"Stay Cool" Tropical 3d Box Card

Send some summer love (or a warm tropical breeze in winter)

with this colorful and interesting card in a box.

Bottom-less card box with front & side flaps that fold down,

and back flap that remains upright, plus two mid-box bridges

are the framework for attaching some fun theme 2d shapes.

Great as a display piece, yet it folds flat for tucking into

an envelope to give or send.

This design is (or will soon be) available as a purchased download

from SnapDragon Snippets

through SVG Attic and the Silhouette America online store.

View the tutorial steps here to see how easily

this rockstar card goes together.

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Identify and cut the pieces.

Clockwise from lower left: box lower front accent shapes, box base with side flap accents on top, semi circle front flap accent with layered leaves, bridge strips, inside box back flap accent, sun, sunglasses, flip flops (shapes pre-assembled), coconut drink (shapes pre-assembled), stay cool cut phrase and accent (colors changed in final presentation).

2. Prepare the box base by folding as shown, inward ("mountain") folds on vertical box side perforation lines and tab, outward/down for flaps. Back flap remains upright.

3. Position and attach box lower outside accent pieces. NOTE that these shapes are sized to offset on two side and one top/bottom edge. Slide the top edge of accent piece up to the perf line so that the margin of box shows as side and bottom edges.

4. Position and attach the flap and back accents on the inside surfaces of the box base. NOTES: a) back flap has offset margins on side and top; b) side flap "grass/stray" shapes are offset, so slide top straight edge up to perf fold line; c) front flap semicircle accent should be positioned with top straight edge at perf fold line.

5. Form box into a tube to bring side tab and box side straight edges together. Overlap straight side edge over tab, align top and bottom of edges to be joined, then apply adhesive and complete seam.

6. Prepare bridge strips by folding side tabs back.

7. Position front bridge into position in the box's interior (spanning side to side) at one-third of distance from front to back. Make sure that the bridge's top edge is even with the flap folds. 

Glue side tabs in place. Then, before the glue has set up completely . . .

. . . fold the box into its flattened shape to help the bridges make a self-adjustment.

Apply pressure at the bridge attachment spots to help the bridge creases fold completely and make any adjustments necessary. 

8. Repeat the process to insert and attach the second bridge, placing it 2/3 back from the box front (or halfway in the space remaining), then fold and press to help the bridge's attachments adjust as necessary.

8. Layer the three leaf base (whole shape) with the half leaf shapes on top. Position and attach the two side leaves to match corresponding cut edges of front flap, then position and attach the center leaf.

9. Layer the sun shapes & sunglasses shapes. Attach glasses to sun front, then position and attach the sun to the upper part of the back flap.

(Check next photo to see recommended placement height.)

10. Assemble the left and right flip flops, then overlap and position on the back bridge a bit toward the left and relatively high.

(If your flip flops are "too floppy" like mine were, you may want to consider cutting a second pair of reinforcing base shapes to glue behind before attaching.)











11. Assemble the coconut cooler by layering outline shape over front shape, then positioning and attaching straw and umbrella bottom edges/ends behind the top front edge of coconut.

Finally, layer the back shape behind with edges matched to front shape(s) where appropriate.

12. Position and attach coconut assembly on the front bridge, tipped a little to the right and relatively high.

13. Layer the "stay" on front of the "stay cool" phrase cut out, then position and attach to the front flap so that some of the letters extend above the top flap.

Here is an image to show the profile of the card to see the layering on the bridges.

14. Once all the embellishing shapes are in place, carefully fold the card into it's flattened position to make sure there is no interference between the shapes.

This is the position the card will be in to fit into an envelope for giving or mailing.

Consider using the "envelope stars flap 7x7 for box cards" design available in the Silh Amer online store to mail or give this design.

And here is the finished card as seen from the front.

Fire Truck Box Card Assembly

Construct the box frame that becomes the fire truck chassis

for this interesting and dimensional card in a box.

Add the details to flaps, bridges and back

that bring this vehicle to life.

Then, fold it flat to put in an envelope

to give as a special birthday or other celebration (or get well) card.

Cut file now available from

SnapDragon Snippets in the Silhouette America online store,

and soon in the SVG Attic online store.

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Identify and cut the shapes.

A box side/front

B box side/back

C box side accent with latch (2)

D box front accent with latch

E box back accent

F bridge strips (3)

G flap side accents, rims, ladder, wheels 

H flap front accents, grille, wheels, windshield

I flap back accent rectangle

J flap back decor shapes pre-assembled

K hose and reel (back bridge decor)

L tank (middle bridge decor)

M bell and support (behind front bridge)

N seats decor pieces (behind front box edge)

2. Fold the box base shapes flaps down (back "flap" remains upright), tabs back. 

Join front side seam by overlapping straight edge to tab perforation and gluing.

