Clearance Shape Designs

If you have not already been to the online store and browsed this weeks  clearance picks, I suggest you hustle on over and pick them up.  These shapes are now .50 cents instead of the standard .99 cents.  I'm telling you its a steal there are some really great shapes in the group. 

Sometimes it is hard to see what you might use some of the shapes for, so I wanted to show you  a couple not so typical shapes and how you might be able to use them as part of your library.

You might have browsed and saw that there was the funny little combo of the egg and bacon.  While I am sure you wont use this every single day, it has become a perfect little accent to invite your "Besties" (ie: BFF's, your girls...peeps...you get the idea) over for brunch!

I started with a patterned 6x6 paper for my background and then layered clearance shape: square_circular_pattern_C20090907103451_20387 on top of the background.  I inked it up and then added my custom Print and Cut invitation on to the middle of the invite.  From there I layered my embellishments...the egg and bacon (clearance) and leaves (regular).  Think outside the box and figure out what you can make from the unexpected.

Clearance Shapes:
square_circular_pattern_C20090907103451_20387
bacon_C20091019144940_22157
egg_fried_C20091019145058_22157

Regular Priced Shapes:
8_fall_leaves_C00753_20509

More fun with Gifts

This time of year I have a few favorite treats that I get soooo excited for.  You know, you can bake anything with pumpkin at anytime of year, but for some reason it tastes extra special in the fall.  Candy Corn, however is definitely seasonal and I crave it with a mixture of salted peanuts (it tastes just like a payday). Alittle salty a little sweet mmmm, its my secret candy addiction. I guess not anymore, lol.  I have passed it on to many loved ones...even my kiddos.  I thought it would be so fun for them to come home to a sweet treat after school and have a little indulgence.

I love these little candy corn people shapes, they are absolutely hilarious, what a perfectly fun way to use them! Ohh, and I used a transparency again to create the little box. Try out this little mixture...let me know what you think!

Shapes:
candy_corn_girl_C00013_31857
take_out_box_C00698_18816

FREE Download of the Week!

kapow_C02666_1

I know it might be a bit early to start on Halloween projects, but I was thinking of the free shape today and was trying to decide how I should use it.  It all came to me as I was driving down the road and my car started acting funny... luckily I was near a mechanic. He popped the hood and took a look. I then hear him say, "Traci your battery is ready to explode"...WHAT!!  How does that happen??? So I went around to look and Ii saw acid boiling out of my battery...Yup, that's how. 

Naturally, this whole day I have been thinking about things spontaneously combusting and I thought about how fun it would be to have that on a pumpkin sitting right outside my doorstep.  It may not be spooky, but anything that combusts always give you a good scare!

The Free shape is made as a regular cut shape, but I wanted to use the tattoo material to cover the pumpkin.  So, I ungrouped the shape, filled the back with black and the middle with white, then I grouped them together again.

Oonce that was complete, I added flourishes behind the shape and added my text on top.  I grouped them all together then selected my cut outline tool and voila!  Print and cut.  I will do a tutorial for a custom print and cut soon, I just thought this was very fitting for my day.

Monday Tutorial: Cutting Multiples

Hi everyone are you for our new Silhouette Studio tutorials.  We have a new feature in the software that makes cutting out multiples of a shape so fast.

Start by importing your shape into the silhouette studio software.  Here I have used shape: 8_fall_leaves_C00753_20509, but I am only choosing to use one of the leaves.

So I ungroup the shape and delete all the other leaves that I will not be using.  I then I re-sized it to the size I want it.  Isn't it so nice to see the size of your shape??

I rotated the leaf because I will later be adding a font on top of the shape to become a print and cut.  But for now I am just going to be showing you how to multiply a shape.

Now that my leaf is ready and selected I am going to go up to the Object menu and select "Replicate".  Here you will be given several options to choose from.  I am choosing "Row of four".  Select that and watch the magic...

