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.

Christmas Puddling Swirl Top Box

Deliciously unique gift box is composed 

of 12 side panels - embellished with 

drippy sauce accents - that cleverly swirl-fold 

toward the center to close, then un-swirl to open. 

Inside a candle-like post has a slot that accepts 

the stem of the berries shape, threaded through 

slot in trio of holly leaves. 

Measures approx. 3" tall x 3" wide x 3" long. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main box side wedges (12)
B bottom panel (green here & in tutorial; brown final)
C interior center stem
D stem reinforcement (accordion fold)
E interior stem platform
F dripping sauce wedge accents (4 ea of 3)
G berries platform stems L & R, berries & base
H holly assembly: base and 3 accent shapes

2. Prepare each of the 12 wedge shapes by

folding back the side tabs

(NOTE that the wedges do not include

a bottom tab in the final design) . . .

. . . bend back on the narrow division line . . .

. . . then bend back at the center perforation line.

This image shows from back as folded.

This image shows from front as folded.

3. Prepare the scallop edge base shape

by bending the scallop tabs back.

4. Position the first wedge, face outward, behind

one scallop tab, with the bottom straight edge

aligned along the perforation line, and

bottom edge (not including side tab)

centered with the scallop tab. Glue in place.

5. Position the second wedge next to
and to the right of the first attached wedge,
with side tabs under the adjacent straight edge
of tab, with bottom edge centered behind
scallop tab as for first wedge, and attach. 
Join side tabs to edges bottom then top.
6. Continue to add the remaining wedges in
the same fashion, until . . .

. . . the final wedge is positioned, including

positioning the right straight edge over the side tabs

of the first wedge.

7. Position and attach the dripping sauce accent

shapes at the top section of each wedge,

with angled straight edge aligned next to perf line,

curve edge offset one-tenth inch or so in from

wedge curve. Alternate the three shapes

as you add them around the twelve wedges.

9. Prepare the stem by bending back on
vertical perf lines and hex "lid" edge and tab,
bending bottom tabs outward.

10. Form the stem into a tube to bring 
the straight edge to overlap the side tab,
and glue in place.

NOTE that the symmetry of this shape will allow

it to be pressed flat to facilitate applying pressure

along the seam. If you use this method, be

sure to open it up again into a tube.

11. Bend the "lid" down into position,
with the tab wrapped over the stem edge,
and glue tab in place.

12. Prepare the stem support shape

in accordion fashion (back-forward-back, etc.)

then . . .

. . . stack and glue the edges so that the shape
is one thick collar, like this,
taking care to align all cutout edges precisely.

13. Position and attach the collar stack on top of the
interior platform taking care to align the
interior edges of the hexagon cutouts of each.

14. Insert the tab end of the stem through the

platform, then . . .

. . . bend the tabs back and glue in place.

15. Position and attach the platform inside the

wedge assembly, with outer edges aligned inside

the wedge bottom seams.

16. If not done previously, ease and urge the

wedges to bend along the perforations and

condense inward . . . 

. . . until the top portions swirl together around

the top of the stem as shown.

(This may place stress on some of the joints

and seams, so check and reattach as necessary

if any become loose.)

17. Prepare the berry platform shapes by

bending forward at tops of tabs so that

the circular tops are roughly at right angles.

Position and attach the backsides of tabs together.

18. Assemble your version of the berries accent,

including a base color that may "show thru"

as one of the berries, or by using three circles.

19. Position and attach the berries accent
assembly, rotating to align the outer curve
edges to match up.

20. Prepare the holly leaves shape by positioning
and attaching the contrast leaf halves to the
appropriate matched leaves.
Add some curl to each leaf by applying pressure
as it is passed over a rod tool such as this
spatula.

21. Insert the berry assembly tab through the

leaf assembly center slot . . . 

. . . then insert tab into the stem slot.

(Leave it un-glued so that it can be removed

to easily open the swirl top, if using as a gift box.)

Here is the completed Christmas pudding box.