DIY Heart Mandala Paper Box with Cricut Easy Valentine’s Day Craft

A Simple dIY heart mandala paper box for your valentine!

Creating paper crafts is easily my favorite thing to make with a Cricut machine. 3D mandala crafts are one of the simplest but most elegant projects you could make as a beginner to Cricut. I have created a sunflower mandala in past tutorials, layered rainbow mandala, poinsettia mandala, and many others. Today I am sharing a 3D layered heart mandala project with your Cricut and an optional twist to turn it into a box – perfect for a gift or chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

Free Heart Mandala SVG

Both the heart mandala SVG and heart box template are free to my community! To access both designs, just join via the form below.

Download the free heart mandala SVG templates by signing up via the form above. Once you set your password via the email sent to you, enter the vault, and search at the top with the keyword heart or design #472, or go straight to the heart mandala template here!

Heart Mandala Papercraft Supply List

• 65-80 lb cardstock
• Tombow liquid glue or quick dry tacky glue (I used both in the video but either is fine)
• 3D foam tape
• Cricut machine
• Weeding tool
• Glue gun (optional)
• Heart mandala and box template. Join the Freebie Vault to access it!

3d Heart Mandala Paper Box with Cricut Video Tutorial

How to Put Together a 3D Heart Mandala

Step 1: Download Templates

The first step to making your layered heart mandala is downloading the templates in the Freebie Vault.

Step 2: Upload Design

Once downloaded, upload the design to Cricut design space. Here is how to upload an SVG file to Design Space.

Step 3: Decide on Size

Next, decide on the size of your design. I recommend around 8 inches wide. When adjusting the sizes, be sure to scale as a group, so you don’t change the proportions. See how I do it in this video.

If you plan to make the paper heart box, you will need to change the black lines to scorelines in the Operation dropdown. After changing the lines to score, be sure to use the Attach tool to attach them to the base, which is used to build the sides of the heart box.

Step 4: Choose Paper

Choose your paper. I like to mix different shades and textures. I used pinks, reds, one glitter, and one foil cardstock layer for my heart mandala.

Step 5: Attach Foam Tabs

To create the 3D mandala effect, you will need 3D foam tab tape. This 3D foam tape makes a little space between each layer to add height and dimensions.

This heart mandala has six layers in total. With the topmost layers that are more detailed, I recommend using the ‘cardstock for intricate cuts’ setting in Design Space for best results.

Step 6: Build Layers

Once you have cut out all your layers, begin building them from least intricate to most intricate. When you reach the topmost layer, use liquid craft glue to attach it to the heart mandala.

At this point, you could stop here or continue and turn the heart mandala into a paper heart box.

How to Make a Heart Mandala Chocolate Paper Box

Step 7: Fold Tab Edges

Fold the sides of the heart box along the tab edges. Your Cricut should have scored them to make the folding easy if you followed the instructions above.

Step 8: Add Box Sides

Place one heart down on the table and glue it to the folded tabs. Starting at the heart’s top center, press the tabs under the heart and follow the shape of the heart around – this will help you keep good alignment. Repeat this a second time for the top of the heart box.

The top crease of the heart box should be the end that has a folding tab. You will connect the opposite end to it. Repeat this for the opposite side but with the other folded tab end inside the bottom of the heart for a seamless look.

Step 9: Add Box Bottom

Once you have created the top and bottom of the heart box, flip the box lid and bottom over and add the other two heart cutouts over the top to conceal the tabs. You can see how I do all of this in the video.

Step 10: Add Heart Mandala

Finally, glue on your 3d heart mandala design to complete the box and fill it with some chocolate or a gift!

What do you think of this cute heart mandala box for Valentine’s Day? Don’t forget to download your free SVG template in the Abbi Kirsten Craft Vault!

3D Heart Mandala Paper Box Tutorial

Active Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate

If you love paper crafts, you have to make these stunning 3D layered heart mandala boxes for Valentine's Day. These paper mandala crafts are so easy and fun to make, you can make them for any season or occasion or as a Valentine's gift.

Print

Materials

• Heart mandala and heart box templates (find them above)
• Cardstock, such as pink, red, or glitter cardstock.
• Light grip Cricut mat and/or standard grip Cricut mat
• 3D foam tape (both large and small)
• Liquid craft glue

Tools

• Cricut Machine
• Cricut Scraper
• Weeding tool
• Glue gun

Instructions

1. Cut out your heart mandala layers on your cutting machine. I use a Cricut, but any machine that is SVG compatible will work! Make sure to use the corresponding setting for your material. For example, 65-pound cardstock is considered medium weight in Design Space. Likewise, if you are using glitter cardstock or light cardstock, be sure to change your pressure accordingly in the Custom settings of Cricut Design Space.
2. Your mandala pieces may or may not cut out in the order you arrange them. But don't panic; there is an easy way to make sure you layer them correctly. Just make sure to set all the pieces aside and not lose any - I like to use a shallow container or box to collect my mandala layers. If you are creating the box element, cut those out too. I recommend opting for a heavier cardstock for the box, so the chocolates are supported.
3. After you cut all the mandala pieces, it's time for assembly. To prep, start by laying all your parts in the correct order. You can follow the design as it is layered in design space or work from least to most intricate.
4. Start with the two bottom-most layers. Check your alignment of the two layers. Flip over the piece that belongs on top and place your foam tabs. Usually, on the first two or three layers, the larger foam tabs work great.
5. Continue to repeat this process until you reach the final layer.
6. The top layer of the heart mandala is very intricate, so I use liquid glue to place it on. Flip over your final detailed full mandala layer, apply glue, and place on top of your mandala masterpiece!
7. At this point, you could stop or continue on to make the heart paper box.
8. Fold each of the tabs down for the side of the box.
9. Place one heart down on the table and add some glue to the folded tabs. Starting at the heart's top center, press the tabs under the heart and follow the shape of the heart around. This will help you keep good alignment.
10. Repeat this a second time for the top of the heart box.
11. Once you have created the top and bottom of the heart box, flip the box lid and bottom over and add the other two heart cutouts over the top to conceal the taps. You can see how I do all of this in the video.
12. Finally, glue on your 3d heart mandala design to complete the box and fill it with some chocolate or a gift.
    
    
    

Did you make this project?

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