Puffy 3D Heart for Display Stand

Two multi-faceted shapes are seamed with tabs to create 

left and right heart halves that are joined at center seam. 

A  5/16” diameter wood dowel-wrapped post attaches 

to flat back panel with two brackets, and then fits 

into bottom shank column, then onto the Candle Stand. 

Heart measures approx. 4.375” tall x 5.75” wide 

x 1.625” deep, and approx. 7.125” tall with post. 

A longer post wrap shape is included to convert 

the heart into a pick or wand. 

Pairs well with “Valentine Be Mine Banner Trio” designs. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A & D outer side heart panels
B & C inner side heart panels

E interior cross brace
F back heart panel
G upper post bracket with closed top end
H lower post band bracket

I post wrap
J column shape with contour top
K stub to fit column into candle stand top recess
L post anchor collar build up shapes (5-6)

2. Prepare the heart main shapes by bending

back on all panel and tab perforation lines,

except bend the center seam tabs forward

(may be re-directed during assembly).

3. Join the flange tabs for outer side hearts:

bend the upper sections back to overlap the

first segment straight edge (left in this image)

to overlap the adjacent flange tab to perforation line,

and glue the segment seam.

4. Bend the top segment and opposite flange

back to align the straight edge to overlap the flange

to perforation line and glue the segment seam.

5. Repeat the process for the lower portion

of the panel, bending the edges to align and overlap

the straight edge over flange to perf line

and glue seam for first segment. Then bending

to overlap and join the final segment seam.

6. Repeat these steps for the other side of

outer side heart panel.

7. Position the corresponding inner panel next to

the completed outer side panel, lining up

the middle segments, then overlap the straight

edge of the inner panel to overlap the corresponding

flange tab to perforation line, adjust, and glue the seam.

8. Continue to bend, align and glue the two remaining

segment seams above and above  the middle seam,

until the two sections are joined.

9. Repeat this process for the opposite side assembly.

10. Bend the center flange tabs upward slightly

(if not already done), then . . . 

. . . align the center straight edge of the one half
over the corresponding flanges of the other half
to perforation lines, beginning with the center segment,

 . . then working upward and downward to join
the entire seam.

NOTE: if may be helpful when joining the middle

segment seam to align, adjust and join the two edges,

then hyper-extend the heart halves toward each other

face to face and apply finger pressure to secure the seam.

11. Bend the rim flanges inward on the back edge

of the heart assembly to perpendicular positions,

then apply a drop of glue between the ends of flanges

where they overlap . . .

. . . and apply fingertip pressure at each angle

to secure this "platform" rim.

NOTE: it may be helpful to use a thin blade-type tool
such as the spatula shown here, placed under
each intersection being glued together, to provide
a "press-against" surface where finger pressure
can be applied.

12. Bend the tabs of the interior cross brace upward
at perforation lines.

13. Apply glue to the outer surfaces of the four tabs.
 Identify the widest angle of the puffy heart front
assembly, then . . . 

. . . insert the brace into the back cavity with

the end perforation edges aligned precisely

with the bend of the heart at the side angles

identified in previous screen. The inward/bottom

tabs should also be touching the backside of heart wall,

where they can likewise be joined.

Hold in place until all tabs are securely joined.

14. Prepare the post top bracket by bending back

on all perforation lines, except the top tab which

is bent forward.

15. Bend the top end "cap" and side panel segments
back with tabs inward and under end "cap",
and glue the two seams. Repeat for opposite

side two seams.

16. Position the upper bracket at top center of
back heart panel, and insert tab through slot.
On backside, bend tab back and glue in place.
DO NOT glue the side tabs in place at this time.

17. Apply glue to the rim platform all around, then . . . 

. . . quickly position the back heart panel over

the back cavity of the dimensional heart assembly . . . 

. . . so that cross brace outward hex-hole tab 

fits through the corresponding slot . . . 

. . . while at the same time aligning the top centers and . . . 

. . . bottom centers of each. Apply pressure all around

the rim to secure connection between panel and heart.

18. Use scissors to hand trim away any excess
back heart panel that may not align exactly
with the rim shape of the front heart.

(NOTE: if using the long post in place of the shorter
post which is joined to column for candle stand display,
follow steps 19 through 25 only.)
19. Prepare the post wrap shape by bending
back on each long perforation line.

20. Form the shape into a tube, then . . . 

. . . insert the uncut dowel length inside the tube

to act as a "press-against" surface.

Apply glue to the long flange tab, then overlap

the opposite straight side edge to perf line,

pushing the two together consistently along

the post length, and glue the seam together.

21.  Align the ends of wrap and dowel exactly,

then mark the end of wrap. Remove wrap

and cut dowel to size.

22.  Slide wrap up slightly and apply glue to end,

then quickly repeat for opposite end, finally re-positioning

wrap exactly to allow glue to dry.

23. To attach the post to the heart, insert top post
end through exposed cross brace tab and then
into "tube" of top bracket.
Apply glue to bracket and side tabs undersides,
center the post, and glue bracket to top of post
and to back of heart panel.

25. Position the lower bracket strip about half way

down below tab, and glue in place to post and

to heart panel.

26. Prepare the column shape for candle stand version

by bending back on all panel, tab, top and bottom hex

panel perforation lines.

27. Form the shape into a tube to bring straight side
edge to overlap opposite flange tab perforation line.
adjust and glue longer segment edges only.

28. At bottom, bend tabs inward, bend hollow hex "ring"

down into position, and glue to tabs, taking care

to adjust the column tube shape so that tab perf lines

and hex edges align.

NOTE it may be helpful to insert a thin blade style
tool such as the spatula shown here under the hex
edges, one at a time, to help apply pressure
to join the seams.

29. Prepare the nib shape by bending back

on all tab and panel perforation lines.

30. Form the "boxing strip" portion of the nib shape
into a ring to overlap straight edge over end tab
and join side seam.

31. Bend the bottom shaped tabs inward, and

the end hex "cap" down and glue edges together.

Place the nib face down on work surface

and apply fingertip pressure to tabs and cap

being joined for a secure join.

32. Prepare the interior post anchor collar by

layering and joining all of the cut hex shapes,

one by one into a stack, taking care that all

edges align as precisely as possible.

Place the stack under a flat weight while drying.

33. Position and glue the collar in the bottom

of the nib assembly, centered.

34. Bend the upper flange tabs of nib assembly

outward, and apply glue to the face side of each.

Insert the nib into the column tube and insert

through the hex opening at bottom . . . 

. . . so it is fully through . . . 

. . . then glue the tabs 

to inside of bottom hex "cap" of column.

35. Complete the six angled seams at top of column

shape by bending the sections inward slightly

to overlap straight side edge over tab to perf line

of adjacent section.

36. Bend the top tabs inward, the hex "cap" down

into position, adjust and glue in place.

37. Apply glue to the bottom of post and dowel.

Insert the bottom end of heart post through column

top hex opening, then . . . 

. . . adjust and move around until the end

"seats" fully into the hex recess of the collar

at bottom of the nib inside column.

Hold in place and apply pressure until secure.

Here is the completed heart with post and column.

38. Install heart assembly on top of candle stand

by inserting the nib into the hex recess

of platform. NOTE: it may be helpful to apply

some kind of "temporary" adhesive to keep

the nib in place, because the heart project

is tall and a bit top heavy.

(If the candle stand will remain connected

to the heart as a "permanent" display piece,

simply glue the column nib in place.)

Here is the full display ensemble,

with "valentine" banner attached to

glittered heart front, and ribbon bow.