Change of Mindset

Not sure who this picture belongs too, but I really like the message.

I really like when ....

I can use my tools for more than one crafting genre.  Today, I used by easy angle quilting ruler to create the angled pockets in the album I was working on.

 

The grid lines makes it easy to line up, and to recreate the same dimensions again for the opposite side.



Project: It's a New Bow Season!!

A new Spirit Season (Poms and Cheer) so time to start working on new bow designs.

 

 

Tried a new technique where you cut HTV using a rhinestone template

and then iron it onto a ribbon base.

 Deciding what color base ribbon to use. 

See how the different base colors effect the overall design.

Press the HTV onto the ribbon base and then form your bows.

Took a Card Class

It's been a long  time since I took a crafting class. 

Was a lot of fun, and I got to meet a few new friends.

 

 

Project: Reuseable Cards

I have not taken the time to create cards in a while,

but saw these cool "reuseable" cards and had to give it a try.  

 They have a clear acetate pocket, so that you can see what is written on the index card

 You  can replace that inner card and reuse the outside pocket card

Then I created a silhouette cameo file,  so that I can easily make these cards again & again.

Crafting Night with a Friend

Spent an evening making shirts for a friend and a few of her friends.

Project: 2015 Graduation Cap for NHS

This will be the second year that I have been requested to create the 2015 Grad Cap for one of our local High Schools.   This year it was a struggle, as the School is changing logos and I needed something that would work with whatever the new design is going to be.  Hope they like it.

 

 Above are the designs I was looking at, but the "N" design did not transition well to the cap.

Below is the final product.

 

 

This is the one it will hang next too.

 



Project: T-shirts for the nieces

With the help of online crafting group  was able to create these shirts for my nieces who love both Starbucks and the movie "Frozen"

 

Made the Frozen for the Nieces and the TInkerbell for me

Back of the shirt
 

Project: Parent's Gifts for Erie's Cheer Team

Helping out a new friend, I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out 3 different designs.   Then spent 5 mins to teach her how to put them together and create her gifts. 

We used orange and black outdoor vinyl so that they would be waterproof.  She will be using the decals on wine glasses or beer mugs.

Here are the designs during the design stage.  Not very original but I like how they turned out.

Then we spent a few minutes learning to layer.  a few basic steps and she had it down perfectly.

First layer, largest portion of the design



Add the second layer, intersecting the designs

Then the final touch and it looks great

Thinking of buying a Silhouette Cameo or Portrait cutting machines?

There is a great deal going on until March 31, 2014. 

It is even having me considering buying the smaller Portrait to add to my collection of crafting tools.

 

Here is my recommendation on how to go about getting the best "bang for your buck."

 

1. Join Club Silhouette :  this will earn you points towards future purchases and  will send you a new mat and blade every 3 months.  It will also give you free shipping on the machine.
2. Purchase the machine of choice at http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/vinyl-lovers . Use the promo code:  MATLESS
3. Purchase a Silhouette Design Store Subscription, for $10 a month, you will receive $25 worth of designs & fonts or you can purchase a plan for $30 a month and receive $250 credit towards purchases.
4. My favorite site for free fonts is http://www.dafont.com/ .  Any font loaded onto your computer automatically loads to your machine.
5. Favorite place to buy vinyl is from Expressions Vinyl .  They also have a purchase club.
6. Heat press was purchased through Amazon:  Gecko 16 x 24 Heat Press
7. The Rinestone World is where I purchase rhinestones and rhinestuds.
8. I also purchase most of my supplies through Amazon.
9. Vinyl weeding tools:  Harbor Freight Picks and a nice straight pin with large head for smaller areas.

Learn how to use your machine tutorials: 

1.  Silhouette School :  Highly recommended for the beginner and her How To E-Book  is well worth the purchase.
2.  Pinterest
3. YouTube videos.

Project: Bowling Design for an After Prom Party

Using my Silhouette Cameo, I cut out 400 bowling pins and 100 bowling balls for a local High School and their After Prom Party.  The parents will be putting the design together and then attaching them to gift bags. 

The fourth bowling pin will lay across the ball, as if it has fallen.  Edges inked and red washi tape to finish the look.

Project: Jewelry for my Daughter

Took a class at a local craft store and created these 3 bracelets for my daughter.  

Reminded me of making macramé plant hangers back in the 1970s.

 

 

Project: Sassy T-shirts

The theme for the week was "Sassy".  

I made 2 t-shirts this week, one for a Friend's friend's birthday and the other for my daughter, who has gone from punk to country in the last year.

 

Silver Bella Crew Neck t-shirt with pink and black HTV.

 

Navy t-shirt from Target with silver and pink HTV.

Project: Starbucks - 2nd Star to the Right

Based on my love for Starbucks and a friend's love of Tinkerbelle, I found this design on a FB group that I belong to.  I am sorry, I looked and could not find the creator's name, to give her credit.

I made this for my friend, who is leaving for Disney World in a few weeks and then I had to make one for myself.

 

White t-shirt and Pink Glitter HTV

March: 30 Days of Lists - Days 8-14

Week 2

Week 2 of the 30 Days of Lists Challenge: 
I love making lists:  things to do, things to learn, things to research, chores to do, bills to pay.......  You name it and I have probably made that list or will sometime in the future.   Lists keep me organized and on track, helps me to remember what things I need to accomplish (which often happen at last minute & in panic mode).  

Day 8

 Fashion, toys, books, almost about anything is brand new at one time, goes out of favor and then recycles back into being the "newest and greatest things ever."  I should of added Mason Jars to the list above too.  I love the things you can create with mason jars.

Day 9

 A note to a younger me, I think I talks for it self.

Day 10

 Like most people, I have been in a love-hate relationship with my body for years.  This is something that I am currently working on.  o feel better about my body.

Day 11

 The grocery list has changed since the kids are grown and gone.  But it still has the 6 basic food groups.  Yes, chocolate is an essential food group.

Day 12

 Technology:  I can never keep up.  Not very computer savy, always have to ask my Son or one of my Team Members to help me figure it out.

Day 13

When you get married and have kids, you learn to compromise and educate yourself on subjects of interest to them.  But there are still some things  that I have had to learn for myself.

Day 14

I love to learn and have a stack of "How to.." or "Books for Dummies...." 
I will probably be adding more to this list.