Valentine and Snowflake 3D Bowls

A pair of hexagon bowls for winter and Valentine's seasons.

Each has fold-over walls and integrated handles. 

Lacy accents or coordinated paper patterns on outer walls 

plus coordinated interior overlays add visual interest. 

Each assembled bowl is attached to a base with 

tabs thru slots, with a bottom reinforcing layer 

to hide tabs. 

Doily Valentine's bowl measures approx. 5.876” wide 

x 5.875” long x 2.75” tall (2” excluding” handles) when assembled.

Snowflake bowl measures approx. 5.25” wide x 

5” long x 2.5” tall (excluding 1.75” handles) when assembled.

 NOTE that because of similarities of assembly,

this tutorial will focus on the hearts doily bowl.

Minimal additional information for snowflake bowl

will follow at the end.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A bowl hull shape with integrated handles cut in

lacy exterior accents B handle panels (2) and

C regular panels (4)

Interior accents D handle panels (2),

E regular panels (4) and F base hex

G doily base with slots & H offset scalloped base

2. Prepare the main hull panel by bending back

on all perforation lines for hexagon base and tabs,

wall tabs and cross wall folds (including the tiny

perf cuts that allow the handle walls to bend back

with the handles . . .

. . . remaining unbent and upright.

3. Invert the hull shape as shown, then bend two adjacent

walls inward to align the straight side wall edge across

the neighboring tab flange to perforation line, then

glue in place. 

NOTE that it may be helpful to place the seam being

joined flat on work surface in order to apply fingertip

or thumb pressure all along until fully joined.

Repeat for the remaining 5 seams.

4. Apply adhesive to undersides of connected interior

wall panels, one by one as they are ready, then bend

each to the inside to join back to back with main hull

walls. Place the assembly on flat surface for each

folded-in wall to apply sufficient smoothing/attaching

pressure to that panel, then move on to the next

until all 6 panels are bent inward and attached.

5. Add the exterior lacy accents which have a small

offset margin around upper, side and handle edges 

so that the hull shows evenly. 

The heart trio accents are added in the same manner,

with offset margin along top and side edges.

6. Position and attach the interior wall accent shapes

in a similar manner.

7. Position assembled bowl over front of doily base

to align and insert the 6 tabs through slots.

Push tabs through completely.

On the underside, apply glue to the inward surface

of tabs, then bend inward to attach to underside

of the doily base. To help with attachment . . .

. . . place assembly base-down on work surface and

apply fingertip pressure to each spot where tab is

located each is until fully joined.

8. Apply adhesive to the underside of doily base,

then position on top of offset solid base, adjusting

to achieve the even offset margin all around.

Quickly work all around to apply fingertip pressure

to doily that shows at edges, and also in the center

hexagon of the bowl assembly.

Here is the completed bowl filled with treats.

SNOWFLAKE BOWL

9. Here are the similar cut shapes to create

this bowl.

A bowl hull shape with integrated handles cut in

exterior accents B handle panels (2) and

C regular panels (4)

D interior accents  (6) and E base hex

F snowflake base with slots 

G offset scalloped base

10. Follow Steps 2-8 in similar manner for the Valentine

bowl, except the snowflake bowl interior accents do not 

include handle arch extensions. These images show 

the similar way that the bowl assembly tabs are inserted 

into the snowflake base, and . . .

. . . the snowflake base fitted onto the "scalloped"

(offset snowflake) base in final steps.

And here is the completed, filled snowflake bowl.

Heart Puzzle Card with Mini Heart 5x7

 

Cut and stack multiple layers of full heart shape

with pieces “outlines” shape on top to resemble 

chipboard puzzle thickness. 

Then attach the separate puzzle pieces in place 

to make a memorable card suitable for Valentine’s Day, 

anniversary, engagement, or other sweetheart 

messaging occasions. 

Tiny interior heart is cut from the same multiple layers 

of red and taupe-gray colored card stock 

(or preserved from other cut shapes) and 

glued as a stack. 

A “print & cut” front panel expresses 

“you hold a piece of me” 

(or use second option “you complete me”) 

and provides the base to exhibit the puzzle hearts 

where guide cut marks direct. 

Top-fold presents easel-style display. 

