I created this project making notes as I went. I usually include a lot of photos and instructions. If you are interested in the creation of the project itself, follow along from Step 2 to Step 8. If you are just interested in the assembly, download the file and use Step 9 to Step 11. Step 12 is just a Final Thoughts step and ussually includes things from creation as well as the assembly.

These instructions are also assuming you are familiar with XCS 2.0 as it was a project built entirely in that program. When I state in my instructions to move things aside, I usually do all of my build in a single canvas so I am constantly moving things on and off the canvas and will put those “aside” things outside of the canvas area so I don't get lost in the jumble of parts. I will adjust and move them to additional canvases later if needed. 

I create a circle 1.25"x1.25" and make a copy of it. I put that copy to the side for later. I then drop in the tear drop shape from XCS shapes library. (See photos). I adjust the teardrop shape, after unlocking it, to 1.5"x0.9". This size can be adjusted based on your preference. Then I created a total of 8 copies of it. I adjusted each one by 45 degrees using the degree adjuster in the size table (See photo) So the first one is at 0 degrees, the second at 45 degrees, the third at 90 degrees, and so on until you get all the way around to 315 degrees. (See photo). I set the tear drop shapes around one of the circles and then draw them in so the tips of each are within the circle. (See photo) I then make sure to select the circle and bring it to the front. I select all the tear drop shapes and the circle that overlaps them and use the subtract function under combine. This creates 8 flower petals. I take the copy of the circle I made earlier and center it back in the middle of these 8 petals and then use the outline funtion with a distance of 0.001. I take the outline aside so there are no petals in it (see photo) and create a total of 4 copies of it. I put these aside to use in just a moment. I go back and move the circle aside from the petal and make four copies in total of it. I move those 4 aside for later. I then make a total of 4 copies of the petals and once more, move those aside for later. 

To create the stem, I go to the XCS Shapes library and pull in the partial “C” (see photo) I take that and, after unlocking it, stretch it to the length I want. This time, I did approximately 3.5 inches. (see photo) I then squared off the ends by taking a rectangle and overlapping the stretched “C” shape on either end. (see photo) One at a time, I subtract the rectangle. I make a total of 4 copies of the shape I am left with. I then take one of the shapes and one of the flower petal outlines and overlap them. (see photo). Once overlapped, I select both and unite them to create one solid outline of petals and stem. I repeat this step so that I have a total of 4 outlines. (See photo). NOTE: To make this step easier, you could just copy and paste the outline a total of 4 times instead of creating 4 different flowers outines. I wanted variation in the petal arrangement so I did it this way.

To create the grass, I started with the Moon shape from XCS Shape library. I selected it and, after unlocking it, extended it out and thinned it down. (See photo) Size does not matter here, just make it an inch to two inches in height. I did this several times of various sizes and turned them or reflected them. I over lapped a few and then united them. (see photo) I did this several times and after I united several “clumps”, I would then copy and merge the two copies. I did this a few times until I had a “grass” line approximately 10" long. I then created a rectangle and overlapped the bottom half of the grass. I united the grass line and the rectangle to create a squared bottom grass line. (see photo) I then created a second rectangle approximately 8 inches long and .127" high. I centered it under the squared grass line and then overlapped it slightly. (see photo). I then united the smaller rectangle with the grass line to create a tab. I then copied and pasted it twice so that gave me three lines of grass. I reflected one just to provide variety in the grass flow and then labeled each. (see photo)

At this point, I take two of the flower silhouettes and overlap one of the grass lines. (See photo) Be sure to space out the flowers so that you have a clear gap between them to allow for the back flowers to be seen. Once satisfied with how they appear, I unite the grass line with the flower stem. I color it a different color. I then do the exact same step with another grass line and the last two flower stems. I over lap them to be sure that the flowers will show through well. (see photo) If they don't, use control Z to back up to a point where you can move the flowers to the appropriate location. Once done, you should have two grass lines with flowers coming out and one without. I put these to the side.

If you want to add a leaf, pull in the leaf shape from the XCS shape library and adjust it to your desired size and then overlap it with the stem of the flower. Unite them. Some people may want to add leaves to all flowers, but me, I just did one for varieties sake. (see photo)

At this stage, I am setting up the “Moms Garden” front plate. I start by creating a rectangle 8" x .127" I put this aside and then type out “Moms Garden” I liked “Dancing Script” for this and so used that in bold. (See photo) I then select the words and outline it, setting the distance to 0.2. (See photo) To join the letters together and to get rid of the “holes” in the letters, I create a rectangle as long and as high as I can that will cover as much as possible without going outside of the letters. I then unite the outline of the letters and this rectangle. (see photo) There were still a few small holes left in the letters, so I created another rectangle that covered them and merged it to the outline of the letters. (See photo) To square off the bottom, I created yet another rectangle and overlapped it. I wanted a straight edge all the way across. Once I had it where I wanted (see photo) I selected the letter outline and the rectangle and subtracted it. This gave a nice even bottom. (see photo) I now take that first rectangle I created, the .127"x8", and slightly overlap it at the center point of the outline of the words. Using “Horizontal Align Center” under the design functions helps with this. Once I have that slight overlap (see photo) I then unite the outline and the rectangle creating a tab. (see photo) I take the outline with the tab and move it aside. 

