Holiday Weekend (and a new camera)

It's Labor Day weekend and time to celebrate the end of summer.  I will be spending some time this weekend getting to know my new camera.  My trusty Nikon D40 has been replaced with a new Nikon D3200.  After more than six years of nearly daily use with the D40, I had a problem with a bad sensor/dead pixels resulting in an annoying red line in most of my photos. Rather than spend more money to try to get it fixed or editing the line out of every photo (ouch - that would take forever!) I took the plunge and bought the current "entry level" DSLR.

I took a few photos in the back yard just to try it out.  This camera is similar in many ways to my old one but has some great new features and the images are 24 megapixels (so clarity is better for highly cropped photos).  It will also take high definition videos - so I may give that a try too.

Remember, today is the last day to get the super savings on  True Scrap 5. You can save $50 with the code LUCKY50 and if you register today, August 31st, before midnight Eastern time, you will get the recordings of the entire True Scrap Young at Heart event (a $97 value) absolutely free.  You can see more details about True Scrap 5 in yesterday's post HERE.

Today (August 31st) is also the last day to qualify get the special "Old School" free bonus bundle from Lettering Delights - see THIS POST for all of the information on the Back to School Dollar Sale.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Will you be taking lots of photos?  What sort of camera do you use and do you like it? I'd love to hear your photo tips - just leave a comment below.

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True Scrap 5 - Early Registration Deal

True Scrap 5 is getting closer - it starts just six weeks from today!   I hope that some of you will be joining me for this online live virtual paper crafting extravaganza that lasts for two days in October.  You can participate from home - in your PJs if you want!  There are 15 classes and 5 make and take sessions, a pre-event pajama party and even a digital goodie bag.  The videos are high-def and if you have to miss a few sessions, no worries, you have access to recordings so you can watch them later (over and over as many times as you want).

These online events are lots of fun and a great value - where else could you take this many classes from wonderful instructors with no need to travel or pay hotel bills?  You can read what some other people have to say about their previous True Scrap experiences HERE - just scroll down the page to see their reviews.

Here is a list of the Instructors for True Scrap 5.

Heidi Swapp
Noell Hyman
Nichol Magouirk
Layle Koncar
Bev Gray
Monica Bradford
Jennifer Gallacher
Stephanie Ackerman
Katrina Kennedy
Doris Sander
Traci Reed
Tracy Banks
Stephenie Hamen
Windy Robinson
Tammy Tutterow

 

Click HERE to see more details about what each of these inspiring crafters will be teaching at True Scrap 5 (and check out their "code names" for fun!).  You'll find a link to the page with the full description just below this photo on the class page.

 

To tempt you just a bit more... here are a couple of special deals to take note of - you don't want to miss out on these:

• Regular registration is $197, but you can use the code LUCKY50 to save $50 through September 30th.  Just put the code in the box on the checkout page and check the box to update the cart to apply the discount.
• EXTRA BONUS: If you take quick action, you will get a complete set of replays from  "True Scrap Young At Heart" valued at $97 for FREE - all you have to do is register before 8/31 (that's tomorrow)! The replays include five classes and two virtual make and takes, from instructors like former CK Hall-of-Famer CD Muckosky, Traci Reed, and Stephanie Ackerman! There's sure to be something to tickle your creative bone and it's yours -- for NOTHING.

If you've never taken part in a True Scrap event before, they are legendary for the creative community, summer-camp-like atmosphere, and level of quality instruction.

Don't forget - True Scrap attendees who register by August 31 get access to True Scrap Young at Heart, a $97 value, absolutely FREE! You will receive access to True Scrap Young At Heart in early September.

I am really looking forward to the classes and the community of crafters - I hope you will be there too!  Sign up now to save a total of $147!

Tomorrow (August 31st) is also the last day to qualify get the special "Old School" free bonus bundle from Lettering Delights - see THIS POST for all of the information on the Back to School Dollar Sale.

We have lots going on this weekend (another wedding and a birthday party!) and I am finishing up some special projects that have to stay secret until mid September.  I hope you have a great holiday weekend!