Make the tiny heart “interactive” by using 

a temp adhesive dot to attach it outside the heart 

where recipient can move it to fit into 

the larger heart’s cut out opening. 

Card measures approx. 5” x 7” when assembled. 

A companion envelope design 

“Env Puzzle Heart Flap 5x7” 

(separate design) is also available.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A large heart base with cut out (5-6 for thickness)

B top base layer of stack showing 

puzzle pieces positioning

C individual puzzle piece shapes (hint: try

to keep them in general positioning as each

is removed from cutting sheet)

E small heart front and 5-6 stacking shapes

(retained from the A-C cuttings; see following image)

F "print & cut" front panel which includes small

'v' guide marks for hearts positioning

G 5x7 top fold card base

As noted, the small heart puzzle piece stack can be

achieved by retaining (saving) each of the "weeded"

heart cut out shapes from the larger hearts as 

these are cut.

2. Prepare the large heart puzzle by stacking and

gluing together the base hearts, with the top base

layer with partial cut puzzle piece positions.

Take care when gluing to work quickly, first with

top layer and second layer, then with each added

layer one by one, applying glue all around and at

edges of inner and outer heart, then stacking and

making sure that all cut edges are aligned 

as precisely as possible. 

NOTE that if you intend that the small heart puzzle piece

fit into the cut out opening as an "interactive", particular

care must be taken that the opening edges align

precisely.

As the stacking and gluing of layers proceeds,

it is a good idea to press the stack under a flat heavy

weight such as the thick book volume shown here

perhaps with something else heavy placed on top.

Once the stack is complete, press with heavy objects,

then leave in place and allow to fully dry for several hours

or over night. Pressing in this way will help minimize any

warping or curling due to use of liquid adhesive.

3. Once base stack is dry, position each of the individual

puzzle shapes where top layer guide cuts indicate.

Hint: it will be helpful to work quickly in continuous

order so that any small adjustments can be made

for best fit while glue may still be fresh.

Press the completed puzzle under heavy flat weight.

4. Repeat the stacking and gluing step for the small

heart, including pressing under flat weight til dry.

5. To achieve better puzzle pieces definition, consider

using a stylus or similar tool to apply pressure along/

between the puzzle "seam" lines, giving an authentic

press cut appearance to top layer.

6. Follow the regular "print & cut" procedures to prepare

the front panel of card. Also fold the card base along

the cross perforation line. Position the front panel

onto the front base panel, with narrow offset margin

showing evening al around, and attach in place.

(NOTE that dry adhesive tape or equivalent may be

a great choice in this step.)

7. Locate the positioning 'v' cuts for bottom point and

upper "valley" edges of large heart indicated by

pointing finger here, and also for small heart. Then . . .

. . . position and attach the hearts in place.

Press if deemed advisable.

If desired, prepare the companion envelope.

Mitten Card Nordic Snowflake 5x7

Create this hearth warming mitten shaped 

greeting card to celebrate the winter season 

for Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanza in December, 

or New Year’s Day or MLK Day in January, 

or as a cheery greeting as a snowy weather 

hello whenever it happens. 

Nordic snowflake motifs with oversized “yarn” 

cut outs suggest knitting patterns and wrist ribbing 

on front accent overlay panel. 

Select base and overlay color for high contrast 

show-thru, or use various panels included to color top, 

middle and bottom portions separately. 

Back mitten panel includes a cross-perforation line 

that creates a “hinge” when attached behind 

the upper front panel portion backside - 

a pivot point so that card can stand as self-easel. 

Cut and print the “Winter wave” greeting tag 

to twine-tie onto card at punch hole 

as a finishing touch, or stamp/pen 

your own greeting. 

A companion envelope 

Env Nordic Snowflake Flap 5x7 

(separate design) is also available. 

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A front card base (contrast with cut outs panel)

B front cut outs panel

C back card base (mirror image of front base,

with cross perforation line to create "hinge"

D underlay to show thru cut out panel center

E & F underlays to show thru cut out panel

upper and lower

(NOT SHOWN: alt. whole underlay panel

for single color contrast show thru)

G print & cut sentiment tag with contrast base

H interior signing label

2. Check out your options (prior to cutting

underlays as show thru to front cut outs panel).

