Saturday, April 29, 2017

Mom Rest Awhile Chair Card

Wing chair has multiple layer build-up for dimensionality, 
including faux button tufting plus overlaid "rim" layers. 
Front card base holds upper two-layer banner that displays 
words-cut message to "sit and rest awhile". 
Back card base has perforation to fold back
to reveal message space.
Rectangular layered pillow includes 'M's 
plus center flower (in place of O) to spell out 'MOM'. 
Back offset layer bends back to reveal message space. 
Measures approx. 5.75" wide x 7.7" tall. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card front base      B card back base
C chair back layer: shows thru as back cushion
D "tufting" lattice with buttons
E back "rim" shape
F arms build up (6)
G arms fronts with curlicues, accent buttons
H front "apron"   I cushion (6)
J banner base    K banner top layer with word cuts
L pillow base and top layers
M "M" letters plus dimensional flower
2. Position and attach the chair tufting lattice layer
(with itsy-bitsy buttons attached at intersections)
over the chair back base 
that shows thru as back cushion,
taking care (here and throughout) that all
corresponding edges - outer or interior- are
aligned with as much precision as possible.
3. Position and attach the back "rim" shape.
NOTE that here and throughout, as layers
are glued together for build up or unit assembly,
using LIQUID adhesive, it will be helpful to use 
a flattening weight such as the fabric-covered
cast-off weight machine bar shown here,
(or many other equivalent household objects)
to help keep the assemblage flat, to avoid
warping or curling, until the glue is completely
cured.
4. Position and attach each of the 6 legs build up
shapes, taking care to align all corresponding
edges as accurately as possible.
(Use a flat weight to assist with flat drying.)
5. Position and attach the "face" arm shapes
with their accent buttons to the arm build up unit.
6. Position and attach the arm build up/face unit
onto the chair back unit.
7. Position and attach the top banner layer
over the banner base layer.
8. Prepare to position the word cutouts
by marking a few strategic guide marks
with light pencil onto the top banner layer.
Here, the waste paper area around the word cut
is harvested, the bottom area trimmed away at
the letter bases (for banner edge visibility),
then centered side to side and up/down,
before using a .5mm mechanical pencil
to make light marks.
Attach the words in place as marked.
9. Position and attach the banner unit
over the front card base at top with
edges aligned (no offset).
10. Position and attach the chair unit
over the front card base with offset
at edges as shown here.
11. Position and attach the "apron" shape
between the arm face inner edges, 
bottom edge aligned with arm build up.
12. Layer the cushion shapes with edges
aligned. When glue is dried, position and
attach in place above the apron shape.
13. Apply adhesive to the top portion of the
card back backside ONLY, then . . . 
. . . position the card front base over 
the card back base, align edges, and
attach the upper portions together.
14. Layer the pillow shapes with offset edges,
hole punch aligned.
15. Prepare the flower shape by giving it some
dimensional shape.
Use a ball shaped tool or equivalent with soft mat
(McGill stylus tool - large - being used for sample)
to indent the face of the petals, causing edges
to curl upward.
16. Position and attach 'M' letters onto pillow
(use small guide cuts on pillow front
to assist placement),
then position and attach the hole edges 
of flower to the pillow.
17. Position and attach the pillow in place above
the seat cushion.
NOTE that the pillow can fit between arm edges
in a straight-on placement, or . . . 
. . . be angled for a more relaxes look.
Here is the final card, with card back
opened slightly to provide its own easel.

