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.

America Bunting Swag Plaque

Large scale wall decoration features 

a header with "AMERICA" letters and folk stars, 

layered base shapes that connect 9 three-part 

bunting wedges (base layer add-on layer recommended 
for rigidity),  folk star accents in two sizes, 
and 22 decorative brad accents. 

Layer multiple shapes for reinforcement and rigidity. 

Measures approx. 19" wide x 12.25" tall. 

Pop-out hanging brackets with reinforcements 

integrated for easy ribbon hanging. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main header FRONT base (3)
B side FRONT header extensions (2 sets of 3)
C & D header side BACK sections (3 left, 3 right)
E & F plaque fronts with letter guide marks
G hang tab reinforcements (for pop-up tabs in C & D)
H plaque trim strips (4)
I plaque accent stars   J letter accents
K & L bunting wedge upper layers
(include extra hang holes to connect to header)
M regular bunting wedge sets (7)
N wedge star accents (9)

2. For strength and heft, layer the header shapes

and glue together, aligning cut edges and brad

punch holes as precisely as possible.

If using liquid adhesive, be sure to apply flat

weights or something heavy over the whole shape 

to keep the assembly from warping or curling

during the drying process.

Here is the main FRONT header shapes . . . 

. . . the left and right BACK header shapes

(be sure to pop up the hang tabs on the top layer

and keep it from being glued flat) . . . 

. . . and the left & right  FRONT side extender "squares".

Shown here is one weight solution:

cast-off fabric covered weight bar from a broken

pulley-weights machine.

(It is being used on a built-up shape from

a different project.)

3. Prepare the tab reinforcement shapes by

bending forward on the middle perforation line

of each. Position over the corresponding

pop-up shape on the back of each of the side header

build up shapes, matching the rounded

upper edges, punch hole and perforation,

and glue in place.

NOTE that the more attractive card stock face

of these BACK side panels is selected

to be the backside of the plaque.

4. Prepare each half of the plaque (face plate)

by positioning a trim strip at top and bottom

edge of each.

5. Identify the LEFT panel by locating the 'L'

cut at the left end of the lead panel that

eventually will be hidden under the left star accent.

Position the left and right panels side by side

and face down on work surface, butt the center

edges together tightly with top & bottom edge

aligned, and secure temporarily with a piece

of cello or other thin tape.

For reference, here are the plaque face shapes

with the 'L' guide mark and the star- and letter-bottom

guide marks shown.

NOTE that the front edge of the 'R' will

line up with the center joint.

6. Position and attach the star and letter accents

onto the plaque panel assembly.

7. Assemble the header by positioning and attaching

the BACK left and right panels behind the main 

FRONT panel, lining up top edges and

corresponding brad punch holes of each.

8. Position and attach the FRONT extension units

to the sides of the main FRONT panel, lining up

top and outer side edges.

9. Position and attach the AMERICA plaque
over the header assembly, lining up top and
side edges.

10. Prepare the 7 regular swag wedges by layering

and attaching together the sections as shown,

taking care to line up corresponding outer cut

edges and punch holes.

Also prepare the left top and right top wedges

(identify these by their extra top edge

attachment holes).

11. Position and attach an accent star into

the corresponding recess cutout on each wedge.

12. Lay out the left & right upper, 7 regular wedges

over the downward arch

of the header assembly, lining up the corresponding

brad punch holes.

Remove, apply adhesive, then re-position and

attach each wedge in place.

NOTE that there is a slight margin of space

between each wedge,

and that punch holes of left & right upper wedges

line up with corresponding holes on MAIN header.

13. Insert 22 contrast regular size brads

at all punch holes (reinforcement connectors

and accents).

14. Attach ribbon or twine hanger through

the punch hole pop-out tabs on backside.

Here is the completed swag plaque.