Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Three, Trois, Tres! How ever you say it! 3D Flower Shower


How ever you say 3- doesn't matter because today I have 3, yes 3, videos! Each one is for a distinct 3-D flower.  These are fab tutorials that I have been dying to share.  I actually did these back in January and February but that was before I had my Sony Webbie Cam.  So they were just Photo Tutorials.  Well for my project that I will be featuring this Friday at Olive Juice Studio, I decided to shoot the tutorial on how to make these flowers.  What I am using them for you ask? Well you will have to come back on Friday and see.  In the meantime, here are the three tutorials.  I have provided the links to the original post where you can view the tutorial through photos if you prefer. The difference between the original photo tutorial and the video is that I used hot glue to assemble my flowers.

Hibiscus Flower
This flower is cut at approximately 1.25 inches
The paper is SEI Bridgeport Oceanfront
The recipe for the petals are 5, 3, 2





Pagoda Flower
This flower is cut at approximately 1.25 inches
The paper is Basic Grey Junebug Orchard
The recipe for the petals are 5, 4, 4, 1, 1, 1


Blossom Flower
This flower is cut at approximately 1.25 inches
The paper is SEI Bridgeport Oceanfront
The recipe for the petals are 6, 4, 2



Remember to leave comments and join as a follower or subscriber to be entered to win all 50 of the Lacy Labels that I have have assembled.  
The drawing is on Friday July 2 at 11:59 pm!

My week at Olive Juice Studio


This week I am the featured artist at my friend Kim's blog, Olive Juice Studio When I started this with her a month ago or so, she sent quite the interview form.  I was surprised at all her fabulous questions.  It made me really think about myself as a wife, mother, and artist.  So if you want to know more about me than I think I knew about myself, Visit her blog! Here are the links to the interviews so far.  When she posts on Thursday, I will come back and add the link! Why is my blog called 217Creations? Only a few know. So come back and check this link on Thursday to learn more! Plus I have a fab project for Friday too!
Introduction and Biography (Tuesday June 29)
Part One Interview (Wednesday June 30)
Part Two Interview  (Thursday July 1)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Lacy Labels Exploration Part 1 Cuts 1-25


This is so new to me! Usually I cut the few images that really jump at me on a new cart.  Then I link to my Gypsy and get working on blending and welding from other cartridges.  But due to the Gypsy update not being ready (as of post date), I am forced to play with my Lacey Labels the traditional way.  I really wanted to get a good feel for this cartridge so I am going to show cuts 1-25 Tuesday June 29 and then 26-50 on Thursday July 1.  The drawing for the Blog Candy (these 50 cuts) will be on Friday July 2 at 11:59pm.  Just leave comments on the posts this week.  The more times you comment, the more chance you have to win!
In case you missed my introduction to Lacy Labels and the video, Please CLICK HERE TO VIEW
All the cuts have their sizes listed and any notation that I thought was important.  I hope you enjoy!

 This is cut number 1 at 4 inches.  It is one of my favorites.  It was actually really easy to cut. I used Cotton Candy Stickles on the pink heart and Viva Decor Black Pearl Pen on the black pieces.  I love how it turned out!



This is cut number 2 at 4 inches.  Super easy to cut and assemble.  The phrasing of "Miss You" may not cut smaller. But the shadow base and ring will for sure!"

 This is cut number 3 at 3 inches.  Another one that was super easy to cut.  I used pop dots to raise the butterflies off the cut.  It is hard to see in the picture but the paper is from Mariposa DCWV- very fitting!

This is cut number 4 cut at 4 inches.  I thought the gold foil really made the wreath stand out.  This was very easy to and assemble.

This is number 5 cut at 3 inches.  I would not go any smaller than that for the framing and top layer shifts.  The base and the shadow cut really nice and clean.  As you can see, I used some Glimmer Mist tinted Primas to embellish.  The top layer (Layer-Shift) was way too small to cut  nicely at 3 inches.  This was the first one that I felt I had to struggle.

This is number 6 cut at 3 inches. Super Easy to assemble! I used Red Stickles to embellish the tips.  I think this one could even cut smaller for the framing. I love how the CoreDinations cardstock really makes this cut look elegant and fun!

