Crafting on a Budget: fun

Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Teacher Appreciation 2017

Can you believe it? It's already May! Are you scrambling for a last minute teacher appreciation gift? I got the Oracal 651 out and sat down with ecal 2 and made this design for some of the teachers in our life. I admit, I had some trouble and had to remove, re-cut and then reapply my design on a couple of these, but FINALLY I got the look I was shooting for.

I finished them with some paper and foil shred. If you make some using the Dollar Tree tumblers, be sure to include a note to handwash only. Have fun creating!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Crazy about HTV!

I've been very busy with little people this last year and a half. But now that they are getting older and can entertain themselves for little bits of time, I find more crafting time. I completed bunnies for Easter that I cut out last year but didn't have time to put together. I was even able to cut a couple more for new babies.

This has been a very busy file for me. I think I can safely say I've made more that 50 of these cute little guys!

But more recently, I've been hearing the call of vinyl. It is a medium I have really wanted to learn more about. I had ordered some heat transfer vinyl a couple of months ago, but didn't have the courage to try it. I then decided I needed a heat press and so I bought myself a 15 x 15 clamshell from eBay. Man, does it make this vinyl more fun to do! I've tried my hands at a couple of projects, both with HTV and adhesive. I've used the adhesive before, but with some improvements on the ecal 2 software, I think my projects are looking even better. Here are the ones I've done over this last week.

This was my first htv project. I cut the vinyl too deep and had to piece it all together on the shirt. Not really the result I wanted, but a lesson learned.

I bought a bunch of these glass cutting boards/trivets at the Dollar Tree over a year ago, with the intent to etch or put vinyl on them for gifts. I finally got a couple done along with my Dollar Tree tumblers and yes, these are Dollar Tree mugs. I'll give these away in a drawing for our neighborhood work day this Saturday.

I tried my hand again at a different style Star Wars day shirt. I had better results, by not cutting all the way thru the htv. I think I need to work on sizing now.

Now when I go to Wal-Mart, I'm on the look out for cheap apparel to add htv too. I thought a unicorn was just what this little summer romper needed. I'm getting better!

My last project today was inspired by some clearance fabric I found at Wal-mart. I watched a tutorial on Cuttin Corners vinyl on applying heat bond ultra to fabric to make it like htv. I then made a shadow cutout in black vinyl to edge it. My placement was a little off. I'm going to need better lighting by my heat press. But I do love the look. Now to see how long it will actually last!

Be sure to check out Betsy at Cuttin Corners vinyl, or the folks at Expression vinyl for great tutorials and ideas for using vinyl.

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Cut Once and Craft for a Week.

With the addition of two grandchildren, my crafting time has been drastically reduced. I get an hour here and there to put a small project together, but not the real craft time I desire. In a effort to get more projects done, I decided to borrow an idea from some busy mom blogs. "Cook once, eat all week." So this week, I am cutting once to craft all week!

(previous years projects)

The Bunny Hop kit by SVG Cuts from a few years ago, has one of my favorite projects for Easter. I love the Bunny box! I made all the grandkids one several years ago, but with new family members, everyone is getting a new bunny. I have papers picked and I'm cutting out 8 bunnies to put together this week. It's the setup process that takes me the longest. Although this project is easy to pick paper for, cutting and weeding still take a while to do. It seems I can be in my craftroom, unbothered, for several hours on Friday nights! I have two more bunnies to cut out, so I shall get back to it!

Friday, October 2, 2015

A Free SVG File You Don't Want to Miss!

Happy Friday!

I'm finally back in my craftroom with a free SVG file to share. If you haven't seen the new Dreaming Tree website, then I highly encourage you to check it out. Right now they have the cutest coffin SVG to download for FREE! Yes! FREE! (update there is also a free Santa Paperscape Box card and Stingy Jack Lantern for a limited time)

Free Dreaming Tree SVG File Spooky Coffin

Did I mention Free?

I was able to make this coffin with one sheet of 12x12 cardstock and some scraps. The base and lid were made from a Making Memories Toil & Trouble collection from 2010 that I have been hoarding. It's a lovely 2 sided cardstock I bought from an online craft company that has since gone out of business. The purple is scrap from some Halloween projects I made last year, and I always have black and yellow scraps! I did a little inking around the edges. This little guy is 3 1/2 inches tall and 2 inches wide at the biggest section. It will be fun to fill for the grandkids!

If you are new to the world of 3D paper creating and don't know where to go for fun files that don't break the bank, then this is one site that can fill the bill. Your friends and family will squeal with delight when they see what you can do with paper!

So head on over and check them out! Just click here!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

30 Days of crafting day 10

Today did not get the results I hoped for. I was trying to do a scrapbook layout, but my computer and printer would not communicate. After two hours getting pictures to print, my crafting time was over. I hope to finish the layout and design a word album tomorrow. Be sure to check on my progress!

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Day 9 of my 30 day personal challenge

Day nine saw the successful completion of the teapot from SVG Cuts Tea for You and Me kit. This was a great project to do. I love how well it went together! It looks so real and is so sturdy. This teapot will be part of my Facebook 200 page likes give away. I will be making the entire kit for the lucky winner!

