Sunday, February 22, 2015

VLog #1

The following video is my first video blog (vlog) ever.  I want to do more of these so that you can see me in my daily life and get to know me more outside of crafting.  It is not the best, but again, it was my first.  I hope to get better as time goes.  I don't know how often I will do a vlog yet.  We will see.  But my first one is mainly about my cramped crafting space the the snow storms that keep hitting us.  But I can say, it could be worse.....  could be in Boston.



http://www.patreon.com/paperthisandthat

Friday, February 20, 2015

Patreon

Good morning.  We have another coooollllllldddddd morning.  Woke up to a -13 degrees F and that is not a wind chill factor but actual temp.  Right now it made it up to -4.  Kids have no school again because of the cold weather but they are in good hands.  So, I didn't get out of going to work this morning :(

I have some big plans for 2015.  I set up an account as a creator on patreon.com.  I was inspired to do so by Melody Lane.

What is Patreon?
Patreon lets fans support their favorite creators by becoming patrons. Unlike other fundraising services, which raise for a single big event, Patreon is for creators who create a stream of smaller works.  Other platforms you help pay for much bigger projects.  With Patreon, the artist chooses whether you help support single small projects of your choosing or the artist sets up a monthly subscription for their content.  There are several levels with various rewards or perks.  It is kinda like giving a tip.

You Are Not Paying For Videos
You get to see my videos earlier than anyone else.  However, if you decide not to become one of my Patreons, that is ok.  I know that some can not afford it.  My videos will always be free to the public.  It is just a matter who sees them first.  My files that go along with the videos are available to my Patreons only from this day forward.  Don't worry, I will still offer a freebie now and then to those who can not or choose not to become one of my Patreons.

For more info and to see my subscription levels (rewards)  click here or go to:  http://www.patreon.com/paperthisandthat 

One of my milestones includes giving away a Cricut Explore Air and another an iPad!!!!!



Thursday, February 19, 2015

Cricut Design Space 2.0 File Share and Projects For Yesterday

Good morning on this frigid morning.  It is about 2 degrees F out this morning with a wind chill of -10.  The kids school closed today because of the cold temps and I got to call off today.  No one was able to stay with the boys today.  You know what that means?  I am going to be crafting some more today.

Yesterday I had a vacation day at my main job because I had some real estate business to do.  I have a closing on Monday and had to fax stuff to the closing company.  Someday, being a Realtor will be my main job :)

Anyhow, just wondering what you all thought on the new Design Space.  I created a couple things yesterday.  I made a little notebook using my bind it all and I cut my first piece of chipboard on my Cricut Explore.  It cut great.  I set my dial to custom and there are a couple chipboard settings, one for light weight and one for heavier chipboard.  I cut the key out.  Then I used copper metallic craft paint to paint it.  The notebook measures 4 x 5 inches.  I made chipboard covers and covered the front with a vintage advertising designer paper.



My second project yesterday is a round shaped card.  In Design Space, I welded 2 circles together.  Then I chose the top layer cut from the image library.  It is a scalloped circle with trees, a baby deer and a squirrel attached to the circle frame.  Next, I did a Melody Lane thing and got out my Pebbles cream chalks and colored some of the die cut image to add interest and depth.  The cream chalks are much richer in color.  On my wish list are some of the Pebbles classic chalks.


I am going to share my file for the above card. I do have a score line attached to the base card.  If you don't have the scoring tool, just go through the motions and let the machine do its thing.  You can score it on a score board later.  Let me say also, subscribe to the image library.  It is soooooooo worth it.  Click Here for the Design Space File.  You need to be logged into Design Space so that you can save it.  Or you can copy and paste the following into your browser window

https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/25127811

Lastly,  leave a comment below telling us what your favorite new feature in Design Space 2.0 is.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Make It Now Project - Hello Card

Good afternoon blog land.  I just wanted to share with you a video I recorded this morning.  I made my first project using the brand new Cricut Design Space 2.0.  It is a simple card that I picked out from the Make It Now section of Design Space.  I show you how I set it up on my computer and got it ready to cut.  Then I assemble the card on camera.  You also get to see my goofs as well.  I don't edit out my goof ups.  I think it just make things seem more real.




Friday, February 6, 2015

Valentine's Day Window Cling Project

One more post for tonight.  I created these window clings using my Cricut Explore......  I love my Explore.  It cut like a charm.  Now, I just need more colors of window clings..hehehe.

Can't tell you what cartridges I used because I just did a search in the image library for hearts and for Happy Valentine's Day phrase.  I searched all images.  One heart I had to purchase for 99 cents but I don't mind.  I liked the heart and now I own it.






It is nothing big, but I was playing with my Explore.  I have only used it to cut paper and card stock.  I was a bit afraid to try anything else.  But I finally took the plunge.  I have a bunch of vinyl that I need to start using that are unopened.  I also bought printable vinyl.  It is still unopened too. But the window cling is a start.

This is being entered into the current Valentines Day Project challenge over on Fantabulous Cricut.

Valentines Day Card For Challenges

It has been a long time since I entered any challenges.  But I am entering this card ( which is featured in the video in my previous post)  in the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge

How I made this card can be found in my previous post.  I recorded me putting the card together.  So for those of you who have seen my card already, sorry for the re-post.






This was created using my Cricut Explore and Design Space.  Melody Lane designed the card and shared it with her patreons.  I just changed it up a little by using an image from Teddy Bear Parade and I flattened it in DS and print then cut.  She did the same thing but had Abbie from Sesame Street.  I don't have that cartridge and is not part of the Cricut subscription because it is a licensed cartridge.  So, I replaced it with an image that was part of my subscription.  I also added an extra heart.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

New Facebook Swap Group

Good morning everyone.  Just want to let you know that I have started a group on Facebook geared towards Cricut machines.  But even if you don't have a Cricut and have another machine like the Cameo, you can join.  This group is about creating something using your Cricut or die cut machine and swapping it with another member.  We will be doing everything from cards to mini albums to vinyl projects and who knows what else.  To join click here.