This is cut number 7 at 3 inches.  This one was very frustrating! The small slits on the frame were difficult to cut and even more difficult to remove from the mat. This cut would be hard to use on a card since it is so long.  It really could not be cut any smaller than 3 inches on the framing and top layers.

This is cut number 8 at 3 1/2 inches. I love this cut!  The top layer will not cut nicely smaller than 3 1/2 inches.  If you were to cut this smaller, I would not bother cutting the top layer for the little flowers.  Otherwise this one is great!


This is cut number 9 at 4 inches.  So adorable! I think this would look great cut really large for an entire layout.  It was also super easy to cut and assemble!

This is cut number 10 at 4 inches. I used some scraps form my K & Co paper.  As elegant as the framing looks, it actually cut really well at this size.  I think this one could go as small as 3 inches.

This is cut number 11 at 3 inches. This one one of the few cuts that I think the entire design, including the top layers, could be cut as small as 2 inches.  This cut was really well designed!  Just perfect!

This is cut number 12 at 4 1/2 inches.  What a cheery way to send a greeting! This was one of my favorites!  The whole design cut really well. This would look great on any card.  Sunshine is what I think of when I see this!
This is cut number 13 at 3 inches.  In real life I love the colors of this cut.  Unfortunately no matter how hard I tried, I could not get the colors to look right.  It really is not that pale.  It is cut from an Anna Griffin pad of paper.  The center sentiment cut really well! I think this could even go down to the 2 1/2 inch range.

This is cut number 14 at 3 1/2 inches.  It was kind of strange cutting Christmas when its over 95 degrees outside!  This is great design, except the top layer for the snowflakes will not cut smaller than 3 1/2 inches.  That's why even though it suppose to cut approximately 7 snowflakes, you only see two on the cut.  The others were just too small.


This is cut number 15 at 4 inches.  This was easy peasy!  Love this cut! And I love the Flower Shower stack from DCWV!  This cut could go as small as 2 inches- I am sure.  Clean and easy!


This is cut number 16 at 4 inches.  I hate wonky scallops! For some reason no matter how hard I tried, this scallop will not cut straight.  It made assembling hard. As you can see in the picture it is off centered.  As much as a I love the Anna Griffin Botanica Bella paper, I am not satisfied with this cut.




This is cut number 17 at 4 inches.  The intricacy of this cut make it gorgeous and difficult all at once.  The top shift layer will not cut smaller than 4 inches.  The flowers are just too small.  I faked the top layer with some Dew Drops and Stickles. This paper is Anna Griffin and has a sweet charm to it.



This is cut number 18 at 4 inches.  As you can see the cuts are not clean on the scrolling at 4 inches.  It is too intricate and delicate.  I like the medallion look of the shadow and the base but I doubt I will cut that scrolling again, unless I cut this really large- such as 8 inches and above.



This is cut number 19 at 4 inches.  I used pop dots to raise the layers.  This cut is super easy to assemble.  The center saying could easily be changed. Love this one!!!!



This is cut number 20 at 3 inches.  This cut is pure joy.  I can assure you that this will make its way onto some Christmas cards this year.  This cut can be mass produced so easily. The scallops cut really smooth!




This is cut number 21 at 3 1/2 inches.  I think this cut would be so beautiful welded into a card.  The slits are perfect for ribbon.  This scallop cut really well.  No wonky scallops! Simple but elegant!




This is cut number 22 at 3 inches.  The layers are very intricate ont his cut.  I found my best settings for the really intricate cuts is as follows: I am not sure this cut could go smaller- maybe with Vinyl.
Depth 5
Pressure Medium
Speed Medium
Multicut 2

This is cut number 23 at 4 1/2 inches.  This my next mini album for sure.  See that straight edge?  That make sit really easy to bind with the Cinch.  This could be cut down to 2 1/2 inches without trouble.




This is cut number 24 at 3 1/2 inches.  This was by far the easiest to cut and assemble.  I am confident this could be cut down to 2 inches with no trouble.  The wording is spaced well and does not have super thin sections.



This is cut number 25 at 3 inches.  I love the base on this cut.  I thought I may have trouble with the small pieces cutting nicely, but that was not the case.  This design is perfect! I will be using this one for a mini. 

