Big Sale and Free Items for National Scrapbooking Day


 If you love paper crafts or mixed media, you should check out the sale going on right now at Scrapbook.com.  It's one of my favorite places to shop.  I promote them because I like them, not because I am an affiliate.

I saved 51% and another 10% off that for 100+ items in this 49 and Market kit! Plus they have loads of clearance products and even free gifts, but only for 2 more days. Don't miss it!

Happy Crafting!


Quick Tip Tuesday


 Last week, I recommended smooth vinyl as opposed to glitter, holographic, or flocked vinyl, for crafters who are just beginning to learn to use HTV (heat transfer vinyl-also called iron-on vinyl).  If you have an occassion coming up for which you want to make some t-shirts, I suggest smooth vinyl because it cuts well and is fairly easy to weed.
I made the skirt from fabric I had on hand; I purchased the shirt and ironed on the design.

Something else to remember is to select the right fabric on which to put your design. Cotton or cotton/poly blends work best with HTV.  In addition, you should wash and dry your fabric to remove any residual chemicals that might affect the adhesion of the vinyl. 

Always follow the manufacturer's directions for ironing or heat pressing your vinyl. Happy crafting!


Quick Tip Tuesday - for People who Want to Learn to use Vinyl, specifically Heat Transfer

 


You've learned how to use adhesive vinyl, perhaps starting with the removable kind.  You're ready for a step up, and you've chosen some 100% cotton tee shirts, a baby onsie, or even a tote bag, and you want words or a design to go on them. After you prewash, you need to decide what medium you will choose.

There are so many styles and brands of vinyl out there.  Choose smooth HTV/iron on vinyl from Cricut, Siser EasyWeed, or Oracal.  These are reputable companies in the industry that have the most success in beginning crafts(and the ones I've had the most luck with).


As you may have noticed, there is a wide variety of HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) or Iron-on vinyl.  There's glitter, flocked, holographic, matte, glossy, patterned, glow-in-the-dark, and more!



 As a beginner, my tip is to use standard, SMOOTH glossy HTV (or IRON ON, same thing) on your beginning projects.  Once you've mastered that, it will be easy to start using the other types of vinyls.

Don't forget to mirror! And use the Cricut Heat Guide.  Have fun!


Creative Fabrica Sale!

 

We'll be running a HUGE Spring Sale, offering 90% OFF on millions of fonts and graphics - the perfect opportunity to stock up on discounted creative assets. The designs and fonts can be opted out of the sale at any time, so grab your favorites quickly!

Hand Painted Notecards

 

Hand Painted Notecards


This is a project that literally anyone can do.  I made these on my dining room table.  Photos are a bit shadowy because I don't have a studio or professional lights.  Just me, my dining room table, and my camera phone.  It was so easy, I had to share.  You can make one or dozens.  It's up to you!

1.       1. Gather your materials.

  • Any type of acrylic paint will do in your choice of 3 or 4 colors
  • Blank notecards and envelopes.  I used A2 size which is 4.25 by 5.5
  • Parchment paper (wax paper or butcher paper will work, too)
  • Scraper (or old store rewards card)
  • Low tack tape and/or painter's tape.  


2.      2. Tape paper to your table or workspace to protect it, although if you are using acrylic paint, it is easily wiped off of surfaces. I used painter's tape to adhere my paper.


3.      3. Tape notecard in place so that the front (the part you are painting) has protective paper  underneath it. Put a bit of tape underneath the front section so that it won’t slip as you apply and scrape the paint. I used low tack tape on my notecards so it would come off easily.

4.      4. Place drops of paint horizontally at the top of the notecard.  If you spill some like I did, just keep going.


5.      5. Take a scraper or sturdy card, place it on the notecard just above the paint, scraper side down.  Scrape from top to bottom. Repeat as needed to cover the whole card. What I liked about using an actual scraper is the width of it.


6.      6. Let the card dry overnight.


7.      7. Place the card under a heavy object to flatten it if it has curled a bit. Let it sit overnight.

8.      8. Add a sentiment if you choose.  Your sentiment can  be die cut, handwritten, or made with a cutting machine.  I used a die cut and my  Gemini Jr. Any sentiment will work with the cards from congratulations to thinking of you or even happy birthday.  The sentiment can be placed anywhere on the front or you can skip this step.


9.      9. Write a note inside the notecard and send it to someone to brighten their day or gift the blank notecard to a loved one.

Happiness really is homemade!

Craft Schooling Sunday




Quick Tip Tuesday for Cricut


 


Today's tip:  You do not need to purchase anything to learn to use your Cricut!

There are so many crafters who have created e-books, guides, getting started instructions, youTube videos, and so on.  This just isn't necessary!

If you go to learn.cricut.com, you can search for any topic.  You'll find how-tos, tutorials, and courses on literally every topic related to Cricut from how to set up your machine to how to use print-then-cut and everything in between!  

Learn from the pros and save your money and your time!