At this point I also created the names. Since the names were going to be small, I wanted to make sure to join the letters together just to make it easier to place. By manipulating the spacing under the fonts options I can get letters pretty close together. Once I did, I pressed the weld option and the letters Joined together. 

The final part to create is the base. I take the rounded square from the XCS Shape library and unlock it so that I can make it long but thin. I used the dimensions of 12" wide by 2" high. (see photo) I create a rectangle .137" high and 8" long. (.137" is to compensate for paint and the width of the boards. It may be a little loose but there is filler glue to help. More on that later) I copy this rectangle and paste it 3 more times so I have a total of 4. I then move 3 of them one atop the other with a slight gap of approximately .1" between them and use the horizontal align feature to make them evenly set on the sides. I move this to the center of the 12" rectangle. (see photo). I then drop it down below the center line so that the top rectangle touches the center. This where line snapping really helps. I then take the last thin rectangle and place that approximately a ½" from the top of the longer rectangle. (see photo) Once all 4 rectangles are in place, I then unite them and then select them and subtract them from the longer rectangle. This creates the base. NOTE: If you want, you could create a 2nd base without the cutout rectangles that can be added to the bottom as a ‘cover’ to the tab holes once the project is put together.

Once all the pieces have been created, I divide them up on their separate canvases based on color. I prepaint my wood with a single coat of paint before lasering. If needed, I wouldgo back and touch up. However, once I had cut the wood, I noted the slight browning seemed to add a bit of natural look to the grass and the center of the flower so I left it alone and did not add another coat. I moved the flower petals and the letter outline to one canvas which I labeled “white”. The letters went to another canvas which I labeled “Black”. The circles went to a third canvas which was labeled “yellow”. The flower outlines with grass, grass and base with the cut out rectangles went to a canvas I labeled “green” Finally I put a single base without cuts on a last canvas and labeled it “base cover”. In each of the canvases that I put the lable, I changed the output to where it would not cut the letters out. 

NOTE: Cutting the petals and letters out if using the slats will result in them dropping to the plate below and getting cut or scarred from the laser passing over. I ended up putting this on a honey comb to prevent that. 

NOTE: When cutting the petals, be sure to remove and place them exactly as they were cut. This will be important in the assembly since each one will need to line up with the silhouette during assembly. If you do what I did, and did not keep track of the petals, then during assembly, the petals and the silhouette do not line up and you will have to puzzle piece it together.

I use Loctite Superglue Ultragel Control for my general adhesive. It allows me to place a very fine amount and does not take alot to hold pieces together. I lay out all my pieces to ensure everything is there. (see photo) I dry fit the grass and the flowers to ensure they will fit fine. I noticed that one was slightly loose so I get Starbond thick adhesive ready to use. 

The outline of the words “Moms Garden” is what I start with. With a few careful dots of the glue on each letter, I carefully place them down and hold for a few seconds. (See photo)

On the flowers, I first center a yellow circle on each flower with a few drops of Loctite. (see photo) I then add the petals one at a time, making sure they line up. (see photo) NOTE: If, like me, you did not keep track of where the petals are supposed to go, this will be a frustrating puzzle. 

Once all the petals are in place, it is time to glue on the names. I center the name over each flower and once I am happy with how it looks, I put a few drops of glue on the back and then place them back and hold for a few seconds. (See photo)

Finally it is time to put the grass in the base. Put a strip of glue on both sides of the tab of one of the grass/flower (see photo) and slide it into the back cutout rectangle of the base making sure it is facing the front (the one rectangle by itself-see photo). Put the glue along both sides of the tab of the grass by itself and place it in the middle rectangle and then finally do the same with the last flower/grass but place this in the third slot closest to the lone rectangle at the front. This was the one that was loose so I also put a bit of Starbond in to fill the slight gap and it helped to hold it in place perfectly.

The final step is to put a strip of glue along both sides of the tab on the “Moms Garden”. Slide this into the front cutout rectangle. 

NOTE: After you glue in the four pieces. Squeeze the front and back of the base together and look for gaps where the pieces fit in. If you see any, release your squeeze and fill those areas with Starbond. Wait a few seconds and squeeze again. 

If you desire, once everything is set in place, you can place a second base on the bottom to provide a more appealing look and cover the cutouts on the bottom. 

Some people want a flower for each name. Some want more names. You can do both. In step 5 when you are joining the flower silhouettes to the grass, you want to adjust the size of the flowers smaller or larger. Larger for few flowers, smaller for more. Just be sure you also adjust the petals accordingly in step 2. As for the names, when you are typing them out, line them up over the silhouettes to ensure they fall within the flowers. Keep in mind, the smaller the flowers, the smaller the letters. 

Another way to add more names is just to keep the four flowers and add more names to them. Nothing says each flower has to have just one name. 

I found this project both fun and challenging. While simple in its concept and appearance, it was a difficult project to design. I think, if I were to do this again, I would recommend the petals be painted on rather than glued onto the silhouettes. Just a quick brush of white over the green, let dry and then another coat would achieve a really nice look, I think. 

I also think I may try this using acrylic to see how it comes out. 

Happy Crafting and Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there!