Medical Shadow Box Stitched Card

Say “thank you” to doctor, nurse, or other medical care 

provider (or “get well” to loved one) with this detailed 5x7 card. 

Front layers stack to create dimension for the six 

tiny windows filled with heartbeat line, tiny heart, red cross, 

bottle outline with tiny pills, band-aid 

(cut these double to stack for more dimension). 

Welded words “thank you” and alternative “get well” 

attach across front corner. 

Hole-punched border overlay offers alternative 

for adding hand stitching. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card base with horizontal center perforation
B top layer frame (model uses punched version
for real stitching application)
C frame layer 2 - shows thru as narrow border
D 'mat' layer offset frame - matches windows layer
(NOTE: can use the 'waste' rectangle as liner for windows
under-layer instead of card base 'show-thru' if preferred:
see next photo for explanation)
E windows layer
F liner for windows layer - provides extra depth
*window content elements - cut layers for build up
G thank you (or get well) word cuts (2*)
H heart beat line (2*)
I pills (9 pieces)
J pill bottle base, outline layers (2*)
K bandaid, inset, pad
L hearts (2 layers of 2*), red cross (2*)

NOTE: the 'waste' from D frame is the perfect size

to act as 'liner' for the backside of the windows under-layer

if the card base which otherwise would show thru is NOT

a desirable color choice.

2. The sample card uses the real stitch detail on

the top frame layer. If you are NOT using that version,

you can skip forward to Step 3.

The 'thread' used for this project is DMC perle cotton

in BLACK no. 5 (obtain contrast yarn of choice)

along with tapestry-style needles in a gauge that will

fit easily through the cut stitching holes.

(Size 24 was used for this project.)

Cut a 28-20" length of 'thread', load needle, anchor

the lead end with a small piece of cello tape at 

one corner on backside, then insert needle up at

corner hole, insert down at second holes, and so forth . . .

. . . to create stitches between the 'long' spacing of

holes, and skip the 'short' spaces, as shown here.

When the stitching circuit is completed, the final
hole insertion will carry the yarn through to backside
where the tail is trimmed to approx. 1/2" and held
in place with another small piece of tape.

3. Position the top frame layer over the second

frame layer (narrow border show-thru), align outer

edges precisely, and attach in place.

4. Position the windows frame build up layer

 behind the main windows frame layer, line up

the window opening edges precisely, and attach.

5. Position and attach the 'mat' frame layer over top of

window frames assembly, aligning outer edges

precisely.

6. If needed, position the 'waste' rectangle panel

behind the back of windows/frame assembly,

adjust to make sure the openings are covered

with extra margin approx. equal all around, and attach.

7. Position the top frames assembly over the top
of the mat/window frames assembly, align outer
edges precisely, and attach in place.

8. Fold the card base in half, inside surfaces together.
9. Position the frames assembly over the top of
card base front, adjust for even offset margin
all around, and attach in place, including the window
frame interior members.

9. Prepare the window contents elements:
band aid: identify the shapes, then . . .

. . . place insert into the center window opening,
position and glue the 'pad' shape over the top;

other elements as shown have double shapes
which should be layered and attached together
for added dimension;
pill bottle - layer outlines, then layer onto base.

10. Position the elements into their respective

windows. NOTE: heart beat ends need to be

tucked under the side edges of frame;

pill shapes are placed inside and to the side of

the bottle shape.

Position and attach the words shape across

the upper left corner diagonally, as shown.

Here is the completed card.

Square 3D Box for Grad Cap Easel Card

Quick-assembly gift container to package for giving 

the Grad Cap 3D Easel Card design, but also suitable 

for other contents and occasions. 

Join halves at side seams, expand to box, 

slot together the four bottom panels in interlocking 

latch fashion (back, sides, front). Decorate the sides 

and top with rounded corner offset shapes, 

plus a square accent with circle “window” cut out and 

interior circle for top, with layered stars trio swoosh bracket. 

Box measures approx. 5.125” x 5.125” x 1.3” deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A box hull back/side with lid
B box hull front/side
C & D lid accent shapes
E side wall accent shapes
F stars banner base, shadow, show-thu & top layers

2. Prepare the hull shapes by bending back

on all perforation lines for side walls, . .

. . lid and flap, 

bottom latch panels and tabs

2. Position and attach the wall accent shapes

and lid accent shapes . . .

. . . while hull shapes are flat.

