February is a Month for Love!

I know that Valentine’s Day is over but the lovely month is ripe for celebrating the love we have for each other! I would love to see it practiced every day instead of just one month! So I will continue this week with the love of the card. This is not a folded card but on that sits on the desk wide to exclaim my passion!

My card was a joy to make and I want to share all of the goodies I used to make it with you!

Supplies:

Craftwell’s eBosser I love this machine it produces such wonderfully clean cuts as well as picture perfect embossing!

Basic Grey Papers – Patterned

Bazzill – Solid

Tim Holtz – Distress inks

Ellentina Dies – MY Favorites!

Glitter!

Xyron  Teresa Collins Mega Runner Adhesive!

K & Company Chipbox letters

I have to say that my eBosser loves my Ellentina dies! So do I! I hope that the photo shows you how much beautiful detail is in the cut!

Just to show you the size of the die cuts here is an example using a coin next to the die! These dies are beautiful but you should see their architectural set!

Amazing tools for an amazing amount of fun and stress reducing crafting for me! I also get to share my love with my project to those close to me!

Next week we venture into one of my favorite Holidays!!!!

MARDI GRAS!!!!

Debi

Fun with Cheery Lynn Dies Part 1

Fun with Cheery Lynn Dies

Part 1

This is a two part project post as it requires a little more to give non-sewers options to make the finished product. I don’t want to spoil the reveal so I will tell you the method and techniques I used for the parts I made this week. You have to come back next week to see what the final project is…

I am so excited to do this so…

NO PEEKING

Well you can see by the photo that this is a recycling project and I will also share that it is a fabric project too! I am making another of those cool Steampunk items for my crazy relative. I decided to make my gift a super neat kind to the environment recycled project. I am using a two-liter soda bottle to make my special rings.

So here is the supply list:

a two liter soda bottle with the top and bottom cut off

I used a rubber band to roll the plastic very tight and left like this for several days.

Aluminum duct tape

Cheery Lyn Gear Die (LOVE THIS ONE)

Craftwell eBosser

Sandwich:

A, B, C, D

Masking tape to transfer the tape to the plastic

A bone folder to smooth the tape

I first cut the Gear Die out of the aluminum tape . I love the sharp cut I get using the Craftwell eBosser.  I then place the masking tape over the metal tape after I weeded the unwanted parts off of the piece.

I cut the plastic from the two liter bottle to the size I wanted very close the the size of the aluminum tape’s width. I next transferred the design to the plastic. I used the bone folder to rub the design onto the plastic to secure it.

Now it is still a mystery project until the reveal next week but if you look closely you can see a special hint in the photo. There may be a pressing of fabric around. I am so excited and can’t wait to show you the second half. So while you wait can you venture a guess as to what I am making? Please leave a comment below for me! Have a great week and get ready for the second part next week.

Debi

Trains, Trains, Trains!

Hobbies, Hobbies, Hobbies!

I am so very lucky to be married to a man who can design and build almost anything. I can’t begin to tell you about all of the neat thread holders, knitting machine stands and even sewing machine tables with multiple inserts  for all of my machines that he as built for me. He also built my custom bathroom with a tiled shower stall next to my whirlpool tub. So when he asked me for a favor could I turn him down…NO!!!!

My husband has a love for trains. All trains but mostly his HO-Scale ones. He has a room devoted to them and he actually builds beautiful little buildings and functioning turntables and such.  He had bought some blank freight cars (box cars) and wanted to get decals for the sides. He asked if I could create decals for the sides of his cars. Well talk about worried as I didn’t want to let him down. But these things  are so very tiny but my Purple eCraft was a champ in cutting out a “decal” for them!

At first glance you probably are wonder what I am talking about so here it is.  This is a boxcar kit. It is a blank car and using decals you make the line that you want. So I got to work on making my design.

I first found the logo’s on the web and brought them into MTC software and did a pixel trace on them to make my cutting file. It was the first time for me to attempt something this tiny. I am very pleased with my outcome. My eCraft really met the task with flying colors!

