Thursday, April 2, 2020

Bunny Peg with Egg Menu or Place Card

Minimalist Easter icon mimics the look of a wood cut-out 
to identify seating arrangement or buffet fare items. 
Bunny body is made thick by gluing (and pressing) 
together 9 layers, with bottom flange that fits snugly 
into slot of built-up 12-layer base.  
An ‘X’ form “post” holds hanging egg tag 
for accent decoration, printed/penned place or 
menu information card. Sturdy construction and removable, 
variable egg tags allow storage and reuse 
for many Easter feasts or other celebrations and displays. 
Measures approx. 4.625” tall x 3.125” wide x 1.25” deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A bunny main shape front plus build-up (8-9*)
*see Step 2 to determine how many layers to fit
B bunny back (does NOT include the peg X cut out)
C peg slices (4)
D base with slot layers for build-up (12)
E egg tag
2. Snug fit is critical to make the bunny stand properly
and stay inserted into the stand's slot without glue
so that it can be disassembled and reused later.
Check to see how many layers of the bunny card stock
you have selected will fit snugly into the slot by test cutting
at least one stand shape, then stacking either the bunny shapes
as shown here, or waste strips to accomplish the same test.
For instance, the pale green model shown here used textured
dot stock for front and back, with pad card stock (thinner)
for the interior layers: 1 front + 8 interior + 1 back = 10
3. Prepare the X form peg by bending the 4 peg shapes
forward on the center perf lines. Then align right and left
halves of the first two strips and glue those . . .
. . . together in 'T' form.
4. Continue adding third strip in "right" half position
to assembly's "left" half position, until . . . 
. . . all four strips are joined as shown below.
Take care as each is joined that all perforation folds
and cut edges are aligned as precisely as possible.
It may be helpful to keep the stack in its accordion 
arrangement and apply pressure and assist with
or adjust the alignment.
5. Finally, add glue to one of the last faces of a strip . . .
. . . and join to the other remaining face to form
the 'X' peg final shape.
6. As a preview, check to see how the 'X' peg will fit
into the X cut out of the bunny body.

7. Begin to attach the bunny layers for build up by
joining the first two shapes. Shown here is the front
body with the first interior (gray) shape. Make sure to
align ALL the edges as precisely as possible
(here and throughout), and take special care that
the X cutouts of each layer exactly line up with those added.
One way to do this is to use a blade tool such as
the spatula tool shown, inserted into the cutout.
8. Continue adding the bunny shapes to the stack
taking care with edge and X cut alignment.
During the process of adding, and especially after
the stack is completed, it will be essential that the stack
is pressed IMMEDIATELY under a heavy flat object  such as
this antique flat iron, or books, or wood planks or flat weights, etc.
Allow the stack to completely dry while being pressed, to avoid
any warping or curling. This will require several hours or overnight.
9. Follow the same process to layer, attach and stack
the stand layers, taking care that all cut edges,
especially the slot edges, are lined up precisely.
Press these under a heavy flat weight such as
the fabric covered re-purposed weight bar shown here,
and allow to thoroughly dry for several hours or overnight.
10. When the layers are dried completely and NO LONGER
need to be pressed under a weight, add glue and insert
the peg into the X cutout . . .
 . . . and press to fit it completely inward.
11. To prepare the bunny for display, fit the bottom
"flange" into the slot of the stand stack.
(NOTE: if the bunny stack does not fit as snugly
as needed to keep the bunny upright, consider
trimming a tiny strip and fitting it between bunny
and slot edge, or attaching it along flange prior
to inserting.
12. Hang the egg place card or ID tag on the peg.
Here is the completed bunny on its stand with
a buffet sign designating important information
for a particular food being served.
The egg tags can also simply be cut from
interesting accent colors and a fun display.
A narrow ribbon bow could also be tied
around one of the ears if desired.


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