Sunday, May 28, 2017

Flower Dove Chocolate Candy Card

Foil-wrapped chocolate (Dove Brand )"squares" 
are the edible part of this flat card flower design. 
Position and secure Dove brand chocolate candies at center 
and six petals, with "cover" shapes to disguise 
the wrapper branding placed on top. 
Measures approx. 4.875" wide x 4.625" tall.

 Dimensional envelope in a separate download file 
for Flower Choc Candy
Dimensional crayon-box style envelope especially designed
for enclosing the thickness of the Dove candies flower card. 
Twine wrap circles pair on flap and body provides secure closure. 
Measures approx. 5.125" wide x 5" tall x .625" thick when closed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main card base (cut 3 for stiffness to hold candy)
B card back base (with slots to hold sentiment card)
C sentiment card
D leaf base   E leaf accent overlay
F "bloom!" word cut
G contrast petals base
H main petals shape
I flower center
J squares to attach to chocolate candy tops
K dimensional envelope 
L circle clasp pairs (cut 4 circles total)
 
2. Position card base layers and attach,
taking care to line up outer edges and center
circle punch as precisely as possible.
(Flatten with a flat weight during the drying process
if using liquid adhesive to prevent warping
or curling.)
3. Prepare sentiment card and insert into
slots on card back face side, then . . . 
. . . apply adhesive to area around card corners
(so card can be removed if necessary
and re-inserted) . . .
. . . and position, attach card back to backside
of main card assembly, taking care to line up
edges.
4. Position and attach leaf accent onto
left side of leaf main shape, lining up
outer edge.
5. Prepare flower by layering and attaching
main petal shape on accent shape, with
flower center positioned over the middle,
aligning center circle punch.
6. Position and attach the leaf assembly
offset within the corresponding shaped
portion of the card base.
7. Position flower petals assembly onto
card base assembly, using center circle punch
and offset edges, and glue in place.
8. Position and attach the "bloom" word cut
and separate exclamation and point
on the leaf shape.
9. Prepare the chocolate toppers
by adding a little curl across the longest
direction of the "squares".
10. Position and attach square toppers to
corresponding candy colors, then . . . 
. . . position and attach each chocolate
square at the center of the petals,
with flower center square in the middle.
ENVELOPE ASSEMBLY
11. Prepare the dimensional envelope shape
by bending back on all tabs, flanges,
or panels.
12. Layer and attach a pair of circles (twice) for
twine wrap fastener.
13. Cut a 6 to 7 inch length of twine, and insert
end through flap hole front to back . . .
. . . and glue tail in place on the underside of flap.
14. Insert eyelet/rivet through one of the circle units,
then insert through the flap circle, trapping
the twine.
Use eyelet tools to set the eyelet securely.
(This will also securely attach twine.)
Here is the completed flap circle with twine.
15. Position and attach the body circle
in the same fashion (but without twine).
16. Form the envelope body into a "tube"
to bring the plain edge of the side panel to
overlap the flange tab of the "front" panel . . .
. . . and glue in place.
NOTE that the envelope "tube" can be
flattened in order to apply pressure along
the side seam to secure more fully.
17. Fold the bottom side tabs inward,
bend the bottom tab inward to tuck inside
the bottom of the box.
When ready, the envelope is closed
by bending the top side tabs inward
and top flap down to overlap body.
Insert the Dove Chocolate candy flower card
into the box envelope . . . 
. . . then wrap the twine in figure-eight style
around the fastener circles to secure.

Friday, May 26, 2017

Dice 3D Blocks Variations

Three variations of play blocks designs,
in separate cut files,
can provide fun, variation and practicality
for games, chores, learning and more.
Choose from traditional "pips" 1-6,
numbers 1-6, or primary/secondary colors.
Interior support struts inside make them
sturdy enough to last through lots of use.
Each measures 3" x 3" x 3".