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Quick and Easy Personalized Water Bottle

On a recent trip to IKEA I found most of the things I was looking for and a few that I didn't know I needed.  It is very hard to walk the path through the store with blinders on and there are often interesting and inexpensive "add-ons" to my list by the time I reach the checkout counters.

I came across some flat water bottles in a variety of colors just as I reached the end of the top floor of of the store.

These were in the IKEA Family section and the words "IKEA FAMILY" are molded right into the bottle (I am just mentioning the name in case this would not work for a project you might want to try - it is not very distracting).  The flat bottles can be filled with water and frozen, serving as ice packs when you travel with a picnic.  When the ice melts, you can drink the cold water.

The bright pink color should be enough to identify this as mine in our house but I decided to add a little personalization.  I pulled out some  Square1 Masterpiece adhesive fabric and chose a white with permanent adhesive for this project.

I wanted a simple swirl design and found a nice one on page 65 of the Artbooking handbook.  I could estimate the size of the starry swirl from the image of a completed layout that it was intended for at the top left of this page.  It looked to be about the right size for the bottle, so I cut the shape from the Border feature key using the recommended size of 11inches.

To make the bottle even more clearly mine, I added an initial.  The Artbooking cartridge has a great font - a plump feminine script that is very easy to weld.  I just needed one letter to fit the space but a three letter monogram in this font would be very nice too.

I shifted the placement of the extra stars to the end of the swirl (one star is meant to be near the spot where I placed my initial in the original design).

The Square1 material cut easily and cleanly with  settings of medium (3) pressure and speed and a blade depth of 4 on the Cricut.  I did not need to use transfer paper to put this design on the bottle.  The Square1 fabric is easier to handle than vinyl and it did not cling to itself.  I was able to pick up and lay down the design perfectly evenly with no air bubbles at all.  I haven't had time to put this through much washing yet but I think the design will last.  I'll report again after I have used this bottle for a while

While this cartridge is called "Artbooking," there are many ways to use the images and the great font that don't involve mini albums or scrapbook pages at all.  The cartridge comes in a bundle and also includes three stamps sets and three sheets of chipboard pieces that coordinate with the cartridge.

My friend Joy Tracey of Obsessed with Scrapbooking is a CTMH consultant and she would be happy to help you with any questions about the Artbooking cartridge.  You can contact her through her blog HERE or her CTMH website HERE.

It was incredibly hot in Minnesota last weekend (99 and humid) but that didn't spoil our trip.  The wedding celebration was a lot of fun and it was good to get together with friends and family.  We have another wedding to attend this weekend - it's hard to believe that Labor Day is here already!  Do you have something fun planned for the long weekend?

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 This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in affiliate programs for products that I use or can recommend without reservation

"Recycled" Cupcake Card

Every so often a piece of advertising mail arrives at my house and I can't resist "upcycling" it into a project.  Instead of being annoyed at receiving "junk mail" I look forward to finding new items to repurpose!

This postcard arrived last month from Vera Bradley for my birthday.  I think it had a coupon or special offer on the back that I never got around to using...

However, I did put it in my pile of "interesting" things and it wound up on my craft table.  With a bit of calculated trimming I was able to make a card front for an A2 card and also salvage seven of the eight remaining cupcakes for embellishing other projects (one cupcake suffered a terminal smudge in the mailing process).

(Watch out to see these cupcakes show up in another project...)

I cut a contrasting pink mat for the navy blue card (I had to go with the preppy colors) and then found some sheer sparkle ribbon to tie up the package.

I cut two lengths of ribbon and wrapped them to the back - then taped them down before adhering the pink mat to the card.

When the ribboned cupcakes were attached to the card I cut another short length of ribbon to tie a bow at the intersection.

The simple card needed just a bit more sparkle and shine...so I pulled out the Stickles glitter glue.

In this close view you can see the difference  when you add a bit of bling!

Sweet, simple and a good way to keep another piece of paper out of the recycling bin.  This card would be perfect for giving a Vera Bradley gift card to a friend.

