Happy Pi Day!

Hi everyone,

Today is Pi Day... March 14.  And this year, Pi Day is even cooler!  It's 3.14 '15.  Nerdy, but cool, right?  I went to a college (or an Institute) that embraces Pi Day to its fullest.  Every year, the MIT Admissions committee sends their decisions out on Pi Day -- this year, they took it one step further and sent them out at 9:26am ET.  3.1415926... Here's a fun video of the announcement.

In honor of Pi Day and all those admitted to MIT this year, I created this card... using Chibitronics stickers, of course since these circuit stickers were also developed at MIT.

Materials:

• Kraft card base: 4.25"W x 11"H, scored at 5.5" mark
• Blue patterned paper (Echo Park): 4"W x 5.25"H
• White card stock (Neenah)
• Gold Glitter cardstock (Die Cuts with a View)
• Chibitronics LED circuit stickers in white
• Copper tape
• CR-2032 battery
• Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangle die
• Simon Says Stamp "Oh Happy Day" die

 Directions:

• Print a Pi symbol on white card stock using your computer/printer.
• Use the largest stitched rectangle die and cut out the card front
• Cut out the "Oh Happy Day" sentiment die from the gold glitter paper
• Punch holes using a 1/8" hole punch in the Pi Symbol on both the white and blue card stock
• Using a pencil, mark the holes on the kraft card base.
• Place the copper tape, Chibitronics circuit stickers and battery holder on the card base... see image below for the layout

•  Add foam adhesive to the card base.
• Ta Da!  It lights up. 

Happy Pi Day... now, let's go eat some Pie!

2015 CHA Make & Take Exchange "Thank You" Card

Hello friends,

I attended the 2015 CHA MEGA Show in Anaheim, CA this past week.  It was such a wonderful, creative experience and I met so many incredibly talented designers, manufacturers and creative professionals.  One of the workshops I attended was a Make and Take Exchange.  Similar to a Cookie Exchange, we all made 26 Make and Takes and "traded" with other crafters.  Over 30 people attended the workshop.  Below is an image of my Make and Take featuring Chibitronics Circuit Stickers - easy to use stickers that light up!

I also created a Flipagram video showing the various steps outlined in detail below:

Materials:

• One Chibitronics White LED circuit sticker
• One 3V Battery
• 1”W x 2”H paper for Battery Holder
• CopperTape
• Foam Adhesive
• 3.75”W x 5.5”H Patterned Paper (Die Cuts With a View Gilded Paper, Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circles Die)
• 4.25”W x 5.5”H Embossed Flat Card (Simon Says Stamp Hand Lettered Winter Wishes, Ranger Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder)
• 4.25”W x 5.5”H Folded Card Base
• Ribbon
• Glue Dots
• Adhesive Tape Runner
• 1/8” Hole Punch
• Pencil

Directions:

Top Flat Card Prep:

1. Tie the ribbon to the top of the patterned paper and place at approx. 1/4” from the top of the card.  I usually tie a bow onto the flat ribbon and then use glue dots to wrap the ribbon around the back of the card.

• Adhere the patterned paper to the “thanks” card with your adhesive tape runner. 
• Using a 1/8” hole punch, punch a hole through the largest star above “thanks”
• Temporarily place this flat card on top of the folded card and trace the hole with a pencil.  This is where your Chibitronics circuit sticker will go.
• Set aside the patterned paper piece.

Adding the Light Sticker:

• Fold the battery holder in half.  On the inside of this paper, write a “+” on one side and “-” on the other.

• Glue the “-” down with the “+” flap folded up.  This is where the battery will sit.
• Using the copper tape, run the tape along one side of the pencil mark (as close to it without covering it) to the “-” on the battery holder.  Tear it once you hit the middle of the battery holder.
• Using the remaining copper tape, run the tape along the other side of the pencil mark, again as close to it without covering it, to the “+” on the battery holder.  If you need to fold the tape, the best way is to fold away from the direction you want the tape to go, and then fold the tape back on itself.
• Using washi tape, cover any parts of the “+” tape that might touch the bottom of the battery.
• On the circuit sticker, you will notice a “+” and “-” side.  The “+” side is wider.  The “-” side is the pointy side.  Place the sticker on the pencil dot so the pointy “-” side touches the copper tape leading to the “-” of the battery holder and the wider “+” side touches the copper tape leading to the “+” of the battery holder. 

• Add the battery to the battery holder.  Close the flap to test the light.
• Add foam adhesive to the inside edge of the battery holder, so the battery doesn’t roll into the middle of the card. 
• Use the remaining foam adhesive and place around the rest of the card to even out the dimension.

