I am so excited and honored to be designing on Bug Bytes today. I hope you stop by her blog and visit her line-up of amazing designers. Today, I have a cute project and a cute story to share with you. When I first saw that Pam’s ‘Cartridge of the Month’ was Robotz, I figured I’d make something else. You see, I only have one teenage girl, so I keep seeing all these cute boy things and think, “I don’t have any boys, so I don’t need this cart.” However, my husband was sitting next to me on the couch while I was blog surfing, and saw some of the cute robots being made with this cart and asked why I didn’t have this one yet, because he would LOVE a robot for his desk at work. I then realized that, yes, I do have a little boy, he’s just bigger than most.
So, I went and bought this cartridge and started thinking of ways to make it unique for DH. I didn’t want cute patterned paper or cardstock for his office toy; I wanted something more techie and manly. I remembered Enfys’ flower project with aluminum tape (you can see her original video HERE), and figured I’d finally try to work with some of that. I scoured my room and pulled out all the other metal arsenal I had available in my craft supplies along with a little grunge (that’s manly) to see what I could create. I have to say, I love our little robot and I’m going to miss him when he goes to the office today. And my DH named him CricuTron. Isn’t that sweet?
Since the techniques I chose to use became quite labor intensive (needing both hands and full attention), I decided to make a video rather than trying to stop and take lots of pictures. I have edited the video to maximum speed and added a snappy soundtrack so as not to bore you too much. So, please take a few minutes to see how I created CricuTron.
That wasn’t so bad, huh? Just please remember that I did not make this as an instructional for how to solder. I’m still learning myself and really need some more help. The solder iron does get really hot and all safety precautions should be utilized. You should also have proper ventilation when soldering, but this IS another tool that can create a nice effect on some projects and I aim to really learn this technique.
For CricuTron, I used one of the 3D Robotz and sized him on my Gypsy. I didn’t do any special Gypsy welding for this project; I just cut as-is with layers. CricuTron’s body was cut from aluminum tape-covered cardstock as you saw in the video. The most technical part of this project was that I soldered his seams. You do not have to do this, but I wanted that industrial look for him. You could just as easily cut him out and glue him together. I found that GemTac glue worked best to adhere the aluminum.
I did cut his layered pieces in Grungeboard. I have found that if I use my deep-cut blade and cut on level 5 with med-high pressure and multi-cut 4 times, I can cut through Grungeboard with no problem. LOVE IT!!!
So cool!!! Love this idea!
1 Huuuuuge Hug, Julia Sáddi
This is so flipping cute! and I wanted to tell you that…The Creative Team of Papercraft Star has been out visiting blogs of talented papercrafters like yourself to spread the word about the new challenge blog, Papercraft Star. Our blog is unique in that we offer participants and the public an opportunity to vote on their favorite projects for each weekly challenge. The winner then receives a beautiful “People’s Choice Award” button to display on their blog. Gifts from sponsors are also awarded to winners and/or participants of the challenges for any given month. The weekly challenges are posted way in advance in order to give you plenty of time to get your project ready to enter too! If you are not already a follower of Papercraft Star, or haven’t entered any challenges yet, then we hope this note from us will encourage you to come on over and meet the growing number of talented papercrafters that gather at Papercraft Star’s challenge blog as well as the Papercraft Star Message Boards and Facebook page. Right now, you can enter to win a $25.00 gift certificate for papercraft star just by becoming a follower and leaving a comment on the $25.00 gift certificate post. We look forward to seeing you soon! http://www.papercraftstar.blogspot.com
You are so talented! now I know I say this everytime but you prove me right everytime!!
xx
Lisa
ps, great news! no spinal op! just pain management clinic for a year….x
You are so clever! If my son were little he would love this!!
This is just way too cute. I was riding with hubby back into town watching your wonderful video and sharing it with him while he was driving. I LOVE this awesome little guy, he is just too handsome.
freakin’ adorable (i mean manly…cough, cough)! i do so love all the creativity wrapped up in this aluminum bundle.
This is so fabulous!!
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Oh my, that’s amazing 🙂 It came out great! Who would have thought that could be made.
meant to say and my desk. Wish this would allow us to edit our errors 🙂
OMG, Cheryl that is absolutely awesome. It’s so funny because I work in the technology department of our school system, wish it was a cut file to make for the guys an my desk. LOL
Fantastic Job, your DH must be very proud of you. 🙂
I am blown away by your talent. What an awesome project! Video was great but truly I hate you for your voice 🙂