It quickly lays out 4 of your shapes perfectly spaced.  Wowski!  Select all of them again and go back to your Replicate option and click on the "Duplicate Below" option.  You will then have 2 rows of 4 columns perfectly spaced. 

Just as a side note, you can also choose spacing op the shapes as well as the number you would like to Replicate through the "Replicate Options Panel"  and select at the bottom "Advanced Options".  From here you can customize it however you want.

 On another note, we have also released the Pickmeup available for purchase now.  I just wanted to show you a few ways I used it while creating my project today.

The pick me up is a tool I can not live without, it is 3 tools in one.  The top is tacky to pickup small items like small cut out font, small shapes, rhinestones, etc... and on the end it houses a double sided tool that can be used for poking out all the small details from your cut out shapes and a chiseled end that helps you to place your items while using the tacky end.  Truly if you like detail...this is definitely a tool you need in your crafting arsenal!

I hope you all have a great week!  Stop by for more tutorials every Monday!

Other Shapes:
scroll_tree_C00034_23067

Silhouette Studio!!!

Well here we are, finally!!!  I am super excited to introduce the new software to you.  It will change the way you use your silhouette!  This software gives you the ability to take more creative liberties and quickly get your project done, start to finish.  You now have more ease in finding shapes, organizing and keeping your library up to date and relevant to your needs.

I just want to point out some amazing features and maybe some things that we all love and couldn't wait to use.  Yes we too have been soooo ready for the new software.  I'll be honest I have been skeptical about changing.  I have really gotten into my groove with the robo master software, but I am excited for all the amazing possibilities Silhouette Studio is going to allow me to create.

Lets jump right in:

First things first, when you open the software, your default document starts with an 8.5x11 page placed on your carrier sheet.  On the right panel you will see the option to change the document sizing.

If your page is larger than the actual carrier sheet, the "mat image" goes away showing you that your document size will no longer fit only on the mat.

 Also the "mat image" goes away when you navigate away from the page panel and move on to other options.  When you return to the Page panel you can see the mat again. You may want to see the mat always, in this case under the File menu select "Preferences" and then under defaults you can select the option to show carrier sheet always.

The most amazing part of this feature is the ability to see exactly where your image will be cut on the mat.  Lets say, I want to cut out a heart and I have a favorite piece of scrap paper that I want to cut it from.  This software now allows you to do this.  Slide the "reveal carrier sheet" button all the way to the right and you can see where to place your paper. Make sure you load the Silhouette with the "Load w/Carrier" setting.  AGGGHHH...this is AMAZING!!!  I am cutting a 1.75" heart from a 2x2 scrap of paper. Like I said amazing!

Another new feature you may have noticed is the addition of a dimension box around each shape.  It allows you to know exactly the shape size and re-size without searching for the dimensions.

There are so many exciting features:

* Unlimited undo (YAY!)
* Eraser tool
* Knife tool
* Freehand Drawing tool
* Double Cut Button (for thicker media)
* Fill shapes with patterns
* Text Wrap
* Enhanced Welding
* Tons of a Advanced Options (just start clicking around and check it all out)

Another important thing to mention is the ability to import all you shapes from the robo master software into the new software.  You can do this by clicking on the File menu and selecting "Import ROBO Master Library".  All your files instantly load into your new library.

Speaking of the Library, this new software allows you to search just like the online store.  If you are looking for a flower, anything with the word flower as part of the name or description will come up. You can also receive the same info on a shape by clicking on it and it will pull up any instructions descriptions etc...you see when purchasing the shape from the online store.  Categorize your shapes, rename them, delete them, just about anything you have been dreaming.

So this is not an amazing cutting feature, but it makes using the software fun!  You have the ability to change the background color and customize it to your taste.  So fun right?

There are so many great NEW and reinvented functions the new software has. Play around with it become more familiar with its setup.  There is a manual available in the software and can be found in the Help menu.  This should be able to answer any questions you may have, but for more tutorials, check back here every Monday and learn how to use your new software to its fullest potential!  Have a great weekend!

