Holiday Cards 2011

Posted by Roxinda-head
This year, my daughter made our Holiday cards (she's 24). Here is some of her work. Mind you, this is really only her second attempt at making embellished cards! I think they came out fantastic...of course, she had the best teacher...ME!

A cute reindeer embellishment on a snowflake card.

Here is the base card used to make the card above
with the DCWV Holiday Collection, Winter Box of Cards

and some K&Company stickers


K&Company Brenda Walton Grand Adhesions Peppermint Twist die cuts
This particular sticker set is discontinued :-(


This is another card made from the DCWV Holiday Collection, Winter Box of Cards
embellished with rhinestones and silver dots. The silver dots are from the
Stampendous line of dot sparkler stickers>

Here is how the card looks without any embellishment



A simple card embellished with a clear Santa die cut,
some red rhinestones and some holly leaves.
Here is the card before adding embellishments


Another cute reindeer card embellished with rhinestone flowers and some glitter gel.

Here is the card before being embellished


Both of the above cards are from the DCWV Christmas Box of Cards set


A simple snowflake-theme card

Here is the original card

This card was made using the DCWV Winter Box of Cards
Category: , , , , 0 comments

Martha Stewart Punches

Posted by Roxinda-head
While watching 24-Hour Craft night on HSN, I noticed a bundle of Martha Stewart Punches on special. I almost clicked my remote to order this set (via my wonderful Cable TV remote option), but luckily I didn't make that impulse purchase as I remembered that my local craft stores carry Martha's Punches. So, with my 40% and 50% coupons, I realized I could get these for at half the price their asking for on HSN.

I had plenty of coupons, unfortunately, you can only use one coupon per day. No problem...I made several trips. But, what about the extra gas used to get to the stores? Not an issue, as I stopped off at these stores on my way home from work, so no extra trip or gas used! Thus, my savings were enormous (by scrapbooking standards)!

Here is the Martha Stewart Special being offered on HSN:


Here is a look at my treasure-trove after buying the same punches with my coupons (I might have added one or two extra since I couldn't resist the savings).


I substituted the Heartbeat Pattern Punch with the Starry Sky punch (not because the Heart punch wasn't available, but because I prefer the stars).

Here is how I calculated the savings. The following punches were available with this bundle:

•Snow Flurry Punch Around The Page set (24.99) - $14.99 (40%)
•Flower Shower Punch Around The Page set ($27.99) - $16.74 (40%)
•Heartbeat Punch All Over The Page ($17.99) $10.79 (40%)
•Nordic Snowflake Punch All Over The Page ($19.99) $11.99 (40%)
•Lattice Heart Deep Edge Punch ($17.99) $10.79 (40%)
•Gifts Deep Edge Punch ($17.99) $10.79 (40%)
•Fall Leaves Edge Punch ($17.99) $10.79 (40%)
•Pumpkin Stamp and Punch Pack ($12.99) $7.79 (40%)
•Sitting Bunny Craft Punch ($9.99) $5.99 (40%)
Retail price is in parenthesis and my coupon price follows showing the discount used. Total Retail value is $167.91 – HSN price is $139.95 – Craft Store prices (with 40% off coupons = $100.75) (with 50% off coupons = $83.95).

Moral of the story; I believe you can sometimes get a better deal at your local craft store than the impulse HSN marketing that sucks you in without you realizing it. I know from experience because that's how I got my Cricut Expression machine! :D
Category: 0 comments

Mother's Day Gift

Posted by Roxinda-head
I took a vintage family photo, had my daughter "Photoshop" all the cracks and imperfections out, and made a Mother's Day gift.

I matted the photo on some DCWV cardstock.


I added some embellishments on the corners.


I put it all together in a frame I purchased from the dollar store.


This is the finished product. This gift was rather special to my Mother, as this is the one and only photograph in existence of her Father from 1925.
Category: 0 comments

Jewelry Crafting

Posted by Roxinda-head

I bought some bead supplies at Michaels a few weeks ago in the sales and clearance section. I envisioned making some necklaces with matching earrings and bracelets as I purchased the assortments.



