Wedding Guest "Book" with Stand

My social media link: 

https://www.facebook.com/woodlord.crafts/posts/pfbid0MSb1dLLjKjiAW5KY2SgLqM885UbfvKjoWuPmp2oTCiUUG7wKPxpcsD8EPuxRgJtLl

I have done several of these over the past 3 years. They were all of different shapes and sizes with my biggest being almost 3 feet in length and including the couples pictures on the back. They are unique to every couple. You can see that version here: https://youtube.com/shorts/eubI9FiDew0?si=eAW2gfUZZGJdXeS7 

However, there is always a base to build from and that is what this is. I use this design as a template or inspiration to make others. I present this base version for use by my fellow laser artists. 

The size presented here is perfect for small weddings as the number of hearts that it can hold is around 38-40 at the size included. Each heart is used to write a short message and/or just a signature to the happy couple. 

I like to use the colored MDF from xTool for the hearts as sharpie ink holds well on it. I usually have fine line sharpies that I will include with each one that is made. 

With this plan, I have also included a stand that can be used to display the “book”. This stand is a little unique in that it actually has an area that you can store a keepsake or two. Maybe some dried flowers from the wedding or special photos that aren't framed yet from that special day. 

The plans include several colors. The ones to note though are black- used for notes and set to not output - and the light blue - which is a score line to mark the back heart. The score line is optional, you can delete it if you would like. (more about that in the next step)

When completed, the entire piece is almost 18" long by 11.5" tall and just over 4.5" deep. 

It is important to note that I did this on the P2 with specific settings for the materials listed above and in the plans. If you are using different materials and/or a different machine, you will need to adjust your settings accordingly.

Step 3 includes a very important note that needs to be followed.

The back is in its own step as this is the part that sets the tone of the entire piece. This piece should be a light colored wood. In this case, I used a maple veneered MDF. 

The scored line is just a guide to help with the placement of the spacer piece in the next step. If you feel you do not need the guide line, you can delete it completely. 

I make this a separate step as this is by far the most important part of this project. If this is not followed, then the entire project will not work.

I am talking about the heart notes (the little hearts people write on) and the spacers that will be cut in the next step. 

When setting up your materials, you will want to ensure that whichever piece is being used for the heart notes is thinner, even if just a slight bit, than the spacer. You do this by literally measuring the thickness or even setting them on end and comparing the edges. 

I like to use the pink MDF 1/8"(3mm) for the hearts and the birch plywood 1/8"(3mm), both of which are from xTool. Even though both are listed as 3mm, the pink MDF is actually about .2-.3mm thinner than the birch. This makes them perfectly suited for the heart notes.

Now, why is this important? Well, if the heart notes are the exact same thickness as the spacers (or thicker), then they will not go into the gap created in the frame. Imagine working all this together only to find out your heart notes are too thick or get stuck and won't fit properly. It is really frustrating.

Ask me how I know this. 

The spacers are cut from a piece of 1/8" (3mm) birch. See step 3 with an important note about the heart notes and spacers. I had made this into 3 separate pieces so I could cut it out of a 12"x12" piece. In the plans though, it is one entire piece. If you want to cut it from a smaller piece, first release the compound vector then select the large v part and divide it in half by cutting it at the exact center of the bottom point. Copy and paste it so you have 2 halves. This will give you 3 pieces and makes it easier to cut them from the smaller piece of wood. 

Also, note that this is the only piece that has double sided adhesive tape on both sides. I use this as it works really well on both wood and acrylic. Once these pieces are cut, peel one side of its adhesive backer paper and line it up with where it goes on the heart back. -This is why I like the scored lines to help assist in lining up these spacer pieces. 

Once that is done, cut out your acrylic heart and peel any backer paper on it. Then peel the adhesive paper from the front of your spacers and adhere the acrylic to the spacers. If you don't press down when placing it, you can shift the acrylic if need be to make sure it lines up all the way around the edges. 

For the frame, I used walnut veneered MDF. And with all the scrap material in the center of the heart frame, I cut out the letters used for the name. You will want double sided adhesive tape on the back side of this.

Once cut out, peel the adhesiver paper from the back and adhere it to the top of the acrylic. 

IMPORTANT!!! Do not press down on the frame where there is not a spacer under it. You could accidentally crack the acrylic. Instead, pinch with your fingers by grabbing the acrylic and frame between your fingers and squeezing together. 

HELPFUL HINT: When lining up the frame, work from the dip in the top of the heart first and then down either side. I found it easier to line up that dip first.

Then peel the adhesive paper from the back of the names and ahdere them to the blank areas on either side of the heart. 

The back is pretty straight forward. Once you cut out/engrave the pieces, you will start by taking the back piece (the piece with the engraving) and lay it with the words face down. Be sure the letters are positioned correctly face down. 

Line up the sides with the tabs and run a strip of adhesive (glue) along the tabs. You want the “hooks” of the sides to be facing away from the back piece. Snap the tabs together as shown in the first photo. 

Then take the top piece and fit it into place. It will be a tight fit so no glue should be needed at this point. The same with the bottom piece. 

While glue is not needed to assemble, I recommend running a bead of glue at all the joints for strength. See Photos 3 and 4. 

As I have stated, the heart notes are made of the pink MDF carried by xTool. Make sure after cutting that you wipe down the sides and surfaces. It would be embarassing for someone to get soot on their fingers when trying to sign these.

While I use the afore mentioned pink MDF, I feel I should tell you that you can use whatever you want, even painted wood. Just keep in mind that it MUST be thinner than the spacers (with the paint on) or they will not fit into the framed heart. 

If using the pink MDF, sharpie markers work best. Using a fine line sharpie allows for better notes. As you can tell from the demo piece I made for this project, I used a regular sharpie marker, which has a broader head and makes it difficult to write even short notes. 

You can do many things with this project. You could include a small box to hold the blank heart notes. You could engrave a portrait of the couple on the back piece to show through the heart frame. You could change the heart notes to wedding bell notes or even tiny scrolls. There are any number of ways this could be adjusted to suit your needs. 

If you like this project, I ask that you check out my page. Give it a follow and look at some of my other projects. I have mostly free designs to download and use. You can find my page here: 
https://www.atomm.com/@Woodlord_Crafts?utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sharetoearn2&utm_id=15190

And if you make this, I would love to see a photo in the comments below.

As always, 

Happy Crafting