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main box body    B body add-on wall
C die pip number face plates 1-6
D contrast face underlay squares (6)
E interior diagonal struts
F interior cross strut "halves" (4)
2. Prepare the body and add-on shapes
by bending back on all panel and tab
perforation lines.
(NOTE: If you are building a COLOR BLOCK DIE,
construction is identical, except use the
square opening face plate with color underlays
for primary and secondary colors - red, blue,
yellow, green, orange, violet.)
3. Join the add-on panel to the bottom of the main
body, overlapping the straight edge over
one add-on edge tab flange exactly to perf line.
4. Prepare all face plates by positioning and
attaching the contrast underlay square
behind the pip circle cutouts, offset
slightly in from face edges.
5. Position and attach each of the face plate
units, centered, on one of the body assembly
panels.
(Positioning in relationship to each other
can be random.)
If you are building the color blocks version,
here is the body preparation to this point.
6. Bend two walls for the first side seam
into cube form to overlap the plain straight edge
over the adjacent tab flange perforation line,
and glue in place.
NOTE that it will be helpful to place the cube
assembly on a flat surface to apply finger
pressure to the seam flange from the inside.
7. Repeat for three more side seams
to form a cube with open top.
8. Prepare the interior support strut assembly
by first rotating one diagonal strut so that the pair
can have aligned center slots as shown, then . . .
. . . insert slots together and slide fully
into position, top and bottom edges of all even.
9. Prepare the cross strut sections by
bending back the long flange tab and
shorter bottom edge rounded tab.
10. Position the first strut so that the crease edge
aligns to the right of the slot, exactly along
the slot cut edge and extended to top.
NOTE top and bottom edges of all should align.
11. Reverse the assembly to position and attach
the second cross strut on the opposite side
of the flattened (main) diagonal struts
(refer to right pointing finger below).
12. Open and re-fold the assembly to expose opposite
diagonal strut slots, then repeat the process 
to position, align, and attach the final two cross struts.
Here is an overhead view of the final strut assembly.
13. Position the strut assembly over the cube
opening (edge tabs toward the bottom)
so that the diagonal struts correspond
with the cube corners, and the cross struts
will "bi-sect" the straight walls, then . . .
. . . insert into the interior and push in fully.
Reach in and glue the bottom tabs in place,
squaring up the cross struts to their respective
attachment walls at the same time.
14. Fold the tab flanges inward so that the "lid"
wall can be closed into position, tucking the flanges
inside the box, and between the strut edges and walls,
and glue in place.
Here is the finished cube.


Sunday, May 21, 2017

Latch Flap 3D Box to Decorate


Keepsake box has hinged lid attached at "back" 
left side wall panel, with "front" right side shaped flap 
that wraps and "latches" over a miniature hex nub. 
Magnet attraction closure option includes magnets 
on flap (rare-earth used for this sample) and 1/2" metal  
washers attached on front wall underside. 
Engineered wall construction for durability durable. 
Build up layering provides strength and weight to lid. 
Offset accents on walls offer options for decorating. 
Measures approx. 6" x 6" x 2". 
 Companion designs include: 
"Keyhole Plate" design that fits flap shape and hex nub; 
"Handle 3D With Bracket End" for optional 
"top" wall panel embellishment; 
"Memories Mini Album"; 
and "Key Victorian Dimensional" as side embellishment. 

Here is another view of decorated version:
includes case 3d handle on top,
layered fancy key plate on the flap,
Victorian dimensional key on the opposite side.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
For the TRAY portion assembly, A-F, N & O
A box base
B "front" (right side) wall with accent overlay
C magnet placement guide panel
D "back" (left side) wall with accent overlay
(NOTE that the accent overlay actually
is attached to the back panel of the LID
E "top" (side wall) with accent overlay
F "bottom" (side wall) with accent overlay
G lid main shape 
H flap add-on with accent overlay
I center lid overlay   J flap underside build up (4)
K flap underside cover
L lid underside guide build ups (3-4 left; 3-4 right)
M lid build up (2-3)    N bottom cover
O rim accent shapes (2 straight, 2 miter)
P hex nub (also key plate - separate file)
2. Prepare each of the wall sections by bending
back on all panel, tab and flange perforation lines.
3. Position and attach the outer wall overlay
panels on the outer panel portion of each
corresponding wall section.
Shown here: "top" wall and panel which
includes the punch holes to attach
the optional handle with end brackets
(separate file).
4. Identify the "front" side wall by locating
the arrow down triangle cut in the bottom flange.
5. Position the magnet underlay positioning guide
on the backside of the outer wall portion
of the front wall (shown above in step 4).
The panel should be centered top to bottom,
and side to side.
6. Position and attach the metal (magnetic attractor)
washers in the circle cutouts.
7. Prepare the nub shape by bending back
on all the panel and "lid" perforations.
8. Form the nub into a tube to overlap the straight
edge end over the side tab opposite.
NOTE that it may be helpful to form this tube
over a 1/4" diameter wood dowel.
9. (If using dowel, move down so that top edge
aligns with bottom of lid hexagon.)
Bend top wall tabs inward, then bend
hexagon lid down into position and glue
in place, taking care to line up hex straight
edges with wall tab perforation edges.
10. If desired, cut a short portion of the 1/4"
wooden dowel that matches the nub tube
height, and insert into the nub tube, glue in place.
11. Insert the nub (back to front) through
the hexagon opening in the front panel,
push through to bottom tab lines.
Bend tabs outward and glue in place on
backside of wall panel.
Here is the front panel with nub exposed.
12. Identify the front edge of the box base square
by locating the tiny 'F' cut.
13. Position and insert the bottom tabs of
front wall into the front slots, push in completely . . .
. . .  then bend tabs toward center on
backside of base panel, and glue in place.
14. Repeat this process for the opposite
"back" wall panel.
15. Follow similar process to insert the bottom
tabs of "top" and "bottom" panels into
corresponding edge slots, bend tabs and glue
in same manner as front and back wall panels.
16. Form the walls by bending up two adjacent walls
into perpendicular positions, and insert tabs (top or bottom)
into corresponding slots in adjacent panel (front or back).
Bend tabs outward on the backside of wall panel,
and glue in place.
17. Join all four corner seams in the same manner.
18. Bend and wrap "front" wall section over,
with "rim" area at top of box tray, with bottom
tab flange wrapping around bottom base edge
and glue in place.
NOTE that it may be helpful to use a shaft tool
like the one shown here, inserted in between
the walls and behind the tab flange to provide
a "press-against" surface to help join flange
securely.
19. Repeat for the opposite "back" wall.
20. Repeat the process for the "top" and "bottom"
walls, wrapping the rim portion over the top
of the end of front and back walls, forming
the miter "seam".
(Apply a dab of glue under the miter edge.)
Continue wrapping the wall bottom flange tab
at box base edge, while at the same time
tucking the side long tab behind the adjacent
wall, and glue all tabs in place.
22. Position and attach bottom cover in place
to hide the tab construction.
23. Position and attach the rim accent shapes,
placing straight end strips first, then miter end
strips to overlap straight ends.
24. Bend the flap shape back on the perforation.
Position and attach the flap accent shape
over the flap main shape.
25. Position the main lid straight edge to overlap
the flap assembly to flange tab perforation line,
and glue in place.

