Star Wars Wall Art

I decided to add another piece to my alcohol ink wall art collection.  Back around Valentine's Day I saw this fun Star Wars Valentine themed file over at Cuttable Designs.  At that time I wasn't sure what I'd do with it but I knew I wanted to use it for some crafty project.  Then after trying the alcohol inks for the first time I knew what I was going to do.

 

Since sharing the Harry Potter wall art I made last week I've received a lot of questions on FB about how I did it so I thought I'd break down the process here as well.

 

The first thing to do is to clean the glass with Windex and allow it to dry thoroughly before beginning the ink application.

 

I don't know if there's another brand out there or not but I used Tim Holtz alcohol ink for my project.  They're acid free, easy to apply and when applying to glass if you don't like the outcome you can wipe the glass clean with rubbing alcohol and start all over. 

 

I applied a couple drops of Sunshine Yellow to my ink applicator and began dabbing and across the glass in different directions.  I then applied a couple drops of blending solution and then a couple drops of Sunset Orange to the applicator and began the same process dabbing over the yellow as well as covering some of the 'missed' areas.  I carried this color scheme down about two thirds of the glass.

 

I then changed my felt pad and continued this process using the color Purple Twilight.  (These three colors come together in one pack - called Summit View.)  After looking at the glass from the opposite side I decided that I wanted a bit of blue in the mix so I changed my felt pad back to the first one I had used, added a couple drops of blending solution and then a couple drops of the color Stream.  (This color, my blending tool, solution and pads came together in the ink kit.)

 

After I finished with my ink applications I allowed the glass to air dry over night.  The ink dries pretty quick but since I was backing mine with paper I wanted to allow it plenty of time to cure.

 

The next morning I inserted a sheet of white cardstock between the side of the glass to which the inks were applied and the frame insert.  Then on the opposite side of the glass I applied the vinyl.

 

Now I have a fun piece of fan art to add to my wall.

Easter Bear

I having some exciting news to share with you today!  My friend Marge from Marjorie Ann Designs is now creating embroidery/applique files!  And the best part is that she's creating them from characters  we already know and love.  For example, this adorable Easter Bear, who is now available in the Stinkin Cute Applique shop on Etsy.

 

Last year I was making cards using a file that included this cutie so when I saw him as an applique file I just knew that I had to have him.  I had this white, cap sleeve dress from Hobby Lobby sitting in my stash just waiting for the perfect applique file to be embroidered on it.  Well, this is it.

 

The design was easy to follow and stitched out beautifully.

 

After stitching out my dress I had to go back and make a matching card to go with it.  The SVG is from the Have a Beary Happy Easter file, and it comes with several cute Easter bears that can be made.  You can even get this Easter bear as a digital stamp or a shaped card.

 

How's that for variety?  This adorable Easter bear - available in four different formats.  It doesn't get much better.  I mean I'm really excited about being able to craft across the different platforms.

 

Oh wait, before I forget (see I got so excited I almost forgot), the sentiment on my card is from the Jaded Blossom stamp set Funny Bunny.  The purple twilight skittles are from DoubleClick Connections.

One Cool Bunny

My daughter brought me another blank shirt and asked that I dress it up for Ocean.  Since Easter is just around the corner I thought it would be fun to do something with a bunny.  After searching through the Silhouette Design Store I found this bunny sunglasses file and had to have it.

 

For this design I went with a white stripflock for the bunny.  Not only does this add a bit of dimension to the design since it's a thicker material, but it also adds texture like a soft fuzzy.  The nose, mouth, ears and sunglass frames were cut from regular Siser vinyl but the sunglass lenses were cut from a black glitter vinyl.  Again adding another element of dimension and texture to the design.

 

And now I'm off to enter my project into the following challenge:

DL Art - February Linky Challenge - Ends February 28th

Potter Wall Art

 

Off and on for years now I have been looking at alcohol inks but have always been too afraid to give them a try.  That is until now.  Admittedly I'm not even sure why I was too afraid to try them because they were so easy to use.  Not only that but if I didn't like the way the glass looked I could wipe the ink off with rubbing alcohol and start all over again.  Have I lured you in yet?  😉

 

 

In all honesty I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into so I decided that I would buy picture frames from the Dollar Tree.  That way if I didn't like the way things turned out I wouldn't be out much money. 

