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Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Heart Folded Note with Seal

Origami-style heart shaped note can be cut from 
letter or 12x12, lighter weight printed paper 
for easy folding. 
Print and cut the heart sticker 
on self-adhesive paper (or from colored card stock
 to affix with reg. adhesive) as backside center seal. 
Then let the youngsters in your life write, fold and seal 
special notes to someone important. 
Great teacher appreciation craft, as well as for 
Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, birthday, get well, and more. 
Heart measures approx. 5.375” wide x 4.5” tall when folded. 
Coordinates well with ‘Mother’ word cut from 
“Tag Mother” Scalloped Oval” as a front decoration.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A heart card shape with perforations
B heart seal or sticker
C optional "Mother" word cut from
separate tag design

2. Working from card shape front,
fold the heart card shape by bending back
as "mountain" folds on ALL perforation lines.
(NOTE: this card shape is shown from
BACKSIDE for fold visibility, therefore folds will 
appear in image as "valley" folds.)
The * symbol indicates lines which are folded
as "mountain" first, then marked segments are
redirected to be folded as "valley".
3. As described in step 2, fold the vertical folds as "mountain"
folds first, then . . .
. . . invert and re-direct the top and bottom segments
back to become "valley" folds; crease all folds.
This folding assists card shape to become a heart.
4. Fold the "dog ear"  corners down and crease.
5. With all perforation folds prepared,
fold the half heart back panels inward to meet
at center . . .
. . . taking care that dog ear folds remain tucked under.
6. Unfold, allow sender to write message inside
(on backside of paper), then re-fold,
position and attach sticker or seal across center edges.
If desired, position and affix a word cut out
on front to help identify the recipient.


Monday, April 24, 2023

Photo Display Blocks

Elevate table-top display photos with these slotted chunky bases
 for wedding, anniversary, special birthday or 
other celebration gatherings. 

Best for photos sized 4x6 or 5x7. 
(Can hold multiple prints one behind the other.) 
 Optional: add washer weights to 
interior bottom panel for better stability.

Dome measures approx. 4” long x 2” tall x 1.25” wide.
(Dome style is most difficult of the three styles.)
Pyramid measures approx. 4” long x 2” tall x 1.25” wide.
Plank measures approx. 3.75” long x 1.875” tall x 1.875” wide.


ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes
for the selected style being built:
Trapezoid Plank Block:
A main hull with attached front, back & base
B slot liner
C front & back panel overlays (2)
Pyramid Block:
A main hull with base
B separate front, back panels (to attach to A)
C slot liner
D front, back panel overlays
Dome Block:
A main hull boxing   
B separate front, back panels (to attach to A)
C slot liner
D front, back panel overlays (2; NOTE that
this shape was exchanged for final project)

TRAPEZOID PLANK STYLE
(This style is perhaps the easiest to assembly, so it will
be explained first to assist explanation of the other two styles.)

2. Prepare the main hull shape by bending back on
all perforations for top, side, front & back, base panels
and tab/flanges.
Also prepare the slot insert by bending forward along
the two closely-spaced long perforation lines at center,
and back along perforations for tabs and flanges.
3. Begin by positioning one insert long flange behind
the hull's top panel so that the perforation line is
lined up exactly along the straight cut edge of opening.
(This image shows the left straight edge being positioned
along the left perforation line of liner, as indicated
by pointing finger.)
Adjust so that liner is centered along the straight slot
edge of TOP panel, then glue in place.
HINT: after the edges are initially joined securely enough,
invert the assembly face down on work surface and
apply fingertip pressure along the flange to help it
adhere completely and evenly.
4. Next, swing the opposite top liner flange into position
along the straight cut edge opposite the first that was
glued in place in step 3. Adjust, then glue in place
in similar manner.
5. Prepare to attach the angled end wall panels by
applying glue to the face surfaces of the upright tabs
and small slot end tab, then tip the end panel into
position . . .
. . . until the straight slot edges align accurately 
with liner tab perf lines. Apply glue to glue in place.
6. Bend the front then back panels down into place
to glue side edges to flanges from end walls.
Invert the assembly face down to apply pressure
along the tab and seam as each is glued.
7. If desired, consider acquiring large metal washers
as weight discs to quick-grab or hot melt glue in place
on the inside surface of the bottom panel.
8. Bend the base panel edge flanges at approx.
right angles, apply glue to these, then insert into
position at bottom of block assembly.
Adjust straight edges that overlap tabs so they align
as precisely as possible along flange perforation lines.
Use "finger access" openings to apply pressure along
each of the flange seams until secure.
9. Apply glue to underside edges and center of
front, back panel overlays, then positioning
edge to edge over corresponding front and back
panels, adjusting so edges align as closely as
possible.

