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Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Wedge Mini Boxes Christmas and Hanukkah

Imitating take-away sandwich packaging, this triangular box hull 
is cut in one shape which bends to join at corners, 
forming a wedge compartment measuring approx. 
3.25” tall x 3.5” wide x 1.5” deep. 
Angled wall panel includes a rectangular window to provide 
sneak peek at loose goodies inside, 
with a “window” panel to cut from clear vinyl material. 
At apex, large tab extends upward, containing 
punch holes for ribbon tying. 
Accent shapes are included to decorate 
triangle wall panels and end upright panel. 
Customize the box for selected celebration:
with "cut & print” accent shapes:
 Christmas Dec. 25 ticket and “cool Yule” flag;
hanukkah shine bright” ticket and “shalom!” flag.
(Instructions begin with Christmas box.
Hanukkah box follows, beginning in Step 7.)

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes
CHRISTMAS BOX
A main hull    B clear vinyl or acetate window panel
C triangle outer box accent shapes
D spine box outer back accent panel
E holly accent: leaves base, berries pair welded, berry
F print & cut "cool Yule!" flag phrase
G flag base
H Christmas Dec. 25 accent stamp print & cut
A main hull    B clear vinyl or acetate window panel
C triangle outer box accent shapes
(NOTE this two sided paper was reversed for
the final design assembly to be deep blue with stars)
D spine box outer back accent panel
E dreidel base with stripes "place & trim" overlay
F print & cut "shalom!" flag phrase
G flag base
H hanukkah shine bright stamp print & cut
2. Set up the on-screen Cameo letter size page to
prepare the print & cut operation for stamp(s) and
printed words flag overlay, then print onto 65 lb. white card stock. 
Send printed page to the cutter. (The samples were prepared
at the same time, so both stamps are shown here as
the sheet exits the Cameo cutting machine.)
3. Prepare the flag accent unit by positioning and
attaching the print & cut overlay onto the base shape
with narrow margin on long straight top and bottom
edges, and at "forked tongue" end. Then assemble
the holly berries onto the leaf base. Finally . . .
. . . position the leaves unit onto the flag base.
4. Follow this LINK to find the remaining assembly steps
for a similar sandwich wedge box project,
specifically Steps 2-10. Then return here to complete
the Christmas box project.
5. Position and attach the flag accent assembly above
window, and the stamp accent below window.
6. Add ribbons with twine bow (or other decoration)
at top hole - NOTE that the sample uses the "large"
tie hole variation.
Here is the completed box filled with loose candy.

HANUKKAH BOX
7. Position and attach the flag print & cut overlay onto
the base with narrow margin at straight edges.
8. Prepare the mini dreidel accent by applying glue
to backside of stripes ONLY, then position over dreidel
base, with bottom point of "window" aligned at tip,
and attach in place.
When the stripes are dry, reverse the assembly and
carefully trim the excess overlay even with 
dreidel base edges.
9. Position and attach the mini dreidel onto the end
of the flag assembly with tiny margin at edges.
10. Follow this LINK to find the remaining assembly steps
for a similar sandwich wedge box project,
specifically Steps 2-10. Then return here to complete
the Hanukkah box project.
11. Position and attach the flag accent assembly above
window, and the stamp accent below window.
12. Add ribbons with twine bow (or other decoration)
at top hole - NOTE that the sample uses the "large"
tie hole variation.
Here is the completed box filled with loose candy.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Sewing Machine Cross Stitch Tag Card with Envelope

 
Oval window front accent layered and cross-stitched tag 
features a vintage sewing machine decorated with posies. 
Use temp tape to secure completed tag in place 
when giving, to allow tag to be removed for hanging 
or use as separate ornament or decoration. 
Coordinated envelope has tiny stitching holes in flap overlay 
which provide framework for cross stitching 
stylized heart with posy, leaves and background. 
Card measures approx. 5x7 when top-fold closed. 
Tag measures approx. 5.5” long x 3.87” wide. 
Envelope measures approx. 7.25” long x 5.25” wide.
Cross stitching charts for each included 
in respective files. 

NOTE: The cross stitch car will be shown first
with the envelope flap assembly begins in Step 20.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card base (top fold 5x7)
B front accent "frame" for tag
(NOTE that an alternative frame is included which is
adjusted a bit closer to left side edge.)
C cross stitch tag [shown rotated 180 degrees]
(cut 2 to layer for strength for stitching)
D buffer layer for stitching thickness
E back layer to finish backside
F envelope base
G envelope flap
H flap underlayer to cover stitching backside
2. Assemble six colors of 6-strand embroidery floss
to complete cross stitching. 
The sample used these DMC Colors:
medium blue 3810
light medium blue 598
gray 535
white 3866
red 309
green 988
To complete the project, use size 22-24 tapestry
(blunt tip) stitching needles.

