Monday, March 30, 2020

Frame Box 3D with Lid for 5x7 Card

Dimensional rectangular box is specially sized to showcase 
decorative 5x7 purchased card front print art 
(not included in the cut file). 
Lid fits snugly over base with full depth side walls. 
Top frame has whole panel and frame cut-out layers 
built up and pressed flat while drying for a rigid lid, 
with overlay members that enclose the card art to create 
miter seams at corners. 
Lid has overhang detail (a simple L-style stand 
is included for empty box upright display); alternatively omit 
the frame layers to mount the card directly on lid. 
Measures approx. 7.75” tall x 5.75” wide x 1.25” deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main LID hull (one piece)  
NOTE: if cutting from smaller card stock, the LID
would be composed of front panel, 2 side walls, 2 end walls
B hull side wall accents
C LID overhang backside base layer with guide marks
D LID build up layers (5)
E top frame base layer
inner frame layer div. 2 pieces - buffer/guide for 5x7 card
G miter members: 2 long sides; 2 short top & bottom
H main BASE hull (one piece)   
NOTE: if cutting from smaller card stock, the BASE
would be composed of bottom panel, 2 side walls, 2 end walls
I opt. inner liner
2. Prepare the LID main hull shape by bending back
on all the perforation lines for panels and tabs.
Identify the triangle 'up' symbol that shows that
this is the LID.
NOTE: if building the LID from smaller stock,
position and join the side walls to the sides of plain
front panel, short end walls to ends of panel, etc.
3. Bend the walls back to align/overlap the straight
edge over the corresponding tab to join each corner seam.
4. Bend the flanges inward and glue in place
('dry' tape style adhesive recommended) to wall
inner edges. 
5. Position and attach the offset long and short wall
accent shapes (dry style tape adhesive recommended).
6. Repeat Step 2 for the BASE shape (except
the BASE will NOT include the 'up' triangle symbol).
NOTE: if building the BASE from smaller stock,
position and join the side walls to the sides of plain
bottom panel, short end walls to ends of panel, etc.
7. Repeat Step 3 to join corner walls.
8. Repeat Step 4 to bend flanges inward and
attach to BASE inside walls.
9. Separate the 5x7 card along fold line between
front and back. Optional: mount the back panel
onto the offset, rounded corner inner liner shape,
then position and attach into bottom of base.
(NOTE: the liner has more function when building
the box with separate side walls, which will have
bottom flange tabs showing on the inside.)
10. Prepare the front frame by positioning the short
end miter members and long side miter members
over the frame base, taking care that edges and
corners line up as precisely as possible (here and throughout).
11. Once glued up, press the frame assembly under
one large or several smaller flat heavy weights
so that it will dry flat, without curling or warping,
and leave in place until completely dry.
12. Identify the LID build up bottom layer, which
includes offset corner guide mark cuts that will assist
in positioning of the LID tray box.
13. Prepare the build-up frame layers by positioning
and gluing together the first two layers of rectangles,
taking care to align the cut edges as precisely as possible.
14. Continue to add additional layers below the top two,
following the same careful alignment and glue up.
Refer to Step 11 above, then press under a heavy flat weight
to prevent curling or warping until completely dry.
15. On the top layer of the build up, position and attach
the buffer 'L' shapes (or the whole shape if preferred)
taking care to align outer edges and corners precisely.
Press the assembly under a flat weight until dry.
16. Position the bottom layer (with guide marks)
face away at the bottom of the build up stack,
and glue in place, aligning edges and corners precisely.
Place under the weight until completely dry.
17. Once the build up is dry (several hours),
position the card front inside the buffer frame . . .
. . . where it will fit and should be flush with buffer frame.
18. Position the frame/miter members assembly
over the top of the card front layers, and attach
in place. NOTE: if you wish to protect the card to
be able to remove it at some future date unharmed,
"dry fit" the card in place, then glue the frame front
to the buffer frame ONLY.
Place under a flat weight until completely dry.
 19. Position the LID box on the underside of
the frame assembly . . .
. . . so that the corners align with the corner guide mark
cuts, and attach in place.
(Dry tape perm adhesive is recommended.)
20. To close the box, slide the LID walls over
the BASE walls. NOTE this is designed with snug fit.
Here is the completed frame box.
21. If you wish to display the frame box upright,
assemble the mini easel by bending back on center back
perforation line. Position and attach the reinforcement
side shapes over front of each half.

