Java great year!

Hi, all! I'm visiting at Sheila's place today, come on over and visit for some great projects!

Don't you think this summer has spend past? I have two short weeks of vacation left. And, I will be getting a few "Welcome Back" gifts for my grandson's teachers finished. Join me in this project.

I know of very few teachers who don't enjoy a gift card. And this holder will make the grade! 

Please note: this project was completed on the Zing with MTC software. It can, however, be accomplished using a Gypsy or CCR.

Cardstock:

Brown 6 x 12"

Black 6 x 6"

red 3 x 3"

green 2 x 2"

Font: LDT Teacher from Lettering Delights

Shapes used: rounded corner square, from from square and apple

White pen (I used Inkssentials)

Chomas Adustable Pen holder

Wood Grain embossing folder

Distress Ink: Antique Photo

Tape runner 1/4" wide

Pop dots

A gift card to insert in the back

First, I created the file in MTC. 

I Selected the rounded square from Basic Shapes. I then, sized it to 3.5" 

and duplicated for a total of 3. 

To create the the frame I started with one of the squares and generated an inset shadow:

I accepted my imaged.

To finish the "frame" I then joined the two together:

I opened the Font, LDT Teacher and typed the message. 

"Java great year!"

I then, opened an apple file that I had in my "stash" and sized it to 2".

I arranged all of my cuts on a 12" mat. I have the cuts assigned to different layers in the software...

you'll see that in a second! (BTW, the writing will be on the solid square in the upper right hand corner. 

This looks funny now, 

but that is because I will use the arrangement so I can cut with scraps of papers. 

And this is how the screen translates to my actual mat:

On to cutting! Or, rather the writing...

I loaded the white pen in the Amy Chomas holder. 

(For more information on using this pen holder in your Zing click here.)

From the software, I selected only the layer with the writing. 

 I set the software as shown:

Force 10-11

Offset: 0

WYSIWYG

I chose: Set Blade Origin

The laser light illuminates and it can be seen reflecting off of the paper.

Using the arrows, I moved it until I could see it approximately 1/8" from the upper and

right edges of the paper. 

I then told the software that I was finished. Within seconds, 

the white writing was on the black cardstock. 

I did not remove the mat from the machine at this point. 

Instead I changed the pen holder for the Red blade holder (and red blade). 

I returned to my software and reversed the layers selection:

Onto cutting! 

Force: 83

Cut one time

Offset: 0.35

WYSIWYG

When asked to set the origin, I chose "use last"

The cutting was so smooth!

To assemble:

Ink all parts

Emboss the frame with the wood grain folder.

Assemble the front of the holder first, in this order:

black board with writing

Brown frame

Apple

I ran 1/4" tape around the edge of 3 sides

 of the solid brown backing.  

I positioned the edge without tape at the top.

Finally, I pop dotted the apple to the front and inserted a gift card. 

Such a warm greeting for any returning teacher, don't you agree?

Thanks for stopping by...