The simplest is to have the desirable contrast

come from the variation between cut outs panel

and front card base panel

Next simplest option is to have a one color

underlay - cut as the "whole' shape that shows

thru ALL cut outs. The most involved option

is to have separate contrast underlays for

each of top, middle and bottom sections.

For the sample project, top and bottom separate

underlay panels were cut from light medium gray,

and center portion was cut from white.

3. Place the cut outs panel face down on work surface,

then carefully apply glue at edge margins where

the underlay and backside of cut outs panel will touch

and position it with offset margin all around as can

be seen here. Then repeat the addition of adhesive

to top and bottom contrast sections and place them

edge-to-edge with center. 

4. Position and attach the front cut outs panel

with underlays onto the card base front, allowing

even offset margin all around. Take care to align

the twine tie punch hole near top.

Press under a heavy flat weight if possible

until glue is dried.

5. Prepare the printed tag following "print & cut"

technique instructions for the Silhouette Cameo system.

(Or prepare your own front tag blank and decorate it

as you wish as a pen & ink or stamped message)

Layer and attach the offset front accent tag to base.

6. Prepare the back card base by bending forward

along the cross perforation line (top portion should

fold toward the face side of back panel).

Position front and back panels back-to-back,

align top rounded portions, and glue only the part

above the perforation line in place.

7. If desired, position and attach the interior

signing and message label on the inward

surface of the back panel.

Here is the completed card with tag.

Mitten 3D Upright Container

 

Create a perky mitten standing "box" to celebrate 

the winter season and add an accent to seasonal decor, 

for December and Christmas, or January 

and snowy weather. Or just for fun!

Nordic snowflake motifs with oversized “yarn” cut outs 

suggest knitting patterns and wrist ribbing on 

layered-for-thickness front and back panels. 

Separate compartment is assembled with reinforcing

accent boxing overlays, then attached between the panels. 

Fill this unique container with loose sweet treats, 

silk greenery or seasonal stems or picks, 

add tissue paper-wrapped gifts for birthday, 

get well or cheery greetings for Valentine's Day 

or other occasions. 

Project measures approx. 7.375” tall x 5.5” wide 

x 1.375” deep when fully assembled 

(interior container is somewhat smaller). 

Consider adding one of the the Nordic Heart tags 

(separate designs) as a finishing touch.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A-C mitten FRONT & BACK panel layers:

for each -- the sample project uses 

blue face plate, 3 inner kraft,

cream back face

D left & right interior compartment main front, back panel

E thumb compartment front, back panel

F bottom reinforcement stack (3-4 layers to match E)

G right side with bottom boxing strip with accent overlays

H left side boxing strip with accent overlays

I thumb extension boxing strip with accent overlays

2. Prepare the Front and Back panel stack by quickly

applying liquid adhesive between the layers of front

(or back) cut out shape then carefully layering so that

ALL cut edges align as precisely as possible.

Make sure the punch hole for hang tag is aligned

as each layer is added.

Back layer should match the interior container layer.

Immediately press stack under a flat heavy weight

such as this thick book, possibly with something else

heavy on top, and leave in place for several hours or

over nighty. This helps minimize warping or curling of

paper layers when using liquid adhesive.

3. To provide strength and reinforcement for bottom of

interior compartment "floor", layer the bottom strips,

align cut edges precisely as these are glued into

one stack. Press until dried.

4. Visualize how the front and back layered panels

will look and be configured when the compartment

with boxing is added between. Then . . .

. . . prepare the boxing strips to echo that shaping.

Add some back-curl to the top portion of each side

boxing strip in the sections where the small tabs are

(but take care NOT to bend an actual crease into boxing)

using a narrow rod-like tool such as the wooden dowel shown.

Also bend at the cross perforation lines, bending

forward or back as the shape of the panel suggests.

At the small "round" opposite the thumb extension,

bend the upper 2 perforations inward and

the 3rd perforation outward.

For the side boxing that includes the bottom segment,

bend inward at a right angle. 

5. Bend the boxing tabs back, then dry-fit the panel edge

under the tabs to test where the bends will fit.

(NOTE: when the back panel is positioned, fingertip

pressure access along tabs-to-boxing seam will be

more limited, so the suggestion will be to attach panel

edge on top of the boxing; if preferred to have this

assembly step match, place panel edge on top at

this step as well.)

