July 22, 2006

The Exploding Box

Exploding Photo Box

Supplies:
3 Sheets of 12 X 12 Cardstock1
Sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 Cardstock
4 Sheets of Pattern Paper (different patterns)
Double Sided Tape or Permanent Adhesive
Glue Dots or Lines
Lots of Embellishments
Tools Needed:

Scissors
12 X 12 Paper Trimmer
Scoring Tool
Instructions:

1. Trim your 12 X 12 cardstock as follows:

1 - 9" X 9" square
1 - 8 5/8" X 8 5/8" square
1 - 8 1/4" X 8 1/4" square






2. Score your squares as follows:

Score the 9 X 9 square at 3" intervals, creating 9 squares.
Score the 8 5/8 X 8 5/8 square at 2 7/8" intervals, creating 9 squares.
Score the 8 1/4 X 8 1/4 square at 2 3/4" intervals, creating 9 squares.







3. Trim off the corner squares, for each sheet.






4. Fold the score lines on each sheet, creating valleys.






5. Starting with the smallest sheet, turn it over and place permanent adhesive on the bottom of the center square.






6. Adhere this on the center front square of the middle-sized sheet.
Do the same to the middle-sized sheet adhering to the center front square of the largest sheet.

This is what it'll look like once all sheets are adhered together:






This is what your box will look like without the lid:







7. Trim your pattern paper as follows:

Trim one 2 1/2" X 2 1/2" square of each pattern.
Trim one 2 5/8" X 2 5/8" square of each pattern.
Trim one 2 3/4" X 2 3/4" square of each pattern.
You'll have a total of 4 squares of each size in each pattern.







8. Starting with the 2 1/2" squares, apply adhesive to the back of one of each pattern. Then apply the pattern paper to the smallest squares on the box.

9. Next do the same for the 2 5/8" squares. You can get creative and change the position of the different patterns on each layer.

10. Finally do the same for the 2 3/4" squares.
















Now contruct the lid to your box:

11. Trim your 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock to
6 1/4" X 6 1/4" square.

12. Score the 6 1/4" X 6 1/4" square 1 1/2" from each edge. This will create a 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" square in the center.


13. Turn your square over and score the corners only of your cardstock. Start with the point in the inner square and score outwards toward the edge.







14. Fold at the corner score line.
This will allow you to pinch the lips or side edges of the lid together.







15. Using glue dots, adhere the corners by tucking them on the inside of the lid. Apply the glue dots where needed to allow the sides of the lid to stay flat.







This is what the corner will look like when finished:






This is what the inside of the lid will look like:







This is your completed box:






Add photos and embellishments to the inside of your box. Decorate the outside of the box as you'd like.

July 1, 2006

~Through the Eyes of A Child~


It's utter excitement to these little 3rd and 4th grade girls, as the last pitch is thrown and the final out of the championship game is made. First, there's the shock of is it really over? Did we really win? Then there's the charge from within that tells your brain to jump and shout. Finally the reality sinks in and they go wild.

This years fastpitch team was pretty young. The girls were a bit concerned going into the season. The other team from our community has mostly 4th graders on it and most if not all had played before. Our team had several 3rd graders and a couple had never played. My daughter being one of them. These little girls rallied through the season with a 14-0 record. It's amazing how one attempts to make predictions that are no where near what really happens. During the tournaments this past week, the girls played 4 games to become the CHAMPIONS!

The coach of this years team was absolutely amazing. His patience with these girls was always evident. He's been the high school boys baseball coach for years. I want to commend him on his fairness with all of the girls and for beliving in them. Thanks coach.

As a mother, now I relive my childhood memories through the eyes of my child. As a young girl myself, I played and LOVED softball. It's wonderful and exciting to me that my daughter is reliving some of my childhood. Way to go BABY GIRL!