WOW! So there is the first 25.  The next 25 will be on Thursday.  Join me tomorrow for something really special.  
BLOG CANDY ALERT!!! 
Join me as a follower or subscribe to emails and then leave comments on the posts this week to have the most chances at winning all 50 of these cuts.  I will draw the winner Friday July 2 at 11:59 pm CST!  
MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE ME A WAY TO CONTACT YOU- 
email or Cricut.com Message Board Name!




Monday, June 28, 2010

Lovin' Lacy Labels

 
I have no buyer's remorse on this one! Lacy Labels rocks!  I have so many ideas running through  my head for projects.  When I opened the cartridge, I noticed the overlay right away.  It is very confusing.  Many of the images look the same. Immediatley I started trying think of a way I could make this work better for me. Then it hit me: LABEL THE BUTTONS BY NUMBER. Pam did this for our design assignments way back when Tuesday Treats started.  It works perfectly for this cartridge! 
I have both video and written for this post-depending on what you prefer.  Now make sure you leave a comment and either follow or subscribe to my email because I HAVE BLOG CANDY!!!
This is the first time I have ever done a giveaway.  As a thank you to my readers and followers I am going to giveaway all 50 of Lacy Labels cuts that I have done.  They are all cut and assembled and some are even embellished!  I will give them away to one lucky person this week.  I will draw the name on Friday using a random number generator.  So the more times you leave a comment on the posts this week, the better your chances for winning!

So here's how I did it:
I labeled each design in the trifold with a number
That number correspond to a button on the overlay
Row 1 is button 1-10
Row 2 is button 11-20
Row 3 is button 21-30
Row 4 is button 31-40
Row 5 is button 41-50
So this image

Is this button

A copule of tips on this cartridge to remember:
1. Keep Real Size OFF- or your layers won't line up right
2. The gray layers require the shift button
3. Cut your shadow first
4. Most of the Layer-Shifts (the final layer) will not cut smaller than 3-4 inches

Remember to leave comments in order to be entered into the drawing for all 50 of the Lacy Labels! 
Just leave me a way to contact you- either email or Cricut.com Message Board name!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

It's almost "Circle" time!


Nope its not Kindergarten or Preschool but rather the Cricut Circle.  I am so excited for July 1.  If you have not read about the new Cricut Circle please follow THIS LINK
AND if that is not enough to get you excited READ THIS!  
But don't wait too long-Registration ends June 30.
You may have noticed my super cute blingy Cricut Circle Logo on my sidebar.  Would you like one?  Then look no further than my friend Brigit's Blog.  She has graciuosly made some of the cutest blinkies I have ever seen with the new logo.  I added mine to my blog sidebar and in my Cricut.com Signature.  The best part is they are free!! Yipee!
If you need to add the image to your sidebar in Blogger, choose the HTML gadget and paste the HTML code from Brigit's Photobucket Image.
Each image in Photoucket has its own code.  When you see the blinky you like, click it and the codes will pop up beside to copy and paste. 
If you want to add the image to your Cricut.com signature, type  (Be sure to remove the spaces and paste the direct link code form Brigit's Photobucket image.)
[image] DIRECTLINKCODEFROMPHOTOBUCKET [/image]
Make sure you leave Brigit some blog love for doing this for us! Thanks Brigit!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Olive What?

Recently I had found this really cool blog called Olive Juice Studio.  I had spoken with Kim about being a Guest Designer and she has graciously welcomed me for the last week of June.  They are sponsored by Memory Miser and had a sent a great newsletter out about 3 weeks ago.  The traffic was so high and sudden on her blog that Blogger deleted her account, thinking it was generating spam.  I want to be sure that all my readers know that thier website is back up and running but has a new URL:
http://www.olivejuicestudio.com
Please visit this site and join as a follower. There are challenges, recipes, and all sorts of fun! Also make sure you check back next week there because yours truly will be the Guest Designer! AWESOME!!! All I am going to say about the project and tutorial is it will "melt" your heart for die cuts! I have been working on perfecting this technique for almost a month! I cannot wait to share!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Friends

