Pencil Chubby Hidden Gift Card

Say thank you to an educator, colleague or student. 

Hide a gift card in the recess of the eraser-end 

built-up layers slider, then insert into the shaft compartment. 

Attach tag with "thanks!" welded word using mini brad 

or twine through punch hole in eraser end. 

Measures approx. 4.25" x 7" when closed. 

(This tutorial is under construction.

Please return soon to view the completed assembly guide.)
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main pencil "front" panel
B "lead" pencil tip accent   C "paint" accent
D "metal ring and bands" accents
E pencil shaft back/base
F shaft build up shapes (5)
G"eraser" slider/carrier back
H "eraser" slider/carrier build up shapes
I & J "eraser" tip front and back
K "thanks" word cut and tag

2. Prepare the shaft build up by positioning and

attaching the (5) shapes to each other,

one at a time, taking care to match cut edges

as accurately as possible.

NOTE: it may be helpful to use a flattening weight

during the gluing process to prevent warping.

3. Position and attach the shaft build up unit
to the backside of the shaft base/back shape,
taking care to line up matching edges carefully.

4. Prepare the shaft front by positioning and
attaching the accent shapes.
5. Apply adhesive to the face surface of the
build up shape, then position and attach
the shaft front unit, taking care to line up
matching edges carefully.

6. Position and attach the slider build up shapes
to each other in a stack, one at a time,
taking care to line up all cut edges as accurately
as possible.

7. Position and attach the slider build up shape
to the backside of the slider back base,
lining up edges accurately.

8. Position and attach the eraser tip shape

front to the front of the slider assembly.

Position and attach the back tip shape also.

9. To assemble, insert the slider into the channel

created by the build up layers . . . 

. . . insert the gift card into the recess,
then slide the slider into position fully
where it will be hidden.

10. Assemble the tag by positioning and attaching

the "thanks" word cut to the front of the tag.

Position and attach tag to the eraser tip front

using a mini brad through the punch hole,

bend back prongs on back side.

(Or attach with ribbon or twine, etc.)

Here is the completed hidden gift card.

3D Book Box Gift Card Holder Tutorial

Create this miniature but very realistic 3d book box gift card holder

to express thanks to a teacher or school administrator,

or to wish your student (young or old) good luck

for the scholastic new year.

Construction moves quickly, with inner cover liners with positioning guides,

inner spine strips for realism (use a contrast two-sided cardstock),

lid (front) and back "page" boxes, and inner liner to hold card.

This box looks so realistic, you'll want to make complete library!

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Identify and cut the pieces. 
A Book outer "cover"
B Front inner cover liner
C Back inner cover liner
D Inner spine decor strips
E Front inner "box"
F Back inner "box"
G Card insert

NOTE that if A is cut from a card stock paper that has the appropriate contrast backside color, the finished box will have a more realistic look. The paper in our sample has a yellow back side.

2. Position B front inner and C back inner cover liners on the backside of A cover so that outer three edges line up. 

(In this image, the "front" liner on the right is already in place, and the "back" liner on left is being positioned.)

3. Position the five decor spine strips in the space between the cover liners. These shapes simulate the look of a vintage book spine.

Slightly fold the spine perforation lines to give the binding section the rounded look of a real book. Fold the end perforations completely, so the covers will close when the book is finished.

4. Prepare the FRONT inner box :

a. fold tall end edge side and flange inward at perforation fold lines.

b. fold the side edge sides and flanges inward at perforation fold lines to a 90 degree angle.

c. insert side tabs between front and flange and glue in place.

5. Repeat the process for the short inner side, folding side tabs inward, then folding short side and flange to wrap around the tab, and glue short flange and side together.

6. Fold the side flanges inward into place and glue.

7. Repeat the process to prepare the inner BACK box, where all sides are of the same height. (See the completed back box two images further in the blog.)

8. Prepare the card insert in a similar fashion, folding the sides and ends inward, folding end tabs inward, then wrapping and gluing sides and ends inward to wrap over and enclose the end tabs. 

Here is the insert box completed.

And here are all the components completed to this point.

9. Position and attach the front inner box so that the outer corners align with cover triangle cut outs as shown. At the spine edge, the inner lower box edge will line up exactly even with the inner cover edge. 

10. Position and attach the back inner box so that the outer cover triangle cuts and the box's corners all align. NOTE that the inner edge of the back box will be offset inward slightly from the inner "spine" edge of the cover liner.








11. Position the insert into the back box recess as shown.

This image shows the gift card inserted into the corner cuts of the insert's surface.

Close the book by making sure that the front box's side and end walls slide over the outside of the back box smoothly.

Here are the finished images to compare.

School Bus Box Card Assembly Tutorial

Create this unique "fold out" card to give to a favorite educator

or bus driver (or student).