 

 

After scouring the aisle with all the inks I settled on purchasing the alcohol ink kit.  This way I'd have not only the ink but also the little stamping tool.  The kit also includes some glossy paper you can play with as well as a stamp set.  But since I have other plans I set the paper and stamp set off to the side.

 

 

Before I began this alcohol ink on glass endeavor though I watched a couple of youtube videos.  Just search for alcohol ink on glass.  There are all kinds of videos out there - even some that use fire in the process. 

 

 

At first I was going to try the method using fire so I went outside to the porch, and there I created my masterpieces.  The inks did not take very long to dry but since I was going to place cardstock behind them I let them sit overnight to cure.  After that I chose several files that were shared in my FB groups, cut them from vinyl and then adhered the vinyl to the front of the glass.

 

 

The only exception to this is the center picture which was created using a scanned and printed section from the Tales of the Beedle Bard book.

 

And now I'm off to enter my project into the following challenges:

 

Die Cuttin Divas - Animals - Ends February 26th

 

DL Art - February Linky Challenge - Ends February 28th

Whale of a Pirate

I'm always creating fun shirts (and sometimes dresses) for little girls so when I saw this fun Pirate Whale over at Apex Cuttable Designs I knew it would be perfect for a little boy's top.  When paired up with this baseball shirt I found at Hobby Lobby it really screams fun.  I love how the red sleeves help to make the whale pop against the white background.

 

This design would be perfect for any little boy who loves pirates and I can even see using it for a pirate themed birthday party.  How fun would this be on little favor bags?  And did I mention that there's a second pirate whale in this file?  That means the two of them could be rotated on a birthday banner or used as cupcake toppers.  Oooooh, the possibilities are endless.

 

I mean seriously, this is a fun one that should be added to your SVG stash if you haven't done so already.  Not only are the possibilities endless but it's one of those quick and easy files to piece together and you know how I am about the quick and easy files.  When crafting time is tight there's nothing better.....

 

And now I'm off to enter my pirate whale into the following challenges:

 

Die Cuttin Divas - Animals - Ends February 26th

 

DL Art - February Linky Challenge - Ends February 28th

Ravenclawesome

Crafting is one of those things that can either provide relief from stress or add to it.  During the end of the year holiday seasons it can be the latter for me, but until then I find comfort in crafting.  So this past weekend I did as much of it as I could. 

 

One of the things I made this past weekend was this cute Ravenclaw t-shirt.  I found the file (and those for the other three houses) at SVG File Designs.  I'll be making the others as well, but first I have to find the correct colors of HTV.

 

As for this one, I'll be entering it into the following challenges:

 

Die Cuttin Divas - Animals - Ends February 26th

 

DL Art - February Linky Challenge - Ends February 28th

Sympathy Cards

This past Saturday was a difficult day for our family as we suffered not one, but two deaths in the family just hours apart from each other. 

 

If you're like me sympathy cards are always the hardest cards to make and definitely not something I keep on hand.  As I sat down to create these two I was even surprised to find that for the 100+ stamp sets I have only one had phrases that were sympathy in nature - Simply Said by Craftin Desert Divas.

 

My first card, the Sunset Card, is from My Scrap Chic.  I love the simplistic beauty and peacefulness that this card brings.  To add to it I used a couple of different embossing folders from my stash and then finished it off by using purple twilight colored skittles from DoubleClick Connections.

 

 

The second card is a Lori Whitlock Card Flower Kit from the Silhouette Design Store.  This one you'd think would be easy to put together but I was back and forth so many times trying to decide what papers I wanted to use.  In the end I chose several papers from the SEI New Day and Desert Springs collections.   On this one I decided to use an orange skittle to help the center of the flower pop.

 

And now I'm not even sure how to end my post.  I think I've re-written it about 4 or 5 times now.  So I'll just end it by saying thanks for stopping by.....

Work Shirts

My daughter's boyfriend recently accepted a position with a new company.  After a couple weeks of working with them he had my daughter ask if I could make him some work shirts with their company logo.  Well that sounded like another challenge to me so of course I couldn't refuse.

