The 14-Day Valentine's Heart Countdown
Instruction
This is my first major project with my xTool M1 Ultra, and it originated from the idea that while there are many Advent calendars, it would be a fun gesture to adapt this concept for Valentine’s Day.
The basic idea is to create 21 boxes, each wrapped in an additional layer of cardboard to form a creative drawer system. These boxes are glued together in such a way that they form a large heart. Finally, 14 door numbers are distributed. With this, the basic concept is complete. Of course, this is where your creative process begins—you can decorate the heart further according to your own ideas and personalize it with your love messages.
I put a lot of thought into the designs and spent days refining them, from the first sketch to several prototypes, working on every fine detail. Even with my final prototype, I made a few additional improvements to the project file, making it easier for you to fold and assemble. The fold lines are included in the design to make folding a breeze, and where folding is required, no gluing is necessary. Special interlocking tabs have been designed to hold everything in place, ensuring that the assembly is smooth and efficient. At the end, only the individual components need to be glued together.
However, I’m already working on solutions for future projects to make the assembly even more effortless, with less gluing required.
Please let me know in the comments what you liked or didn’t like, as I plan to share more ideas with you in the future.
Required: 21 sheets of DIN A4 red craft cardboard
Working time: 50 minutes
In this step, you will crease and cut 21 red sheets to create 21 triangles, which will later serve as the inner triangle of the gift box.
Instructions:
- Click “21x Inner Triangle” to open all layers.
- Select the canvas "21x Inner Triangle".
- Choose "Multi-purpose processing".
- Choose the material "A4 colored Cardboard" (preselected).
- Check foil transfer settings.
- Adjust foil transfer Settings 1 (see image 2).
- If everything is fine, go back.
- Adjust fine cut Settings 2 (see image 3).
- If everything is fine, start processing with next step.
- Start cutting. Once completed, restart the process with the next sheet.
Tips:
- You don’t need to readjust the processing area every time. Just place the next paper in the same position – preferably top left.
- While the machine cuts the next page, you can fold the previously cut sheet according to Step 4 to save time.
Required: 11 sheets of DIN A4 burgundy-colored craft cardboard
Working time: 25 minutes
In this step, you will crease and cut 11 burgundy sheets, resulting in 22 creased shapes, of which 21 will be used later as the outer triangle (the holder of the box).
Instructions:
- Select the canvas "Outer Triangle (11x)".
- Choose the material "A4 colored Cardboard" (preselected).
- Check foil transfer settings.
- Adjust foil transfer Settings 1 (see image 2).
- If everything is fine, go back.
- Adjust fine cut Settings 2 (see image 3).
- If everything is fine, start processing with next step.
- Start cutting. Once completed, restart the process with the next sheet.
Tips:
- Again, you can leave the paper position unchanged. Just place the next sheet at the same position, ideally top left.
- While the machine cuts the next page, you can fold the previously cut sheet according to Step 5 to save time.
Required: 1 wooden plate (3 mm basswood plywood)
Working time: 7 minutes
In this step, you will use a laser to engrave and cut 14 wooden numbers.
Instructions:
- Select the canvas "Wood numbers (1x)".
- Choose "Lasering on flat surface".
- Choose the material "3mm Basswood Plywood" (preselected).
- Check cut settings.
- Adjust cut Settings 1 (image 2).
- If everything is fine, go back.
- Adjust laser module-10W Settings 2 (image 3).
- If everything is fine, start processing with next step.
- Start cutting.
Required: 21 burgundy outer triangle sheets
Working time: 5 minutes
In this step, we will fold the outer triangle without the need for gluing.
Instructions:
See the folding steps in image or, for a clearer understanding, watch the attached video.
Tips:
- While the machine is cutting the next page, you can fold the previously cut sheet according to Step 5 to save time.
- To save time, I recommend combining this step while you’re waiting for the cutting in Step 2.
Required: 21 red inner triangle sheets and 21 pre-assembled burgundy outer triangles
Working time: 10 minutes
In this step, we will fold the inner triangle without the need for gluing and insert it into an outer triangle.
Instructions:
See the folding steps in image or, for a clearer understanding, watch the attached video.
Tips:
- While the machine is cutting the next page, you can fold the previously cut sheet according to Step 5 to save time.
- To save time, I recommend combining this step while you're waiting for the cutting in Step 1.
Required: 21 pre-assembled triangles, rubber bands (optional)
Working time: 7 minutes
In this step, we will glue all the assembled triangles together, resulting in the final heart shape.
Instructions:
- Glue 18 triangles together, pairing them in groups of two (see image 1). Optionally, use rubber bands to hold the pairs in place while they dry (see image 3).
- Once the triangles have dried slightly—they don’t need to be fully dry—join three pairs together to form a circle (see image 4). Again, you can use rubber bands for optional support while drying.
- Place the two circles next to each other and use the remaining three triangles to fill the space between them. Glue these three triangles to the circles (see image 5).
- Finally, glue the third circle on top, creating an inverted heart shape. This structure helps the heart hold its form better while drying, thanks to gravity (see image 6).
Tips:
- Always glue the triangles with the smooth side facing outward, so the overlapping edges remain on the inside.
- Avoid gluing two overlapping edges directly on top of each other. Instead, position the overlaps side by side or, ideally, opposite each other for better stability (see image 2).
Required: 1 pre-assembled heart, 14 wooden numbers
Working time: 1 minute
In this step, we will glue the 14 wooden numbers onto the completed heart. And voilà—the heart is finished!
Instructions:
Glue all 14 numbers randomly onto the flat surface of the heart.
Tips:
Test the placement of the numbers on the heart beforehand until you find an arrangement that works best for you before gluing them down permanently.