We are having a great weekend enjoying a mini family reunion and wedding celebration.  I hope you are enjoying the last few days of the summer season.

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Lettering Delights Sale & Old School Freebie

Lettering Delights is having another Dollar Day sale - over 700 sets are on sale for just $1 ($2 for Cut-It sets) which is up to 75% off.  These files can be used for digital scrapping or with many electronic die cutting machines. If you would like an explanation of how to use these files and the difference between Graphics files and Cut-It sets you will find one HERE.

Click HERE to go to Lettering Delights and see all of the graphics, paper, fonts and Cut-It sets that are on sale.

It can be a bit daunting to browse through 741 items so here is a tip - you can change the drop down menu from 20 to 50 so you will have only 15 screens to search through.   You can also add items to your wishlist and then go back and decide which items you want from the smaller group in your wishlist.

 I found lots of goodies and some of my favorites are the "Little Teacups" boy and girl sets by Sheri McCulley - I bought them all!  You can find them on the bottom of page 2 and the top of page 3 if you are browsing at 50 items per page.

To make the deals even better they have a special freebie offer.  If you spend $10 or more by the end of August, you will receive the Old School Bundle as a special freebie.  This bundle is valued at $20 and includes

• 30 image graphic set valued at $5!
• 30 image cut set valued at $6!
• Old school alphabet valued at $4
• Old school paper pack valued at $2!
• Old school printable pack valued at $3!

I made the sample image at the top of this post using my Creative Memories StoryBook Creator program.  These images are adorable for Back to School gifts - perfect for print and cut projects.

The Old School Bundle will be added to your account automatically if you spend $10 or more at Lettering Delights before August 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time).  You don't have to spend the $10 all at once - all of your purchases will be accumulated.  You do have to have a free Lettering Delights account and be logged in to your account for the purchases to check your totals.  Once you have spent $10, the Old School Bundle will be added to your Library automatically.

Here's one more tip - if you first "purchase the freebies for this month (click HERE to go to the freebie page), you will receive a coupon code for 25% off in your confirmation email.  This will stretch your dollars even more!

I have some ideas for using these images with printable Square1 Masterpiece - wouldn't they be cute for removable and repositionable classroom decorations?

If you have any questions about using these images, please leave me a comment below.  We will be at a family celebrations this weekend but I will get back to you as soon as possible.  Have a great weekend!

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Back to School Card and Book

It's "Back to School" season and today I have a card and composition book to share with you.  I mentioned yesterday that some packages had recently arrived at my house and I used products from two of the packages for this project.

First, a bit of news...  I have joined the Creative Team for Square1 Masterpiece - an amazing product which is a great alternative to vinyl.  Square1 is an adhesive backed fabric which contains no PVC so it is much safer to use in your home.  It comes in a variety of colors with both permanent and repositionable adhesive options.  They also offer a printable version which you can use in your inkjet printer to make totally custom designs.  I am just starting to explore the possibilities of this product and I look forward to sharing my projects and some helpful tips as well.

I received a sample pack with a variety of colors in permanent and repositionable adhesive, some of the printable sheets and samples of the newest glitter, glow in the dark and iron on materials.  One of the advantages of this product over vinyl is that it will not stretch the way vinyl can.  I decided to try out both the red permanent and the yellow repositionable samples for my project.

I thought that a good test would be to cut some overlays and see how easy they were to lift and transfer to a book or card.  I chose this ABC overlay cut from the new Artbooking cartridge from CTMH (you can get it HERE).

First, I did a test cut with my Cricut settings at medium (3) for speed and pressure and a blade depth of 3.  The little heart in a circle was my test cut and it worked perfectly.  I used a mat to hold the product for cutting in the Cricut.

I cut the ABC overlay found on page 43 (the "Z" key) twice.  The first time I set the dial for 5 inches and kept the blade at a depth of 3.  This produced a cut that was about 4 3/8 inches high and 3 3/8 inches wide.  The cut lifted from the backing fairly easily but I did have to poke out a few of the tiny centers to some of the letters.  I cut the same design again at 7 inches and changed the blade depth to 4.  This slightly larger cut was easier to lift from the backing - there were just a few places where I had to push out background pieces.  You can see this cut in the photo above.

