Black Cat US Mini Crop

Join us for a mini crop this weekend on the Black Cat US forum.  We have some fun and very talented people presenting this crop and you are certain to have tons of fun and learn a thing or two also! Just click my link below or on the button to the right. The crop starts today, Friday, June 10 at 5 pm central time, and ends Sunday, June 12, 8:00 pm Central time.  See you there!http://blackcatus.com/index.php

Blog Candy Winners

Hi everyone.  I just drew, or rather I had my husband draw, for the winners of my blog candy.  The 2 winners of my ATC cards are Kwilt and Kim Drako!  Congratulations.  Kwilt, I know I can get in touch with you on the MTC forum .  Kim, are you also on the MTC forum?  Let me know how to get the cards to you too.  I will get the cards out to both of you as soon as I make them.  LOL!

And now for the big prize winner of the Make the Cut software:  It is...............................

NELDA!

Congratulations Nelda! 

I will contact you on the MTC forum Nelda to get your prize!

Thanks to everyone who hopped along with us during all or part of the month long blog hop.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. And a big thanks to all the hosts, especially Christy @ http://everdaylittlethings.blogspot.com/ who organized the entire hop!

Make the Cut Blog Hop, Day 31!

I get to close out the month long blog hop for the awesome Make the Cut software program. I am truly honored.  There have been some fantastic projects this whole month long.  If you have missed any of them, you can click the MTC blog hop button on your right and you will find links to all the blog hop posts.

MTC software is a small “Mom and Pop” organization, but there is nothing small town about this program.  Their motto is “Imagine It, Create It, Cut It.”  There are no limitations to this program.  And the support is awesome.  Free weekly webinars are held, Tuesday evenings, where old and new tricks are featured. There is a forum where you may ask all your software and crafting questions.  The response from other members is usually quick and very useful.  You can find the forum here: http://forum.make-the-cut.com/discussions

If you would like to download the trial of MTC and/or purchase it you can do so using my MTC button located on the right side of my blog.

Make the Cut software currently works with the following cutters:

Black Cat Cougar

Black Cat Lynx

Bosskut Gazelle

Quickutz Silhouette

Craft Robo

US Cutter MH/Laser point series

ECraft

Pazzle

Klic-N-Kut

Any cutter using an HPGL printing support feature

If your cutter isn’t listed, you can contact customer support at support@makethecut.com, or ask on the MTC forum .

There are so many possibilities with this software, You are not limited by cartridges, you are truly only limited by your imagination!

Now, what’s a blog hop without some blog candy?  Well I have some awesome candy to offer, but first I want to show you my projects for the blog hop.

First up is my ATC card frame.  ATC cards are Artist Trading Cards.  Several of us on the MTC forum recently engaged in an ATC swap.  Many were asking how to display them, so I designed a frame in MTC for this purpose.

Here is a picture of the frame.

I made a large frame with 9 openings.  I made the frame out of white chipboard.  I needed the frame to have some substance to it which is why I chose chipboard. But you could also use regular cardstock and then glue pages together to get the desired thickness.  I then colored the frame with different ink chalks. Next I made a unique frame for each opening to show off the ATC card.  I embossed each frame and glued it around each opening. And you can use each frame individually for other projects too!

Now take a look at the back of the frame.

I made 3 long strips to glue part way up each opening so I could slip my ATC cards in the slots.  Each artist signs their ATC card so you want the backs to be visible and removable. Here is the finished frame:

Front

Back

Above is a view of all the individual frames.

You can download the MTC file for this project here:
http://www.4shared.com/file/Hmmlo9Pk/ATC_Frame_3.html



Are you ready for some blog candy?  Sorry, not yet!

We have also been enjoying a tumbler craze at the MTC forum. A lot of us went together on a tumbler share buy, and got a great price.  That’s another great thing about this forum.  We “enable” each other’s crafting! LOL 

Here is the tumbler I was inspired to design using a summer theme. 

Another forum member, Jeannette, created a great file that using MTC allows you to curve your design so that it fits perfectly on your tumbler.  This file also works for cupcake wrappers! You can check out her file and tutorial here: http://houseofcards-jc.blogspot.com/

I am offering my tumbler design in the curved form and also in its original state in case you would like to use it for cards or something else. You can get the MTC file here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/bgY3ukfC/Tumbler_watering_can_and_flowe.html

Now, about that blog candy…. Nope, not yet!

