Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sorry I've been MIA!

I feel so bad that I haven't posted anything in awhile!  Getting ready for Christmas has bogged me down, plus there has been sickness in the house!  Add into that my hubby started his physical therapy and because he is still on pain killers, he can't drive so I have to drive him to and from these appointments!  Can you say crazy?!?!

In spite of all of this, I have been thinking of some things that I can do here for the blog and I have a couple of videos that I want to make, but I thought I would take this opportunity to ask all of you if there is something in paticular that you want to see?

Please leave me a comment on this post of what you would like to see so I can add it to the list! 

Thanks everybody and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 7

Well today is the final day of my Christmas with the eCraft series.  As you know, I have been using Make the Cut for awhile (well before I had my eCraft) and a lot of other eCraft owners use it as well.  Since the eCraftshop Pro software was launched, several people have asked me if they should get Make the Cut as well.  I try not to steer people in any one direction, because each of us are different paper crafters.  The way I paper craft, may not be your way.  I decided to take this last day of this series to show you something that I use Make the Cut for all the time!  I just love doing this and since MTC allows us to export our creations to SVG format, they can be imported into eCP for cutting.  I would love it if eCP could eventually do what MTC can do, but I think it could be awhile before that happens. Inkscape also has the capability to do this, I just find that it is more complicated, so that is why I use MTC for this technique.  Here is today's project, a Christmas gift bag!


I created that Mickey Mouse from this coloring page that I found doing a Google search.


Here is the video that shows you how I did this!



SUPPLY LIST
Kraft Gift Bag - I got mine in a 3 pack from Michaels.  I think that the full retail price is $1.99, but they were 50% when I got them, so quite the deal!
Light Blue Cardstock - I used Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist, and just handcut the edge to represent the ice.
Perfect Pearl Mist - Sprayed on the "ice" to create some shimmer.  Looks amazing in person, really the picture does not do it any justice.
Perfect Pearls Mist "Pewter" - I used this on the blades of the skates to make the grey cardstock look a little bit more like metal.  Another option would be to use a metallic cardstock for this.
Martha Stewart Snow Glitter - I applied this the edge of the ice to soften it up.
Snowflake Stamp - The one that I used is from Papertrey Ink 2010 Holiday Tag Collection.
White Ink - I used Papertrey Ink Fresh Snow ink.
Various colors cardstock - For cutting out the Mickey layers

Thank you for joining me all week long!  I really had a lot of fun putting all of this together, but now I really have to get cracking and finish up my Christmas cards!  I will post those once I have them done, I am very excited about them!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 6

Today's project is this cute little candy cane box!  Every year I always make a few small gifts like this to give to people that I may have overlooked on my list such as a neighbor, a co worker, etc.  Even though there isn't any real monetary value to it, people always are touched that you made something for them.

I purchased the files used to create this box from The Cutting Cafe.  Their files are available in WPC format and Vector PDF format, not SVG.  So I used Make the Cut to turn the Vector PDF file into an SVG.  This is something that you can also do with Inkscape, but I personally prefer to use Make the Cut.  These files come with the outline shape for the candy cane as well as a top for the box, which I decided not to use so that my treat bag could poke out of the top of the box.




SUPPLY LIST
Patterned Cardstock - I like to use double sided for my boxes, it just adds such a nice touch. I used Anna Griffin for this box.
Coordinating Cardstock/Paper - for the outline of the candy cane.  Also Anna Griffin.
Distress Ink - Peeled Paint used here (optional)
Treat Bags - These can be purchased at any craft store and most discount stores such as Target.
Candy! - I used Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses.
Rubber Band - Tie treat bag together after filling with candy
Ribbon - The ribbon that I used was from Michaels

Tomorrow is the final day of Christmas with the eCraft.  For tomorrow's project, I am going to be using Make the Cut to pixel trace a coloring page that I downloaded from the Internet to create some fun Christmas packaging!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 5

Today is all about creating some MAGIC!  I am a mom to two boys, ages 6 and not yet 3, and we are in that wonderful Santa stage with both boys and we want to keep that magic alive for them as long as we can!  Here is a picture of our final project for today...

Now you may be thinking...WHAT?  Stay with me, I promise you won't be disappointed!