Putting it All Together and Storage:

1. Place the “Thanks” flat card on top of the folded card base.  Be sure to line up the dots so the light shines through the punched hole.
2. To turn off the lights for storage, you can either take out the battery, or just slide a piece of scrap paper between the battery and the copper tape and pull to remove when you want to use it.
3. If you remove the battery, just store it away from the copper tape so it doesn’t drain.

Enjoy!  Please leave a comment below if you have any additional questions and I'd be happy to answer them!  Have a great day!

A Chibitronics New Year Greeting!

Greetings, everyone!  I am so excited to bring you another electrifying Chibitronics card.  We are gearing up for the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) MEGA Show in Anaheim next weekend.  So... stay tuned for some behind the scenes shots!

I made a video that highlights the steps for making this card. I also included directions below.

Materials:

• Black card base: 4.25"W x 11"H, scored at 5.5" mark
• White card insert: 4"W x 5.25"H
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Retro Stars
• Gold Glitter Paper - 1"W x 3.25"H
• Black Paper Strip - 1.25"W x 3.5"H
• My Favorite Things Bright Lights Numbers Die-namics Set
• Sizzix Dies from Triple Circle Flipits Die Set (Scalloped and Pierced Circles)
• Paper Source Labels - 1.25" Circle Labels
• Chibitronics White LED lights
• Chibitronics Copper Tape
• Battery (CR2032)
• Battery Holder - black paper cut to 1"Wx 2"H

Directions:

• Use the embossing folder and emboss the white card stock
• Die cut the numbers 2, 0, 1, 5 from black paper
• Cut a fish tail (a "v") from the bottoms of the gold glitter and black strips of paper.  
• Temporarily place the die cut numbers on the gold glittered paper and mark the placements of the LED lights accordingly.  I chose random placements, but you could keep them all in the same spot if you'd like (i.e. top most dot on each number).
• Punch holes through the gold, black and white embossed papers to match the LED placements.
• Mark the holes on the black card base.

• Layout the copper tape, battery holder and LED stickers according to the design below.  The LED stickers match the pencil marks for the holes.

• Add foam tape around the edges of the card to provide dimension and even out the battery section.  

• Layer all the pieces of paper on the white card stock.  Make sure the holes line up and the light shine through.
• Print "happy new year" onto a circle label.  Die cut the pierced circle and scalloped circle from the gold and black pieces of paper.  Layer together and adhere to front of the card with foam adhesive.

Happy New Year!  Hope it's super and bright!

Countdown to Xmas: 25 Days, 25 Cards - Day 15

Hello all!

Today I have a very special twinkling card to share.  I incorporated cool Chibitronics circuit stickers into this card to electrify the string lights.  Chibitronics circuit stickers are super easy to use and really fun... and they have a way of making you feel smarter when you're done with the project.  I also used the lights4Christmas stamps and die sets from The Stamps of Life.

Materials:

• Green card base: 8" Square, folded at 4" mark to make a 8"W x 4" top folding card
• Patterned paper: 7.75"W x 3.75"H
• White paper: 7.5"W x 3.5"H
• Patterned paper and glitter paper for the lights
• Green baker's twine (from local craft store)
• Chibitronics circuit stickers in blue, red and yellow
• Chibitronics copper tape, approximately 11"
• Battery (CR2032)
• Foam Tape
• Adhesive Tape Runner
• The Stamps of Life lights4Christmas stamp and matching die set

Directions:

• Stamp the "Twinkle Twinkle" sentiment in the lower right corner of the white card stock using Versamark ink and heat emboss with Liquid Platinum embossing powder.
• Die cut the string lights from three different glitter and patterned papers.  I chose red, blue and yellow ones to match the circuit stickers.  This die set is great.  It includes a larger die for the background and a smaller die for the actual light bulb.  You can mix and match patterned paper to your heart's delight!
• Glue the patterned paper to the glitter paper
• Punch a 1.8" hole just above the patterned paper.  See image below.

• Place the string lights on the white paper and mark the holes on the white background paper.
• Glue the white paper to the red patterned paper.  Punch holes through both the white and patterned paper.
• Mark these same holes on the green card base, but don't punch holes in the green paper.  This will be your guide for the circuit stickers.

• Place copper wire above and below the circuit stickers and connect them to a makeshift battery holder (1"x2" piece of card stock, folded). 

• Place the circuit stickers exactly where the penciled marks are located.  Add the battery to the battery holder and see if it works.

• Add foam tape to the edges to provide dimension and space for the battery.

• Place the white/red card stock over the lights to make sure everything lines up.  If they don't move the stickers around so they do.

• That wasn't so bad, right?  So now you just add the lights and the twine to the front.  Use glue dots for the twine and regular tape runner adhesive for the lights.

Twinkle Twinkle!  Enjoy!