Step 1) Well this all starts with a rectangle from the insert button, I placed it on the work area and sized it to the size I wanted as you can see in the picture, I then selected the circle from the same place but this time I made a large oval to cover the out side corners of the rectangle. Once this was carefully placed I used the combine feature and selected subtract to make an arch on the bottom of the rectangle.As you can see it leaves bridge type look.

Step 2) Once this was the way it was more changes were to be made and this time I again selected rectangle and made 2 of them opposite of each other on a 45° I gingerly placed them on the top corners of the rectangle to remove the sharp edge using the combine and subtract. Then I proceeded to add a small circle and again 2 of these were brought on to the work area and placed in the same corners and the combine feature was used again but this time unite was selected to round the corners.

Step 3) One more time I went to the insert button and used rectangle for the bottom corners to square them off to make almost feet like legs.

Step 4) Now for the cross over cut out I did this on the top of the rectangle in the center, later when a copied rectangle is pasted there will be the same thing done but on the bottom or top of the arch so when the 2 pieces criss cross they are flush with each other. I made this the same thickness as the plywood 1/4" (6.3mm) I then used the subtract feature from combine button.

Step 5) Now a needed 2 circles to be added on one on each side of the original rectangle, these will be for the square frame that will run through the holes on all 3 sides. I measured carefully and made a square that when complete would fit loosely.

Step 6) Once the square was made I wanted to add a very small slice on the top of this square so it could go into all 4 circles when assembling the pot holder with the slightest of thin rectangle this was achieved by placing it in place and selecting combine and subtract, from the close up picture you can see the gap between the 2 parts.

Step 7) Now that all that designing the parts was finished, it was time to make sure all parts had their setting all set, I set all part to the same settings for cutting, all 100% power 5mm/s speed and 3 full passes. Once this was double checked it was on to the laser....

Step 8) Now the parts were all cut out all the setting were spot on as they came out perfectly considering the plywood was all stained dark ebony before getting any cutting done. I do this some time to make things easier as it is easier to stain a full board than small little pieces. here is the finished product. This little trickery of a design will baffle people when they see it and save the counter while doing it's job cooling .Enjoy