Fan Feature

I've been talking about fall decorating all week and I found this great wreath on the flickr group, so I thought I would share it with you all.  Awesome job Amber!  This definitely took a little tlc to create such a detailed and creative wreath!  Thanks for posting.

The Gift of being Gifty...

Wow, its been a crazy busy day over here.  I was dreaming of this project all night and I have been so excited to share it with you!  One of the reasons I love this time of year, is because I feel extra gifty. Yes new words pop up here on the blog all the time, lets just add this to the list.  The definition of gifty, I believe would go something like this:  Gifty (adj):  a personality one has when one has serious love towards another and the inherent desire, need, & drive to give gifts, service, or uplifting compliments...just sayin'!  Jot it down in the ole' webster!  I am seriously gifty this time of year...well maybe all year...but this time is extra fun. 

I had the urge to give a single cupcake to some special ladies and of course I wanted them to be able to see how gorgeous the cupcakes are, so...I designed a box that I think would be perfect! Enjoy! I hope you like it!

Ps. I did not make this cupcake.  A darling place here in provo did...and yuuuummmmy...the ultimate brownie cupcake is amazing too!

Shape:
cupcake_liner_box_C02665_1

FREE download of the week!!

acorn_C02662_1

Happy Tuesday everyone, I figured since fall is here it would be a great idea to give away a sweet little fall shape.  I am so in the mood to decorate for fall and I love garland so I used the free shape as part of a darling little garland.

These are the other shapes used:  Just simply cut them out ink them up and hang them randomly with jute or twine, then sit back and enjoy!

Other Shapes:

Leaf_0811

Leaf_0476

Fall Leaves

Ok, everyone must be getting ready for corn mazes or pumpkin patches, I can not tell you just how many pumpkin trucks I have seen!  Alright already, its time to start with the decor!

Here is a fun little card to get you in the mood.  I used shape: leaf_border_C0134 and placed them side by side.  I then took the negative space and adhered it to the front of my card.  I then inked it a little and added the embellishments. i hope you have a great week welcoming fall

 

Other shapes:
Leaf_0476
Label_1030

Ps...the tutorial is still coming!

Inspire U

Ok so I love etsy, yes this is a confession.  This whole world is filled with stinkin' amazing creative people.  I love all the handmade and lovely items that are sold there.  Oh my gracious!!!!  I ran across this amazing bag and as most women, I love a good bag. I secretly covet this.  Hello?? Can I please have a purse for every month.  Its not a seasonal want anymore.  I'm allowed to have one bag a month right?  Ok, reality check, in my dreams!

Of course I can take inspiration from this beauty! Its so simple and just gorgeous.  I love the random shapes of the flowers and the placement of them.  The designer did a great job!  Ahhh I guess this card will have to suffice.  Maybe I can carry it around in my purse and pretend...ok, so no... One sweet day!

Happy Friday everyone...have a great weekend!

Shapes:
flower_1127

Get ready for cuteness! GORGEOUS Heat Transfer Colors!

Ok as promised here is the tshirt design I told you about yesterday.  Peace + Love + Candy = Pure happiness! When I took this shirt home my daughter squealed she was so excited!

These are the shapes and colors I used.


Heat Transfer:
Dark Pink
Lemon Yellow
Teal
Lime Green
Flocked white

Shapes:
house_of_3_peace_C00003_23445
lollipop_C00351_18816
Candy_0461
heart_inverted_rhinestones_C00402_19210

When I created this shirt, I used the outline of the shapes as the background color.  Then I used the actual shape outline and details as my top color.  You first press the background shape  on to your shirt and then once you have removed the clear transfer sheet you place the "top" shape on to the background and press again.  The heat transfer will iron to each other and also to the shirt. 

Have a super happy day!

Fun with the New Heat Transfer Colors

Well, its been a while since I used our heat transfer, so I thought I would show you some of the fun new colors in a shirt, that looks good enough to buy in a store!  While we have had the purple flocked heat transfer in our previous collection, I thought it looked so good with the silver and lavender.

