Needles 'n' Knowledge: Poinsettia 3D Flower Topped Box

Slice-form petals in two sizes and edge styles circle around

a center riser upon which sits a pleated rosette

plus two-layer twig snowflake.

Flower can be used as a topper on

this special pentagon decor box
or gift container, or . . .

converted into a large decorative

hanging ornament. Measures approx. 6.75" tall x
6.75" wide x 1.5" deep.

NOTE: This tutorial will present both projects.
Select and follow those steps that apply
to the ornament or box topper version
you are creating.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A pentagon box base B accent strips (5)
C pentagon lid D lid accent shape
E lid accent strips (5) F riser
G large petals (5 plain bases; 15 perforated)
H small petals (5 plain bases; 20 perforated)
I rosette pleat strips (2) and 2 circle covers
J & K twig snowflake shapes
L snowflake spacer circles (10-12)
M blossom center

N poinsettia ornament base

O poinsettia ornament offset backer

2. Prepare the box BASE by bending back on

all side, tab and flange perforation lines.

3. Position offset accent rectangle panels

within perforations of side walls and glue in place.

4. Prepare the LID in the same manner as
the BASE, bending on perf lines, and
attaching accent shapes, except if you are
adding the poinsettia blossom to the top of
the LID as a topper, DO NOT attach the accent
shape at this point in assembly.

5. Bend the BASE side walls inward to bring

the straight edge to overlap the opposite tab

and glue the seam. Repeat for the other 4 seams.

6. Repeat step 5 for the LID side walls.

7. Bend the rim flanges for both LID and BASE

inward and glue in place to the backside

of the walls.

At this point, with accent shapes in place,

the pentagon box is complete. Fit the LID

onto the BASE to close.

8. Prepare the small petal slice-form unit shapes

by bending the 4 petals with perforations

for one petal unit forward (as valley folds).

There will be 5 total small petals created.

9. Position the first two bent petal shapes with

adjacent halves back-to-back as shown,

and glue the adjoining backsides together,

taking care to line up all corresponding cut edges.

To assist with the alignment, bend the side

extensions back so that the assembly is in stack form,

and adjust if necessary so that all cut edges,

including the center fold lines are precisely aligned.

In this form pressure can be easily applied

for a secure and complete join.

10. Position the 3rd petal unit so that two backside
halves align, then glue in place.
Continue to fold into stack form to check
and adjust, and apply pressure to assist the
gluing process.

11. Position, align and add the 4th petal as

with previous petals.

12. Apply adhesive the petal stack remaining backside

edges, then position over the plain petal base,

align and attach. NOTE that because of the center

joints of the slices and paper thickness, the stack edges

may be slightly beyond the base edges.

13. Repeat the process for the 5 larger petals,

positioning and joining 3 petals . . .

. . . then attaching that slice-form assembly
to the plain base shape.

14. Prepare the riser shape by bending back

all walls and tabs as shown.

NOTE that the edge tabs may be easier to

insert into the LID accent slots if left un-bent.

15. Join the 10 seams by bending adjacent wall
segments back to overlap the straight edge
over the adjacent tab, and gluing in place.

16. Position and insert the riser edge tabs

into the LID accent shape slots (for BOX)

-- or --

into the ornament BASE (for ORNAMENT),

and push in fully, then . . .

. . . bend tabs outward on the backside,
and glue in place.

17. Position the BOX accent shape over the LID,

center and attach in place.

-- or --

Position the ornament BASE over the

BACKER and attach in place.

18. Position the large petals first, positioning
point at the pentagon point, and the inward
base centered and abutting at a long riser edge.
Glue in place (hot melt or quick-grab
glue recommended).
Position and attach all 5 large petals in this manner.
(NOTE: ornament alignment of large and small
petals units onto the BASE will place tips
at largest outward curves (large) or mid-point
outward curves (small).

19. Position the small petal units by tucking
in between the larger petals, so that the points
are centered along the box edges,
and base ends are abutted at short riser sides.
Position and attach all 5 small petals.