Silhouette helps

I keeping finding more uses for my Silhouette. But I wanted to share the things I've realized while I've been creating:

1. If you want to print your design (like as a preview before you make something), make sure you've gone into Output Settings and chosen "Print Cut Lines." I don't know how many times I've messed this up...so I'm telling everyone I know!

2. If need to change the document size, you can specify the size in Document Settings under the Edit menu. I didn't know you could do this until I found out the hard way when I was trying to cut vinyl and heat transfer paper and my letters got cut off. I probably missed that somewhere in the tutorial help...so this is my help to others. You can also save the User Settings so you don't have to mess with it every time.

3. Sometimes when my paper hasn't been sticking to the carrier sheet and a piece gets caught in the machine, it makes this awful noise. Usually I just quickly turn it off. Does anyone else have a better suggestion on how to not let this happen?

4. Also, I cheat and use tape to stick down stuff on my carrier sheet. Seems like it loses it's stickiness quite fast. I'm cheap...what can I say?


Does anyone else have some tips they would like to share? Please do!

Frames

I've had this since last May. Sadly, it has taken me almost a year to realize all the fabulous things you can make with it.

What can you do with some paint, a wood frame, and some dies made from the Silhouette??



Why this of course!




I guess my pictures are kind of blurry. Sorry! I'm still trying to get better at that. We're making these for Achievement Days. I really hope the girls like my stenciling! It was so easy with my Silhouette.

You can buy these cool background files and they can be used for anything you can think of. I also figured out how to cut a border around the "I love you" (courtesy of House of 3 designs). I think they turned out great!

What do you guys think?

Shabby Apple

Even though I can't be there...thought I would share the news

Shabby Apple Trunk Show

Enjoy! Look for some sweet dresses for me

Digital Design

I've been very inspired by the ladies over at house of 3. I recently bought these awesome digital brushes to use on my crafting/photo editing/scrapbooking. I've also been using some of their aging/sanding/inked edged brushes as well. This was first try, but I thought it turned out ok. What do you think?
I'm trying to get comfortable using brushes and such. I think it's pretty cool all the things you can do nowadays!

February Crafts

Look what I got in the mail today!!













Pink, reds, and golds...oh my! I'm on my way to becoming a true addict! If you would like to join the craze, I'll send you here.

So I made some of these using my Glimmer Mist:

























These were inspired by Heidi Swapp and Rhonna Farrer. Check out Rhonna's tutorial here. Who knew there could be so many uses for coffee filters?? Heidi also showed us her way of making the flowers as well. Check it out here. It's about 17 minutes in and I think the sound is really quiet. Turn up the volume.

I kind of took both of their ideas and ran with it.

I also worked on these 2 projects for February as well. One is a heart shaped shadow box that I ultimately want to do this. I'm still waiting to make a trip to IKEA to get the frame. Here's what I've got so far:


















It took me forever to decide what to do with this today. After having a 3 failed attempts at putting rub ons on the front of the box, I finally got it work! Whew...

I also did this little project and here is the result:

























I actually put the book together a while back and wasn't sure what to do with it since I'm not really much a picture taker. Thanks to some inspiration at Heidi's webshow, I had a suggestion to use it as an "inspiration" book. I was inspired to add some love quotes to it. I scoured the internet and found some surprisingly good quotes that are quoted that often.

Last but not least, here are some V-day cards I made for some friends:




























Whew...if you're still reading, thanks for coming a long with me on my journey of projects.

Most of these projects were inspired and/or created by the following:
House of 3 - Heidi, Rhonna, and Janet
Seriously, these ladies are so talented and enjoy watching their live webshow every Wednesday (7pm MST/9pm EST) on USTREAM. They always leave me with a healthy dose of ideas.
I love that you can print off different elements and use it for whatever you want!
Glimmer Mist - The education coordinator - Liz Hicks - is awesome. She will give you pointers if needed.
Other supplies: coffee filters, hot glue, American Craft Amour ribbon, cards from Staples, Scrap N Fonts - Adornment labels and other various fonts, Tim Holtz distress ink, doilles, Monograms set, and paper from the French Oo La La kit. I don't think I've left anyone out!

That's a wrap!!

Scarf giveaway

I found this cool new blog and the lady is giving away a free, ruffle scarf. Check it out!

Emboss Resist

I decided to do this PTI challenge. Due to the incoming storm, I had plenty of time today! This is what I came up with...what do you think?




Materials used: Archiver's Yours Truly stationary, Glimmer Mist - Deep Plum, Coffee Shop, Ink - Versamark Watermark ink, Staz On - Timber Brown, American Craft ribbon - Amour line, Crate Paper - Crate Shapes - Crate Avenue Collection, crystal from Walmart, Ranger - Embossing Powder Clear, Sentiment - PTI Mega Mixed Messages