3. Position the two hull shapes to align one side wall

seam, straight edge overlapping the tab opposite

to perforation line, then attach to complete the seam.

NOTE that the hull shape can be 'flattened'

during this process to more easily apply pressure
at seam (here and second seam, too).

4. Repeat to align and attach seam at the opposite
corner. 

5. Identify the stacking order of the banner shapes . . . 

. . . then position shadow layer on top of base
(pointed ends), star cutout top layer over show-thru
accent color layer.

6. Finally, position the stars assembly over
base/shadow assembly, align edges that match,
and attach.

7. Position the banner over the lid accent shapes
in diagonal orientation like the sample project, or
in any position preferred, and attach in place
(ends or fully across as desired). Add studs over
hole punches.

8. Close the bottom by folding in the 'U' shape flap . . .

. . . then sides . . .

. . . and finally tab, pushing to distend the other flaps . . .

. . . until the tab fits into the slot that forms.

Allow the flaps to return to their perpendicular positions.
(NOTE that this process can be reversed to un-do
the box and returned to flat for easier storage.)

9. To close the box, bend large side flaps inward,
top lid flap down to tuck front tab in behind front wall.
(Depth of front tab helps support lid.)

Here is the completed box.

To use with dimensional easel card, simply insert
card, and close flaps and lid.

Grad Cap 3D Easel Card

Round card has attached underneath panel that bends 

to display the attached dimensional graduation 

mortar board cap up at an angle. 

Cap is composed of four-part shaped crown, 

square layered top with center “button” circles in recess;

card top has layered circles for strength and reinforcement. 

Add school color accents with dimensional paper fringe 

tassel that attaches with narrow ribbon (or paper strip), 

crown rim strips, interior panels, etc. 

Attach the double layer sentiment panel with 

“Congrats Grad” (optional “Accomplished” also included) 

and star to provide the “stop” for the easel mechanism. 

Closed card measures approx. 5” x 5” x 1.25” deep. 

Enclose the card in a custom-fit container companion design 

(Square 3D Box for Grad Cap Easel Card). 

View the instructions link to see assembly steps. 

A SnapDragon Snippets design.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main card base with 'mechanism' folded top circle
B card front circle reinforcement
C accent offset circle (narrow border)
D card front offset inner circle with cap tip slots
E card back circle reinforcement
F & G interior offset accent shapes
H mortar board bottom layer (with slots for cap)
I interior mortar board squares (2)
J mortar board top square (with faux stitching)
K button build up circles (4)
L dimensional cap side shapes (2 with tabs, 2 without)
M cap lower rim trim accents (4)
O tassel fringe strip  P tassel top cap
Q tassel top band
R stop plaque shapes (2), star, "Congrats Grad" words
A matched color 6" length of 1/4-3/8" width 
satin ribbon will also be needed for the tassel.

2. Prepare the shapes that need to be glued, pressed,

and allowed to dry first:

Position and attach the interior mortar board squares

taking care to align all cut edges as precisely as possible.

3. Position and attach the top mortar board layer

onto the stack.

NOTE: to keep the glued-up shapes from warping or
curling as the liquid adhesive dries, press the shapes flat
under flat weights such as these fabric-covered re-purposed
free weight bars, a large book, or equivalent household object,
and leave in place until the stacked shapes are completely dry.

4. Position and attach all the button circles as a stack.

Press under a heavy weight until dry.

5. Position and attach the 'stop' plaque shapes, then . . .

. . . use the weeded 'waste' Congrats Grad paper

to help center and position the words onto the lower arch

of the plaque.

Add the star. Press flat and allow to dry.

6. Prepare the card base 'mechanism' by bending

with backsides together at center short perf line,

then bending back at top horizontal center line

and crease well.

7. Position the front circle reinforcement shape

onto the mechanism upper half circle, align curve

edges, and attach together. (Adhesive tape works well.)

8. Position and attach the back reinforcement circle

in the same manner on backside of base.

9. Position and attach the offset interior circle accent
shape onto the inside of back base panel.
Position the half circle accent onto the exposed half
of the mechanism, with straight edge aligned
at crease/fold line, curved edges offset.

10. Position and attach the accent color circle

onto the front of card.

11. Position, center, and offset a tiny bit along bottom curves
to attach the 'stop' plaque to the card inside.

Here is how the card mechanism will work.

12. Prepare the cap side wall shapes by bending

back on ALL perforation lines for segments, side tabs

and top tabs, except bend center top tab and

'leg' tabs forward.

