Spring is in the air

I was first introduced to Paper Mola several years ago when I purchased a book on the subject by Erica Pels.  It is based on a fabric applique technique.  if you scour the internet you can probably find some of Erica’s templates.  Most of hers are geometric.   I expanded on her technique and developed some of my own .svg cutting templates.  Here is a card I made with my Tulip template.

I created .svg files for all of the layers, but I like to cut just the top layer with my digital cutter and then do the rest by hand which requires a bit of planning.

Items used:

• Mola Tulip Cut Files Download (zip)
• Grapefruit double sided paper pack (HOTP)
• Vintage Christmas Paper Pack (HOTP)
• Unforgettable Double Sided Paper Pack(HOTP)
• Yellow Ginham Paper(HOTP)
• Four Seasons Stamp Set (HOTP 1076)
• Silver Dragonfly Dazzles(HOTP)

For more Mola templates, visit the Paper Mola page on my website.

Welcome Baby Boy

I cut the onesies for this card using the Peek-a-boo SVG set from Lettering Delights.  I used the Baby Face alphabet dies for the lettering on the onesies.

I used the Peggy banner from the Layered Ribbon Banners template for the Welcome banner.  The stamp set I used was one of those dollar sets from Michael’s.

Made With:

• Peek-a-boo SVG set from Lettering Delights
• Layered Ribbon Banners template (Hot Off the Press)
• Baby Face Alphabet (Provo Craft)
• Tiny alphabet stamps
• Sparkle Gold Twine Cording (Maya Road)
• Patterned paper scraps
• Blue patterned paper
• Green patterned paper

Butterflies, Birthdays and Banners

I spent some time cleaning my craft room this afternoon and uncovered some projects I started but never finished.  When I got done cleaning, I decided that rather than start something new, I should finish something (what a novel concept!).

I had all the pieces cut out for a butterfly card, but had never assembled it, so that seemed pretty easy.  After I got done I added a banner and a greeting to it.

I cut the butterfly with my eCraft using the Butterflies and Blossoms cut-it set from letteringdelights.com.  I really like the way it turned out.  The banner is from the Build A Banner template by Hot Off The Press.  The stamps and papers are also from Hot Off The Press.

Here’s the inside of the card:

You can find the supplies list for this card on my website here:
http://www.handcraftedgreetings.com/card.php?card_id=00273

Memorial Day Wreath

Today, my ESL kids made these wreaths for Memorial Day. I got the idea for the wreath from Enchanted Learning and I found the poem at Apples4TheTeacher.com.  I used the Attach to Shape feature in MyMemories Suite 4 to make the poem star shaped.  It’s really easy to do, you just add a text box with your text, add a shape, select them both, right click and select Attach to Shape from the context menu. 

The wreath is very simple to make, especially if you have an electronic cutter.  I used my eCraft.  The shapes are basic shapes that most machines come with.

Obviously, you could make this just about any size, but I started with a 7” circle with a 5.5” cut-out for the base.  I sized the stars to 2.5”, 2” and 1.5” and cut them from red, blue and white card stock.  I randomly glued the stars around the circle and then when I was done, I added the poem to the front and a hanger to the back.

Friends Forever

Here’s a card I made for the challenge I’m hosting over at Just cards.  The challenge is to make a card out of black and white paper with just a splash of one color.  I chose this challenge because I recently bought a pack of black and white papers and needed an excuse to use them.

I have also accumulated quite the collection of .svg files to use with my eCraft, so of course, I used some of those too.  The flower, lace and the label inside the card were all cut with my eCraft.  The sentiment is from the Heart to Heart stamp set from Hot Off the Press.

Here’s what the inside looks like.

Items used:

• White card stock
• Pink card stock
• Recollections black and white paper pad
• Heart to Heart stamp set (Hot Off the Press)
• Anna Griffin Poppy embossing folder
• 15 Lovely Labels template (Hot Off the Press)
• Butterflies and Blossoms .svg set (Lettering Delights)
• Scalloped Borders .svg set (Lettering Delights)
• Dimensional Flowers Cut it set (Lettering Delights)
• Double-sided foam tape

My eCraft Electronic Cutting Machine

I’ve been eyeing electronic cutting machines for quite a while and finally settled on the Craftwell eCraft.  I chose it because I wanted a reasonably priced machine that I could cut my own designs on. I did a little research before buying it, so I was aware that there would be a bit of a learning curve and I was also aware that some people outright hated it.  However, it made #2 on Top 10 Reviews for electronic cutters, so I figured it couldn’t be all that bad.  I was right.  It does have its quirks, but overall I am very happy with it.

Here’s a card I made with it last weekend.

Everything on the front of the card was cut with the eCraft.  The design behind the flower is one of my cut and fold patterns.  I drew it in Open Office Draw and saved it as a .svg so I could import it into the eCraftShop Pro software that comes with the eCraft.  The flower is from the Cut Flower Easter Cut-it set from Lettering Delights.  The frame is from the Delilah Tags set and the font is Taiga.  I cut all the white pieces from linen textured vellum and the turquois pieces are cut from card stock.

The eCraftShop Pro software that comes with the eCraft is extremely limited.  If you want to separate the layers of a layered .svg, and you most likely will, then you will definitely need some third party software to do that. I asked the folks at eCraft if the ability to separate layers of .svg files was going to be built into the software in the future and was informed in no uncertain terms that there were NO plans to make ANY modifications eCraftShop Pro.

After fighting with the software for about a week, I went in search of an alternative and found Make the Cut (MTC). MTC has a plug-in  for the eCraft so that you can send files directly from it to the machine, but be warned, it is extremely slow!  If I’m going to be cutting a lot of shapes, I typically manipulate the shape in MTC, save each layer as a separate .svg and then import it into eCraftShop Pro to send it to the eCraft from there.

One of the features of the eCraft that is slightly misleading is that it does not require a cutting mat.  While that is technically true, you DO need to use a carrier sheet with most papers.  When I say carrier sheet, I mean you will need to place a piece of cardstock under the paper you are cutting.  If  you set the blade depth properly, you will be able to use the same carrier sheet multiple times before you have to replace it.  To keep it from slipping, I use a repositionable glue stick to adhere the paper I’m cutting to the carrier sheet.  Be warned though, you do NOT want to put that adhesive anywhere where it will get on the rollers!  They are a pain to clean.  Also, you don’t need to use very much adhesive at all.  The instructions on the glue stick I have say to use two coats.  You don’t need that much.  One very light coat is plenty.

So, after all that, am I happy with my eCraft? Yes. 

If I could turn back time, would I buy it again?  Most likely, given the same budget.  If I could double my budget, I think I’d probably go with a Zing instead.