This is a very tiny vinyl cut out of my “Shock Control” lettering. I was so nervous about weeding it. I used my Craftwell Vinyl for the job as well! Love that vinyl.

To give you an idea  of how tiny we are talking about. I still can’t believe that I cut something that tiny. I am awed by my eCraft .

This is another tiny logo I am working on. See how tiny it is see how clean the lettering is…WOW. I used a brand new blade and also the lightest pressure setting on my machine. I did not use a stabilizer just the vinyl with its backing paper.

See how little the letters are. It was so much fun but had to wear magnifiers to see it.

Here I used a Studio G sepia inker to antique my “decal”. I bought it from Michael’s. I am so happy that I could do this for my husband. He always does so much for me!

See how nice it “fits” in. He built all of the builds in the background with popsicle sticks. Wild huh?

I am so thankful that I have such a fun family! Remember sometimes we can take the step to use our “crafty stuff” to help out and make someone else’s ideas come to life.

I hope that your Summer is a blast. Don’t forget to leave me a note about your “odd” projects.

See you next week!

Chant for the week…”eBosser, eBosser…”

Vacation “SmasH” Book

Initial Shaped Book to Treasure

Well I was trying to think of a fun thing for my grand-daughter to do each day. I came up with a (I hope) fun memory book for her to make with me each day. I know that I treasure everyday with her and now she will be able to have her own memory book.  She will have to be supervised with it because of small parts but I know she will love creating pages in it.

Supplies:

• Cereal box chipboard
• Craftwell Ecraft Die Cutting Machine
• light weight cotton fabric from JoAnn’s Fabrics
• Several Sheets of solid colored cardstock
• Signify Pink’s Glimpses “Life is a Party” paper and embellishment set 
• Sewing machine optional
• xyron 5 inch stamp creator or adhesive of your choice.

I first cut out my “book covers” out of chipboard. I used a heavy font and blacked it out so that I removed the center hole and could use it as a cover piece.

I used a pressure setting of 7 and a multi-cut of 2, I used no tab setting. I get clean cuts with my ecraft. I also used my Ecraft Pro Software to send my “R” to my machine.

I next covered the front of my “R” with cloth. I embellished it with pre-adhesive cut outs from Signify Pink. They have such great paper and embellishment assortments. Signify Pink want you to know that they have closeout prices and that products are going fast! They  have a pretty good amount of inventory, to meet your needs. . Be aware athat wholesalers can order here:www.signifypinkwholesale.com
If they don't have a wholesale account, there's a place to request it and we do it pretty quickly.
They can look at the retail site, just to see the product though – www.glimpsesbysignifypink.com  I just love their wild and bright colors. They make my projects just jump to life.

I love the ease of using these great products. They even have lettering, so much to make your project fun.   Next I bound all together at the top so that it would open like a flip chart. That way we have plenty of filling room!

I love the extras in the SignifyPink packages such as the pinwheels, and banners with baker twine. In my paper assortment there was also a “Scrappy Bag” with fun embellishments. Wait till you see the Black and White grouping, or  better yet find out how to order your own right now at www.glimpsesbysignifypink.com

I know we will have such fun filling the pages together. Don’t let your special days go without catching some of those memories.

See you next week,

Debi

Happy Mother’s Day to me!

Well this is certainly a change for me. I have always wanted a personal little book to carry around to record my thoughts. I know it sounds different but I love those little composition books. You know the ones..

But I want pizazz and color and a neck ribbon with a pen attached. To much to ask for you might ask…NO! Not with my
CraftwellUSA eCraft we can make my dream come true..

Supplies:

• CraftwellUSA’s  eCraft die cutting machine
• cereal box chipboard
• Fabric
• Heat N Bond
• Artificial Flower
• Xyron Mega Runner
• Extra Large RikRac from Plum Deals
• Ribbon
• Fimo Clay from JoAnn’s Fabrics
• Fun Fun Fun

Here we go. I first cut my bookend shape from both the cereal box chipboard and my main fabric with the same shape. I used Heat N Bond on the fabric so I could attach it to the chipboard.

