Clamshell Carton with Shamrock Tag

 

Classic take out box is composed of lid and base 

assembled separately then joined across back. 

(Cut from two 8.5x11 cardstock or one 12x12.) 

Side latch tabs help to keep it closed. 

Layered medallion-shaped oval frame tag 

can adorn lid, or use a selected panel from 

holiday specialty print cardstock. 

Clamshell measures approx. 3.25” square across top, 

4.167” square at mid side, and 3” tall. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A upper hull (with thumb cut out front)

B lower hull

C medallion base

D medallion frame

E shamrock

Also shown is a trimmed specially print panel

with rounded corners as optional top decor.

This is the Authentique brand specialty print panel.

2. Prepare each half of hull shape by bending back

on all perforations for panels and end tabs,

back lower edge joint flange tab of upper half.

Identify the back bottom hull edge with 

the split arrow symbol, which will be useful . . .

. . . when eventually joining the top to bottom

at back flap seam, simulated here.

3. Bend the hull walls back to position angled seam

where plain straight edge overlaps adjacent tab

perforation lines, and join seam. Repeat for all four

seams of both upper and lower hull halves.

4. Apply glue to backside of hinge flange on upper hull, 

then position over back upper edge of lower . . .

. . . adjust to be centered, then join seam.

Check on inside of hulls to make sure that the top

of bottom hull wall aligns with the perforation line.

5. To close the clamshell box, make sure that

the UPPER hull walls are directed inside the lower

hull raised side walls.

When upper hull is pushed fully down into position,

the side hooks should be able to slot into place

under the side end extensions.

Here is the closed box.

6. Prepare the medallion decor by positioning and

attaching the frame shape over the base shape,

centering, with tie holes aligned. Then position

and attach shamrock inside the frame's oval.

7. Tie knot and bow with narrow ribbon or twine,

then position and attach, centered, on box upper

hull panel.

8. As alternative, use specialty print paper panel,

trimmed out, or to size, then positioned and

attached to hull lid.

Handle Carton with Shamrock Disc

 Classic Chinese food carry-out box 

(approx. 3” tall without handle) makes 

a perfect choice for not-too-heavy holiday treats. 

Easy assembly with overlapped side flaps, 

with choice of slot or circle handle openings where 

stacked-for-thickness handle ends can be inserted. 

(Two hull styles included: slot opening hull will keep 

handle upright; circle opening will allow handle 

to pivot down and up.) 

Two shamrock disc decoration options included: 

hang-hole style can tie onto handle; 

slightly smaller version without hand holes is sized 

to attach to front. 

Requires 12x12 cutting capacity and cardstock sheet.

ASSEMBLY: 1.Identify and cut the shapes:

A box hull   

B handle shapes (6-7 for thickened

strength as determined by slot test, Step 2)

C test slot and 6-7 strips to test layering quantity

D handle end "lock discs"

2. Layer the test strips into a stack, then . . .

. . . insert into the slot to see how many thicknesses

of the selected stock for handle will fit into the slot.

Use that quantity determination to as target cut

quantity for handle shapes.

3. Prepare the hull shape by bending back on

all perforation lines.

4. Shape and assemble the box by bending

front upward into position so that side flap overlaps

adjacent side panel, and handle holes align.

Glue flap in place.

5. Repeat for the adjacent side flap of back panel,

swinging into position so that the punch holes

align again, then glue in place.

NOTE that fingertip pressure can be applied

best if the assembly is placed with the side

panel face down on work surface and fingertips

inserted into the interior of box as shown.

6. Reverse the assembly and repeat steps 4-5

for the opposite ends flaps and side panel.

7. Stack and attach the handles, one by one,

taking care to align cut edges as precisely as possible.

Use a heavy flat object placed on top of the handles

(which are on a flat surface) to press the handles

until completely dried, which may require several

hours or overnight. Pressing helps prevent or reduce

warping or curling when using liquid adhesive.

Use a thick book, wood plank, or similar item to press.

