Sled 3D Gift Card Holder

Gift a spending card for a wintertime birthday

or other celebration. Fun to display, but underneath 

is concealed an attached "envelope" that holds 

the standard-size plastic gift card.

Disc-n-twine closure keeps it in place. 

Add nail heads for more authenticity

(or use cut circle shapes included in file. 

For extra fun, add the "smooth sledding layered tag". 

Measures approx. 4.5" w x 8" l (runner tips) x .75" d.

ASSEMBLY:  1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main slats base (with corner guide marks)
B main slats reinforcement
C slats with duplicates for build up (5 each)
D runners left & right
E steering bar and build up (3)
F runner accent shapes
G card holder frames and build up (4)
H card "release" tab
I & J card cover flaps l & r with
closure discs (4 large, 4 small)
K optional tag elements
NOT SHOWN: nail heads positioning guide
(see step 19)

2. Identify the slats main base by locating

the corner (frame) positioning guide marks,

then . . .

. . . layer the reinforcement shape on top

and attach.

NOTE:  as this shape, and others, are

layered for build up or reinforcement,

it will be helpful to flatten with large flat

weights to help avoid curling or warping

as liquid adhesive dries.

3. Layer each of the five slat shapes with

duplicate shapes, glue to attach,

and flatten while glue dries.

4. Position each slat onto the base reinforcement, 
matching corresponding edges as accurately 
as possible.

5. Layer and align the card frame shapes,

taking care that outer and especially inner edges

align as precisely as possible.

Flatten with weights while glue dries.

6. Prepare the card release tab by bending

ends back as shown, then glue the end "tab"

to the corresponding end portion.

7. Position the plain end of tab under the frame
at one end, centered in the cutout window,
with end even with frame outer edge,
and glue in place.
NOTE that the tab end should overlap
the opposite end of the frame,
and line up with the notch on the inner frame edge.

8. Identify the closure discs -

shown below for one disc . . . 

. . . then layer the large discs
and glue together. Layer and
attach smaller discs on the back.

9. Prepare each of the card covering

flaps by bending back on each of

the pair of tab and "thickness" edge

perforations (shown at left of flap here).

10. Cut a 6-7 length of twine or string.

Lay one end over the punch hole on

the pointed flap . . . 

. . . then push through to backside with
a short tail exposed behind.

Position a disc assembly over the punch hole,

with hole aligned, glue a narrow margin at

hole edge in place, then attach a rivet shape

to secure disc and twine in place.

Also apply disc to the other flap.

11. Position the frame assembly side edge over
flap tab flange, frame edge at first perf line,
and glue in place. 
Repeat for the second flap.
NOTE that the "thickness" area created by
the double perforation lines should remain exposed.

12. Test the closure mechanism, if desired,

by folding flaps into position,

wrapping twine around discs in figure-8 fashion.

13. Prepare the runner shape by bending back

at the center, bending long flange and

punch tab flanges forward, as shown.

14. Position and attach the accent shapes

on corresponding left and right runners,

offset within the edges of the runner, except

that squared-off peaks align near tab perforation lines.

15. Apply glue to one half of backside, then fold
each runner in half and apply pressure to attach.

16. Position each runner along side the flap/frame

assembly with accent side outward, long flange

under the bottom edge of frame, center, then

glue long flange in place.

17. Locate again the corner guide marks

on the underside of the slats base . . .

. . . apply glue to the underside of flaps/frame

assembly, including exposed surface of

long flange, then position frame corners

at guide marks and apply pressure until secure.

Also apply adhesive between the side

of the runner structure and the

"thickness" edge of the flaps/frame,

in three places, then apply pressure 

to attach.

18. Prepare the steering bar by layering

build up shapes together and gluing, pressing flat.

Apply rivet eyelets to ends, if desired.

Insert a regular size brad at the center bottom hole . . .

. . . then insert prongs through the corresponding

hole at top of the center slat, and secure in place.

NOTE that the steering bar can pivot
as if steering somewhat realistically.

19. Add finishing embellishments as desired:

FRONT nail heads, use positioning guide

placed with wide margin side aligned at bottom

to mark dots through punch holes,

then rotate to align at top sides to mark

positions there, as shown.

BACK RUNNERS place nail heads (or punch dots
from cut file) over the punch holes on the
runner side tabs.

TO INSERT CARD: open flaps, place card into

recess with removal tab end exposed

(concealed behind fingers in this shot).

Remove by pulling up slightly on tab.

Here is the sled viewed from the backside.

For a coordinated design sentiment tag,

consider using the "smooth sledding"

layered tag, assembled as shown.

Here is completed project shown from front

with tag attached, cord strung through

rivets of steering bar.

Pencil Chubby Hidden Gift Card

Say thank you to an educator, colleague or student. 

Hide a gift card in the recess of the eraser-end 

built-up layers slider, then insert into the shaft compartment. 

Attach tag with "thanks!" welded word using mini brad 

or twine through punch hole in eraser end. 

