Doggie Die Cut

I really have been busy making things but cannot put them on the blog till later due to contracts and some being Christmas gifts (don't want to spoil the surprise)

This adorable little gal began her "life" as a black & white GIF image. Now look at her, Isn't she adorable!! I used Stampin' Up products to ink up the edges and bone. I used a Gelly Roll Glaze pen to color her collar then dipped it in glitter. Of course doggies have wet noses so I applied Crystal Effects on to the nose. Then using a white pen to put white fur on the chest and eyes (oops eyes were done after the photo)

I purchased a new software the other day that really simplified making die cuts for me. I normally design all my own die cuts from scratch or occasionally hand trace a photo to get exact details (Wacom 9 x 12 tablet). Then I manipulate the design so it does not look like the original to avoid copyright issues. I am not a crafter/artist that can draw from my head out of thin air like some, I have to have a model in front of me to draw. Well this new software is amazing on how well it vectorizes and image. Previously I was using a Pazzles SignMax WinPC 2007 version for my Pazzles Creative Pro machine. Now I just bought the SignMax Funtime Scrapbooking 2009 Deluxe version (Which is much like the Pazzles Inspiration software by SignMax). Wow what a difference; no more choppy lines, new fun special effects.... I do have to give credit to Ivan at SignMax in Canada for updating my driver to work with my Pazzles Pro. The image above was obtained from the Graphics Factory. Now having given them credit and linking to their site, I do believe I am following their copyright rules. This next picture is directly from the Funtime software after cleaning up the image and turning it into a paper piecing. You can click on the picture below and get the WPC version 14 file (I hope the link works, If not just email me) Happy Howlidays!! Woof Woof

Pumpkin Bread UMMMM Yummy!

I don't know about you but the holidays are all about baking & EATING!! So yesterday our cul-de-sac had a welcome home party for all the kids that are away at college that had come home for Thanksgiving! Complete with fire pit in the middle of the street! That was nice! This was the Pumpkin Friendship Bread that I made with Cream cheese frosting...um um good! I always make a tag/card to let people know what they are eating. (Floral gift tag stick stuck in the bread) So...A Chemistry with Paper stamps to the rescue, along with my Pazzles for the "bread" die cut. The stamp set Autumn Picking is perfect for me because I do alot of pumpkin and apple breads and pies. The lettering, pumpkin, and leaves came from this set! I did need a die cut for a loaf of bread so I designed one in my WinPC sign software for my Pazzles, cut it out, inked it a bit for dimension and "Viola" a tag! The cute loaf pans came from my local Tall Mouse and Michael's and they bake great!

Custom designed diecuts and cards

I own a Pazzles Pro Plotter/Cutter. I purchased this expensive, $3000.00 "toy" 2 years ago and there it sat for 1 year in the box......Like I said I am a collector. I have spent the last 6 months learning the software and every little aspect of that machine inside and out! I can cut Paper, Vinyl, thin chipboard, even stencil material. I can turn a vector drawing into a personalized diecut. Paper piecing, 12x12 scrapbook layouts, specialized card cuts, I am trying it all! These cute little Hibiscus are actually from a card set I created...just a bit labor intensive with the Stickles glitter on the edges but cute. Those of you in the"Women in Ink" group saw my little witch hats I designed. Those were all designed and cut by my Pazzles Pro. I have arthritis in my hands so multiple cuts with a craft knife can be very painful..So I have something else to cut it for me! If any of you need a diecut for a special layout email me and I will create one for you!!