Since I am the last host, a caboose kept coming to my mind, so I have to give you a caboose don’t I?

I haven’t cut it out yet, but I am offering you the MTC file for it also.

http://www.4shared.com/file/dxggtV4R/MTC_caboose.html

If anyone uses any of my files I would love for you to show me a picture.  The best way to do this would be on the MTC forum, under the “Masterpieces” category.

Okay, are you ready for some blog candy? Great! So am I.

I am involved in 2 upcoming ATC card swaps with other MTC members. I will offer an ATC card to 2 winners chosen randomly.

To qualify, first become a follower of my blog if you have not already done so. 

Second: Leave me a comment and a way to contact you should you win. If you are on the MTC forum, you can just leave your MTC user name.

Now I am offering even more blog candy.  This blog candy is really AWESOME!  Due to the generosity of the owners of MTC, Andy and Ann, I am offering a free download of the MTC software!!!!!!!  So here is your chance. If you have been wondering if you should purchase MTC, but haven’t taken the plunge, you just might win it.  For all of you who already have MTC, please get the word out to your friends, etc., who don’t have this awesome software.  Direct them to my blog post, and tell them about this great give away!  This is a great chance to generate more interest in MTC! Tell them that you sent them here, and for them to mention your name in their post.  That will get you a second chance in my ATC card give away. Of course currents owners are also eligible to win the software as you might want to present it as a gift to someone.

The rules are simple:

Become a follower of my blog (if you are not already doing so)

Look through the previous days’ blog hop posts.  Again, you can access them by clicking on the MTC blog hop button on your right. Then leave me a comment telling me what you would create from the all the projects presented in the blog hop posts if you owned  MTC software.

I will keep both chances for winning blog candy open until the end of Saturday, June 4.  I will announce the winner on Monday, June 6.

Thanks everyone!

Initial Tile

I made this as a wedding gift for a lovely young couple.  I've known the bride since she was a preschooler.  It is a vinyl applique on a tile. Thanks for looking.

This font is called Regal and you can get it here:  http://www.fontspace.com/aldus/regal

I Am Feeling a Bit Loopy!!!

A fellow crafter recently requested a "loopy" border.  I experimented with basic shapes in MTC software and came up with this design.  She said it was exactly what she was looking for!  It was easy peasy to make with MTC - Make the Cut!

http://www.4shared.com/file/P_3M0TSu/Loopy_border.html

FINAL FOUR

Most people's brackets are busted, but you can still root on any of the Final Four with the files posted below. And with the generic basketball cupcake wrapper, you can customize to root on any team, high school, rec league, etc. I will post as an MTC file only this time. If you need an svg file for any of them, just let me know, and I will be happy to oblige.

http://www.4shared.com/file/0I1FE1up/March_Madness.html

MTC Wrap Feature

At this past Tuesday night's webinar, Bryan was deomonstrating the wrap feature. He was wrapping hearts around a circle, and people noted that it was looking like a flower. He suggested that someone go ahead and create a flower, so I did! Here are the results.

http://www.4shared.com/file/WLHeraJ8/Bryan_Flower.html

Easter Is Coming!

I made a simple Easter Egg file as well as an Easter Bunny.  I really like the bunny's fluffy tail!  Easter is late this year, but it is not too early to start working on your Easter projects.

http://www.4shared.com/file/1V9L5sVM/Easter_egg.html

I am adding the option of the bunny with light pink inner ears too.  And  making the MTC file available for download.

http://www.4shared.com/file/bPsg4Bx2/Easter_Bunny_2_2_.html

Bridal Shower Invitation

 I designed an invitation for my daughter's upcoming Bridal Shower. It incorporates her wedding colors of pink and green. Along with my good friend, who is co-hosting the shower with my other daughter (who is the maid of honor), we made 37 of these invitations utilizing Make The Cut's "print and cut" function. I have included the MTC file for your use. "Print and cut" makes papercrafting so much more diverse.

http://www.4shared.com/file/gT6OWBx0/Bridal_shower_MTC.html

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner!  I made this Heart file to share with you.  I made one card using the shadow layer with the font and one card without.

http://www.4shared.com/file/EktQstfT/Valentine_Heart.html

Get your MTC file here:http://www.4shared.com/file/UsXXzO2-/valentines_day_heart.html

Are You Ready for some FOOTBALL!