3. Prepare the two stitching hole-punched tags
by making sure that all "chads" or cut out "crumbs"
are removed. One way to do this is to bend 
a standard paper clip end straight then use it
to poke through all holes not already vacant,
then brush or scrape away extra bits.
4. Position the two prepared tag layers and join together, 
working quickly, attach together, taking care
that ALL outer cut edges plus stitch holes and
hang hole edges align as precisely as possible.
One way to check that the holes align is to use
the paper clip tool to poke through various holes
across the panel, particularly at edges and corners, etc.
Immediately place the glued-up unit on flat work surface
and press flat under a heavy flat object such as
this thick book volume, possibly with something else
heavy placed on top. Leave pressure on until
glue is dried completely and NOT still cool to touch.
Pressing flat like this will help minimize warping or
curling of the liquid-glue attached unit.
CROSS STITCHING
5. Refer to the instructions for a similar 
cross stitch project HERE for floss and 
needle preparation, in Steps 4 & 5.
6. For this project, begin at the bottom left where 
 the first cross stitch will be created.
Each square on the pattern chart represents 4 holes that
would be needed to create both the right and left slants.


Needle will be inserted UP at top left of the left square
that represents the sewing machine base "foot",
then insert diagonally down & right for first, left-most stitch.
On backside, pull the floss through UNTIL 
about 3-2 inches of the loop end remains, 
then insert the needle diagonally to complete 
the first right slant stitch.
On the backside of work, insert the needle
through the loop and pull the loop tight to remove all slack.
This is the "tying on" process.
7. Complete the second right slant stitch to complete
the "foot" on this end of design, then . . .
. . . return back toward left with left-slant stitches
to complete the bottom row two stitches. 
8. Move upward as indicated on chart to begin
next row 2 stitches farther right, and . . .
. . . complete the long row of right-slant stitches.
Return back along the row with left-slant stitches,
pausing to drop down to complete . . .
. . . the "foot" two stitches on the bottom row. 
Then move needle insertion back up to the long row and 
complete stitches back to beginning of row.
9. As stitching proceeds, thread length will 
eventually be used up. Before length is 
unmanageably short, pause when the needle is on 
the backside of work as a slant stitch is completed. 
Slip needle under 3-4 stitches on the backside, then . . .
. . . slide the needle off, and . . .
. . . trim the tails close
to the surface of the work.
This is the "tying off" procedure.
10. Continue to follow the chart, moving upward
to skip the "light medium blue" long row to begin
the second long "medium blue" row, including the 3 stitches
that flank the front end of the "gray" row . . .
. . . and at the end of that row . . .
11. Next, follow the chart to move upward and complete
the machine's backside "medium blue" rows/stitches.
12. Switch to a needle-load of "light medium blue" floss
to work and complete the long row at bottom of machine,
then move upward to machine base, then to complete
all of the stitches of that color. Skip the "squares" where
other colors will stitch in the flowers and leaves.
13. Load needle with "medium blue" to complete the stitches
at machine head.
14. Load needle with gray floss to complete stitches
that complete "needle", then jump down and across
to complete the long row near bottom of design.
When "jumping" - or carrying floss across backside of
work, take care that line of floss does not cross behind
open stitch holes where it might show through to front.
15. Load and complete stitches for remaining portions
of design, including posies, leaves and heart.
16. Position the buffer layer behind  the tag . . .
. . . and align outer oval and hang tab edges,
then glue in place, paying particular attention to
edges of the machine and heart cut out. 
17. Position and attach the tag back layer. Press
the assembly under a heavy flat weight until
thoroughly dry. 
18. Finish tag by threading a length of ribbon through
hang tab hole, cinching, wrapping and tying bow
above hang tab as shown.
19. Position completed tag within card front accent
window with even margin all around, and use
temp adhesive dots or equivalent to hold tag in place.

STITCHED ENVELOPE
20. Prepare the envelope hull shape by bending back
on all perforation lines.
21. Prepare the hole punch portions of flap and hull
in same manner as for tag stitching holes, Step 3.
22. Position and attach flap overlap on top of hull flap
with hole punches aligned as precisely as possible.
Check for hole alignment using tool as described
for tab in Step 4.
23. Follow stitching prep, tie-on, stitching and tie-off
to complete the stitches for the flap design.
24. When the stitching is complete, position and
attach the camouflaging oval on backside of flap
to hide the stitch designs. Press with flat weight
until secure and thoroughly dry.
25. To complete envelope, fold flaps inward,
bottom flap upward, apply adhesive to overlapping
margins, then secure flap seams.
Here is the completed envelope.