Tea Light Village - Clock Tower-Library Tutorial
Project Description:
Tea Light Village is a series of tiny buildings designed specifically to fit over small LED Tea Lights so readily available these days. The lights provide a warm glow which brings life to the village display.
This tutorial is for the Clock Tower Library which was added to the collection in 2017. The building is 2"w x 2"d x 4" h.
In 2017 I am also adding a base system for tea light village so they can be adapted to string fairy lights. Go here for more information.
Warning: Only use LED Lights. DO NOT use regular candle tea lights.
This specific tutorial is for the assembly of Clock Tower Library house.
There are many tutorials for the Tea Light series including:
Tea Light Village Hexagon and Pentagon Bases 2017- updated 2020
Supplies Needed:
Cutting Files - Available here.
ScorTape 1/8" and 1/4"
Card Stock
Wax paper - Tracing paper works as well.
Glue
Scissors
Parts Sizes- See orientation in diagram to right.
Main building piece 5.2434" w x 8.9188" h
Tower Roof 1.5622" w x 1.6162" h
Main roof: 3.88" w x 2.4254" h
Large Tree: 3.3281" w x 4.4323" h
Small Tree: 3.447" w x 2.5881" h
Order supplies from Amazon:
Order from Amazon: Neenah Exact Index Card Stock 110lbs. 250 sheets (Affiliate Link)
Order from Amazon: Scor-Tape 1/4" X 27yds (5 Rolls) (Affiliate Link)
Order from Amazon: Scar-Tape 1/8" x 27 yes (3 Pack) (Affiliate Link)
Order from Amazon Fairy Lights 2 sets 100 lights with remote in warm white (Affiliate Link)
Steps for completing the Clock Tower house:
Special Note: I update the instructions online. Check here for adjustments and additional information. Don't just rely on the pdf file that comes with the download.
1. Download the cutting files for your cutting machine from the 3dcuts.com store here.
2. Load the files into your cutting software following the steps for your cutting machine.
3. Prepare the files:.
For the Silhouette:
SIL Files from upload SVG purchased from 3dcuts.com:
The SVG files may need to be turned into cutting files. Click here for detailed steps on how to use SVG files on your Silhouette. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-upload-svg-silhouette
DXF files can be opened in the basic edition of Silhouette Design Studio but often require modifications. I recommend using the Designer Edition and using svg files. DXF files do not always maintain file sizes and you may need to adjust according to sizes noted above.
For Cricut Explore:Remember to ATTACH files before cutting in Cricut. Here is a guide for importing into Cricut Design Space. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-adding-3dcuts-files-to-cricut.
For Brother ScanNCut: The svg files will need to be transferred to files for your particular machine. You can change SVG files to FCM files at http://www.canvasworkspace.com/ or Google "How to import SVG files into a ScanNCut" for links to tutorials. Some models of Brother Scan N Cut can directly import the SVG files.
4. Cut the files.
It is best to have good quality card stock and a good blade and clean, sticky mat. I use the Premium blade and the Nicapa mat. These files do have intricate cuts and you need to know which settings your machine works best with. little different from the normal card stock settings because the Neenah Index Card Stock is a little thicker.
5. Cover all windows from the inside with wax paper or vellum.
I cut the wax paper into strips and then into squares to fit over the windows.
I apply a coating of a good paper adhesive like Zig Two Way glue around the window and then glue the wax paper inside each window.
Be sure to get all windows including doors and attics.
This helps mute the light from the LED tea light.
6. Fold on all the dotted lines
Every dotted line on this file is a fold line and most get crisply folded towards the back side.
The two on the L of the roof get folded in an opposite direction (right image). You can change these later if needed.
7. Apply Scor-Tape to all tabs. Leave the backing on.
I used 1/4" Scor-tape on all the tabs wider tabs and 1/8" around the clock tower..
The image below shows all the tabs needing Scor-Tape in pink. (Scor-Tape doesn't come in pink. I just highlighted it in the photo for clarity.) Don't miss any tabs.
The Scor-Tape gets applied to the outside.
8. Assemble the building
For easiest assembly, peel each backing as directed.
Start by peeling the backing from the strip by on the end tab to connect the ends and make the building base square.
Adhere the two ends of the building base together keeping things straight and square.
Next peel the end tab on the clock tower and wrap that around to form the square base for the tower.
This photo is not very clear but....
Peel the scor-tape off the fifth triangle of the pyramid top for the clock tower.
The fifth triangle gets slide under the first forming a 4 sided pyramid which will become the top of the clock tower.
Pinch with fingers to make square.
Peel the scor-tape from the 4 tabs at the top of the tower and glue the pyramid down over them to form the top of the tower.
It helps to have a long tool like a pencil (eraser end) to reach up inside and press.
Peel the backing from the Scor-Tape on the left side of the angled wall tabs and adhere the left side of the roof - both front and back.
Peel the Scor-Tape on the back angled wall tab plus on both sides of the L shaped notch in the roof.
The L tabs get slide up into the inside of the tower holding the roof to the tower.
Press the back of the roof to the wall.
Peel the Scor-tape from the last roof tab and slide that inside the side wall.
Press all seams in place.
Add Scor-tape to all 4 sides of the pyramid tower top.
Peel the Scor-Tape on the tab of the roof top pyramid, fold under the first triangle of the piece and press that into place forming another pyramid.
Peel the Scor-Tape on the top of the pyramid and place the roof cover over the tower top pressing it to adhere.
9. Add the roof.
Add Scor-Tape to the edges of the roof .
Peel the backing and add the roof cover.
The Clock Tower Library is ready to be added to all the other houses in Tea Light Village.
10. Make the Trees.
The file comes with the pine tree in two different sizes. You must cut 2 of each size. This is a detailed cut and requires a good blade and mat. I especially like to use the Premium blade on this type of cut.
Fold each half on the the 2 dotted lines in the center. They are close together so this will take some care.
Add a strip of 1/8" Scor-Tape down the outside of the tree between the two fold lines.
Press the two spines together, being careful to make bottoms align, making a 3-D tree.
Make a second set in a different size.
Now make the other new buildings for tea light village and put them all together with LED tea lights to provide a warm glow.
