Lucky Day St. Pat's Box Card Assembly

Have a fun and creative time preparing

to celebrate March 17th, St. Patrick's "Lucky Day"

as you assemble this festive box card.

Front and side flaps, back tall panel help it hold its box shape 

to display a multitude of decorative elements

suspended on two “bridge” strips, 

The box card also folds flat for storing or sending. 

Measures approx. 7” tall x 3” deep x 2.75” wide. 

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A box card base

B side flap decor panels (2)

C ctr front flap panel (includes hole punch)

D back panel decor shape

E bridge strips (3 shown; only 2 needed)

F back panel shamrock decor (3 layers)

G back bridge decor: clear panel, "Lucky Day" letters and base, positioning template

H front bridge decor: leprechaun shapes

I front flap decor: 17 tag, horseshoe

J left flap decor: shamrock sprig

K right flap decor: shamrock sprig

2. Position and attach the flap panel decor shapes to corresponding panels. For the front panel, layer the "17" tag first and attach to panel decor shape with mini brad before gluing panel in place (punch hole has been omitted from front flap).

ALTERNATIVE: Position front panel along and use an appropriate tool to punch a corresponding brad hole through box base front panel, then attach tag at later stage.

3. Form the box base into a tube to bring the lower side tab straight edge in line with the opposite tab perforation line of the back panel. Adjust to align bottom edges of both, then glue in place.

4. Layer the back panel decor shapes. The tendril and two shamrock/clover sprigs are numbered with cutouts on the base shapes, with no. 1 being the front, no. 3 the back. For more dimension, small foam dimension squares are placed between the base sections.

NOTE that there are overlay contrast clover head shapes provided to add more color and variety to this sprig and also the side panel sprigs, at your discretion and choice.

5. Position and attach (more foam squares suggested on the back of no. 3 base) to the box back panel. Center the base between the box sides, with the straight bottom edge approx. 1/2" below the side flap fold (or as you otherwise prefer.)

You may also choose to "invisibly" attach the clover head areas as needed to each other and the back panel in strategic areas if they flop forward undesirably when the box is completed.

6. Prepare the two bridge strips by bending back the side tabs to a ninety-degree angle.

7. Apply glue to the outer surfaces of the back bridge, insert it into the box, position it approx. 1/3 of the distance forward from the back of the box interior cavity with the top of the strip even with the flap folds. Check for parallel to box front/back, adjust as necessary, then hold tabs in place until moderately attached.


Before tabs are completely attached . . .

. . . it is suggested that the card be folded into its closed position as shown here to allow the bridge connections to self-adjust as necessary.  Apply pressure from the top of the flattened assembly in the area of the two end attachments to help them adjust and become secure.

(Repeat this process after the second bridge is attached also.)

8. Prepare the decor assembly for the back bridge. Layer the "Lucky Day" letters on their offset base shape.

Position and attach the bottom portion of the assembled element to the top of the clear panel (sticky tape or other "dry" adhesive is recommended).

NOTE: There is a "template" shape included in the cut file that can be cut from second grade paper to use as a positioning guide. Though difficult to distinguish the clear shape - except for its reflection glare - this image shows the template on the bottom, the clear arch panel with bottom and side edges lined up, with the "Lucky Day" shape being positioned and aligned over the top so that it can be attached as originally designed.

9. Attach the bottom portion of the clear panel to the front of the first bridge, centered and with bottom edges of both lined up.

(Use "dry" adhesive here as well.)

10. Prepare the leprechaun head decor shape by assembling the various shapes on the base shape.

(NOTE: I realize now that shaped edge of the hat base shape includes a slight "bump" in the echo edge that indicates I placed my layered shamrock on the right side instead of the left side where it was originally designed.)

11. Prepare and insert the second bridge strip into the box's interior, approx. half way forward from the first bridge strip (i.e., at the front one-third division) as described in step 7.

12. Position the leprechaun head, tipped and as far to the left as possible to determine where the glue should be applied. The bottom of the beard is approx. 3/8" to 1/2" below the top of the bridge. Apply glue only to the bottom portion of the base backside where it will actually attach, then position and hold until secure.

13. Prepare the two side flap decoration shapes by layering contrast clover heads and centers over the base shape as desired. Bend the stems back where they attach to the squared off oval and fold flat.

14. Apply adhesive to the oval base (this is actually the top/front surface of the base shape oval where the glue is being applied), then . . .

. . . position, centered front-to-back, over the side flap. The bend of the stems should align at the fold of the flap, and only the oval base shape is being attached. 

The left side is shown here. Repeat for the opposite, right side. NOTE that the longest swirl tendril is nearest to the back of the box card.

15. Layer the horseshoe and its base. Position (centered) and attach to the front flap, with it's inner curved edges aligned around the tag, and lower edges slightly offset above the lower flap curved edge.

Here is the completed box card in its open position. 

Here is the box card folded flat.