 

I told them to get me the logo and shirts and I'd do the rest.  My daughter sent me a picture from her phone but it wasn't large or clear enough for a trace so I went on the internet in search of a better picture.  After find the logo I dropped it into my Silhouette Studio software and was able to get a good trace on it.

 

I then cut them out of my HTV and heat pressed them onto the shirts and viola, the shirts are complete. 

 

My daughter was telling me that the first day he wore his shirt his co-worker was telling him that the other guys were going to be jealous because theirs were all plain.  Guess I'll take that as kudos for a job well done. 

I Got Your Nose

My husband I are planning another trip to Universal Studios later this year.   It's been a while since we've have a vacation - just the two of us and so we thought it'd be fun to take one and celebrate our 15 year anniversary.  So in 'preparation' we've been binge watching all the Harry Potter movies the past week. 

 

In addition we've also watched some of the behind the scenes snippits.  One of the ones we watched the other night was how they came to create the look for the Voldemort character.  And what perfect timing to have watched that too because just a day or two later I saw this hilarious file in one of my Harry Potter groups.  Well of course I had to have it so I could use it on a shirt for the grandbaby.

 

Needless to say, my daughter is afraid that I'm trying to turn the baby into a 'nerd'.  But hey, cute is cute and this is down right cute.

 

Now I just need to decide if I want to use this on one of the shirts I'm going to make for our trip to Universal.  Decisions.  Decisions.

Bee My Valentine

I'm such a bad girl.  Usually I'll create some fun gift to give my husband for Valentine's Day but this year everything got away from me and all I created was a card.  And even that was late in getting made.  In all honesty I have to admit that I just haven't been that inspired as of late.  BUT, when I saw this Bee My Valentine card in the Silhouette store I knew it was the one.

 

I love shaped cards and this one immediately caught my eye.  I decided to cut it from one of the DCWV blanks that I still had in my stash so that meant no need to use one of the panel inserts that came with the file.

 

Even though the card came with the {Bee} my valentine verbiage I wanted to add a little more to it.  I looked through my stamps and settled on using one of the hearts from the Heart Splatters set and the XOXO stamp is from the Valentine Designer Tapes set.  Both are from Jaded Blossom Stamps.

 

Now I have my card signed, sealed, and safely tucked away for hubby to find later this morning.

 

And with that I'm off to enter my card into the following challenge:

 

Jaded Blossom - Valentine Challenge - Ends February 14th

 

Die Cuttin Divas - Valentine Colors - Ends February 19th

Chillin With My Peeps

A few days ago, my daughter brought over a couple articles of clothing that belong to my granddaughter saying that she thought I might want them to 'practice' on.  Well I was quite sure I knew what that meant so of course I accepted the challenge.

 

One of the pieces was a pink onesie.  Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day I felt it best to just move on to the next holiday.  So that is just what I did.  I moved on.....to Easter.  Now I don't know about you but when I think of Easter I think not only about the Resurrection or the Easter bunny.  I think about the candy.  You know.  All the chocolate and those squishy yellow peeps.  So it's no wonder why when I saw this Chillin With My Peeps file over at Apex Cuttable Designs that I had to create something with it.

 

The file comes with five different designs and each one is fantastic.  For now design five is the one I chose for this onesie.  I also chose to cut it from flock material and I'm glad I did because I love the way that it looks and feels.  After all little chicks should be soft and fuzzy, right?  And cutting this design in flock was super easy to weed and apply.

 

Now I need to decide on which design I want to use next....

Sending Love - Onesie Style

Today I have a fun baby onesie that I'd like to share with you.  I saw this wonderful Bird Balloons file over at the Applique Corner and knew that it would make the most adorable shirt.

When I laid this design out for cutting I felt like the balloon strings were too thin so I enlarged those a bit to give them more substance.  I had thought about using a glitter HTV for one of the balloons but since I used foil for one I thought that would be a bit over kill and stuck with just the foil.  Plus I wasn't sure how the white accent would sit on top of the glitter as I've heard mixed reviews.

