Tuesday 17 December 2013

17/12: NOT MY NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

I don't make New Year Resolutions .... because I know I won't stick with them beyond January  .... but I have set myself some goals (which isn't the same thing) LOL

I must improve my time management - it seems the more free time I have, the less I achieve and a lot of that is down to spending too much time on the computer and getting sidetracked.


I downloaded a course of Spanish language lessons several months ago and haven't got beyond the first two sessions.   
David has just bought me Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 (which I haven't downloaded yet) and I've identified an online tutorial course to teach me the basics (haven't paid or downloaded it yet).

I also need to learn a lot more about how my camera works - I can't keep using the automatic 'idiotproof' button ... I'd like to understand more of its functions before we go to India in January as its going to be an exciting photo opportunity.  I'm a bit of a technophobe though and I find it hard to concentrate on learning from manuals and screen.  I much prefer to have a 'person' show me how to operate things but the only digital photography classes I've seen locally have cost an arm and a leg to attend.

but I get sidetracked by irritating little things ... such as why have my 'followers' disappeared from the front page of my Blog today?   They were there yesterday, nothing has changed and I've deleted and reset the button but still they don't show!!    I guess its just another Blogger Bleep and will rectify itself in due course but I've wasted an hour fiddling with it

I'm just waiting to hear whether our local Made In Whitstable Group will be staging an exhibition of work this week.   We have been offered a cancellation slot at the local Horsebridge Gallery in Whitstable if we can get enough of us together at short notice to hang/display pictures this evening.   I'm just dusting some of mine down and waiting to hear if 'we're on'.   Going to be a last minute dash to get it all ready but it will be nice to get one last exhibition in this year.     Watch this space.

In the meantime, here's a great way to recycle Christmas cards ... or any greetings cards of the right size/quality really.      I was recently shown how to make these neat little gift boxes without using glue or tape. 

For the lids you need a piece of card which is square approx 6" x 6" and for the base a slightly smaller square.

Finished box




I've unfolded this lid to try to show a 'step by step' process.   Sorry I couldn't get the card to lay flat here




Fold the four corners into the centre and make sharp creases

Then fold the tips back as shown below.  Make sharp folds


Now make four cuts as shown.  I've made some pen marks to show the cuts better.  

Fold the non cut corners as shown below


 The 'tips' of the wings fold back flat on themselves and these form the sides of the box.
Then the remaining sides fold over the wings and tuck down inside the box to make it sturdy and hold everything in place.  Here you can see one side folded into place


and the final side in place
The box bottom is made exactly the same way but a tad smaller so the lid fits comfortably on top


The sharper you make the creases when folding the card, the easier it is to construct the box.    Sounds fiddly but once you've made one, the rest is easy

7 comments:

  1. Good idea, but don't think I'll bother thanks. Much too lazy for something like that.

    Hope you get the show going tonight.

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  2. What, even if you're snowed in over Christmas? LOL

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  3. Yes, even if I am snowed in. I'd rather read a book. I just won 3 ebooks too.

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  4. Hi Sue,
    I want to thank you for visiting my blog, and leaving your lovely comment on the rescued dog and her portrait. It really is wonderful to hear of stories like that.
    I laughed reading your tale of time management. I have a camera of the same caliber, and am most careful not to touch most of the buttons! Some day ...
    I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
    Kathryn

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  5. I so like your not New Years Resolutions. Mine are not to give up chocolate and not to give up painting and not to give my hubby as much hassle, and that's just for starters. Stick with the auto on your camera, it's magic and saves time. Seasons greetings and have a Happy and Healthy 2014

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  6. I like your little box but don't know if I'd make it either - it looks complicated!

    Funny about your non-resolutions - you sound like me. I have PSE12 and just learn as I need to know how to do something. I don't think there's room enough in my head to try to stuff it in all at once with a class!!! There are dozens of free tutorials online so a costly course might not be necessary.

    I agree with Polly about the camera - auto is good. lol

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  7. That's very cool! Great photography too! I don't like resolutions either. I think any day is a good day to make a change, not just Jan. 1. I hope your show is on, and it's lots of fun for you! Merry Christmas!!!!

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