My eCraft cuts chipboard like a champ. I did use a pressure setting of 8 and multicut of 2 for the chipboard. I did not use a mat at all. The fabric cut with a pressure of 4 and again I did not use a mat.

I then cut a piece of fabric long enough to cover my little notebook.. I used enough to cover it from the inside seam to the other seam. I will carry this all the time. I have always wanted a little journal for quick thoughts.

I used my iron to bond the fabric to the chipboard. It quickly bonded and I was ready to attach it to the exterior of my booklet, but first to make a pencil holder and closure to keep my booklet closed when not in use.

I used extra large Rik Rac that I had gotten from “Pick Your Plum” a daily deal site. I love Rik Rac.

I cut three pieces large enough to hold a pencil and then placed two on one side the of holder, and one in the middle on the other side. When your pencil slides into the ric rac it locks the booklet closed. Xyron’s Mega Runner did a wonderful job of attaching my outside cover.

I also cut a little “me” out of Fimo clay. You can cut this with the eCraft . The trick is to make a thin sheet and then bake it till it is almost done. I did use a die cutting machine for this project however.

 

Here she is ….Happy Mother’s Day to Me! and Belated to you too! I love making items with my CraftwellUSA’s eCraft Die Cutting Machine.  See you next week!

Grandma’s Summer Fun Recycled Play

Grandma’s Summer Fun Using Recycled Drink Cylinder

This grandma is so excited about Summer coming.  Summertime means I will have my babies for a short time. My baby girl is  3 and half loves to craft with Granny! So I decided to help the environment and have fun with Rei too! So I am putting together crafting ideas for our vacation time together. I want this planet to be around and litter-less when my grands and their kids inherit this earth. So I am creating a fun way to get my Reilee to recycle and yet have a blast.

So this is what we are starting with!

Supplies:

• CraftwellUSA’s eCraft die cutting machine
• eCraft Pro Software
• my face design file (gift to you!)
• Xyron’s Mega Runner (LOVE THIS)
• Xyron’s 1.5 Create-A-Sticker machine (LOVE TOO) from Walmart
• Card Stock - eCraft Diecutable Cardstock from The PaperMill Store
• puzzle piece earrings from http://fabric-ecraft.blogspot.com/2012/03/puzzling-gift-idea.html
• any tea, lemonade or grits empty storage box will work.
• fun foam for wrapping the container from JoAnn's Fabrics

This is so super simple. I have provided the face piece files for either the eCraft Pro Software or the svg files for you! You will have to manual separate them and then cut them out. I love the ecraft as I can use scraps to make my small pieces.

I used my Xyron’s Mega Runner to adhere the fun foam to my tea container. I also used the Mega Runner to attach my “hair” as well.

For the smaller pieces I ran those thru my Xyron’s 1.5 Create-A-Sticker it is so easy and not messy at all. I love the all over coverage!

Here you can see my individual face pieces ready to be placed. This is so easy and I know that Rei will have a blast. I can’t wait to make accessories for them too! I can see bows, masks, and even party hats made for our special container!

and here I am the Grandma recycled instant tea container! Are my ears really that big…LOL! Ready for a night on the town with my puzzle earrings. I just hope that my little grand-daughter has fun playing with me and making her own storage person. Yes you can put your “stuff” still in the container!

I wish all of you joy for every day of your life! I hope that you have many special days and that my everyday  will  remain just that a special day.

See you next week, Debi

Easter Blooming Recycling Project

Recycling Fun and Spring Flowers!

I love Spring, but I have not known its merits long. I had lived all of my life with virtually no season changes. We laughed and said that we only had two seasons hot and hotter. But I recently have had the pleasure of seeing the seasons change first hand and I love it. I love seeing the green appear from the brown remains of winter.Seasons do reflect life’s journey in such a way that I have now realized so much. I love seeing the daffodils rise up and show their beautiful faces. The Iris, azalea, dogwood, and numerous blooms how breathtaking they are. So to give back to Mom Nature and to keep several plastic bottles out of the landfill I designed this project. I will show you how I made them into Easter or Spring gifts that I hope will bring smiles.