Basically a bottomless box, this card folds flat for sending.

Or let it "explode" and it becomes a miniature bus

with driver's row and three bench rows of seats inside,

plus lots of details on the bus's exterior.

Cut out words express your sentiments
or recognition or encouragement: "On Your Way".

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A box base left half with side seat shapes

B box base right half with side seat shapes

C bus lower L chassis with bumpers, wheels

D bus lower R chassis with bumpers, wheels

E bus front grill with bumper, wheels, lights

F upper front engine with contrast liner

G windshield with mirrors, steering wheel, etc

H bus back window overlay with words, base

I bridge strips (3)

J bench (3) and driver seat assemblies

K door frame rim, lower pane, stop sign

L Wheel "washer" extra circles

M side "SCHOOL" letter signs

Review the tutorial for more identification of shapes and how they relate.

 2. Fold the left and right box base shapes on vertical perforations, then join at front tab, overlapping straight edge of left shape at perforation line, making sure upper and lower edges are aligned.

3. Position the left and right chassis shapes so that their upper edges are aligned at edge of "engine" area near center of assembly, and at top of tab at left edge, and parallel slightly below window frames.

4. Layer engine grille with contrast liner and attach at upper center. Attach "SCHOOL BUS" lettering at front grill, then attach grill upper edge flush below engine grill edge.

5. Assemble and attach remaining decorative shapes into their positions, including: front bumper, lights, tires, door with lower panel, stop sign, "SCHOOL" sign panels, side fenders, back window panel, etc.

6. Assemble (lights on) wind shield, fold at tab perforation, then slide tab under engine grille/body edge and attach in place.
















7. Prepare to attach side seat shapes behind window openings. This image shows the lower edge cutout tab, The lower inward cut/tab top edge will assist with alignment as shown in the next image.

8. Position and attach side seam shape just in front of the back edge of window cut out, with tab indent at lower window edge cutout.

This shot shows the right panel of the bus body, with FOUR side seats. The LEFT panel includes side shapes in ONLY the back 3 windows, but not the door opening.



9. Fold each of the bridge shapes with tabs extended back.


10. Position each bridge fold edge just below seat tab and even with the back of the window opening.

11. Layer the "On Your Way" welded words over the bus body-matching base shape (this helps with spacing). Attach the assembly over the window overlay on the inside of the panel.

12. Fold the panel into a tube shape, overlap back panel straight edge at left panel tab perf line and attach.

13. Position, one by one, the three bridge strip free ends at the opposite side of panel, positioning and attaching as for previous side with strip below side seat edge and even with the window back edge.

14. Before bridge gluing is set, fold the card box flat and apply pressure to the bridge attachment area(s) to help the bridge strip positions adjust, if necessary.

Un-flatten and continue to attach the remaining bridge strips in similar fashion.

15. Assemble the (3) bench and driver's seats by layering the detail (slots) cutout shape over the contrast base shape, then attaching the lower strip. Before the glue is set . . .

. . . fold the bottom upward so that the shape roughly resembles a chair.

NOTE: this shaping will need to flatten during the card folding flat to ship process.

16. Apply glue to the very bottom back edge of seat assembly . . 

. . . then position at back and at each of back two bridges (large bench seats) so that top of seam is approximately even with top of side seat shape.

Also position and attach driver's chair at the right position on the front bridge strip.

17. To fold the bus into its finished shape, square up the sides and front/back, fold the front engine section into horizontal position so that the side tabs rest on the box side indent edges, then slide the "mirror" hooks together to hold the upper portion in place.

Here you can see the process of sliding the windshield downward slightly into finished position as the hooks are meshed.

18. Fold mirror shapes at center perf, overlap the windshield hook extension and glue in place, taking care that the "slot" area of hook remains open and exposed.

19. Build up the steering wheel "stem" by layering 3-4 (or more as you choose) circles at the backside center.

20. Position and attach wheel behind windshield, at area just above tab.

21. Prepare the wheels by layering the hubcap (with swoosh cutout) over it's contrast shape, then over the tire, taking care to align all center circle cut outs.

Also prepare the wheel "washers" by layering and gluing together 2-3 washer shapes (same as the hubcap contrast circle).

22. Thread the wheel and washer assemblies onto a regular size brad, then insert brad end through body hole cutout. Fold brad prongs back on the inside. To ensure that wheels can spin, take care that the brad is not attached too tightly.

Repeat for all four wheels.

Here is the completed bus with one wheel in place.

Here is the box card folded flat for mailing.

NOTE that all of the shaping elements and positions need to adjusted

into their "flattened" shape, including unlatching the windshield hooks,

extending the engine/windshield sections upward,

allowing the seat bench lower areas to flatten, etc.

Here is another shot of the completed box card.