I used THIS SVG from Denise's Scrapbooking Room to make a stencil.  I used this to create these footprints by our Christmas tree.  I plan on doing this on Christmas Eve so that when the kids get up Christmas morning, they will see that Santa was there and even tracked in snow while he was leaving the boys their presents!  How neat is that?  It is the little things like this that can really go a long way into creating that magic for the kids.  I love too how the footprints end up being perfectly imperfect!  Even if you don't have little ones that believe in your house, you can easily make these for anyone that you know that do!  I actually cut up a few of these to give to some friends and family!

Also, in case you don't have it already.  Inkscape is a free program, so you can download and install it.  I should tell you that this software can be kind of complicated, so if you are trying to do something in Inkscape and can't figure it out, go to You Tube.  There are a lot of videos there that will walk you through how to do something in Inkscape.  I am certainly not an expert on the program, but I have learned everything that I know about it through those videos, so I highly recommend taking some time to do that.


SUPPLY LIST
1 piece of 12x12 cardstock (any color, doesn't matter)
Cornstarch
Plastic container and spoon to sprinkle.  I think a sifter would also work really well.
Vacuum cleaner - Of course for the clean up afterwards!

Since today is all about MAGIC, I have to tell you about this as well.  This is one of the coolest things that ANYONE can do for the kids out there. This website (http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/) allows you to create personalized video messages from Santa for your child.  I have to say I was a little skeptical of it, but one of the moms at Jared's school assured me that these videos are really well done, and I have to agree!!!  When you go to the website, you are asked a series of questions about your child and can even upload pictures.  Once you are done, you can then preview the message.  Once you have it just right, Santa Claus will e-mail a link to your child so that they can see their message.  It is adorable, because your older children can see that the e-mail came from Santa Claus.  There are different messages available depending on the age of your child.  HERE is a link to the message that I created for Mason, my toddler.  The message for my 6 yr old, Jared is probably twice as long as Mason's, and I have to tell you that he asks to watch his video everyday!  He is quoting Santa all the time!  You can create these messages for free, and if you would like to keep it as a keepsake, there is an option to buy a downloadable version of it for only $4.99.  It is just amazing to see that look on a child's face when they realize that Santa Claus is talking to them!!

Thank you for joining me today, tomorrow I will be showing you how to use Make the Cut software to create SVGs for the eCraft.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 4

For today's project, I decided to do a scrapbook layout. This paticular layout is an 8"x8" layout.  I am trying to get myself back into scrapbooking mojo, and I find that working with a smaller size page helps my creative juices start to flow so I can take on those 12"x12" layouts!




Here is a video showing how I imported the SVG file (Christmas tree) which was a freebie from Images from Heather M.  Heather makes some really nice files, so be sure to add her to your list to check out!  In this video, I also showed you how I created the title by utilizing cut and draw lines.  Of course after I cut it out, I had to embellish it up!



SUPPLY LIST:
Jen Allyson Celebrates eCraft Design Card - For the title under the Words category
Red Cardstock - Base Layer
Patterned Paper - Decorative Strip.  Mine is from K&Company.
Light Green Cardstock - for the title
eCraft Primary Pens - I used the red one
Stardust Glitter Pens - I used the red, and outlined all the red lines with it and colored in the first letters of each word. I also used the green pen to color in the ornament strings
Copic Marker R24 Prawn - Used to color in all the other letters being careful to not overlap the glitter outline
Martha Stewart Green Glitter - Added to the ornament shapes
Dark Green Cardstock - Cut out the Christmas Tree
Red & White Buttons - For the embellishments on the tree
Spellbinders Label 11 - Cut out the picture

On another note: Tonight ABC is showing Disney's Prep and Landing cartoon.  If you missed it last year, be sure to watch it this year.  It is family friendly and in true Disney style it appeals to adults as well as kids.  Our family really enjoyed it last year, and we were so glad to see that they are going to re-broadcast it this year!

Tomorrow is all about MAGIC!  We will be doing a little bit of SVG modifications in Inkscape, and then we will do something that will be sure to add a little excitement to all the little ones out there on Christmas morning!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 3

For this fancier card, I decided to use some colors other than Christmas Red and Green and I LOVE how this came out!