This completes the plank block assembly:

PYRAMID STYLE
10. Prepare the pyramid boxing wall (sides, base)
by bending back along all perforation lines for
boxing segments, tabs and flanges.
Also prepare the slot insert as described for plank
box in step 2 above.
11. Position the slot insert behind the top portion
of the pyramid . . .
. . . so that the short segment of slot aligns
at the short tab perforation line at insert top.
Adjust then glue in place.
Invert the assembly to apply fingertip pressure
to secure the seam.
12. Repeat the positioning and attachment of
the opposite narrow top tab . . . 
. . . and top short slot 
segment.
13. Apply glue to the face surfaces of
slot insert end tabs. Bend side boxing panels down
into position so that slot straight edges align
with insert tab perforation lines. Adjust and glue
tabs and edges of both angles.
14. (Position and attach bottom panel weights
at this point, if desired.)
Finalize pyramid shaping by bringing the boxing
ends together to overlap the straight base end edge 
across the end tab to perforation line. 
Adjust and glue the seam.
15. Bend front and back boxing tabs at right angles
to walls, apply glue to tab or flange faces.
Position the hollow front (and later back) triangle walls
over the opening, adjust edges, then attach in place.
16. Position and attach front and back wall overlays.

That completes pyramid block assembly.

DOME STYLE
17. Prepare the DOME boxing wall (sides, base)
by bending back along STRAIGHT perforation lines for
boxing segments, tabs and flanges. (Leave tiny curve
edge tabs unbent until later in assembly.)
Also prepare the slot insert by bending forward at
closely-spaced perforation lines at center.
Also bend back each of the narrow curve edge tabs.
18. Add moderate curve along the slotted top boxing
panel using a rod tool such as this wooden dowel.
19. As seen from the underside here, the slot insert
will be positioned behind the slot top curved wall.
Position the insert so that curved upper edges begin
to correspond to the curved edge of dome boxing.
NOTE that tiny dash marks will show positioning
CENTER of each of the slot edge and insert edge.
Begin with first edge and tabs being attached to
align these dash marks, then adjust and glue
the multi-tabbed edge along slot edge.
NOTE: this may be a difficult seam to align,
but make best attempt to center insert along
slot edges so that end tabs align at slot ends.
20. Once first curved edges are in place, work on
second curved edge, applying glue to multi tabs,
then swinging/bending it up into position,
with center marks aligned as done previously.
21. Bend dome edge tabs back at right angles.
Apply glue to undersides of tabs, then position
hollowed front panel behind curved edge tabs,
align ends and centers, then use finger-access
openings to apply pressure along edge.
TAKE CARE that curved edge is pushed snugly into
place at mini tab perforations.
When seams are sufficiently secured in place,
invert the assembly face down to apply pressure
all along the curve edge to attach tiny tabs to edge.
22. Repeat for the second dome panel.
23. If desired, position and attach metal washers
in interior base panel. Bend base panel into position
to attach end to side wall tab.
Use finger access openings and spatula tool to
assist in attaching bottom seam.
24. Position and attach dome panel overlays.

This completes dome block assembly.