3D Bird Houses • Tutorial

3d Bird House cutting files by 3dCuts.com, Marji Roy designs 3D cutting files in .svg, .dxf, and .pdf formats for use with Silhouette and Cricut cutting machines, paper crafting files, complete tutorial included

Project Description:

Mix and match these adorable paper 3D bird houses to bring springtime into your home. I have designed cutting files for 4 different beginner level bird houses all scaled to work together. The set includes:

Heart Bird House
Double Decker Bird House
Rounded- Bottom Bird House
Scalloped Edge Bird House

Display possibilities are many. Add ribbons and hang them from a gnarled branch. Insert sticks and add them to plants. Add them to you Easter Egg tree. Grown indoor grass and insert them on sticks. Be creative with colors and display!

3D Bird House - Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

Cutting File here
8.5 x 11" card stock in contrasting colors - I used the 65lb Cardstock from Recollections.
Paper Adhesive - I like either glue Dots, Scor-Tape or Tape runners.
Toothpick and glue
Ribbon (Optional)
Skewer Stick (Optional)

Parts sizes: (For those importing into Design Space) - in inches. The sizes reflect the shapes with all parts of each house grouped together. They will import into Design Space as one file per house.

Heart Bird House - 7.475" w X 9.455"h
Double Decker Bird House - 7.985" w X 10.43"h
Rounded- Bottom Bird House - 7.185" w X 9.23"h
Scalloped Edge Bird House - 7.52" w X 9.075"h

Steps for completing the Star:

1. Download the cutting files for your cutting machine here.

2. Load the files into your cutting software following the steps for your cutting machine.

3. Prepare the files:.

Helpful Hints:

For the Silhouette: The SVG files from this site will 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
For Cricut Explore: Melody Lane has put together a helpful video on how to import 3dCuts files into Design Space. I recommend you view it here. http://youtu.be/EtY_VaNn1y8 I have also grouped the dotted lines into one group to make it easy to label them as score lines.

4. Cut the shapes.

I like to cut the structure and the roof from contrasting papers. I have used combinations of prints and solids or all solids. The easiest thing to do is print the file twice, on two different papers and then mix and match the roof and structure. Here is a sample of the scallop edge birdhouse done that way.
Before you cut, consider how you will display the birdhouses. If they are going to hang, then you will want to insert a ribbon and the slots are located on the roof. If you are not going to hang them, then you may want to ungroup the file and remove the two roof slots before cutting.
It works best if the rectangle for the perch is cut from a lighter weight paper, not heavy card stock.

5. Fold the house.

Each files has dotted lines. These are fold lines.
Fold along all fold lines. All the folds go in toward the inside of the bird house.

6. Glue tabs in place.

I like to use Glue Dots although other glue types are appropriate.
I start by gluing the edges that attach to the birdhouse front in place. I do the back last. This is because you can reach the back more easily through the entry hole for pressing together.
I apply 2-3 glue dots per tab....

And press them in place carefully lining up edges and keeping things square.

Once the front and roof are in place, apply glue dots to the remaining tabs for the back side. Carefully position the back and use a skinny tool inserted in the entry hole to press them into place.

7. Add the ribbon and attached the roof.

If your bird house is going to hang from a branch, now is the time to thread a ribbon in the slots on the roof.
Then apply glue dots to the roof and carefully position it in place. It is designed to have an over-hang in both the front and back.

6. Add the perch.

Take the small rectangle and wrap it tightly around a toothpick. It works best if this is cut from a lighter weight paper. Glue the outside edge. (But not the inside edge or it won't slide off!)

Insert the tooth pick with the perch into the hole beneath the entry. It will be tight and if you carefully twist the perch as you insert it, the hole will widen and you can slide it it place. If you do this carefully, the hole will stay tight and the perch will be secure.
Slowly, pull out the tooth pick, leaving the perch in place.

Your first bird house is complete.
Now make another with contrasting papers and then go on to other styles........

Soon you'll have a collection to add spring joy to your home!

The cutting files for this tutorial are available at http://www.3dcuts.com/store/