This was a 3 layer process, I put the silver transfer designs down first, pressed and removed the clear transfer paper. Then placed the lavender designs on top of that, pressed and again removed the clear transfer paper.  Last but not least, I pressed the purple flocked design on to the other heat transfer.

It is really amazing to see your design come to life.  I cant wait to show you another shirt using our rhinestones, and new heat transfer!  AMAZING!!!  Hmmm...maybe I will show you tomorrow, it really is so cute!

See you then!

Shapes:
grunge_splatter_C00554_2581
swirly_flourish_C20091112131122_20509
butterfly_C00002_23851

FREE download of the week!!

 accordion_lolli_C02660_1

I Love Loooovvvvvveeee, our free shape this week.  I swear these are the cutest little things I have ever seen.  You can use this shape on a banner on a little rod and create a pick out  of it.  Shrink this thing down so it can make darling little cupcake topper.  Aggggh!  They are so fun! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patrick's day...Chocolate day...ok so maybe only I would do that, but...you get the point you can use it as a base for 99% of anything your little heart can create!

I had an amazing conversation with a girlfriend of mine yesterday, you know, the one who grounds you and reminds you how much you enjoy who you are...yep.  I have one of those.  She inspired me and here we have this little beauty.  Reminding us all to remember/find the joy in our lives.

This was created by a simple cut with the machine.  I added a few embellishments (brads, doily, ribbon...everything that makes me happy.)  Oh and a great big shout for "JOY".  I hope you have a joyous day!

School Days

This week's monday cafe will be moved to a later date this week,  to accomidate for the "Special"  Monday cafe I will be posting...keep your eyes peeled!

Last week I was able to meet with one of my girlies teachers one on one.  Grades 1st-6th had their first "Goal Setting" Parent, Teacher, Student, conference.  Ireall y enjoyed meeting with her teacher and listening to all the progress and the exciting events that would be coming up. 

It reminded me how important it is to tell our teachers how great they are doing, and that we really appreciate them.  So I came up with this little note.  The card and enclosure are a new shape in the store that I have had my eye on.  This was a great way to use them.  I also used my gorgeous new white sketch pen and my print and cut technique.

Shapes:

42_pocket_card_kit_C00758_20509

cloud_C00283_23067

owl_cutout_C00458_20387

abc_monogram_sketch_C02644_1

Inspire U/Fan Feature

I went browsing our Flickr group and actually came across this beautiful card first thing.  The reason this card was made is inspiration enough! So amazing Sarah!  

These are the words from the designer:

"For Hero Arts virtual card making party in support of Operation Write Home's Birthday Bash. Our hostess group is focusing on cards of encouragement that soldiers can send home to loved ones.


I decided to make a card that could be sent to a teen or tween son. I thought this might be a group that might not get as many cards as teen boys can be difficult to create for. Yet, I have a feeling that teen boys struggle just as much (if not more) than others with having their male role model away for so long."

Thank you so much for your inspiration Sarah!  I am grateful to have so many willing to protect me, my family, and my country.  Its so important to remember that they have families too and have sacrificed so much on our behalf.  

Check out more of the amazing creations on the Flickr site.  Happy Friday everyone!

Magnet Paper & Your Dishwasher

So, the refrigerator gets all the glory right?  It gets to hold the prized drawings and paintings from all the little ones in our lives.  Sometimes it holds a wedding announcement or the holiday cards that come to us in the mail.  It even occasionally holds a fabulous bill or a coupon you pulled out of the granola bar box.  Oh, and who can forget a possible kitchen timer.  Why should it get to have all the fun?

Here is a cute little way to include your dishwasher...haha.  Clean or dirty?  That is always the infamous question in the kitchen.  Now you don't have to open the dishwasher to check.  Just make your own little magnet, you can flip, once you have washed or emptied your load.

I created a print and cut by using shape: 16_label_frame_tag_C00899_19210 and filled it with a color. I then added a series of circles and lined them up as polka dots.  I then filled those and added my text. The result was this cutey cute magnet!