Noel Growing Tree Box Card Assembly Guide

Dimensional card evokes the "magical" feelings 

of the Nutcracker Ballet and Clara's "growing" Christmas tree 

that takes us into the miniature world of the Nutcracker Prince 

and the Mouse King. Three trees on bridges with 

penny slider mechanisms to grow the tree taller. 

Tree layers show through as lights. 

Measures 11" tall.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main card base with outer decor panels
B back bridge (#3)
C middle bridge (#2)
D front bridge (#1)
E star back panel accents
F front panel word cut & flower accents
G front bridge tree with contrast underlay
H middle bridge tree with contr underlay
I back bridge tree with contr underlay
J penny slider cover circles (and pennies)

2. Prepare the main base shape by bending back

on the vertical "corner" perforation lines.

3. Position and attach the back inside panel accent

(bottom edges aligned) and star accents at top.

4. Prepare the outside main box by positioning
and attaching the sides and front accent shapes.

5. Form the box base into a tube to bring

the straight back panel edge to overlap the

opposite side back tab perforation line,

and glue the back side seam.

6. Prepare the bridge trees by layering

with the contrast underlays

(which show through as "lights").

7. Prepare the slider mechanism for each tree
by cutting a foam dimensional square . . .

. . . to fit in the circle window cut out on the back of each

tree assembly from step 6. 

Position and attach within the circle cutout

on each tree.

(See Step 12 to understand how the foam

attached to each tree "layer" will fit into the

bridge slot, then be held in place with the

penny attached ONLY to the extending foam.

This will allow the tree to slide up and down

with the foam "stem" moving up and down

within the bridge slot.)

8. Prepare each bridge by bending back the side tabs.

To test the sliding mechanism, fit the slider slot

of the bridge over the dimensional square and

make sure it moves somewhat freely.

9. Position and attach the flower accents to the

box front panel.

10. Separate each bridge, then position the back

bridge inside the box cavity . . . 

. . . with the bridge

aligned along the backside of the slot cut

on the sides of the box.

(This positioning will allow the tree side extensions

to move into the side slots as it "grows".)

Join each side tab of bridge to the box side

inside surfaces.

Make sure that the bridge is parallel to the back panel

and perpendicular to the bottom box edge.

10. Once the side tabs are connected,

but before the glue is completely dried

fold the box card flat and apply pressure to the

areas where the bridge tabs are attached.

This will allow the tab connections to

"self adjust" if necessary.

Perform this step as each bridge is

attached.

11. Using appropriate adhesive,

attach a circle cover to the front of the penny

for each of the three sliders.

12. Position the back tree in front of the
back bridge with side extensions in the side slots
as shown.

On the backside, the dimensional foam square of
the tree should be inserted within the
bridge's slider slot.

Use appropriate adhesive to attach the penny

side of the penny/cover assembly to the

dimensional square exposed surface.

Test to make sure the tree will slide,

first in the lowest position shown here . . .

. . . through the range to the top of the slider
position, as shown here.

13. Repeat steps 9 - 12 for the middle and front bridges

and their corresponding tree assemblies,

to complete the card.