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Bunny Hug 3D Candy Holder Place Card

Dimensional bunny can sit on Easter feast table top 
with arms wrapped to hold Lindt miniature foil-wrapped 
chocolate carrot (see Step 15) or other tall treat. 
Accent overlays and details provide whimsy, 
while tray between feet and body enables it to stand. 
Backside is decorated with accents also,
with optional back panel that has three bend-out tabs 
to hold rounded corner rectangle card for personalizing. 
Measures approx. 5.3” tall x 2.75” wide x .75” deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main body base    
B arm base with overlay L & R 
C feet base
D foot with overlay & pad L & R
E eyes & lashes L & R
F nose, muzzle, teeth, mouth
G mini tray
H front accent overlay array
I back accent overlay array with place card tabs 
J tail & overlay
K optional guest name place card
2. Position and attach the offset front accent array
shapes (head, body, ears). NOTE it may be helpful
to place the liquid glued-up assembly under a heavy
flat weight until dry to eliminate curling or warping.
3. Assemble the muzzle by layering and attaching
(bottom up in this pic) mouth, teeth, muzzle and nose,
centering and aligning upper matched edges
at each step.
4. Position and attach the muzzle assembly
over the front head as shown.
Also position and attach eyes and lashes.
(See thumbnail above or Step 13 for positioning.)
5. Position and attach the back overlay shapes
onto the backside of the body base assembly.
The sample shows the optional body with tabs
that can hold the place card.
(NOTE that the head shape in the final cut file
has slight offset at edges.)
6. Layer and attach the tail circle over the scallop
circle. Position and attach at the back center bottom.
7. Prepare the left and right arm base shapes by
bending forward on the tiny petal tab perforations.
Position and attach the overlays on each base, 
keeping overlay edge free from crossing 
perf line. Then before glue is completely dry . . .
. . . add curl to the middle and paw end of each.
8. Assemble feet by layering and attaching the three shapes.
9. Position and attach each foot assembly over
corresponding area of feet base with edges that
match aligned.
10. Prepare the mini tray by bending back on all perf lines.
11. Join the 4 corner seams by bending the side panels
and front or back panels so that the straight edge
overlaps adjacent tab to perf line, then join seam.
12. Position and attach the mini tray to the back of
the feet assembly/base, with bottom edges lined up
and the carrot tip hole away from feet and on the right.
Also bend the side free walls inward slightly
(match the angle on each left and right sides)
and glue tab to feet base backside.
13. Apply glue to the tray back wall and tabs, then . . .
. . . position and attach to the front bottom 
body assembly with bottom edges aligned.
14. Position each arm top petal tab to the body base 
at rounded extension where edges will match up. 
NOTE keep the perforation line of the arm tab 
oriented so it would intersect the body shape angled
edges above and below extension, then . . .
. . . glue the petal tab in place.
Here is the completed bunny candy holder.
15. If using the place card back option,
prepare the cards by hand ink and pen writing
names on, or use the Silhouette software's
print & cut features.
Bend the mini tabs outward slightly, then
slide the card under . . .
. . . and push across to center.
16. To prepare the Lindt chocolate carrot as the candy . . .
. . . being "hugged", carefully unwrap the foil to expose
the base of the plastic hook and snip it off.
Re-position foil neatly.
Insert the carrot downward between the curled arms
with tip directed into the punch hole on side of tray.
Add a dab of glue or a glue dot where paws overlap.
Tie a twine bow around carrot top if desired.