IMPORTANT:
Steps 26 thru 33 show the LID assembly,
including joining the add-on flap.
Because paper thickness may affect how the LID
fits onto the TRAY, review the intervening steps,
then complete Steps 31-33 NOW.
SKIP ahead to Step 34 to test how the LID
fits over the TRAY with hinge end wrapped
on left side, FLAP placed in final position
with NUB within hole, then glue together
LID main and FLAP only.
Continue to work on LID alone to
complete Steps 26-30, then attach LID
hinge end panel as instructed in Step 34.

26. Position and attach the center lid accent shape.
NOTE that because of the "wrap" allowance around
 the box tray portion walls, the central portion is
wider (back side to flap side) than it is tall (bottom
side to top side), so this shape needs to be
oriented correctly - long direction toward flap.
27. Prepare the under-flap guide build up shapes
by layering and gluing together one left guide 
with 4 shapes for left,
and one for right (interchangeable).
NOTE that when preparing any build up shapes
in this design (or others prepared by SnapDragon
Snippets), it will be helpful to use a flap weight
placed on top of the glued-up stack to help keep
it flat while the glue dries. Here, a fabric-wrapped
cast-off free weight is pressed on top to help
it dry and avoid warping and curling. Many other
household objects can accomplish the same thing.
28. Layer and glue together the three lid build up
shapes, using a heavy flat weight to press the layers
while the glue is drying. 
29. Position and attach the under-lid guides
by aligning the outer corner edges with corner
cut marks still visibly on the lid's underside. 
30. Layer and glue together the three under-flap
build up shapes, using flat weight to assist
during the drying process.
31. Position and attach the under flap
build up shape by aligning the matching edges
with the main flap. Take dare to line up the latch
hole so that the closure will work properly.
32. Position and glue in place the metal
washers that will attract the magnet inside the front
wall.
33. Position and attach the under-flap cover exactly 
on top of the under flap build up, concealing
the magnet stack and washer recesses.
34. Position the lid so that the "back" hinge end
is lined up with the left side tray panel, with
the bend of the lid seated at the top of the wall.
It will also be helpful to check that the flap
wraps to allow the nub to fit into the hole opening.
Adjust if necessary, then glue in place securely.
Here is the box in its completed form,
ready to decorate, if desired.
DECORATIVE KEY PLATE
35. Identify and cut the shapes required:
(top) bolt head punch circles (8 x 2)
(l to r) contrast base, main base, inner frame,
outer frame
35. Layer the shapes as shown,
left to right, onto the contrast base,
one by one, flattening with weight
during drying process to help it stay flat.
36. Stack and attach together 8 punch circles
for two dimensional bolts.
Position one bolt stack in each of the circle
positions, and glue in place.
Here is the completed key plate.
Position the key plate on the box flap
with the open circle centered over
the corresponding hole of the flap.
Embellish the box as you desire.
Shown in this image is the front with printed panel
and cutouts, metal corners, fabric flower, stud swirl
and more.
This view shows the Victorian key
hanging from a metal chain on the "back"
side, with a glimpse of the stitched handle
with brackets on the top, ribbon cluster
tied to it.
A tag cut from printed paper was also
attached to the opposite end of handle.
Metal feet were attached to bottom.