With Superbowl 2011 coming soon, I designed some football cupcake wrappers you can use for your Superbowl parties. Whether you're a Steelers or a Packers fan, or you're just going to watch the commercials, these wrappers are sure to be a hit at your get together. I am including the MTC files, so the wrappers will be at the exact size that you need to cut them out. I also included a liner if you prefer to present your cupcakes in that manner. Enjoy!

http://www.4shared.com/file/k8UxJxUX/football_wrapper.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/mOw85Hhx/Packers_cupcake_wrapper.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/b9zUSc0J/Steelers_cupcake_wrapper.html

I'm So Excited!

A file that I created for entering a contest at Lettering Delights, is currently being featured as their facebook post!  I was so excited when I saw it.  It is a combination of a Wedding graphics files and a printable calendar file that Lettering Delights offers for purchase.  I thought the two were perfect for creating a Save the Date card for my daughter's upcoming wedding.

Two New Heart Files for YOU!

I made two more heart files for you to use.  Hope you like and enjoy them!

http://www.4shared.com/file/cZ92Szcu/Abstract_heart_2.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/kFD8LXts/Abstract_heart_3.html

Abstract Heart

I was "playing" with MTC again today, and desgined this abstract heart. I hope you like it.

http://www.4shared.com/file/K1pkP0yd/Abstract_heart.html

Striking through an object.

A MTC fan on facebook asked how to create an image similar to this one.

Here is how you do it.

Bring your letter on to your MTC virtual mat.
From basic shapes select a rectangle, then duplicate it.
 Make your rectangles the size of the two lines that you want to separate your letter, with spacing in between. Join your two rectangles together.
Now, duplicate them.
Next place your first set of rectangles over your letter where you would like for them to intersect.
Click shift and then click on the letter and the joined rectangles.
 From "shape magic" select "boolean join." You will get different options. Choose the one that gives the effect that you want.
Now perform the "split" function and remove the part of the letter that you no longer want.
Take the duplicated rectangles and place them in your letter, then weld together.
 Put the last name in the open space, put the "established by" below and join together.

The name of the fancy font is Aldus Regal.  You can find it by doing a search on the internet.

Cute Froggy!

I used to collect frogs, the ceramic and stuffed kind, that is! So I have always had a soft spot for them in my heart.  I came up with this one today using MTC software.  As always, the file is free for you to grab by downloading the provided link.  It is available for your personal use only.  Tell your friends about my blog too!  Thanks.

http://www.4shared.com/file/zrDmXwBL/Frog_Smiley.html

Heart Cone

Christmas decorations are down and packed away.  Now it seems that everywhere you look there are hearts.  I designed this triple heart cone that you can use for a Valentine card or scrapbook page.  The lattice effect is a cinch using the MTC program.  Using my link to the right you can download the program for a trial use.  Buy the program now for only $58.36.  The possiblilities are endless!

Click on the link below to download this heart cone file for you personal use only.

http://www.4shared.com/file/1PkS6yKh/Heart_cone.html

Frame It!

Here is a very simple, but fun bracket frame for you to use.  I designed it back during Make The Cut's Forum Christmas challenge crop.  You can use this frame for a card or for a scrapbook page.  I made it using the "bracket" symbol from the font Edwardian Script. I also made the snowflake using the same bracket symbol.

http://www.4shared.com/file/EWXwH7rX/Bracket_frame.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/Hrz3zbAp/Snowflake.html

You may use the frame and snowflake for your personal use only by clicking on the links provided.

Happy Birthday!

My daughter was born on Christmas, but we will be celebrating this coming Saturday.  I also have a sister whose birthday is later this month.  Therefore, I have birthdays on my mind.  So, pictured above is a card I made for my sister with a birthday cake that I created using Make The Cut software and cut on my Cricut Create.  You may download the cake file for your personal use. 

http://www.4shared.com/file/UhFyUTJu/Birthday_cake_2.html

Sympathy Card

Here is a simple Sympathy Card I made for a friend of mine. I made the cross using Make The Cut Software. You may download the free svg. file for you personal use only.  Just click on the link below to begin your download.

http://www.4shared.com/file/hV7QGMjH/Cross_by_cececreates.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/vt5Zf1Bk/scalloped_frame.html