The Love Script HTV is from the Vinyl Corner - actually that's where most of my HTV for this project came from.  (The foil HTV is from Vinyl Spectrum.)  Our local Sewing Corner folks own the Applique Corner and Vinyl Corner.  It's like a one stop shop and not only do they have wonderful products and prices to match but the customer service is phenomenal.  Yep, I am one happy girl since they've come to town.  🙋

Love CAM

Following on the heels of the Santa CAM craze this past Christmas I came across this Love CAM file in the Silhouette store (design #175948).  Sarah Hurley is the artist and I have to say I absolutely love her files this one included.

 

After purchasing this file I decided to figure out a way to incorporate it into this week's February Sketch Challenge over at Die Cuttin Divas.  It's a fun and simple sketch with a lot of great potential.  Needless to say it's one I've put into my sketch arsenal.

 

My stamped sentiment is from the Cardz TV Stamps set titled Love Ya.

 

And since the sketch had three little hearts in the top right corner, I decided to add some blue and pink skittles from DoubleClick Connections.

 

Thanks for stopping by, and now I'm off to enter my card in the following challenge:

 

February Sketch - Die Cuttin' Divas - Ends Sunday, February 12th

Have a Lollipop

We've had the stomach flu touch down in our home this past week so craft time has been few and far between.  Right before it struck me though I did manage to create this cute yet quick and simple card.

 

While scrolling through the new designs released in the Silhouette Design Store last week I came across these cute Kawaii Lollipops.  The girl is design number 175804 and the boy is design number 175798   Both were created by PPbN (aka Creative Cuttables)

 

The stamped sentiment is from the Jaded Blossom stamp set Lollipops Galore. 

 

And to finish off my card I used a single skittle from DoubleClick Connections.  This one is the color stream.  If you have tried using skittles as an embellishment you should consider it.  They're really easy and a lot of fun.  And I have personally ran cards I've made with these through a stamp machine without any problems so they do hold up in the mailing process.

Daily Grind

 

I don't know about you, but there are just days where I do not want to "adult".  Hmmm, as I type that I think about how I need a stamp that says something like that.   Then I remember that I have a Silhouette Mint and can make one.  Sounds like another project coming up.

 

In the meantime though....As I sit here this morning with my cup of coffee beside me I realize how tired I am from the week's events and all I want to do go back to bed.  Then I think, thank goodness for that cup of coffee beside me.  Now I'm not as big a coffee fan as some of my kids but I still love a good cup.  So when I see a fun cut file or stamp set related to coffee I must have it.

 

Today's card combines a fun cut file called Mornings are Brewtal from Treasure Box Designs and a sentiment from the Cardz TV Stamps set titled Brew HaHa.

 

Since this is a coffee drinking themed card I thought it would be fun to turn it into a gift card holder of sorts.  Remember how I said I love a good cup of coffee?  Well sometimes when I go to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts I'll hold on to the coffee sleeves.  After all there has to be something that they can be recycled into. 

 

 

Here I've recycled one from Starbucks into my gift card holder, and used the title from the cut file to cover the verbiage on the sleeve.

 

And with that I am off to enter my card into the Hot Drink Challenge over at Cut it Up.  Challenge ends February 8th.

Surfer Babe

I've had my Silhouette Cameo for a couple of years now, and while I've heard that you can cut fabric with it I've not tried it.  Until now.  I came across this wonderful tutorial over at the Silhouette School on how to cut fabric and it was a real game changer. 

 

I immediately turned to Amazon and ordered the Terial Magic and fabric blade combo.  I was super excited because we have Amazon Prime and that meant my order would be here in a couple days.  But nope, for whatever reason this purchase didn't qualify and it took about a week to arrive.  That was okay though because it gave me time to place with my new embroidery software - Embrillance.

 

Using the Embrillance software I can open the applique design, run the stitch program so I can see which ones are the tack down stitches and then hit a couple of buttons to turn those into a cut file for my Silhouette software.

 

For my first attempt with all of this I decided to make a cute little dress for my granddaughter.  As you can imagine with the name Ocean, her mom and dad are lovers of anything to do with the water.  They spend as much time as they can at the beach and they both love getting out there on their surfboards or paddle boards.  So when I saw this cute Surfer Babe file over at Applique Corner I had to snatch it up.

 

Pretty cute don't 'cha think?