Measures approx. 4.25" x 7" when closed. 

(This tutorial is under construction.

Please return soon to view the completed assembly guide.)
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main pencil "front" panel
B "lead" pencil tip accent   C "paint" accent
D "metal ring and bands" accents
E pencil shaft back/base
F shaft build up shapes (5)
G"eraser" slider/carrier back
H "eraser" slider/carrier build up shapes
I & J "eraser" tip front and back
K "thanks" word cut and tag

2. Prepare the shaft build up by positioning and

attaching the (5) shapes to each other,

one at a time, taking care to match cut edges

as accurately as possible.

NOTE: it may be helpful to use a flattening weight

during the gluing process to prevent warping.

3. Position and attach the shaft build up unit
to the backside of the shaft base/back shape,
taking care to line up matching edges carefully.

4. Prepare the shaft front by positioning and
attaching the accent shapes.
5. Apply adhesive to the face surface of the
build up shape, then position and attach
the shaft front unit, taking care to line up
matching edges carefully.

6. Position and attach the slider build up shapes
to each other in a stack, one at a time,
taking care to line up all cut edges as accurately
as possible.

7. Position and attach the slider build up shape
to the backside of the slider back base,
lining up edges accurately.

8. Position and attach the eraser tip shape

front to the front of the slider assembly.

Position and attach the back tip shape also.

9. To assemble, insert the slider into the channel

created by the build up layers . . . 

. . . insert the gift card into the recess,
then slide the slider into position fully
where it will be hidden.

10. Assemble the tag by positioning and attaching

the "thanks" word cut to the front of the tag.

Position and attach tag to the eraser tip front

using a mini brad through the punch hole,

bend back prongs on back side.

(Or attach with ribbon or twine, etc.)

Here is the completed hidden gift card.

Garden Basket Gift Card Holder Assembly

Quilt patch styled basket with contrast 'stripe' 

presents hexagon flowers plus daisies 

and stylized bluebell fronds. 

Built up layers in the basket (lower half) base 

conceal a compartment for a standard gift card. 

Bouquet also has built up layers to create 

a channel into which the card slider top fits. 

Measures approx. 6.5" x 6.5" when closed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A upper front panel    B upper channel panels (5)
C upper back panel    D flower panel silhouette base
E flower base 'dome'   
F hex flowers (3) with center & 3 (ea.) hex overlays
G daisies base with 3 petal overlays, center
H right daisy with 3 petal overlays, center
I bluebell fronds, 3 ea. dot 'bells'
J basket main     K basket 'stripe'
L lower panel front
M lower card frame build up (3)
N lower card build up back
O lower panel back

2. Attach the 'stripe' to the front of the

main basket shape.

3. Position and attach the dome to the flower

silhouette base.

Also position the three hexagon flower shapes

over their side and center positions,

aligning outer/upper edges with the silhouette

edge shapes that correspond.

4. Position and attach the flower centers
in each flower.
Position and attach three hexagon overlays
onto each flower in alternating positions.
(This gives definition to ALL six hexagons 
of the flowers without needing SIX hexagons cut
separately.)

5. Prepare the daisy whole and right separate

blossoms by identifying where the separate

petal overlays will be positioned on top

of the bases (shown here near the base

shapes to which they will be attached).

Position and attach the green 'bluebell' frond

shapes on the whole daisy base.

6. Position and attach the petal overlays 
onto the daisies.
Position and attach the centers.

7. Position the separate right daisy flower
over the whole base silhouette,
align corresponding edges,
and attach.

8. Position the daisy unit over the green dome

and other flowers, etc., of the upper (flowers)

base, lining up the frond edges that correspond,

and attach in place.

NOTE that the 'bluebell' circle punches

are shown here in their relative positions,

but they will NOT be attached until

later in the assembly process.

9. Prepare the upper build up by attaching the

5 channel shapes one by one into a stack,

taking care to line up ALL edges as precisely

as possible (here and throughout).

NOTE: it may be helpful to use a flat weight 

to assist the attachment of each layer

and to keep the layers from curling undesirably.

10. Position and attach the upper back panel . . .

. . . and then the upper front panel to the appropriate
back or front surfaces of the channel panels build up,
continuing to line up the edges that correspond
as precisely as possible.

11. Position the flowers unit over the upper front

with the zigzag bottom edges that correspond

lined up, and the sides and top edges offset slightly,

and glue in place.

12. Prepare the lower build up by aligning and

attaching the three card frame shapes.

13. Position and attach (surfaces that correspond)
frame build up and lower build up back panel
(contains push-out hole).

14. Position and attach the lower build up front
panel . . .

. . . and then the lower build up back panel.

15. Position and attach the basket decor unit,

lining up the zigzag edges that correspond,

and offset inside slightly at sides and bottom.

16. To insert the gift card, slide it into

the frame opening by slipping it under the

lower front edges.

17. Close the card by inserting the frame
extension up into the channel, between
the front and back panel layers. . . 

. . . then push the upper and lower together

to fit the zigzag edges flush.