Here is a video showing how I used a doodlebat file from Letterning Delights called Circles Tis The Season. Oh and in case you haven't heard, Lettering Delights is now selling SVGs!  Their images are always so cute and I can't wait to test these out on the eCraft! I also layered that circle image on top of an image from the Jen Allyson Celebrates Design Card.





SUPPLY LIST
Vellum - Cut the Happy Holidays. I used one that has a cloudy/uneven look to it that I think adds a nice element.
Burgundy Cardstock - Cut the round ornament from the Jen Allyson Celebrates Design Card (Image 38 in the Winter Holiday category)
Glossy Accents
Martha Stewart Snow Glitter - Got this last year on clearance from Michaels.
Perfect Pearls, Perfect Gold color
Kaisercraft Pearls
Paint Brushes - I used the ones that come with the Perfect Pearls
White Cardstock for cardfront - Cut at 4.75" x 4.75"
Distress Inks - For cardfront, I used the Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy, and Aged Mahoghany colors
Kraft Cardstock - Cardbase, cut at 5"x10", scored at 5"
Rustic Jute Twine - I got mine from Papertrey Ink
Foam Dimensionals

As you may have noticed in the past few days, I get a lot of use out of the Design Cards from Craftwell.  I order mine from Cutters Creek.  Kim Bush there is a great person to deal with, and she does a great job of working out shipping options for international customers.  I understand that some overseas crafters are having difficulty finding eCraft supplies so if that is you, send an e-mail to Kim and she will hook you up!

Tomorrow, I will be using images from the Design Cards in a way that only us eCraft users can do!  Also I will be importing SVGs into the software to create a scrapbook layout!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 2

Today, our project is going to be a tag.  I just LOVE making my own tags for the holidays.  There is just something about throwing something together and adding some pretty ribbon and other embellishments to making a gift stand out.


This tag was made entirely out of images found on Craftwell's Design Cards.  By welding various images together, you can make entirely new images.  This method is especially popular right now to make wordbooks.  Here is a video showing how I did this using eCraftshop Pro.



SUPPLY LIST
Jen Allyson Celebrates Design Card
Fundamentals 1 Design Card
White Cardstock (cut base layer)
Red Glitter Paper - I used American Crafts.  Seriously LOVE this paper!
Candy Cane Ribbon - Found this at Michaels
Distress Stickles, Rock Candy - Hard to see in the picture, but I spread a thin layer of this over the white base before adding on my red glitter layers to give the base a little bling.
To/From Stamp - Not shown in picture, but I stamped this on the back of the tag.
Distress Ink Barn Door - Used to ink the edges

Tomorrow we will be using a True Type Font dingbat to create a fancy Christmas card.  I will also be using unconventional colors for this card, which is something that I just love to do at Christmas time!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft - Day 1

Today's project is a Quick and Simple Card.  I really love the way this card came out!  The tone on tone look with the card base and the card front adds a really nice subtle touch!



This video will show you how I cut this elf shoe out of the Year of Celebration SD Design Card using the console on my eCraft.



Supply List
Patterned Paper - cut Image 24 (Christmas category) from Year of Celebration at 4"
Dark Green Cardstock - cut Image 25 (Christmas category) from Year of Celebration at 4"
Card Base - White cut at 5.5" x 8.5, scored at 4.25"
Card Front - White cut at 4" x 5.25"
Red Ribbon - I used Papertrey Ink Pure Poppy Saddle Stitch
Sentiment Stamp - I used Papertrey Ink's Signature Christmas stamp set
Red Ink - I used Distress Ink, color Barn Door
Skittles or Pebbles - I used clear and then colored them red with a Copic marker, color R29
Corner Rounder
Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Embossing Folder
Red Jingle Bells
Red DMC Embroidery Floss or any kind of red thread.
Paper Piercer and/or large eye needle

This card was really quick!  Since I had all the supplies out, I went ahead and made about 10 of these to have on hand as spares.  That way, if I have forgotten someone on my list, I have a card that I can quickly put in the mail.

Tommorow I will be showing you how you can use the software and the Design Card images to create something entirely new!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christmas with the eCraft

Starting tomorrow, I will be doing Christmas with the eCraft Week here on my blog.  For seven straight days, I will be posting projects, videos and pictures.  Each project will be utilizing the eCraft and will Christmas related.  I hope everyone comes and joins me as I think this will be a lot of fun!

See you all tomorrow!
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