4 sided Christmas Ornament - Includes numbers for future years

This was a definite labor of love. I wanted to create an ornament that was different from the others I have seen out there and I also wanted it to be practical and still fun. It was a challenge to line up the art on each half to where it would line up in the center of all four sides, but, after some trial and error, I was able to do it. 
To make this easier for you, I recommend cutting out the jig file included as a separate plan…especially if you will be making more than one of these. When assembling the jig, be sure that it lines up perfectly along the interior that way when you piece together the two halves of each side, you are perfectly lined up. 

While you can use Superglue to adhere the sides together, I recommend Dualtite Double Sided Adhesive paper or 3M Double sided adhesive paper. You will still need the superglue to join the ornament together at the end though, so keep it near.

I forgot to take pictures during assembly but it is pretty straight forward. I will effort to explain the assembly though as best as I can. 

In addition, I include instructions for putting on a ribbon for this as the top is sort of unique but you can do that part any way you desire.

I also wanted to be sure this ornament could be used next year and the year after and so on. So, with that in mind, I included the numbers 0-9 so that the numbers could be changed out to, not just the year, but if you wanted, a specific date.

I used the P2 for this and I engraved and cut this on the Honeycomb panel. Be sure to lift the material from the honeycomb panel to prevent a lot of overburn on the backside.

There are a variety of settings here. However, you will want to remember that if you are using a different kind of material/wood and/or a different machine, you will most likely have to adjust your settings accordingly.

Once you have engraved and cut the pieces out, sand the front of each piece. You may have to sand extra on the Tree and the Snowman to draw out the light parts. I used 220 sandpaper.

Here is where it is where you will most likely want to use the jig. If you cut out the jig, assemble the two parts of the jig where the interior is lined up perfectly. What I did was lay one piece on duct tap along the right and left side with some overhang laying out. I ensured the top piece lined up perfectly and then folded the tap over to hold it in place. I made sure the tape was tight. Then I ran a bead of superglue along the outer edge of the top and bottom. Once dry, which only took a minute, I removed the tape carefully and ran a bead of superglue on the left and right sides. Thin superglue works best here.

Take the two halves with the slit in the center that drops from the top and place one face down in the jig. Remove the adhesive backing. Remove the adhesive backing from the other piece and lay it down in the jig face up so the two adhesive sides touch. Once you are sure they are lined up, press down firmly to seat the adhesive.

Do the same for the two pieces with the slit cut out of the center from the bottom.

Next, run a bead of glue from the center just above the cut slit to about a half inch from the edge. Then join the two parts together by sliding them into the slot of the other half. This will create your 4 sided ornament with the four holes at the top for the ribbon.

If you have another way of doing the ribbon, feel free to use that. This is the way I did it for this ornament. Each step following here is in order of the pictures included on this step.

1. Fold about a foot of ribbon half and run the loop end through one of the holes.
2. Repeat this until the loop is back to where the rest of the ribbon is.
3. Run the ends of the ribbon through the loop.
4. Draw the excess ribbon back through but leave a loop on the opposite side of where your beginning loop is.
5. Take one piece of the end of the ribbon and run it through that opposite loop and then continue to pull the excess through so that the ribbon is tight all the way around.
6. Pull the two ends up and pull tight and then tie a knot at the desired top point of your ribbon. Cut away the excess ribbon above the knot
7. You have your ornament with the ribbon attached now.

I may try a version of this stained. I did do this with ¼ inch wood but it was not as appealing and the cuts lines did not go all the way through so I decided to go with 1/8" instead. 

While working on this, I learned a lot about perspective and lining up cut pictures. I also learned how to manipulate pictures to line up perfectly on two different pieces. Not sure how that particular skill will benefit me going forward, but we shall see. 

I truly hope you enjoy this plan. Let me know what you think in the comments and if you do make it, show it off with a picture. 

Also, if you like this plan, I do have a bunch of others. Most of my plans are free although there are a few premium ones. Check out what I have to offer at:

https://www.atomm.com/profile/15190?utm_source=Social_Share

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Happy Crafting