I Choo Choo Choose You
Instruction
I loved the old Simpsons episodes and Ralph holds a place in my heart. For a generation or two, I think this particular card represented Valentine's Day for us.
I have been struggling with the loss of my husband and in November 2023, on his birthday, I ordered my XTool M1 Ultra. I have had a scroll saw for ever and loved using it, but at this point, I don't want to worry about imperfections of me cutting by hand.
The M1 was much larger (and heavier) than I thought it would be and I was intimidated by it. So for the first week, I didn't even touch it. But, I am slowly gaining confidence in laser cutting. I have been buying and downloading projects, making mini-remixes to suit my use. But this is my first project that I created. BTW....don't start with cheap paint, there is no recovering from a bad start.
The image is certainly not original, it was used in the Simpson's TV show, and I don't own any rights to it. I do not plan to make and sell any. But, the project itself, making it a wooden, multi-layered card, is mine.
I downloaded the image which is available everywhere on the internet. I hopped into XCS and began to split, divide, draw and finagle the image until I came up with the attached.
If you were influenced by the Simpson's like I was, then I hope you enjoy the file.
Step 1 is to Choo- Choo- Choose this file to download to create.
The directions are pretty simple. Cut the send the red layer to cut and purple to score. I used my tested settings for hardboard. There is an alternate version as described in the file itself. One has purple score lines to show where the tiny pieces fit in. The other version is plain, if you don't need the guidelines, cut those ones instead. Actually, I also cut a square around the small pieces so I could lay it in place and glue the bits inside them. It helped me. But I deleted them from the file to avoid confusion.
Once you layer it up and get it stuck together, you can paint or stain or whatever your favourite finishing technique and then give it to your favourite person…or keep it yourself…you are the most favourite person! Even if its a dog!
PS…don't start with cheap paint when finishing…I couldn't recover from that mistake even with several coats of other types of paint