Large 3D Box Rustic Holiday

Large scale, hexagon fancy box to decorate 

and display or give as a gift 

(filling must work around reinforcement collar 

which divides hull space). 

Measures approx. 8.25" wide x 7.125" deep x 7.375" tall. 

Side offset accent panels can be cut from favorite paper 

(model shows panels from Graphic 45 
Winter Wonderland Collection  "Rustic Holiday" 
print stock fussy-cut using panel shapes as templates). 

Lid accent top shape includes a center punch hole 

to accept a decorative brad or other decorations 

and accent shapes such as "Bow 3D Double Loops" 

and "Doily Lacy Edge Hexagon". 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A box main hull side panels (3)
B side panel accents (shown are fussy-cut G45 paper)
C base hexagon marked with 'B'
D hull upper opening interior reinforcement collar
E lid side panels (3)
F lid accent strips (shown fussy-cut from G45 paper)
G lid hexagon        H lid accent offset hexagon
I optional lid accent doily (from separate cut file)

2. The model box shown in this tutorial features

Graphic 45 Winter Wonderland "Rustic Holiday"

specialty print card stock.

It includes 4 full size panels, and two panels

that are composed of smaller rectangle designs

that are equivalent to the full size panels,

all of which fit as size panel accents on

this large hex box - intentionally.

Lid border strips were cut from holly border

design on the companion "Nordic Greetings"

specialty card stock in the same G45 collection.

2. Prepare the main hull shapes (3) by bending

back on all perforation lines for side panels,

top flanges, bottom and side tab flanges.

3. Align and join the side panels along the

side seams, overlapping the straight side (left)

edge over the side tab flange (right), adjusting

up and down for perfect alignment, then

gluing securely in place.

Join all three panels into one long panel.

4. Cut a side panel accent shape from the cut file

to use as a template - OR - study the cut out panel

shown in the image below to see how the panels

are trimmed at the edge dividing the "colored" panel

and the black background on the card stock print, then

cut out 6 side panels.

5. While the hull main panel is flat, position

and attach the 6 side panels toward the bottom

of the perforation-defined hull side panels,

leaving an offset of approx. 1/8" at bottom

and side edges. "Dry" tape-style adhesive is

recommended. If using liquid adhesive, it is

advised to use a flat weight to press the panel

during glue drying to avoid warping or curling.

6. Turn the hull side panel unit face down,
then press TOP EDGE flanges to back and glue
in place ALL EXCEPT the flange that is adjacent
to the straight side edge. (This flange will be
folded and glued in place later.)

7. Form the hull panel into a tube to bring together

the final side seam straight edge and corresponding

tab flange, adjust, then join final side seam.

NOTE that the symmetrical shape of the hull

will allow the tube to be pressed flat to apply

fingertip pressure along the final side seam.

8. Bend the final top opening flange tab 

to backside and glue in place.

9. Bend the bottom flange tabs
of the hull tube inward at 90 degree angles.
Identify the base hexagon shape by locating
the 'B' cut into it, then . . . 

. . . position and attach it to the bottom flange tabs
of the hull tube. 
NOTE: One way to do this is to "audition" the fit
of the hexagon edges to the tab perforation lines,
re-shaping the hull hex tube to match - 
paper thickness may cause the hexagon to fit slightly
inside the tab perforations. Then, noting that offset,
first attach one hex edge to its tab, and when secure,
folding the hex base into position to attach to
the remaining tabs.

10. Prepare the hull reinforcement collar by
bending all of the edge flanges forward/upward.

11. Insert the collar into the hull top opening,

adjusting the opening edges to conform to collar,

and slipping the collar downward into the hull

so that the top edge of the collar flange alignes

just below the hull flange. Then . . . 

. . . apply finger pressure all around to secure

each of the 6 edge "seams".

12. Prepare the 3 lid side panel shapes by

bending back on all perforation lines

as was done for hull shapes.

13. Join the 3 shapes at side seams.

14. Add accent strips to lid side panels.

NOTE: the cut file includes variations for 

lid side panel accents, depending on specialty

print being used, or other considerations.

The strips used on this project include NO

offset, either at top and bottom edges, nor sides.

15. Reverse the lid side panel unit to press

and attach bottom edge flanges to backside . . . 

. . . leaving the final flange adjacent to the straight

side edge unattached until later in assembly.

16. Form the lid unit into a ring to bring together
the final straight edge and tab, and join.

Bend the final rim flange back and glue in place.

17. Position and attach the lid accent hexagon.

18. Bend the lid upper edge tabs inward, then
attach the lid hexagon shape, aligning hex edges
at tab perforation lines, adjusting and re-shaping
the sides unit to match up edges in similar
manner as was done for hull base hexagon
(see step 9), and joining.

19. Complete the box by fitting the lid onto
the base (this is a snug fit), and . . . 

. . . attaching other embellishments and accents, 

including this "Doily Lacy Edge Hexagon"

shape (from a separate cut file)

that is designed specifically to fit the lid, 

 or . . . 

. . . positioning and attaching the large 3D bow

at the center (bow's brad prongs can be un-bent

and inserted through the lid - pierce the lid first).

Here is the final box, with doily and bow.

Medium 3D Hex Box Nordic Greeting

Moderate size, six-sided fancy box to decorate 

and display, or use as gift container. 

Measures approx. 5.25" wide x 4.5" deep x 5" tall.  