3. Position the box accent shapes over the outside panels of the box base. NOTE that the side and front shapes will line up at the top perforation line, and other edges will offset slightly. Back shape lines up at box bottom edge, with offsets at other edges.

4. Attach the shapes to the box panels, keeping the latch tab folded away slightly and unattached (that is, don't glue it down).

This picture shows how the flap edge will eventually fold down and be held in place by the latch semi circle cutout. (NOTE because of the weight and spring of the cardstock, other "sticking" help may be needed, including double stick tape or sticky dot, if the card is to be kept primarily in its open position and shape.

5. Add the decor shapes to left and right side flap accent shapes (wheel bay rims and ladders).

6. Add the decor shapes to the front flap accent shape (grille section is the flap accent; others are attached to it, including contrast back rectangle behind grille openings, upper black and silver strips, lower chassis and wheel bay rims, light circles.

(Other shapes shown will be added behind front box edge (windshield and steering wheel) or to first bridge (seats, shown layered).

7. Lay the box base face down. Position side flap accent assemblies, front flap accent assembly, and back accent rectangle over their respective flap panels, then attach. Back accent aligns with bottom straight edge even with box bottom edge. Others align with top edges even with flap perforation lines.

8. Assemble hubcaps centered in tire circles. 
Fold the flaps down into their final positions, then position the side wheels in place onto the box surface  within the wheel bay recess, and with lower edges aligned or slightly above box lower edge. Also position the front wheels similarly. 

9. Fold the box into a tube and join side back seam by overlapping back straight edge at tab perforation line.

10. Prepare the three bridge strip shapes by folding end tabs back.

11. Position and glue the first end of bridge #1 inside the box, lined up with the center of the side extension wall shape. Make sure the bridge upper edge is even with fold of flap, and that the bridge's fold edge is perpendicular to the fold and box bottom edges.

12. Position and attach the opposite end tab of the first bridge on the other side of the box interior, taking care that the bridge is positioned straight across from the first tab joint.


Then, before the adhesive is completely cured . . .

. . . fold the box into flat position and "pinch" the layers at the bridge strip tab folds to help make any minor adjustments to positioning to allow the folding operation.

13. Repeat the process for the second bridge strip, positioning it approximately one-third of the way back between the front bridge and the box back.

Repeat for the third bridge, dividing the remaining space in half.

14. Prepare the windshield decor shape by folding the wheel stem back, and then in accordion fashion to build up a slight extension onto which the steering wheel will be attached. The stem should "stack up" on the backside of the windshield.

Apply glue to insides of each of the folds, then press the extension on top of itself to form a light stack "post".

15. Position the center of the steering wheel shape over the stack and glue in place.

16. Position and attach the windshield's flap behind the front flap fold.

17. Prepare the back "flap" decor shapes by layering the components as shown.

See the next image for a trick to help with position of individual cut letters.

Save the cutout "stencil" from the waste of the cutting process (if cut as a unit, of course), to position over the base of the "fire burst", adjust to be centered, then hold in place while gluing the individual letters in the "holes" of the stencil. Then carefully remove the stencil position, leaving the letters in place.

18. Position the upper decor piece at top of back "flap", extending beyond top edge (lower edge approx. half way up the extension).

19. Prepare the hose and reel decor assembly. NOTE that nozzle end will remain unattached to anything, extending away from the truck side body when in final position.

20. Position (centered) reel in front of back bridge with perf guideline aligned at top of brdige strip. Attach in place, with nozzle and hose end hanging over the side of the truck.


(NOTE that if you fold the completed box flat, with flaps UP, you will need to take care that the nozzle remains flat and not accidentally bent out of shape.

21. Prepare the tank assembly.

22. Position (centered) behind the second bridge, with perforation guideline lined up with bridge top edge.

23. Prepare and position the two seats in front of the front bridge strip, with perforation and lower shape line at top of bridge.

24. Prepare the bell assembly. 

25. Fold support bottom end tabs back, then position the structure behind the front bridge slightly and attach tabs to inside box sides.

Here is the completed box card, in its open position.

Here is the box card folded flat with flaps down (recommended flattened position, although it can be folded with flaps up, but the side wall extensions will bend, perhaps undesirably).

And here is one more finished view,

from the front.