We all know the unloved plastic soda bottle. Well I used my craft knife and cut the bottom off about five inches from the bottom. By the way I use the top for my gardening funnel. You can use this to make bands for any plant pot, container, or even a glass. It is easy and doesn’t require a lot of work , yet the outcome is very pretty.

Now we are ready to get started.

 

Supplies and Settings

• one 2 liter soda bottle cut  in half
• craft knife
• quilting weight cotton fabric from JoAnn's Fabrics
• Beautiful Fabric from a mystery giver used for eggs..
• stitch witchery or straight stitch sewing machine
• Bias tape of your choice any fabric store or you can make your own
• Heat ‘n Bond from JoAnn's Fabrics
• eCraftshop Pro Software for manipulating images
• eCraft Die Cutting Machine
• veggie chopping mat from DollarTree

• 606 Spray and Fix Fusible Adhesive from Walmart

• Svg File of Chocolate bunny from Oh My Crafts..
• Svg of Egg made from shape file in eCraft Pro Software
• Ranger Stickles from Oh My Crafts..
• Iron on Crystals and application tool  from Kandi Kane
• Hook and Loop tape for closure from Walmart

 

After cutting my bottle, I next brought my image svg into my eCraftshop Pro software. It is so easy to use to make multiple images.  I sent these on to my machine and the cut out was very nice.

Settings for eCraft machine pressure is only 4.5 and no tabs. I used the veggie mat sprayed till it was very sticky and used a brayer to make sure the material was well stuck. I can cut plain fabric (cotton quilting weight) using this method.

It cuts so very cleanly. I actually used my leftover and made more. you can see the clean cut in front of the cutter’s trolley.  Love this.

I

Check out all of my Chocolate Bunnies…non caloric. but they are soooo SWEET!!!

Next I cut a rectangle of pink fabric two inches longer than the circumference of my bottle. I cut it four inches wide. I pressed under a quarter inch on both edges. Next I used a contrasting bias tape to put on the edge of my pot band. I made mine but you can buy it at any fabric store. You can use stitch witchery to attach it to the band. I used my sewing machine but either way works fine.

 

I received this beautiful fabric strip from a mystery person. I love it and used it to make some sweet Easter eggs for my bands. I have plenty left for more projects.

Next I used my Heat n Bond to attach my bunnies and eggs to my bands. I also used hook and loop tape on the ends to fasten the band around the “pot” or vase. I used my Ranger Stickles and iron on crystals to embellish my Easter egg and rabbits.

One last note, I purchased the water crystals at the DollarTree store.  You will see a bounty of blooms from my yard. I am blessed with so many beautiful flowers. I love the Wisteria, and Bridal Wreath, I love the exotic pink honeysuckle. So much to be thankful for. I love the rebirth that Spring gives us. Life is such a wonderful gift!

One big purple bearded Iris and some beautiful foliage finish out my Spring Chocolate Bunny Band flower container. I am making several for friends so they too can enjoy and be “green” too!

I hope you enjoy my flowers!

Next week I will share another recycling project. This is so important to me, I pride myself on my saving and using stuff over and over again in new ways.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring to all!

Debi

Bunny is Coming!

The Bunny is Coming!

I know that I am a Bake 'N Shrink fiend. I love this stuff, I can’t help but find reasons to make fun things with it. I was thinking about a different gift for my Grand-daughter and a carrot necklace for Easter came hopping into my mind.

I know that she will love it as we all love our Carets….OOOPS wrong one. Well we do love Carrots as well. She will love this little Monogrammed Carrot pendant. The Bunny also says it it very light to hop around with!

