3D Cozy Kitty Luminaire

3d Cats by 3dCuts.com, Marji Roy, 3D cutting files in .svg, .dxf, and .pdf formats for use with Silhouette and Cricut cutting machines, paper crafting files, Halloween, Cozy Kitty, Classy Cat

Project Description:

Designed to hold an LED Tea Light, this 3D Cozy Kitty along with her partner, 3D Classy Cat make a terrific Halloween decor pairing for your mantle, window sill or table top. Turn on the light and the eyes glow. Change out the ribbon or the paper color and use these kitties year round.

This tutorial is for the 3D Cozy Kitty. When complete she stands approximately 5" tall x 7" w x 4" d. There is another tutorial for the 3D Classic Cat as well.

3D Cozy Kitty Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

Cutting File available here.
8.5 x 11" card stock - I used the 65lb Cardstock from Recollections. Each kitty takes 4 sheets of card stock
Adhesive - I prefer Scor-Tape for this type of project
Zig 2-way glue
Hot Glue & Gun
Weights - some heavy items (washers, nickels, etc.)
Green tissue paper
Ribbon (Optional)

Parts sizes: (For those importing into Design Space) - in inches

Cozy Kitty Front and Back together- 6.575" w X 10.315"h
Cozy Kitty Leg - 4.495" w X 5.12"h
Cozy Kitty Sides 1-2-3 Grouped - 6.43" w X 10.1"h
Cozy Kitty Sides 4-5-6 Grouped - 6.49" w X 10.474"h

Steps for completing the 3D Cozy Kitty:

1. Download the cutting files for your cutting machine. The files are available here.

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

3. Prepare the files:.

Click here for detailed steps on how to use .SVG files on your Silhouette (with Design Studio).
Click here for steps on how to use these .SVG files in Design Space with your Cricut Explore.

4. Cut the files from the card stock of your choice. I especially liked these cats in black for Halloween however I have photographed the tutorial with gray paper because it is much easier to photograph.

5. Construct the cat back.

Notice each of the sides strips has a number cut out of one corner. This is to help you in selecting the correct piece.
Start with #1 side strip.

Fold all the tabs in one direction along the dotted fold line.

Run a line of Scor-Tape along the outside edge of the entire row of tabs. I use Scor-Tape because I can quickly lay it out and peel the backing. Other adhesives in your collection are appropriate as well. On different pieces you may need to snip the tape in a few places, but if you do this after peeling, you save time.

Side #1 circles the head shape on the cat back. You position it so the tabs are to the inside and the edge aligns with the outside rim.
Start at the bottom of the head so there will be no split on the top.
Bend and adhere the edge strip all the way around.
It will create a complete circle with the bottom edge over-lapping itself. This gives a strong platform to hold the LED tea-light when complete.
Add adhesive to the ends of this edge to adhere them in place.

Prepare side strip #2 the same way you did #1 by folding the tabs in one direction and adding Score-Tape. The direction you bend the tabs depends on whether you want a left or right facing kitty. The tabs are to be bent inward so align your strip with the cat back and see which direction is correct.
Adhere the back corner in place first

Curl side strip # 2 up and around the back, carefully aligning edges and pressing the tabs in place.
It will curl under the head circle and get adhered there.

Notice the notch along the bottom edge of the kitty back side. This is where the fold on side strip # 3 will be adhered.

Prepare strip #3 like you did the previous ones. Decide which directions the tabs get bent by holding it next to the kitty, bend the tabs and add Scor-Tape.
Position edge # 3 at the corner (location indicated by notch) first.
Press the bottom edge in place. It goes inside strip # 2 on the bottom.

It then follows the kitty chest edge, and tucks in under the head circle and get adhered there.

Add Weights

Once you add an LED light to the top of this kitty, she will become top heavy. In order to prevent that, hot-glue some weights into the base of the back piece. (Don"t put them in the front piece!) This can be some washers or nuts, a few nickels or even a small bag of sand. Use something that is easily available to you.

6. Construct the front half of the kitty.

Start by cutting colored tissue paper to cover the inside of the eyes and nose.
Glue that in place using a glue like Zig 2 way glue pen.
Be sure to add glue to the center of the eye to hold them to the tissue paper.

Prepare side strip # 4 the same way you did previous edges. Fold over the two end tabs and all the edge tabs along the dotted fold lines.
You will need to snip the Scor-Tape at the place where the side tabs bend out.
This ring gets glues around the kitty head with all tabs pointing inward and aligned with the edge.
One end tab is positioned following the back, and the other is following the chest.
Do not allow the edges to creep in. The front is a little bigger than the back but if you let the edges creep in, you will have problems with the fit later.

Prepare side strip # 5 the same way you did previous edges. Fold over the end tabs and all the edge tabs along the dotted fold lines.
The direction depends on what direction your kitty faces. Position the edge to determine the correct fold direction.
It gets adhered starting at the back lower corner and curves up the back and under the chin.
This strip will be a little too long. Trim off the excess. If you leave it there the box halves will not mesh together.
I secured this seam on the inside with scotch tape.

Prepare side strip # 6 the same way you did previous edges. Fold over the end tabs and all the edge tabs along the dotted fold lines.
The direction depends on what direction your kitty faces. Position the edge to determine the correct fold direction.
It gets adhered again starting at the notch where the corner will be.

The base goes inside the base from edge 5.
The other end matches up with the chest edge the then tucks under the kitty chin.

Again, it will be too long. Trim it to fit and adhere in place.

7. Slide together.

The fronts slides over the back. There is some flexibility and space.

I squirted a little hot glue in to a variety of spaces around the back edge down in the slot.
Squirt in a little, and hold to stick.
Repeat in other cracks as well.
I did not glue the entire edge but spot glued it in 5-6 different locations to hold things together and in place.

8. Add the back leg on the front side.

The leg is to hug close to the body along the back edge but be space away from the body on the front edge.
Add Scor-tape to the back edge.
Add Foam tape to the middle.

Adhere the back leg in place.
Bend the tail forward.

9. Add embellishments.

Be creative here. A ribbon or other bling will change the personality of your kitty cat.

10. Slide an LED tea light into the back.

The glow in a darkened room is mesmerizing! Or place sitting on a window ledge. No LED light is needed. The sunlight will shine through and make the eyes glow as well.

Make the Classic Cat to keep your Cozy Kitty company!