8. To attach the handle, insert the first end into

the side hole (top flaps will need to be bent

down out of the way). Then . . .

. . . flex the handle as slightly as possible to swing

free end into position and insert . . .

. . .  into opposite hole.

NOTE that with using the box hull with slot holes

instead of round insertion holes, the handle will

remain upright permanently; lock discs can be

attached to inside hull wall as well as tabs

attaching to handle ends.

9. Prepare the handle lock disc by bending the tabs

forward, then applying glue to the TABS only

(for round hole where handle can pivot).

Slide the disc over the handle end . . .

. . . push the disc back so that it touches wall

inside surface (maintain centered handle position

where equal space is between hull and handle on

each side) then press and attach disc tabs to handle.

If tabs attach only to the handle, the handle will

be able to pivot as shown here.

10. To close the box, fold slot top flap inward,

following by hook flap. Flex hook slightly then

slide it into the slot and move slightly side to side

so that hook will catch.

11. Layer the shamrock disc, with each smaller disc

centered inside the next size, with punched hang

holes aligned, and glue each in place.

12. Thread twine end through front hole,

around handle, then back-to-front through

second hang hole, then tie knot and bow.

Here is the completed treat box with medallion.

Heart Card Keyboard and Swirls

 Inspired by quill art, delicate edges and finely-detailed swirls 

holding curvy keyboard give this heart-shaped card pizzazz! 

(Be sure to use a cutting mat with nearly-new stick 

and sharp blade.) 

Makes an elegant and unique Valentine or friendship card 

for keyboard musician, or to accompany wedding gift, 

anniversary remembrance, and more. 

Card base backside is composed of asymmetrical “halves” 

with edge portions that attach back to back with card front.  

Bend these “doors” open to reveal interior “sentiment” space, 

or close and latch with tab and slot. 

Broadened back halves “tips” provide  

a way to stand the card for display. 

Card measures approx. 6”x6”. 

Guide marks on each layer assist positioning. 

Custom-sized envelope available as separate design: 

Env Heart Swirl Paper Clip. 

Consider adding one of the “Tags Make Music Trio Large”,

using print & cut techniques and tools.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base front

B bottom accent layer

C second accent layer

D heart with swirls accent

E & F keyboard keys arches left & right

with black key overlays

G inner heart outline accent

H small heart solid accent

I small heart outline with swirls

J & K flat back panel halves with

tab and slot closure

2. Complete pre-assembly of keyboard arches

by gluing specific keys within the key outlines

on each arch. To save confusion about which

key fits in each position, consider cutting the shapes

then hand-trimming a containing shape around them.

Remove the container plus key strips from cutting mat

without dislocation, then remove one by one and

attach in place in corresponding order.

3. Position each key arch under the heart with swirls

outline, rotating slightly as needed to match up

the arch section outline with the heart's rounded

outline, until edges align.

NOTE that the right arch's inner key will underlap

the center swirl as indicated here.

4. Identify the alignment 'V' upper and lower cut guide 

marks on the second heart base shape (indicated 

by the barely-visible fingertip at lower center edge

of this image). 

Position and attach in place the swirl heart 

assembly with bottom point and upper "valley" at

the guide marks. 

5. Position and attach the inner heart outline shape

with the right upper arch aligned over keyboard lower

arch. NOTE that left shorter arch will fit very near or

abutted at left side swirl edges.

6. Position and attach the smallest heart outline over

the whole heart, with outer edges aligned precisely.

7. Position and attach the smallest heart roughly

centered within the heart outline.

8. Position and attach the center assembly over

the bottom contrast heart accent, using cut-in

tip and valley guide marks to assist. Then position

and attach assembly onto the card front base.

9. Prepare the back panels by bending the side

sections forward with a "valley" fold. Position each

half on the corresponding backside half of card

assembly, then with edges aligned, attach the outer

sections ONLY to card base backside. 

10. To close the card, the tab fits into the slot.

When opened, the broadened tips of back half tips

can assist in allowing heart to stand.

Here is the completed heart card.