This is a necklace made with the green-colored assortment of beads.



This is a necklace made with the red-colored assortment of beads.



This is a necklace made with the beige-colored assortment of beads.


I'm still working on making the matching earring and bracelets for these necklaces with the remaining assortment of beads, and will post my pics once I've completed them.


Thank you for viewing my blog, and I hope it inspires you to make your own wonderful creations!

Category: 0 comments

SCAL (SVG) Waterfall card

Posted by Roxinda-head
I fell in love with these Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) Waterfall card templates. So I studied their video instructions which shows how to make a sample card, in order to make my own creation.


Here is my version, with a few minor changes, of that Waterfall card.

For the pull-tab strip, I used a piece of double-sided paper from the DCWV "Fun in the Sun" Summer Glitter stack. I applied some Studio18 gem stones (available at Michaels) to the center of the flower petals, and also adhered a scrollie-shaped clip as a pull instead of the standard ribbon.



This first panel is stamped "thanks for making my day."



The second panel is stamped "Thank you."


You'll notice that when the tab is pulled out completely, there is another "thank you" message stamped. I also omitted the left strip from the original card to change it up a bit. All stamps are simple $1.00 stamps from Jo-Ann's craft store. All cardstock used is from various DCWV mat stacks. I used Jo-Ann's Scrap Essentials bright mini brads. I used Tsukineko Dew Drop inks to shadow around the flowers and the borders of the die-cuts.

Thank you for visiting my blog and viewing my card. I hope it inspires you to make your own wonderful creations. ♥

Category: , , , , 5 comments

FREE SVG files

Posted by Roxinda-head
SVGCuts.com Retired Files 01.18.09-03.29.09 - It's Free! SVG Files for Sure Cuts A Lot - SVGCuts.com. If you don't have Sure Cuts A Lot yet, it's worth the purchase price to get lots of FREE cut files (no cricut cartridges needed). Below is a link to lots of cut files which will be retired soon, and will no longer be available. To purchase SCAL, I have a link on the right-hand side of my blog for convenience. Scroll down to find the link and purchase SCAL today. Or click here: I wish to Buy SCAL now!



Here is a sneak-peak at what is being retired.

FREE SVG retired cut files



Here is what you missed last time SVG gave away FREE retired cut files (I have them all)!


Don't delay...get 'em today!
Hope you enjoyed visiting my blog and it inspires you to make your own wonderful creations! ♥

Category: 1 comments

Stampmaker by Teresa Collins

Posted by Roxinda-head


I was watching HSN one day during their Scrap/Craft week and was blown away by this product they were showcasing. Of course, I wrestled with my conscience about spending more money for more craft supplies wondering if I was just getting sucked in by the HSN hype, or was this a sound investment.

I went through the same thing when I saw the Cricut Expression being sold on HSN in April of 2009, as I was undecided if I was making a sane decision about purchasing such an expensive craft product. I can honestly say, I don't regret getting my Cricut Expression machine, and it was worth every penny, since I use it daily to make cards.

From the demonstration of this kit that I witnessed, it seemed too good to be true...make my own acrylic stamps?!?!? Yes! And not just from the templates included in the kit, but from any graphic I choose to use or develop printed onto the clear tranfer sheets also included with the kit. So, that means, I can create my own personalized logo!



What is Stampmaker? PhotoCentric and Teresa Collins Designs have teamed up to bring you the Stampmaker. This revolutionary machine will change the way you create. It will allow you to create your own custom clear polymer stamps, stencils and embossing dyes. This kit will include exclusive Teresa Collins designs for your own personal use. You will also be able to create your own custom designs. All instructions will be provided on the included CD.


