My Christmas card for 2008 contains a sliceform pop up Christmas Tree similar to the three-slice tree available from Some Assembly Required. You can purchase their designs precut, as rubber stamps, as stencils, or as dies. Check out all the creative ideas on their Cool Projects page.
However, I wanted to cut the trees with my Craft Robo, and I couldn't see myself assembling 100 three-slicers, so I made my own two-slice tree. I had to simplify somewhere!
How to make the trees
Download template and print.
You will need to draw your own tree branch details on the pattern sheet. I have provided you with a general outline and the position of the sliceform slots. Draw branches on one large tree and one small one, then duplicate on the other large and small tree outlines.
Cut out pieces. Cut slots. If you are planning to make a pop up card with the tree, score tabs on the small trees. (If you would like a free-standing tree model, cut off the tabs.)
I found it easier to assemble the tree starting with the smaller trees.
Lay out the smaller tree shapes. Notice you have two pieces with slots only at the top, and two with slots at both the top and bottom. I will refer to these as "top-slot" and "mixed-slot". Arrange them in this order: Tree #1 = top-slot with a tab (brown); Tree #2 = mixed-slot with a tab (beige); Tree #3 = top-slot without a tab (yellow); Tree #4 = mixed-slot without a tab (white). Before you start assembling you will want to fold the tabs up, out of the way.
Hold Tree #1 in your left hand.
Slide Tree #2 onto it. You will slide the right-most slot of Tree #1 and the left-most slot of Tree #2 together.
Now add Tree #3 by sliding it onto Tree #2. The left slot of Tree #3 slides onto the right slot of Tree #2.
Stand the three attached pieces upright (fold those tabs up if you didn't already), to form three sides of a box, and add Tree #4. It slides onto Piece #3 and Piece #1 to form an open box.
Now look at the two large tree pieces. The mixed-slot large piece is Tree #5 (green). With the model upright and open, slide in Tree #5 from the top. It attaches to the center slots of two smaller trees that are opposite each other. It can go onto either pair, it doesn't matter.
Slide the last piece (orange) on, at a right angle to Tree #5. This is the tricky one. Start by sliding together the center slots of the two large trees. As you get close to the tops of the smaller trees start working the side slots of the big tree onto the center slots of of the smaller trees.
Top view
The model can be flattened two ways, along either of the two diagonals of the square formed by the trunks. You need to collapse the model so that the tabs are on top of one another, not side by side.
Glue tree to card
Draw a gluing guideline on your card, at a 45° angle to the card fold. The tree is glued to the card in the same manner as the Gingerbread House (see detailed instructions).
Spread a small amount of glue on the tab of Tree #1. Glue tree to card, aligning the tab edges with the center of the card and the guideline you drew.
Spread a small amount of glue on the tab of Tree #2, as shown. Close card and weight it until the glue has had a chance to dry.
Open carefully!