Glowing Heart Table Piece

This is my first instructable ever so bear with any mistakes. It is a table piece which has a heart illuminated by a single LED.
The main attraction of this instructable is the LED has a throbbing effect which looks good with the heart.
For this you will need a image probably from a card like i have used or you can even use a personal picture of your loved one.
So if you are interested get started and have fun making it!!!!!

IMAGE:
Pick any image of your choice. Or you can use the one i have used. i have attached a PDF.

ELECTRONICS:
555 Ic
BC547 NPN transistor
100uf electrolytic capacitor
470 ohms and 33k ohms resistors
LED preferably red
Switch (not shown in image)
9V battery
9v battery adapter
Connecting wire
Breadboard for prototyping
Digital Multimeter
Solder 
Soldering iron
Wire cutter

OTHER STUFF:
Thermocol
Cutter
Scissors
Adhesive
File punch
glue gun

Here is the circuit diagram for the throbbing LED circuit. 
For this instructable you will need a basic understanding of electronics. 
I have used BC547 in the circuit. but i hav used 2n2222 instead cause i had them lying around. Just check the pin out for the transistors you use. The the transistor is used as a switch. 
I have used 100uf cap. You can use another if you have any. I have tried it with 10uf. The pulsing speed of LED changes.
Changing the values of the resistors also changes the pulse speed. Experiment with different values befor you build the circuit.

This step is necessary because we need to make sure the circuit works before proceeding furthur.
Again you need basic understanding of electronics.
Follow the circuit diagram. If the circuit doesn't work check for loose connections on the breadboard. Check if the IC is held properly in place.

Watch video on youtube following the link or download it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuBs_JTtfrI

The circuit does not have a PCB. this makes it more streamlined and compact. 
Pin 5 and 7 of 555 are not used so cut them off. Bend pin 2 and 6 to connect each other and bend remaining pins flat (See image).

Solder the remaining circuit together and make sure the components are flat and no unwanted connections are made.
This type of soldering is particularly difficult since the components don't have stability of a PCB. You can use some helping hands.
Here i have not added a switch yet. I put it up afterwards cause i forgot to do it before. 
Turn it on and check if it is still working. if not then there may be improper soldering. Check for continuity problems.


Watch video on youtube following the link or download it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsNtmguoXt4

Print out your image on a hard paper. I have used a mirror paper (or so the printer guys told me it is). The paper quality should be good. I have attached the image i have used. 

Fold the paper and then cut along the margin of the image so that you will get two cutouts. One the image and one blank white mirror cutout. The thermocol padding is sandwiched between these two cutouts. Cutout the small heart too.
 Also cutout a long strip of paper as shown in the image from the same paper which is used as a stand.

Cut up a piece of thermocol of size of the image.
Punch a hole at the top left corner of the image. This is where the LED will pop out of.
The punch hole was perfect since teh 3.5mm LED wiuld pass through it but not it's collar. So it wont come out all the way.
Mark out an approximate outline of the cutout on the thermocol. It doesn't have to be perfect. 
Mark the punch hole position.

1) Place your circuit over the thermocol sheet. and mark their position.
2) Cut the thermocol so as to fit your circuit. 
3) Match the punch hole on image cutout with the thermocol hole for LED and stick the image and thermocol together with a strong adhesive.
4) After the adhesive dries up, cut the thermocol along the border of the cutout from bottom and top parts. leave out the complicated places.
5) Cut wires from the 9V battery adapter and connect the wire from Pin 8 to one of the terminals of the switch.
6) Dig out a cavity for the switch. The cavity should be smaller than the switch so the switch doesn't wobble.

1) Cut a place for the switch knob(crank) to pop out the back and move in the ON/OFF positions.
2) Make a hole for the wires to come out
3) Put the wires of the 9V adapter through the hole and solder the positive terminal wire from the adapter to the other terminal of the switch.
4) Connect the negative terminal wire and solder them so they are connected together tight.
5) Place the circuitry in position.
6) Put a thermocol piece behind the LED and stick it with adhesive so that the LED does not get pushed back from the front.
7) Put some adhesive in the switch cavity too.
8) Stick the back part pf the cutout in line with the top and the bottom thermocol cuttings along the border we made earlier
9) Once the adhesive dries up cut the thermocol along the border of the front image and the back cutout. This should be done cautiously. The more time u take the more perfect the final output will be. 

1) Heat up the glue gun and put a small glue drop on the top of the LED.
2) Stick the small heart cutout on top of the LED before the glue dries.
3) Cut up a thermocol of the shape of the stand.
4) Make the top of that thermocol piece slant.
5) Stick the Flap to the back of the main body such that the stand moves on a hinge.
6) It's done.

Watch video on youtube following the link or download it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gAy37KH9rg&feature=youtu.be

I have another video which i have not embedded here you can watch it on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5My_d2RoSYM
I haven't added a battery holder to the piece yet. You can add it to the back of the main body.
Gift wrap it 

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