Cuttlebug Tips via Videos

If you've read just a little bit of this blog, then you should know that I'm a big fan of the Cuttlebug. I've seen the new one, but I have no interest in it since the old, original one is a fine and sturdy specimen.

I think I've only purchased one new folder in the past year. But you can chalk that up to the fact that I'm not currently living in the U.S. Actually, I have three new folders if I include the two from Tim Holtz. Again, the classic early Cuttlebug folders go a long way. Some of the new Cuttlebug folders are too 'scrapbooky' to me - for lack of a better term (I can't seem to find a link for the news ones).

All that to say, sometimes I'm seeking to do something different w/the Cuttlebug. Enter two videos that can add some 'umph' to your projects.

The first one uses ink on the folder. I'm on the fence about this one. I like the look, but if all of the ink does not come off (even with cleaning), I'm afraid that I'll mess up my next project. Still like the technique and the videos really short.

Using Ink with your Cuttlebug Embossing Folders by Tania Brown

The next technique is also cool, but a bit more advanced. You'll also need Nestabilities for this one.

Double Embossing with the Cuttlebug and Nestabilities by Nilda

Hope that you like those vids. Please feel free to share the projects you've created using these videos.

You're the Best :: 2 Sketches 4 You

For me to get in on 2 Sketches 4 You's weekly card sketch this early in the week is awesome. It is, indeed, the start of a wonderful week.

I had also intended to try emboss resist on the sentiment, but I just decided to leave it alone. This is week 4 of Stamp Camp over @ Two Peas. After I watched the resist video tutorial of the technique, I just have to try it out.

But I am excited about fabric brads. I found lots over the weekend when I unexpectedly landed in Hobby Lobby, Pizazz It (Columbus, OH), Michaels, Joann and Archivers.

Also, I really like making my own felt flowers. During my unplanned craft stops, I picked up a Sizzix flower die. I like the Sizzix and Cuttlebug dies for cutting cleanly through the felt and fabric. Sometimes I can cut through a thin piece of fabric w/a Quickutz die in the Cuttlebug - I just add a shim and run it back and forth a few times.

Well, enough chatter already. Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and fabric: craft supply
patterned paper: K & Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark and VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
fabric brad: The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby
ribbon: Morex
flower dies: Cuttlebug and Sizzix
felt: unknown
other: sewing

Vid: My Fav Things Mini Book

I used the latest version of Picasa to create this vid - Picasa 3. Very nice program. Lots of cool features including tagging images, adding text to images for watermarking, easily creating collages and making vids like this.

How cool is that?

Oh and I also created this collage.

From Collages

Oh, Look, It's Another Mini Book ... really

Here is my latest mini book. This time the Hero Arts Blog is the enabler. Lisa posted a super simple and short video w/the instructions to create the book using just an 8.5x11 piece of paper.

I have slots to include some info - some affirmations. Though I have not completed that section yet. Also, I used the computer to make all of the sayings:

• make smiles via snail mail
• wild abandon
• give more hugs
• happiness has no price tag
• wonder out loud
• love, love, love
  

I'm using the SIS TV widget for viewing ... nice.




Thanks for looking ... here's and abbreviated list of what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Junkitz
rick rack: Creative Imaginations
expoxys: Making Memories
buttons: Dress It Up!
twine and star: Darice
letter stickers, chipboard and ribbon: American Crafts
floss: DMC
labels (digital): Little Dreamer Designs/Michelle Coleman
font: A Bite (love that grungy look)

This was fun!

The Making of a Mini Book

I got started on this mini book late last week. Well, actually, the week before. I'd been on Donna Downey's blog and she posted a video about making album pages using newspaper. So I got out the old newspapers and my glue stick and started on the pages. After tearing and gluing and inking up my fingers something awful, I had about six pages. I let them dry and then I used one layer of acrylic paint and I let that dry. That's when I took a break.

What to do w/these messy pages ... I finally jotted down some items that I could include in an "All About Me" album. I've been wanting to make more mini books ... why not now?

Well, I've made much progress, but it's an interesting process for me. The very reason why I like to make cards - I feel that I can do nothing else until this album is complete. Bummer for me especially since I had to order a wallet-sized picture of my Jeep; that would be a 'special' order ... maybe it will arrive in the mail tomorrow.

Meanwhile ... here's a look at the cover. Love this. Oh another thing, I decided that I would only use scraps and other embellishments that were laying around and/or had never been used before. I like the collage/eclectic look too.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:

base: cardboard
patterned paper: K&Co. Basic Grey, craft supply
chipboard elements: American Crafts
twine: Darice
flower: Prima
letter stickers: American Crafts and Paper Studio
button and bling: unknown
stamp: Inkadinkadoo
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
other: Fiskars Texture Plates