Christmas Memorial Ornament

1. Open xTool Creative Space and open up the attached project. You’ll find that the file has three layers; a combined shape layer on layer 1 and another layer for the border around the heart and wings on layer 2. There’s also a separate layer for the heart – layer 3.
2. Turn on your laser, lay down your unisub board and cut the shape on layer 1 (you’ll need to turn off the other two layers before processing the cut). I’m using my xTool M1 10W with air assist and riser base with honeycomb tray. I had run a test grid for this material, and I have had success with 100/3/5 or 100/4/5. If this is your first time cutting this material, I would recommend that you try a test grid first!

1. Get your basswood sheets ready and spray paint them! For this design, I opted for black. You can also paint them after cutting, but I like to do it the other way around! Wait for your paint to be completely dry before moving to the next step.
2. Lay down your basswood and cut layer 2. Now that all the laser cutting is finished, we’re ready to blade cut! My M1 is a hybrid machine so we have to use it to its full potential!

These steps are optional, but I wanted to finish the back of my ornament without adding more layers of wood. So, I decided to cut heat transfer vinyl (HTV) as backing for our project. Additionally, other HTV can be layered on top. So, this gave me the idea to add wording at the back of my ornament using another color of heat transfer vinyl. Now, let’s dig in the detailed steps:

1. Using the same file, cut the shape on layer 1 from HTV. My favorite HTV is Siser Easyweed so I used that in white.
2. Get your blue mat ready, stick your HTV shiny side down. Then, lay down your mat inside the machine and now you’re ready to blade cut!
3. For text embellishment, I’m using navy heat transfer vinyl. With heat transfer vinyl, you’ll need to select your text and reflect horizontally before cutting!
4. Weed your cutout HTV and use your home iron or heat press to iron on the heat transfer vinyl on the back of your unisub ornament cutout! Now, our ornament is ready so let’s move to sublimation!

1. Sublimate your loved one’s picture in the same size as the heart that is on our ornament. You might need design software for this; I usually use Adobe Illustrator! If you don’t have a sublimation printer, you can follow the same steps and do print then cut for your pictures! To help you out, I have included the heart on a separate layer in the cut file.
2. Turn on your heat press and set it to 385 degrees for 60 seconds.
3. Tape your picture with heat resistant tape and press it!

Use your favorite glue to stick the black border on top of your ornament. Then, add a ribbon to hang your ornament, and voila!

I hope this project inspires you to create more as we're going into 2024! Happy Holidays!