The permanent adhesive product is very sticky and you do have to be careful in order to move an intricate cut like this without using transfer paper.  I found that it wasn't hard to move the cut since it didn't seem to have the static clinginess that I have observed with vinyl.  The trickiest bit was the "@" sign at the bottom right which is not fully connected to the frame in the design of the overlay.

I wanted to use bright primary colors and fortunately there was some of the repositionable material in a bright yellow.  I layered the permanent adhesive red cut directly on the yellow sheet.  You do have to be careful to keep it straight as you layer the cut on the second sheet.  I found it helped to work at a 45 degree angle and smooth the overlay down evenly.  It probably would be a little easier to use transfer paper for a cut this intricate but for more basic shapes I don't think it would be necessary at all.

After I had smoothed down the overlay, I trimmed the yellow backing to frame the shape.  I used a punch to round the corners.  The punch worked very easily which surprised me a bit - I'll have to try some of my shape punches and see how they do cutting through the material.

I bought some composition books in various colors at Staples.  The blue was perfect for my red and yellow image. 

The Square1 fabric is slightly transparent and I didn't like the way you could seen the white block for the title through the yellow background (if you look carefully in the block with the letter "I" you will see what I mean).

Since the yellow layer is repositionable, I peeled it off and then cut a piece of plain white cardstock to fit behind the layered image.  This worked perfectly and even added a slightly raised center to the design. 

I burnished the design down paying particularly attention to the edges and it is very securely attached.  After a few hours I tried lifting a corner and I was able to lift the design - so I could use it on a second book when this one is filled up.  The repositionable fabric is slightly textured and reminds me of a very fine bandage.  The cover will be much more durable than it would be if I used paper and there is definitely an advantage to having the adhesive over the entire back of the image - no messy and smelly spray adhesives needed!

I applied the smaller overlay cut to another piece of the yellow repositionable material and trimmed it to fit an A2 sized card.  I decided against rounding the corners of the yellow piece.

I was able to remove the entire front piece even after it have been on the card for a few hours.  There were some bits of blue lint from the card base clinging to the back but it was still easy to stick down again.

I used another cut from Artbooking for the inside of the card.  The "First Day" cut is found on page 68 and I cut it at 3 inches (real dial size).

I had some skinny strips of the yellow left after trimming the front pieces of the composition book so I used a couple of them to add interest to the inside of the card.  Using a gridded mat is a great help in keeping the line straight, however, since the material is so easily repositioned you do have several chances to get it right. 

I was able to move the strip again after I had cut the extra off the end.  Since it is not stretchy like vinyl it fit perfectly even after I moved the strip. 

I added this stamped sentiment because it reminded me of things my mother would say when we were starting anything new.

The sentiment stamp is from this CTMH set called "Wicked" but unfortunately this was a Stamp of the Month set for August 2011 and I believe it is no longer available (I wanted to show it in case you do own the set since it seems an unlikely place to find a sentiment for a back to school card!).

The book and card would be cute for any grade school child starting off the new school year.

I'll be writing much more about both Artbooking and Square1 in the weeks to come.  While I have been doing more projects with my Silhouette machines lately, the Artbooking cartridge is one of the best Cricut cartridges that I have seen in a long while.  I'll be doing a full review soon - there is so much on this cartridge that it takes a while to figure it all out!  My friend Joy Tracey of Obsessed with Scrapbooking is a CTMH consultant and she would be happy to help you with questions and orders.  You can contact her through her blog HERE or her CTMH website HERE.

I am curious to know how many of you have tried Square1 - or is this product new to you?  I have some plans for the printable material that I hope to try before the weekend...

***One last reminder - today (Wednesday, August 21st) is the last day to place an order on the Creative Memories online sites.  If you have a last minute order and don't have a local consultant you can order on my CM site HERE.

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in affiliate programs for products that I use or can recommend without reservation.