Pumpkin 3D Contour Loops Place Card

Seasonal table decoration or display can serve to direct dinner guests

 and is sturdy and surprisingly quick to assemble. 

Create one for each place setting at your harvest feast, 

echoing your selected color theme. 

To assemble: join each of three paper-saving contour strips 

to form rings, then thread onto a hexagon stem post 

(use standard no.2 pencil shaft to help form tube) and glue in place. 

Add scored vein lines to leaf, then attach stem strip to center post. 

Narrowing contrast stem strip wraps top post end. 

Add place card name tag (hand write or use Print & Cut features) 

by wrapping narrow extension around stem. 

Measures approx. 3.375” tall (stem post) x 3.75” diameter. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A contour loop strips (3)

B post hexagon tube (stem)

C (optional) hex ring for post bottom as 'stop'

D post bottom 'cover'

E leaf    F  stem wrap (for texture)

NOT SHOWN: stem strip-matched hexagon 'cover'

To create the pumpkin place card, also cut the name tag,

either 'plain' to have name hand written onto it,

or use print and cut features of Cameo.

2. Prepare the stem post by bending back along each

of the vertical perforation lines.

3. Use a standard pencil shaft to form the post

strip into a tube, wrapping the straight side edge

over the opposite long flange to perforation line

and join seam.

4. Bend the bottom tabs away from tube.

5. Take note of the small guide marks on two panels

of the stem tube.

6. Insert the TOP of the post through the hexagon ring

through the bottom opening . . .

. . . and slide down until it is even with the bottom tab bends,

then glue the tabs to the underside of the ring.

Insert the end of 'new' pencil through tube again

to bend top semi-circle tabs inward and glue

together where they overlap.

7. Prepare each of the loop strips by adding curl

to the center portion only of each contour,

using a rod tool such as this dowel (or a pencil shaft)

and apply thumb pressure as the portion of shape

is drawn across the rod (think: curling ribbon).

Also, bend back along all the short perforation lines.

8. Form ONE of the strips into a ring to bring the straight

end around to overlap the end tab to perforation marks

and glue the seam.

(The final strips will be looped through the other rings

prior to joining this bottom seam.)

9. Insert the second strip end through the first loop ring

and complete the seam. Then align the bottom 'rings' of each

loop, taking care to line up interior hexagon opening

as precisely as possible, and glue together. 

(NOTE: the point of interlocking the loops is to match the layering

position of each ring. That is, when the FIRST loop ring,

for instance, is on TOP of the second ring at sphere's top,

is is also on TOP  - inside - the rings assembly. This will help

the spheres be able to have matched 'profiles' in finished pumpkin.)

10. Repeat for the third strip, inserting end through previous

rings assembly, then joining bottom short seam.

Finally, align bottom hex 'ring' and opening and glue in place.

11. At the top end, apply glue between the layers

around the hex opening, then arrange and align

the hexagon opening as for the bottom hex 'ring'.

To enable the layers to have pressure applied so that

the joining will be complete, it may be possible to

gently compress the loops as shown (for both top

and bottom) hex areas.

12. From the bottom, insert the post tube through

the hexagon opening . . . 

. . . and slide it through the spherical interior 

and out the opposite (TOP) hex hole . . . 

. . . pausing to apply glue to the underside of the hex ring

'stop' platform, then push all the way so that it rests

and attaches to the bottom integrated hex ends of sphere.

(NOTE: the top of loops remains loose and unattached

at this point.)

13. Use a stylus and straight edge to add scored lines

to center of leaf, as well as lines that extend from

the center scored line outward to divide . . .

. . . the edge extensions at mid and lower mid leaf.

Also, bend the leaf up/forward where it transitions

to the leaf shape.

14. Take note of the 'top of pumpkin' guide mark,

then . . . 

. . . position the leaf stem bend at the guide mark

with the stem laying upward along the stem,

and glue in place.

15. Use a very narrow rod-like tool such as this stylus tip

to add a relatively tight curl to the stem wrap strip.

14. Insert the pencil up through the tube to help

provide a "press against" surface.

Attach the wide end of strip at exposed stem base

and glue it securely to one of the faces of the tube.

Wrap and glue the strip around the tube, overlapping

each turn only slightly to cover tube completely.

Continue wrapping around stem to end of stem

and strip. Secure end.

15. Remove pencil.

Position and attach the hexagon stem-matched

cover to the top of the stem.

16. Position and attach the bottom hexagon cover

to hide the tube opening.

17. For the place card variation, cut the name tags 

18. Prepare name tag by adding curl to the strip extension

using a rod-like tool as before.

Wrap the strip around the stem, then glue 

in place . . .

. . . with end of strip attaching to tag backside.

Here is the completed place card pumpkin.

Pumpkin Choc Square Placecard

Perky little autumn pumpkin place card 

or table decoration will brighten an autumn 

or Thanksgiving feast table. 

Pumpkin measures approx. 3.73" tall x 3.5" wide 

when its "self-platform" connected strip is folded 

and attached (cut two across on 8.5x11 card stock). 

Choose from two different leaf and vine versions, 

each with stem "registration" end to glue between 

front and back pumpkin layers. 

Punch-hole oval name tag can accept 

a mini grommet accent. 

Front panel window lets the Ghirardelli chocolate square 

or other appropriately sized candy peek out 

(inner platform is approx. .7" deep). 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main pumpkin shape with attached platform
B up-swirl leaf & vine
C down-swirl leaf & fine
D optional oval name tag

2. Prepare the main shape by bending

on the platform perforations as shown

in this diagram.

Mountain fold means "backsides together"

Valley fold means "front sides together"

Also note the tiny symbols on the diagram

and on the cut shape that will indicate which

"margins" or narrow wall panels will be

joined during the assembly.

When the main shape is assembled,

here is a side view of how the folds will

line up to form the platform.

3. Bend the back stem end forward (valley fold)

slightly, and push the tiny tab through to the

backside of the shape.

NOTE: this tiny nib is intended to help the chocolate

square wrapped candy to sit forward toward window.

4. Prepare the attach the back margin walls

together by identifying the two panels involved 

(+ symbols).

Preview how these margins will align by

bending the first 4 mountain folds to form

the inner platform layer tube as shown.

5. Apply adhesive to the panels to be joined 

and press them together until secure.

6. Bend the back portion of the main shape

back away from the front so that the top panel

(with the nib) is now over the previous platform 

assembly.

7. Apply adhesive to the narrow front margin

and attach in place to the backside of

front window pumpkin panel.

 

NOTE: it may be helpful to insert a "press-against"

surface such as this thin skewer to help

apply pressure to join the front margin to

front pumpkin panel.

8. Preview how the back narrow margins

will overlap, then apply adhesive to the 'X' faces

and join. 

Use a skewer or other "press-against" surface

to assist the connection.

9. Apply adhesive to the backside of the final

X margin, then bend the back pumpkin panel

up into position to join.

10. Preview the positioning of the chocolate

square, if desired.

11. Position the selected leaf variation

behind the front pumpkin stem so that

the stem shape edges of each line up,

and attach in place.

NOTE: the model shows the leaf stem behind

pumpkin stem, with leaf & swirl overlapping

the front of pumpkin.

The leaf stem could also be placed completely

over the front.

12. Insert the chocolate square, then

bend the back pumpkin above-perforation

to attach to the back of front pumpkin.

NOTE: it may be helpful to use a narrow

double adhesive strip along bottom of square

packaging to help attach it in place.

Or small pieces of cello tape at sides.

13. Prepare the guest name tag,

if desired, and attach to the front of

place card to complete.