FYI - Print & Cut with SCAL2

Been reading a lot about the new print and cut capability of SCAL2 so I decided to play around with it some today.

A couple of days ago, I upgraded to SCAL2 v2.041 which includes a calibration feature. Before trying the print and cut, I went through the calibration steps and after several test cuts, finally found that I got the best results with offsets of 6 and 18 - but this will vary with each machine. You will find the calibration feature under the cutter menu in SCAL2. I've included a screenshot of my settings below:


And, here is a scan of the little label with text that I was playing around with. It's not 100% perfect but I think it looks fine. (compared to the cost of buying an Imagine and for the little that I would probably use this feature, I can live with it!)

Sorry it's been a while.....

Been working a lot more hours and trying to get some things done around the house too.


I don't know about all of you - but I know I don't have the room or $$ it would take to own one of the big commercial size steel die cutting systems - think the type used in schools, etc. However, there are some nice cuts in some of the larger dies. Based on a request on the SCAL forum, I created files to cut some of the mix and match style album pages so I thought I would share them here in case anyone can get some use out of them.

Download Album pages

My latest card

.....I love how this turned out. It's quite simple by the standards of many a card maker - but I love that it's not too fussy.

Here's the cut I created using a cute coloring graphic from scrapcoloring.com (with permission from the owner to show my results here .)


The card front:

And the inside:



It's off to the store I go - snow headed our way AGAIN and need to get a couple of things. Hope everyone is staying warm in this latest cold snap.

Guest Designer

NOTICE: Please go to the SVG tab at the top of my blog for important information regarding SVG downloads. 

This morning I am excited to feature the work of a guest designer - my lovely daughter, Jennifer.

Jennifer has just recently started paper-crafting and got a new Cricut for Christmas. She still hasn't started creating her own files but she comes up with some really cute ideas and then asks me to help her create the files.

First up is a scrapbook layout - she had some pictures of my grand daughter working a floor puzzle that featured dinosuars. She asked me if I could make the green dinosaur from the puzzle - so I gave it my best shot and this is what I came up with:


And, here is her layout:

Next up, Jenn wanted to created some v-day cards that weren't the typical lovey-dovey type - things she could send to her friends, whether male or female. She came up with a couple of cute quotes, showed me what she wanted in graphics and I created her a cutesy bug and a cupid with attitude! Here are here cards:

And - here are the insides so you can see the quotes she used:

I think she is doing a great job for just getting started! I'm sure she'd love to have some feedback from my readers!

Free SVGs

NOTICE: Please go to the SVG tab at the top of my blog for important information regarding SVG downloads. 

I've created a few svgs by request on the Craft Edge forum and figured I would go ahead and share them here. Please note, I HAVE NOT cut any of these files so if you download them and encounter any difficulties, please let me know.

If you download and cut any of these and would like to share a picture of the cut for me to post here, that would be wonderful! You can send pictures of your projects to my email

Paper Deals

Over the past week, my daughter and I have found some AWESOME deals on paper pads/packs at Michael's. Some of these were marked at my store and not at hers and vice versa - but since pricing is done at corporate level, even the ones not marked are scanning for the clearance prices. The pictures above are of what we've been able to get - check your stores because even though her Michael's told her on the phone that they didn't have them - she bought 27 stacks this morning! Prices range from 3.99 to 5.99 per pack!

I'm trying to get a list of the names so I can publish it here for reference - here's the ones I know for sure:

American Crafts - Play, Travel, Metropolitan, ala Carte, Celebration
Christine Adolph - South Seas
Basic Grey - Sultry, Mellow, Urban Couture, Periphery, Infuse, Boxer
SEI - Dill Blossom, Poppy
GCD - Cosette, Chianti, Spring All Over
DCWV - Embossed White
K&Co - Amy Butler Lotus Tea Box
MME - 180 sheet Chester Value Pack in a box

There were others but ones that we didn't choose.

Hope someone else is able to get some of these great deals!

.

Here's the story......

of a naughty little puppy dog!

When he was just a 5 week old puppy, Mokie used to lay on my desk and rest his little head on my laptop as I was browsing the web. And, he developed a love of PAPER. Throughout his life, he has continued his love affair with paper - get him a new toy and you better leave the tag on - it's his favorite part of the toy! Don't let a toilet paper or paper towel tube get into his paws - they are better than a new toy to him. And, in the scrapbook room - he's a big fan of paper-tearing! Any time a scrap ends up on the floor - I can kiss it goodbye 'cuz Mokie will be tearing it up for me.

But, it's now out of control - The other night I was sitting in here in the dark browsing the net and he came in and was laying beside me on the floor. Pretty quick he took off on the run and I could tell he had something but figured it was just one of the many scraps that had hit the floor. The next morning - I discoved the card in shreds and realized what he had done. I thought maybe I had dropped it off my desk or something - I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. However......just 20 minutes ago, I was sitting here reading email and he again took off on the run ...... with another card. I HAD 2 totes under my desk - one with card blanks and one with completed cards - why did he only take the completed cards - and notice I said HAD - they have now been moved!

So, his name started out as Smokey.....we changed it to Mokie when he lost all of his gray coloring......but I think Smokey might be more appropriate ......as in Smokey, the Bandit!


And the winner of the little prize is:


I just had to post the random.org screen shot - can you believe DAWN won again? It must be your lucky week!

Can't tell you what your little prize will be....I am on my way to the grand opening of our new Joann's this morning and I'll pick up something there! I'll add it to your Vera package!

You have to see this!

Remember my heart & flowers card from a few days ago? This is what is left of it:




So, there's a story here but before I tell it, I want to see what you all come up with! Give it your best shot - I'll use random.org and choose a winner to receive a little prize. This is only open until tomorrow morning, I'll pick a winner at 8am central time. And, to my girls - your guess doesn't count!

wk5 jingle belles card challenge

Here is the prompt for this week's challenge:
And, here is my card:


Very simple card - I cut a piece of the background paper, inked the edges and sewed it onto a 5x5 card. Using my mircro-tip scissors, I cut the birdcage from another sheet of patterned paper and added it to the front with foam dots. I cut the mistletoe and bow using Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree from SVGCUTS.com.


I embellished the center of the bow with a rhinestone and added some pearl "berries." The finishing touch was one of the tiny birds cut from the background paper and mounted at the cage opening with a foam dot.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

A little sewing project

I have been meaning to work on this for a couple of weeks - found this blog with directions for making a kindle cover while I was waiting for my Kindle to be delivered but I just kept putting off getting to it. (I didn't want a bulky leather cover - I just wanted something to protect it when I put it in my purse to take to work. I had actually thought of just making a pouch, but I liked the easel feature of this cover.)





I'm happy to say that it works out quite well - "sliding" the fabric onto the chipboard is much easier said than done because if you are precise with your measurements, it will be a VERY tight fit. I solved the problem by taping the edges of the chipboard with scotch tape so that the fabric would slide easier. If I make another, I will make a modification and add either an elastic band or a narrow strip of fabric with velcro on one side to hold the top edge of the kindle in place. It works well as is but I would feel better if the kindle were secured a little bit more.

And, would you believe, I set the files up in SCAL so this can be precision cut with the E! Visit the blog link above to get the directions to make yours! It's easy enough to cut by hand, but if anyone would like the cut file, just let me know.

Have a great day!

Vera Bradley Winners

Congratulations to the winners - names posted beside each picture label! Ladies, please email me your mailing address.


Sherry Handbag in Caffe Lattte - Congratulations DAWN!!

Purse Cosmetic in Kensington - Congratulations AmyJRockstar

Purse Cosmetic in Yellow Bird - Congratulations bcriminger