For the base I used AC cardstock. For the panels I used DCWV's The Butterfly Garden stack. It has a real English teapot feel to it. I added some little sticky pearls on the lid and lid handle, and tied a ribbon to affix to the top. It's going to be hard to let it go!

Once again, thank you for stopping by my blog. Be sure to check in again for more crafting adventures!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

30 Day Challenge, Day 5 Happy Easter!

Today's post are projects I actually made last night in anticipation of not having time to craft today.

I used my Sizzix eclips2 to cut vinyl for these two tumblers that are bithday gifts later this week. Both vinyls are oracal 651 that I purchased off ebay two years ago. I was afraid to use it until now! After watching a few youtube videos on how to apply it I have been less hesitant. I'm very pleased with the outcome of these tumblers. I bought a case of double wall tumblers from Dollar Tree. This case had the summer colors. It has the red and blue you see and a really nice green and orange. I found the images on the internet under free svg searches and then did a trace into ecal2. I love the wrapper feature! It curves the words and design so your cup looks more professional.

I have found for transferring the design from the mat to the project is really easy with some Dollar Tree Clear Magic Cover. It's clear shelf paper that has just the right amount of sticky to make the transfer and you can see what you're doing.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out my facebook page. I will be having a spring theme give away because we got to 200 page likes!

Friday, April 3, 2015

30 Day Personal Challenge, Day 3

I'm really having fun spending evenings in my craft studio and thinking about what project to do next! Last night I made the birdcage from Playful Parlour by SVG Cuts

I used AC Carstock for the entire project. The pieces cut out beautifully on my Sizzix eclips2. I think this will be something I actually keep on a shelf in my livingroom.

My next project will have to be Easter related. I want to make a hostess gift for a egg hunt party that a family member is having. I will also have a post on Easter Sunday, but it will actually be a project I make today or tomorrw. I'm hosting Easter dinner and doubt that crafting will be something I can do til very late on Sunday.

I'm just 3 page likes away from reaching 200 on Facebook! I'll be having a spring theme give away when that magic number is achieved!

Monday, February 9, 2015

First Craft Show is Done!

Well, I made it. Got to my first craft show and actually sold a few things! Unfortunately for the vendors and crafters, Wichita had a February temp of high 68 so the traffic was a little light. Most people chose to spend the day in the great outdoors on such a glorious day. We've had some really cold temps, so I don't blame them! I met some really nice people and bought some wonderful jams from Steve's Jams and Jellies. I opened the Cherry Cheesecake right away to try it. It really taste like Cherry Cheesecake!

Ok, back to my experience.

We could choose to set up either Friday evening, or Saturday morning. I chose Saturday morning, so I could do a mock set up at home first. (I also had to finish up pricing and packing my items) I got up just before 6am, took my shower, loaded my car and drove over to pick up my niece, who was helping me. We arrived right at 8 am and got busy setting up. We were done by 9 and I am very pleased with how our booth turned out.

One of the things my family highly suggested was for me to take the Easter bunnies from last year and see if anyone wanted to order them. That was the best idea of all! I ended up with orders for 10 bunnies!

Here is a look at the bunnies from last year!

All in all, I am very pleased with my first attempt at craft showing. I'll be keeping a look out for another small craft show for the future. In the mean time, I have some bunnies to make!

Be sure to visit my Facebook page and give it a like!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Wonderful Gift From SVG Cuts!

If you have an electronic cutting machine, (i.e. a cricut, cameo, eclips, brother) then you need to click on the link below and get your absolutely free Santa's Sweets SVG kit from SVG Cuts. It's their way of wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Santa's Sweets Kit, Free for a limited time!

Even if you don't have a cutting machine yet, and plan to get one after the first or as a gift, this is the time to get this free gift to get you started! You'll fall in love!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Crafting On A Budget-Dollar Tree Pre-Christmas Haul 11-4-2014

Hello Everyone.

I went to my local Dollar Tree today to stock up on essentials (face tissue, paper towels, baggies, bread). I always cruise the other isles, because you just never know. Today I made some fabulous finds, both for crafting and for gift giving! Here they are!

On the counter are, Skylanders fun tape, burlap ribbon, laser tap, some adorable compacts, a sweet Disney pen and pad set, and Christmas ribbon!

They were stocking some really nice looking pics and floral things too! I had to stop myself!

I love finding the compacts. They go inside the Luxury Handbags from SVG Cuts nicely for a little extra special something. These will be great for the younger gals.

I hunted at both Hobby Lobby and Michaels last week for Christmas ribbon for the Classic Christmas Advent Calendar from SVG Cuts. I was only able to find the 2" wide ribbon or the 3/8" wide. The ribbon I found at Dollar Tree was 5/8", which fits around the calendar better. The 3/8" ribbon works, but the thicker ribbon helps hide any little imperfections.

Not as many choices, but I'm not unhappy about the selection.

I'm also expecting a case of the plastic tumblers to personalize with some vinyl that I have been ignoring for a year! Can't wait! This is going to be a craf-tabulous Christmas for me!

Be sure to check out my Facebook page and "like" it. I have a monthly give away.

Crafting on a Budget