Friday, April 28, 2017

One In A Melon Mini Album

Watermelon half-slice shaped mini album 
has top edge punch holes that accept 
a 6mm plastic coil. Front decoration includes 
offset base layer (with holes), darker rind layer, 
inner rind layer, flesh layer that includes seed cutouts, 
and underlay layer that shows thru as seeds. 
Measures approx. 5.75"x4" (not counting coil width). 
Includes the 'one in a melon' separate or 
layered word cuts to add to the middle space. 
Personalize it with the miniature MOM tag
 positioned to be included in the coil threading 
(or use another personalized name). 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A album front base    B album back base
C album pages
D melon rind (dk green)
E melon inner rind (med green)
F seeds "show thru" (black)
G melon flesh (red)
H word cuts and letters
2. Position the "seeds show thru" shape behind
the melon flesh shape, top straight edges
aligned, curved edge of black offset (hidden)
slightly.
4. Layer the two rind shapes with the flesh unit,
top edges aligned, and attach all.
5. Position the melon layered unit onto the front
of the album base, curved edges offset evenly
and a good margin between the punch holes
and the melon top straight edge
(check the next image to see final alignment).
6. Layer the "M E L O N" letters onto the word
base shape, then position and attach
to the melon front, positioning as shown.
7. Position, adjust, then attach
the "one in a" word cuts above the MELON word"
8. Prepare the optional MOM tag by
positioning the Ms first onto the tag,
using the corner guide cuts as shown here.
9. Position the tag on the album front cover
with the tag hole aligned with one of the
spiral binding punch holes near the end.
Glue -tack minimally in place just around 
tag hole to secure positioning.
10. Layer the back cover, pages, and front covers
to make sure all the binding holes align.
11. Begin at one end to insert the 6mm vinyl
spiral coil end from back to front, rotating
the coil so that the lead end twists through
the hole, then over the top album edge, then . . . 
. . . around the back and through the next hole,
guiding it through holes as needed, until . . . 
. . . the coil is completely in place.
12. Trim excess coil, leaving approx. half a twist
beyond each end. Whittle vinyl ends and attach
a large bead in place to keep coil from twisting off.
Here is the finished album.


Mother's Day Flower Step Card

Fancy folding generates fun panels 
on different levels with its own standing easel. 
Fold flat to fit into the A6 standard envelope. 
Use the included "print & cut" tag option 
to print label front shape that includes "MOTHER'S DAY" text
(or, cut a template to trace over PC typeset printed words). 
Lacey edge center accent panel and matching side panels
make this an elegant card.
Use the plain tag for many other occasions.


ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card base    B front panel base (irreg edges)
C lacy front panel   
D side base strip  E side lace strip  
F side eyelet
G bottom front base strip  
H bottom front accent strip
I tags base     J bottom (opt. print & cut)
K flower leaf base     L petals base
M side and center petals
N flower center
O happy word cut
P optional interior panel
(not shown: optional backside accent panel)
2. Identify the fold perforation lines
on the card base shape.
This illustration shows the direction of
the various long and short fold lines.
Carefully bend the center mid line and
side top fold lines as "mountain" folds.
Then fold the bottom side fold lines as
mountain folds.
Finally fold the remaining two side perforation lines
as valley folds.
Fold the card into its "flattened" form by
guiding the fold lines into their positions
according to the direction of the folds,
and apply pressure along the creases to assist
the card to lay flat.
Open the card flat.
3. Assemble the two side panels by layering
the eyelet strip, the lacy strip and the side panel
base strip. 
4. Position the strip units centered in each side
panel area of the card front, with the top edge
aligned even with the upper perforation line,
and glue in place.
5. Layer the lacy overlay onto the front panel,
centered with the top lace arcs fit neatly under
the hole punches as shown here,
and attach in place.
6. Layer the bottom base strip and accent strip
then center in the bottom area of the card front
and attach in place.
7. Identify and prepare the shapes for
the flower, then . . . 
. . . position and attach the petals base over
the leaf/stem base, position and attach
flower center, then side petals over corresponding 
base edges (inward edge of oval should snug up 
against the flower center), then . . . 
. . . position and attach the final petal.
8. Position and attach the flower onto the left half
of the lacy front panel, as shown, with stem
bottom end extending beyond the bottom lacy
panel edge.
9. Prepare the layered "Mother's Day" tag face
by setting up the Silhouette according to
the "print and cut" features.
(Review a tutorial for this process at: 
http://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2015/02/
silhouette-print-and-cut-tutorial.html )
First position the tag
shape on a letter size page layout, with
"Registration Marks" turned on and adjusted, then . . .
. . . send the page to be printed.
(The sample project tag was printed on
65 lb. card stock weight that is easily handled
by a home printer.)
Next position the printed page with registration
marks on the cutting mat, adjust settings and
blade, then send the job to be cut.
Remove the cut tag from the mat.
As an alternative to the "print and cut" tag,
simply type and print "MOTHER'S DAY" with
your PC typesetting software,
cut the tag shape as a template from scrap card,
then trace the shape over the printed text,
cut out, punch holes, etc.
10. Center and attach the layered tag onto
the lower front of the card.
NOTE that the bottom of the tag edge is flattened.
11. Position and attach the "happy" word cut.
12. Re-fold the card, add embellishments
as desired.