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[Laser cut and engrave] Kayla's Birthday Countdown Wooden Wall Sign with Cake and Balloons — Project made with xTool P2S machine for Birthday.

Personalized Birthday Countdown Calendar with Light Up Cake and Balloon Motif

Third Prize in Craft the Birthday Contest

Instruction

birthday box

.xcs

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Application scenario

Laser processing

Machine & module

xTool P2S

55W

Compatible xTool Machine

10W, 20W

F2 Ultra UV

15W

80W

F2 Ultra

40W

F1 Ultra

20W

5W, 10W

5W, 10W, 20W

D1 Pro

5W, 10W, 20W, 40W

55W

10W

10W, 20W, 40W

M1 Ultra

10W, 20W

Material used

1/8"(3mm) Basswood Plywood

795

Information

Birthdays only come once a year, but the excitement builds every single day leading up to them. I wanted to create something that turns that anticipation into part of the celebration.

This personalized Birthday Countdown Shadow Box lets children and ADULTS count down the days until their special day by simply changing the number blocks each morning. It's more than just décor, it's a daily tradition that creates excitement, family memories, and a little birthday magic.

The layered birthday cake, colorful balloons, gifts, glowing stars, and warm LED lighting bring the entire scene to life. As the room gets darker, the soft glow transforms the shadow box into a cheerful nightlight that reminds the birthday child their big day is getting closer.

Every element was designed specifically for laser cutting, from the dimensional layered cake to the interchangeable countdown blocks and personalized name. Because each piece can be customized with colors, names, and ages, every project becomes a one of a kind keepsake that can be displayed and enjoyed year after year.

Birthdays are about celebrating the people we love. My goal was to create a project that families can use together, building excitement one day at a time while creating memories that last long after the candles have been blown out.

I hope this project inspires other makers to create personalized gifts that become family traditions, because sometimes the countdown is just as magical as the birthday itself.

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DajJi7SM2dX/

CrafttheBirthdayContest

Instruction

Step1: Prepare Material and open file

Preview

Please read all directions before starting----Place a piece of 3mm basswood on the slats for each layer. I used 12x20inch with a preset kerf of .2(Modify for your machine). All pieces were cut at 60/27/1 and engraved at 30/500/1. Attached for download are the the .xs, .xcs and .svg files. Download the file that goes with your operating system. It has 4 layers to process. You can decide the order. Whichever layer you are doing please remember to turn the output on and off.

Step2: Process Layer

Preview

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Select the layer you are cutting. Highlight all parts. Turn output on. Move the grouped pieces to the center of the wood. Hit aimed measure. Hit the closeup view to confirm all pieces are over the wood. Hit preview to confirm all pieces are set to cut and the name(change for your file) and birthday countdown are set to engrave. ( I liked how the name was cut-out so I did another cut layer.) Hit start on machine, follow prompts then start machine. Wood is flammable so please watch as you are cutting. Complete all layers and move on to painting.

FYI: I have shim pieces in the file for further use. Box back tabs are shims-do not discard. I also used the cutout stars from the backer to add pop ups on the backer.

Step3: Paint

Preview

After you finish cutting you can choose to leave the piece unpainted. I decided to do a test run without gluing and then added color to make it stand out. You can follow example for color ideas. I used acrylic paint pens in 2 tones to add depth. I used the star cutouts to paint and add dimension.

Step4: Gluing- use clamps if needed-pay attention to shims!

Personalized Birthday Countdown Calendar with Light Up Cake and Balloon Motif instruction: step 4 - Gluing- use clamps if needed-pay attention to shims!

Preview

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Photo 1 and 2-Glue box back and front/top. The pieces are meant to be snug. Remember I have a .2 kerf built in.

Photo 3-Make shim packs(2 packs 12 height pieces laying flat). Glue to inside of the box towards top and bottom.Use double sided tape to attach 150 lumen light from Dollar Tree.

Photo 4- Glue icing to cake, glue flames to candle, glue name to offset, glue bow, present box top to present. Glue ribbon shim, glue ribbon overlapping shim and box top.

Photo 5-use thin shim(cutout from box back tabs on bottom of present.)

Photo 6- Glue 2 squares together 4 times and place where the blue tabs are.

Photo 7- Glue cake to center of backer aligning bottom with edge. Glue presents to left and right of cake. Glue small icing cloud piece to large cloud icing piece making sure there are no gaps. Glue both icing pieces to cake and presents. Center Birthday countdown and name then glue in place. Glue balloons to your liking. Use thin tab shims to balance balloons. Glue stars where you choose. Take a thin piece of wire and rap around pencil and the bottom of the balloon before gluing to the backer.

Video- Complete the project by following video to place it all together.

Please upload your creation so I can see them. This is probably my favorite project.

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