Apply liquid adhesive along the tabs for the upper

curve segment and . . .

. . . side long segment . . .

. . . then fit those segments along the panel edge,

taking care that the top tab perforation and the end

of long segment perforation each align accurately

at corresponding "angles" of panel. Apply pressure

from backside until seam is secure.

6. Apply adhesive to the next segments, then

continue to fit them to the edge of panel . . .

. . . with similar care to alignment. 

Apply pressure to secure attachment.

7. Position the remaining side boxing strip by

overlapping the straight edge across end tab,

adjusting top to bottom for alignment, then joining.

8. Position it along the panel side edges in manner

similar to what was done for opposite side boxing.

Take care that top segment- tab perforation line

aligns with top "corner" angle of panel.

Apply pressure as attachment proceeds.

9. Prepare the accent overlays for boxing by identifying

which boxing segments each will attach to, and

arranging for easiest assembly. Add similar back curl

to the top ends of upper strips.

Check that the curl of strip will match boxing as

desired, then apply adhesive, position within boxing

segment with small offset margin all around . . .

. . . and attach in place.

For easier fingertip access for applying pressure,

invert the boxing strip in question onto flat work surface,

and position fingertips to press from inside.

10. Prepare the next overlay by bending along

perforations so that they echo the hull boxing . . .

. . . then position and attach in place, aligning

perforations and bends.

11. Continue with bottom overlay, and . . .

. . . the two overlays on the thumb extension side.

NOTE that the area where the thumb boxing will

attach is left blank.

12. Prepare the thumb boxing strip by bending back

on all perforation lines, including end tabs

(which may be re-bent as needed).

13. Fit the thumb panel inside the boxing tabs

and form boxing around panel as much as

possible. (NOTE that there may be some slight

"wiggle room" around end.)

Take care to align ends of panel tips at ends

of boxing to allow close fit of thumb to hull.

14. Position and attach accent overlays to thumb . . .

. . . bending at perforation lines as required.

15. Prepare the thumb assembly to attach by

bending inward along the attachment edge flange.

Apply glue to the flange, then insert the bottom . . .

. . . top thumb large tabs into the appropriate slots

on hull side panel. Push all the way in, then . . .

. . . on the inside, bend the tabs downward

and apply pressure to attach to the adjacent

boxing wall. Hold in place until attached. 

16. Working quickly, apply adhesive to backside of 

(thoroughly dried)  cut outs panel stack around cut outs, 

and also to edges of compartment panel/tabs 

(to avoid adhesive erroneously showing or coming 

through cut outs. Position the front 

centered over the compartment so that the offset

margin of panel is approximately even all around

(except at top which is straight cut). This may be . . .

. . . best viewed when placing the assembly face down

on work surface. Hang tag punch hole should remain

visible above the compartment upper edge as shown.

Then immediately apply fingertip pressure

all around to ensure that the panel and

compartment are thoroughly attached.

17. Apply glue to underside of "floor" reinforcement

panel, then position, centered, inside the compartment

with the bottom boxing segment. Apply pressure

until fully attached, including within thumb area.

18. Close the compartment bending all edge tabs

inward, then applying glue to the outer face side 

of tabs. Position the compartment back panel over

tabs and opening, adjust boxing as needed to fit curves

and corners or angles, etc., then apply pressure 

all along area of boxing seam until fully attached.

19. Repeat the process to position and attach

thumb back panel, first bending the inward flange

back into place and applying adhesive to flange face

before tucking it down to attach to side boxing panel.

20. Prepare to attach the back cut outs panel by

applying glue around cut outs and along compartment

edges as was done for front panel. Then position,

adjust so offset margin is even all around while also

matching with offset positioning of front panel, etc.,

and apply pressure to ensure good attachment.

This may require reaching inside with hands or

other helpful objects or tools.

21. Apply glue to backside of upper tabs, then bend

back fully to attach in place to boxing backside.

22. If desired, prepare one of the Nordic heart tags

(separate designs) by layering front panel over

contrast back panel and attaching in place.

To make the faux stitching cuts show better, use

fine tip pencil or felt tip to carefully fill in the cuts.

If desired, position and attach the back label for

identifying the recipient or signing name, or sending

a short greeting, etc.

Here is the completed project, with heart tag

tied onto front panel at punch hole.