Here is a demonstration video from Teresa's blog page that is posted on YouTube:


So, in a nutshell what this all means is, if you want a stamp made from a graphic you love, a favorite drawing, or your own artwork, and if you can print it out, you can make an acrylic stamp out of it! That's all there is to it, providing you follow the step-by-step procedure for good results. Here is a handy tip I found for printing out your artwork:

TIP: With ink jet film, you can hold more detailed images and photographs but it may take a little time to find the right settings to print black enough. If your negative is not black, light will come through and harden all of the gel, not just your image. It is advisable to optimize your printer settings to make your print dark black.


Print settings (most critical factor in making good stamps).
a) Select black ink (greyscale) not color. For color printers set it to print, black cartridge only.
b) Increase the ink volume to 300 dpi or 600dpi for a denser dot pattern.
c) Change the paper setting to photo paper.
All printers vary, to find your optimal paper setting print small boxes using different paper settings, e.g. plain, photo paper matte, brochure paper and use the darkest.

Before use, look at your artwork against the light, if it lets light through consult the printer instructions on the CD or touch up artwork with permanent pen. Alternatively, if film, print it again and stick the second sheet on top to ensure total blackness (be careful to align correctly), or use plain paper instead of film.

Category: 1 comments

New Cricut Logos

Posted by Roxinda-head
New Logos debuted at Winter 2011 CHA Show in Los Angeles, California (Craft and Hobby Assoc.)




The Cricut plush toy soon to be on the Cricut website.

Cricut toys; one in every color of the latest Expression machines, including one for the Gypsy.
Category: , , , 2 comments

Hello Thursday - January 27, 2011

Posted by Roxinda-head
Category: 0 comments

New Cricut Spring Collection

Posted by Roxinda-head

I caved and bought two of the new Spring collection carts (shown above) currently available as a bundled deal from OhMyCrafts.com (you get to pick 2 from a selection of 3 for $37.00), because I just couldn't wait to get them in my crafty little hands. Although they are being offered on one of my other craft shopping site now for slightly less, I'm still happy with the deal of $18.50 each.
Hallmark Scrapbook.com has them for $17.99 each, which is the cheapest I've seen so far.



This is the Spring Holiday Card cartridge front panel.



This is the Spring Holiday Card cartridge back panel.



Here is a view of the keypad.



This is a screen capture of the Design Studio mat with some of the cuts from the Spring cartridge. Create cards, envelopes, and boxes with the Spring Holiday Cards cartridge! This festive cartridge contains images for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter. Mix and match card fronts with backgrounds to create fun variations on your projects.




This is the Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge front panel.



This is the Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge back panel.



Here is a view of the keypad.



This is a screen capture of the Design Studio mat with some of the cuts from the Mother's Bouquet cartridge. Layer your favorite shapes together to create hundreds of unique flower designs with the Mother’s Day Bouquet cartridge! You can use a pencil to curl the flower petals and leaves to get a 3D effect. Don’t forget to add buttons, glitter, gems, and other accessories to give your flowers a personal touch!



My next post will be some cards made with these two wonderful carts!
Check back for a look at what these carts can create. ♥

Category: , , , 0 comments

Working with Fractals

Posted by Roxinda-head
I stumbled upon a blog where some backgrounds were being created with a free software (shareware) program called Tiera-zon. Unfortunately, the one it was linked to was no longer free, but you could download for a $35 price tag.


I decided to search for a free program and found one that works just as well. Here are some graphics I created that I plan on printing out to use on my card crafting.





The possibilities are endless as you can define your own color combinations as well as many different structural designs to create and print out your own paper for your crafting needs! Once you get the hang of how to manipulate your creations, you will be amazed at how easy it is to use. To save what you have created, just hit your "Print Screen" key and paste into your paint program and save it for printing later.

Aros Fractals (Free) A multithreaded, true-color, fractal generating program. For more information and files, visit the Aros Fractals Homepage.
Here is the location of the application should you choose to try it out:
Download Aros Fractals for Windows (165 KB)
Download Aros Fractals for Macintosh (419 KB)

Here is a link to the Fractal Art Gallery. This art reminds me of "Kaleidoscope" images for crafting.

Category: 0 comments