Supplies:

•  Bake ‘N Shrink from Printonit.com
• Carrot shaped svg  (not sure where it is from)
• Jewelry findings from JoAnn's Fabrics
• Ranger Melting Pot from Blitsy.com
• Ranger  Melt Art : ULTRA THICK EMBOSSING ENAMEL from Blitsy.com
• CraftwellUSA’s Die Cutting System
• Prismacolor Markers from Dick Blick
• Colorboxx inks from Hobby Lobby
• Ribbon from JoAnn's Fabrics
• Initial Stamps from Hobby Lobby

A very easy project. I first cut the Bake’N Shrink out with my eCraft cutter. It really does cut nicely with the ecraft machine.   

I then quickly took my Prismacolor markers and shaded my “carrot” I used the cute letter stamps to personalize the carrot. I am such a big kid when it comes to shrink it. I love to watch it bend and twist and then shrink and turn flat again.

Once I finished shrinking it I decided it needed a very shiny finish. I have just received my Ranger’s Melting Pot and put some of the UTEE into it. It melted almost instantly. I placed the pendant into the liquid UTEE and voile! there it was a mirror glaze on my cute pendant. I held it over the pot until it was dry and not dripping. I love the way it looks and feels, more importantly I can’t wait for my Grand-daughter to open the “egg” which contains it to see her beautiful face light up.

Happy Spring it is Sprung!!!

Much more to come!

Hugs to all, Debi

Brag Bag

 

So many times I have a need for a zippered bag. So many times I reach for photos of my sweet babies so this little project brings both together! I am in Love!!!

I have found products that allow me to customize my sweet little bag and really create a sweet memory  and brag bag!!! By the way if you are not a sewer you can still use my favorite products to create your own brag bag.  Very simple purchase a ready made cloth zippered bag.  See them often in the school supply area.

Lets get started….

 

SUPPLIES

• Craftwell eCraft Die Cutting system
• Basic shape files for cutting zipper pulls
• a 9.5 by 13.5 inch piece of a cotton type fabric from JoAnn's Fabrics
• one plastic zipper from JoAnn's Fabrics
• pins from JoAnn's Fabrics
• thread from JoAnn's Fabrics
• at least a straight stitch sewing machine from JoAnn's Fabrics

or

• a zippered premade pouch
• a digital photo and an ink jet printer for printing on transfer
• Zap Heat Gun
• Berol Prismacolor markers from Hobby Lobby
• hole punch from Hobby Lobby
• Bake & Shrink (this is the most wonderful item, it makes a fabulous result)
• Inkjet Opaque Print & Cut (this is a way to transfer your images to dark fabric) LOVE IT…

The project was really quite easy. I first decided on the photo that I wanted to use. I used a photo editor to size it and add a frame to it. I then printed it out. I quickly cut it out with my eCraft as a rectangle shape very fast and easy. I  used  #1 pressure and not tabs. I used the film side up, and basically kiss cut it.

To apply to fabric you set your iron to cotton setting and then place a piece of parchment paper and then iron gently for 20 seconds and then with firm pressure again for another 20 seconds. Wait till cool to take the parchment paper off.

Zipper installation is easy too. (it really is) Just lay face down like in above photo.  Sew on the upper edge, Then fold fabric in half and place zipper on other side and sew it. Turn inside out and then the next step is to sew the sides.  I use a plastic zipper so that I can sew thru it. I sew on the inside of the zipper in the front of the metal clip (DO NOT SEW WILL BREAK NEEDLE IF YOU RUN OVER METAL) over the plastic teeth. Then I clip off the extra zipper material. Will post a link later for sewing the zipper.

Next I used my eCraft to cut out the Bake and Shrink. I love this stuff not like the shrinking film but more like a thin clay type of result when shrunk. I love it, it is my new favorite thing. I can do so much with it. It cut out using #6 pressure and I did tape it to a sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock so it would not move sideways. I colored it with stamps and Berol Prismacolor markers. and then I took the plunge..

it is a little over 2 inches here..

first time I did this I was so scared it would get stuck…

then it relaxed..

see the size reduction about 3/4 shrinkage. You can also mold it to shape while hot.

I love this stuff…

Now when I am with my friends and want to brag a little…..I got my bag!!!

I love having fun with you! Wait till next week I have some Jeweled ideas to share with you!