Crafting on a Budget

 When I found out that you could convert an Epson ecotank printer into a sublimation printer, I ran out and bought myself a ecotank 2720.  I already own a 2720 and a 4760.  The savings in ink is unbeatable.  But when I started trying to make things, the excitement didn't last.  Even though I had purchased a highly recommended ink, I wasn't getting the results I wanted, or saw others getting.  Before long I was listing that printer for sale on marketplace.  

I had found a new love.  Direct to film.  But, I had already invested money into a mug press and sublimation paper.  And there were still a few projects I really wanted to try.  So, while converting wide format printers over for dtf, I realized I could convert one of these into a sublimation printer.  I already had the refillable cartridges and a printer, so I just needed the 6 color inks.  I decided on Printer Jacks.  The difference in the outcome is amazing!  I'm looking for things to sublimate again!   Peek a boo shirts, mugs, and even some custom fabrics.  The printer I chose to convert is an Epson Stylus Photo 1400.  The colors that it's producing are vibrant and wonderful.

It makes me excited for sublimation again.  Not the all over shirt designs that you can find online, but the projects, that are more my skill level.  The all over shirts take a great deal of skill.  

So, if you tried sublimation with an ecotank, and it fell flat for you too, you might want to consider an Epson Workforce printer or a wide format cartridge based printer.  You need to be sure there are refillable, chipless cartridges available on the market, or it won't work.  

This week on my facebook page, I'll be giving away mugs, sublimated with the winners design.  So if you have ever wanted a personalized mug, be sure to go to the Crafting On A Buget facebook page and enter!

 
This fun Stingy Jack Lantern 3 from Dreaming Tree is my Halloween give away.  Head over to my facebook page (click here) and leave a comment on the post to be eligible.  Winner will be announced on October 15, 2015.

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!

Good Morning!  It's time to set a new facebook goal and have a give away!  I've been sitting at 213 for some time now.  I would like to see that number grow to 250.  When we get to 250, I will have a give away!  I'm thinking the lighthouse, but I haven't made a definite decision on that.

It has been awhile since I've posted.  It's been awhile since I was in my craft studio.  I'm really tardy in completing the prize for the 200 page likes give away, but I finally got all the 3D pieces put together.


This is the first time I've made all the 3D projects in a single kit.  It was really fun to pick a paperstack collection and work only from that stack for the decorated papers.  I also kept a common theme on the solid color paper.  I hope the winner will like the choices!

I'm hoping to get into my studio and craft some more.  Since I didn't complete my 30 day challenge, so many events have kept me out of the craft room.  Hopefully, this has passed and I can get back to more crafting.  At least a few times a week!

Thanks for stopping by.  I want to put the General Store from Country Market SVG kit together soon.  Be sure to check in and see how I'm doing!

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!

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'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

It is day 2 and I do have another project to share.  Today it's from the SVG Cuts Box Cards file.

For my first day of the 30 day personal challenge I have completed the beer mug from the Feeling Lucky kit by SVG Cuts.

It's time to give something away!  Go to my Facebook page for your chance to win a clutch purse like this one shown!

A new year is here and  I plan to share more projects with you while building up an inventory to take my crafting to a few shows this year.  I hope you will follow along while I share my experiences with you.

My first goal will be to create some easy to assemble items that I can make in quantities that won't take up a lot of storage, or table space.  With paper crafting, that is one of my biggest concerns; having the necessary space to display enough items to make the craft show circuit profitable, and keeping things from being crushed before they get there!  Displaying is also a concern.  Table tops alone won't allow for many items to be displayed.  I have been on a search for the folding type wire shelves that were very popular a few years ago.  I have found two so far.  I need display items that are light weight and easily portable.  I'll continue looking for the shelves while I start making a list of projects to work on.

I find that taking the time to select the paper and cut out the project is the big hurdle for me.  I love putting them together.  Assembly is something I can do while sitting with my granddaughter as she plays.  She can turn my craft room into a disaster area if she's allowed in there!  So cutting is something I have to do in the evenings, or during her nap time.  However, I find that time taken up by other things that have to get done.  That's something I need to overcome if I want to get this going!

Typing up my blog post is a way to keep me motivated.  I feel if I have posted that I'm going to do something, that someone out there will be checking back to see when or if I get it done!  So keep me honest blog readers!

As always, all the projects I will be creating are from SVG Cuts.  I have registered with SVG Cuts for commercial use of their files, so I am allowed to sell at craft shows or on my website.

If you are reading this, and have sold your creations at craft shows, please feel free to comment.  Perhaps you have some very useful advice for me and fellow readers!

As always, be sure to visit my Facebook page and like it.  I will be doing more give aways starting soon!

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.

Today I got a  Facebook post from SVG Cuts alerting that there was a new free design available for download.  It just reaffirmed why I love SVG Cuts and have since Easter of 2010.
 This was a free file that they offered on 2-27-2010.  It is also the day I discovered how wonderful they are!  Below is what I made for a class of preschoolers for an Easter take home treat.  I had just gotten my Cricut Expression in December, and hadn't really done any crafting like this before.   SVG Cuts taught me a lot!

For November, the give away will be winners choice.  There are still fans that prefer to keep the autumn theme going.  I will have the drawing on November 15.   Be sure to check out my Facebook page.  If you like the post for the give away, you'll get one chance.  If you send a friend my way, you'll get 5 more chances.  They need to say you sent them, and like my page for you to get the additional chances.  If we get to 100 page likes by November 15, I'll make the North Pole Express for the milestone give away.  So, visit my page (click here for the link).  Be sure to like it.  Share my page with your friends.  Be sure they know to like my page, and leave a comment that you sent them.  Then you'll get even more chances to win!  You might even win the North Pole Express!

Thanks for stopping by!

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!

Today is the official first full day of Fall.  It arrived at 9:29 p.m. last night, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

In an effort to stay ahead of special days and holidays that I like to give gifts for, I made these baskets about 2 weeks ago.  Last night I made the easiest pumpkin muffin recipe.  I baked them in the really big muffin tin so each basket just got one.  I put some paper shred in the bottom of each basket, stacked the muffin on top and added a book of stickers (that I keep on hand from the Dollar Tree). The boys took them to school today to give to their teachers.  I realize that it's not a traditional gift giving day, but I enjoy making my paper crafts, and it's even more enjoyable to have an occasion for creating and giving!

The basket is from SVG Cuts Fall Harvest kit from two years ago.  Most of the papers I used were single color AC card stock.  This was a quick and easy project to complete.  The baskets are roomy allowing for one big item or several small ones.  I hope the teachers like them as much as I did making them.  Now on to more Halloween crafts!

Be sure to visit my Facebook page for a chance for TWO giveaways!

Thanks for stopping by!  Craft Happy!