My ICAD box, photo wrap-up, and answers to Tammy's thought provoking questions.

The ICADs were nearly complete when I decided it was time to make my book.  I got out an extra IC I planned to use as the template for all these ICs, along with my Crop-a-Dile.  Then it hit me how many of these holes I would have to punch.  122!!  And suddenly the thought of that really scared me.  Would I be able to even use my right hand for days after all that punching?  And then it hit me  I had not left room on the "gutter side" for those holes.  I had not taken clearance into account when I decided to make a book.

I next contemplated making a single hole, and stringing the ICs onto a ring, but that would still mean 61 punches.  So a new plan was needed.

I decided to make a box after measuring the thickness of the ICs.  The box would be made from two thicknesses of thin cardboard.  I used an old flat rate envelope, but cracker boxes, etc., could be used, too.  I sprayed the two thicknesses of cardboard using a new spray adhesive I bought at one of the big box home improvement stores. Not what I had used in the past, so this was a real experiment.

After the spray adhesive dried, I marked off areas of the box that would be cut and scored.

Scoring is not intuitive to me.  I always want to fold in the direction of the score, but that is not how it's supposed to be done.

Next, I cut two sides straight and two sides with little "flaps."

I glued, then scored the straight side of the box.  I didn't have enough paper to cover the entire box.  I did the same to the other side, leaving extra room for lap over.

I glued the sides together with the flaps on the outside.  I needed to secure the sides, allowing them drying time, which I did with some clamps. 

I also added a rubber band to help hold the shape.

I then allowed this assembly to sit overnight to make sure the Elmer's glue I used was dry.  For those of you who live outside the US, Elmer's is white PVA glue, and you may have to substitute any good PVA glue that dries (relatively) clear.

 

After I was sure the sides were completely cured, I cut and assembled the outside, using a similar template as I did for the box.  I then went around and glued any bits that had not previously gotten glued down.

I then used some of my handmade shimmer mists on the outside of the box.

When dry, I cut an IC and decorated it with a heart, the date (2013) and the word "ICAD."  I apologize that this camera I'm using has no settings on it, so what you see is what you get.

I've started decorating and stamping the box.  I plan to add even more decorations over time.  But time was NOT on my side, since I had to have it finished in time for the ICAD wrap-up.  When I finish the box, I'll show the completed piece.

And to keep things neat and compact, I sewed two ICADs together, back to back, making a total of 30 double sided ICADs and one single ICAD.  

Thanks for following this rather convoluted way I made this box.  I'm sure there are simpler ways, but probably not with the materials I have on hand.  I'm going to add this to my Tutorials page located at the top of my blog.

And here are all the ICADs by month:

June

June 1 through June 30, 2013

July:

July 1 through July 30

and finally July 31:

Homage to Daisy Yellow

Tammy also provided us with some questions to ponder.  I didn't realize where Linda got the questions until I saw them on a few other sites, too.

1. Have you tried new techniques, themes, mediums, materials, palettes, pens?  I started a series of hearts.  I've never contemplated a series before.
2. Do you look forward to your creative time each day? Some days yes, some day no.
3. Have you made a little time each day for the past two months for a bit of art?  Yes.
4. What did you change about your schedule to allow time for art?  I didn't like that I felt forced to create these each day, so I made them when I felt like it.  Some early in the day, some late at night.
5. How did you feel when you skipped a day?  I didn't skip a day.
6. What was it like to make an extra card?  I didn't make any extras.
7. Do you carry art materials in your backpack or purse for those little gaps in your day?  NO.
8. Have your creative ideas bloomed or faded?  Some days were better than others.  Overall, I would say ideas bloomed.
9. Are there any techniques or cards that you would like to create in a larger format?  Actually, many of the cards I made were just smaller versions of something I might make in a collage.
10. What did you learn about yourself?  I knew when I started that I would finish.  I don't start a challenge unless I am able to finish.  But some days I simply wasn't as motivated, and the ICs showed it.
11. Will you continue your theme or series?  I may continue my heart series, but in a different medium and format.
12. Are you ready for something fresh and new?  Yes.
13. Do you love flipping through your cards?  Not really.  Once they are done, I'm ready to move on to something new.
14. Did you underestimate the impact of this simple challenge?  Impact, no.  Time it took to make and scan them, yes.
15. Did this inexpensive, flimsy canvas surprise you?  No, because to me they didn't represent an inexpensive canvas.
16. Do you adore that pile of blank cards, that stack of potential?  I really enjoyed turning them into something creative and now see the potential for making better art than I made while under this pressure to perform daily..
17. Did you surprise yourself?  There were days I looked forward to making an ICAD.  Then there were days they became a chore.
18. Did you stick to the challenge?  Absolutely, although I didn't necessarily stick to the themes.
19. Did you have fun posting to the Flickr group or the FB group?  I'm a blogger only.  I don't belong to either of these other groups.
20. How many cards did you complete? 61!