 I am back from vacation and boy am I ready to get to my studio! I went to Nebraska this past weekend and had a great time visiting old friends and meeting my "new" friends.  It was nice to be back home in Nebraska.  I miss it so much.  This our family friends' cabin near Clarks, Nebraska (45 min Northwest of York). We had a great stay there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. But before we went there we spent Thursday and part of Friday in Omaha. We stayed at The Coco Key resort (Hopefully some of the Waterproof Camera pics will look good).  While we were there I got to meet up with my friend at an The Scrapbook Store, an LSS in Omaha.
 This is my good friend Lori (ScrappinMyStressAway).  As she said, we could have talked for hours.  She was so sweet and kind.  I gave her a big hug! It was so exciting to meet someone who I "talk" with everyday but have never met.  It amazes my how technology has changed our lives so drastically. I felt like we had known each other forever! She showed me pictures of her boys- they are all so handsome!
I credit Lori with my recent obsession, Cricut Lite Cartridges! She was so kind to pick up Lacey Labels (a mini book maker dream cartridge) for me since my Walmarts do not have this one.  She also told where in Omaha to go to but MORE!!!! Needless to say I had to explain to my husband why the Walmart across the street from our hotel was not good enough and we should drive an extra 10 minutes to the next one! LOL!
All I can say sometimes it is meant to be.  When we finally got to the Walmart on 72nd and Giles Rd. I "casually but dilligently walked" (see me practically running) to the Cricut section.  I just stood there! All 24 there for my liking and BUYING of course.  I had to show some self control.  I picked out 2 B is for Boy and Celebrate With Flourish. 
 So while I am standing there I am of course talking Cricut to strangers and James is rolling his eyes (Did you know guys can roll their eyes in their head just as much as girls? LOL!), I met another Cricut Message Board member AndreainNebraska! James says he cannot take me anywhere! Overall our trip went well.  Here is a small sample of the over 500 pictures I took.
Nicholas tubing for the first time

Alexander the daredevil! Rock On!
Fun time fishing!


Thaddeus was all smiles, as usual!
It is always so hard to leave and come back to Kansas, but I am glad to be back to my scrappy stuff!  I have some great project for you this week and next week I am the Featured Artist at Olive Juice Studios.  I have a great project for you that will "melt" your mind. No telling Lori!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Super Sassy and Sweet Preserves Mini Album

I hope all of you like minis! No not mini skirts, but mini albums. I know I have done two in a row, but I can't help myself! Today I am the Guest Designer at my friend Shelia's blog at She's a Sassy Lady. Thanks again Shelia for having me over to play today!
This one is done with Preserves Cricut Cartridge. I simply love this cartridge. The layers are super easy and this entire album is made from that cartridge.The album was cut from ColorBlok chipboard.  The settings I used was as follows:
Speed: Gypsy is the boss!
Depth: 6
Pressure: High
Multicut: 2
The Apple was cut at 3.43 inches. The details really pull through with the help of some smart embellishing. The seeds of the Apple are done with Viva Decor Pearl Pen in black. I love the 3D shiny effect! You can buy them HERE.  The edges have all been inked using ColorBox in Chestnut Roan with Fantastix inking tools. If you have not seen this video yet, YOU MUST! Here is the link: Inking Die Cuts Part One
The Pear was cut at 3.66 inches. The shiny seeds were done with Glossy Accents.
The Strawberry is my favorite! This was cut at 3.70 inches. At first I was annoyed with the dashes that the strawberry cut into the paper. I was going to Hide Selected Contour to remove the dashes, but then I realized I could use these to my advantage. I took the Viva Decor Black Pearl Pen and followed all the dashes to create this dimension. For the button I took embroidery floss and tied a knot through the holes. I then hot glued the button to the flower.
The final page is the Pineapple. It was cut at 3.76 inches. I used Glossy Accents for the shiny center and Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Pen for the glittery green paper. I love this pen for times when I want bling without glitter- plus it has no drying time!
The file is a free download. The first 4 pages are for the book with the welded fruit. Pages 5-8 are the layers of the fruit. Everything was sized with Real Dial off. You will have to "flip" the image to get the back side of the book and fruit.
Here is the front page prior to the "flip":
Here is the page after the "flip"

I hope you enjoy the free download!
Here is the video describing the file and book and giving assembly details! As always I love comments and followers!
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