Side offset accent panels can be cut from favorite paper 

(printed panels shown uses rectangle panels as templates
to fussy cut panels - and word strips - from 

Winter Wonderland Collection "Nordic Greetings" print stock.) 

Lid accent shapes include bracket medallion 

and offset shape. Embellish as desired for 

a keepsake box such as adding painted wooden knob 

glued in place on top. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main box hull panels (2)    
B base hexagon marked with 'B' for Base
C hull top opening reinforcement collar
D side panel accents and template
E lid side panels (2)
F lid hexagon   G lid hex accent
H& I opt. medallion offset accent shapes

2. This project uses "Nordic Greetings" specialty

print card stock from Graphic 45, shown here

for viewing the panels and borders that

show on the project model.

Many other options are available, of course

The model box lid also includes the bracket medallion

from the Winter Wonderland Graphic 45

chipboard embellishments set.

The medallion used is shown in the upper

left corner (interior circle NOT used).

The accent offset brackets included

in the cut file for this box are coordinated

to the medallion chipboard shape.

3. Follow the construction sequence and steps

for the larger hexagon box project by going

to that tutorial HERE, following steps 2-19.

NOTE that for this medium box, the hull and the lid

have only 2 side panels to prepare and join.

4. Also NOTE that the hull opening reinforcement collar

for the medium box does NOT include

the cross-bracing, but is open instead as shown

in this image. The collar can be positioned

inside the hull top opening below the top rim flanges,

as is shown with the large box construction.

OR even with the top rim edge, as is shown here.

(Refer to Step 11 in Large 3D Hex Box tutorial.)

(Positioning choice may depend on how snuggly

the card stock being used fits into the hex opening - 

both for the medium project, and for the large box.)

4. Complete the lid decoration by layering 
the two offset shapes together with center
circle opening edges lined up, then centering
and attaching on the lid top.
Position and attach the chipboard medallion
on the offset accents, with center opening
edges of all lined up.

5. NOTE that the fussy-cut (rotary trimmed) side panels 

from the Nordic Greetings Graphic 45 print will be

short enough on the box side panels to allow

the very narrow "Winter Wonderland" word

print strips from the card stock to likewise

be rotary trimmed into a strip, then cut to size

by splitting the tiny flourish between

"Winter Wonderland". These strips can be

positioned and attached above the larger panels.

6.  Finally, if desired, paint a small wooden knob

and attach at the lid center.

Dove Layered Ornament

Graceful dove with outlined details in wings and tail overlays 

messages love and peace for Christmas, New Year, 

wedding, Valentine, and more. 

Built-up layers (9 for body; 8 for wings) 

with stacked eye "dots" that fit into socket cutouts 

give this ornament strength, weight and presence. 

Hang tab accepts ribbon or twine as hanger. 

Embellish with pearl bead on hang loop, 

glitter on over-wings, etc. 

Measures approx. 6" long x 4.25" tall.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A right body (3)   B left body (3)
C left body overlay (3)
D right body overlay (3)
E & F eye mini circle (3 each for left and right)
G & J wing middle layers: 
1 of left; 1 of right for each wing unit
H & L wing overlay: 3 for each wing unit
I & K wing overlay: 3 for each wing unit
M right upper wing: 3
N left upper wing: 3
NOTE: the hanger tab(s) in middle body shapes 
have been slightly modified in the final version.

2. Layer the shapes to create thick shapes,

taking care to line up cut edges as accurately

as possible, apply pressure all around to

make sure edges adhere properly:

stack and glue middle wing 3 shapes 

for left and right . . . 

. . . then press under a flat weight until dry.

3. Stack and glue left and right wing overlay

3 shapes, for both left and right wing units.

4. Stack and glue upper wing 3 shapes,

one for left wing, and one for right wing.

5. Assemble the wing unit by layering a left wing

overlay onto the middle wing layer stack . . .

. . . then the right wing overlay on the opposite side
of wing, taking care to line up cut edges
all around (then press under weight until dry).
Prepare two wing stack units.

6. Position and attach upper wing unit left & right units

on the outer "face" side of each wing unit,

matching cut edges. Press flat.

7. Layer left (shown here) body middle layers 

and the right body middle layers into stacks,

taking care to match up cut edges all around.

Press flat until dry.

8. Stack and glue the 3 right body (shown here) and

3 left body shapes, edges carefully aligned, 

and press flat. 

9. Position middle body stacks back to back,
carefully aligning cut edges, and glue together, press.

10. Position, align cut edges, and attach
both the body overlay stacks onto the appropriate
face of the middle layers stack. Press under weight
until dry. 

11. Layer and glue together 3 eye circle punches

into left eye, and 3 circles into right eye.

12. Position and attach each eye stack

into the eye recess cut circle on left and right

"faces" of bird body.

13.Thread a 12-14 inch length of silk ribbon or

twine through the middle body tab

(it is easier to access at this point in construction).

14. Locate the wing position guide dash lines

on right body face layer (rounded at wing front

and straight short line halfway back toward tip), 

then position wing accordingly, with tip

approx. 1/4" away from tail, and glue in place.

15. Locate wing position guide dash lines (only rounded 

at wing front, then position left wing accordingly

with 1/4" between wing near-tip and tail edge,

and glue in place. 

This frame shows where to measure the 1/4"

space between wing tips and tail.

Press with weight until dry.

16. Tie ribbon hanger loop ends into knot, with optional

bead threaded on first.

Add "sugar" glitter to over wing if desired.