13. Identify the tiny wedge tabs (make sure these
are bent back on the perforation lines), then . . .

. . . bend to overlap the adjacent straight edge
to overlap the wedge tab to the perforation line,
and glue the seam.
Repeat for the seam on the other side.
14. Repeat to prepare all FOUR of the wall shapes.

15. Assemble the cap by positioning (left here) one

of the tabs-attached wall shapes with one of

the no-tabs shapes, overlap the straight edges

(on no-tabs edge) over tabs to perforation lines of

the two sections of the seam, adjust for alignment

across the two shapes, then glue the seam.

16. Repeat to join the third section on, and then . . .

. . . add the fourth wedge. Finally complete the final seam.

17. Prepare the accent rim trim shapes by bending

back slightly on the two tiny perf cuts at approx. one-third

distance inward from sides.

Position along the lower edges of each wedge,

aligning the bends of both layers, and attach in place.

18. Prepare to attach the cap assembly to the mortar board

by bending the corner pairs of top tabs inward,

leaving the rounded tabs up.

19. Position tabs beneath the slots of the bottom layer

square of mortar board and insert each through slot.

Bend each tab in toward center and glue in place.

NOTE: it will be helpful to invert the assembly

and apply finger pressure where the four tabs

are being attached.

20. Position the upper layers assembly of

mortar board squares onto the top of the base layer

taking care to align all outer cut edges precisely,

and attach in place.

21. Insert each cap 'leg' tabs pair through the slots

of the card front circle top layer, then . . .

. . . bend outward and glue in place.

21. Position the assembly on top of the card base
assembly, centering so that offset of accent color circle
appears as equal width narrow border all around.

22. Prepare the tassel 'cap' shape by adding some
curl to the strip portion, then . . .

. . . bend back the tiny tabs along the top edge.

23. Form the cap into a tube to wrap the straight lead
edge to overlap opposite tab to perforation line,
and glue seam. NOTE: use a new standard no.2 pencil
as a wrap form to provide a 'press against' surface.

24. Slide tube to un-sharpened blunt end of new
pencil (or new eraser end), bend the top tabs in,
and push slotted cap down . . .

. . . to fit over the tabs and tube and glue in place.

25. Add curl to the 'header' of the fringe strip
to prepare it to more easily be rolled.

26. Apply adhesive at one end of backside of header
for an inch or so, then use a standard round toothpick
(if available) to begin to tightly roll the header . . .

. . . into a tight tube . . .

. . . adding more adhesive ahead of the rolling until . . .

. . . the end begins to stack and approach the diameter
of the inside of the cap tube. NOTE: make sure
as the rolling continues that it remains as tight as
possible, and that the cut edge stays aligned straight.

Once the roll is as 'fat' as it can be and still fit
into tube, trim away any excess strip.
Make sure final edge end is attached well.

This is showing the size check of fringe roll to cap fit.

27. Fold the ribbon in half at tassel end, and insert
into the cap slot, then . . .

. . . push through and out bottom. Create a 'stop'
for the ribbon end by folding end back on itself
and gluing or tie a not-too-bulky knot.

28. Push/pull the 'stop' back into the tube and . . .

. . . push it as far into the tube as possible without pushing
thru the slot. Add spot of glue if deemed necessary.

29. Add glue to fringe end/shaft, then insert fully
into the cap tube to top of fringe cuts.

30. Add curl to the accent strip with fine shaft tool
such as this stylus, then . . . 

. . . position and attach at the end of cap,

matching the position of seams if possible.

31. Mark an exposed length of approx. 4.5" from

cap end, using a pin or other temporary means.

(NOTE: this length can be adjusted to be slightly

shorter as desired.)

32. Determine best position for ribbon across mortar board
surface upper diagonal edge (check the open position
to see how the sample project looks, NOTING
that it may be preferable to have it "hang" over opposite
LEFT side, which is where in the graduation process
the tassel gets moved to when the graduate
has received diploma and official graduated). 

Position the end mark at the button recess edge,
trim excess leaving a short tail, remove pin and 
glue end in place.

33. Position and attach button, centered, in recess,

concealing ribbon end.

34. Open card and position front bottom edge at
stop for display position, arrange the ribbon to allow
tassel to hang as desired, then assist this position
to be 'permanent' by adding adhesive dot or equivalent
to mortar board underside to hold ribbon in place.

Consider preparing the companion design

gift box to hold the dimensional easel card.