may be helpful to line up the ribbon

punch holes of strap and panel, then hold in place

as tab is wrapped to back and attached,

since there is a bit of play included in the strap

length to allow for paper thickness variation.

11. Insert a length of ribbon or twine through

both holes (tails toward the front side).

Position the panel (should have strap also in place)

over the back base panel inside face,

center (side to side and top to bottom)

and glue in place.

12. Position front card assembly over back assembly,

lining up edges, and attach the back top panel

(above perforation line) to backside of card FRONT.

13. Insert gift card into recess . . . 

. . . and tie twine to secure in place.

(A piece of double-sided tape behind card will 

additionally help keep it in place.)

14. Layer the drum stick single over the drum sticks

base shape and glue in place.

15. Prepare the attach the drum sticks unit onto

card front by strategically placing (trimmed to size)

foam mounting squares on the backside, then . . .

. . . position drum sticks unit over the card front,

lining up the punch hole near tips,

and angling the sticks attractively across drum.

16. Thread decorative twine through drum stick

hole and drum bases hole, and tie knot and bow.

Here is the completed card.