Week 5 of the 52 Cards Challenge: Santa

Yes, I know this is a BIT LATE...but I have been contemplating this card for a while now.

Before we get on with the cards..make sure you check out the forum...I have posted the LIST of activities that are going on with weekend, in honor of our THIRD ANNUAL Customer Appreciation Day which is this Monday, February 15, 2010!!

Before we post Week 5 challenge...for those of you that want to post your finished project, please feel free to post it in your blogs, but if you don't have a blog to post it to, you can post it in our gallery, located here:

52 WEEKS CARD CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY

For a quick link to the 52 Weeks Card Challenge information:
CLICK HERE FOR CHALLENGE INFO

Also, please post back here in the comments of your card for the week!  So we can know where to go look for it and enjoy your work!

If you don't want to do a Christmas card, feel free to do any card, just do it within the challenge for the week!  But the goal is, at the end of the year, you should have enough cards to be able to mail at at Christmas time next year, without that last minute scramble to make your cards!

WEEK 5 CHALLENGE:

As many of you know, we host a monthly RAK (Random Act of Kindness) where we feature on person who is ill, has been ill, or needs a little pick me up.  And in that month, we have happy thoughts for this person, and we send cards to the hostess, who then sends them out to the recipient.  This month, we are featuring Larry Larson.  Larry is known as Santa Larry, and if you read his story in our forum, you will know why!  We decided that it would be neat to send Larry Santa cards!  Normally, we don't have a theme with the cards, but this month, it just seemed to be perfect to add a little theme!

This is actually a pretty easy challenge...just make a card with a Santa!  And since it's "off season" when we are sending these cards, it doesn't even have to be in holiday colors!  Heck...maybe a bathing Santa would do!


For my example, I used some great paper by SEI, and I love keeping it simple, so I just used the background pattern paper, and then cut some ovals from coordintationg papers, added a coordinating embellishment and ribbon, and the card was done!

 

 

RECIPE FOR CARDS:

I colored my stamped image, then I used my Quickie Glue pen, and on fur of the hat and put some Cotton White Fun Clock (see video on using fun flock!), to add some texture to my image!  I finished off the image with my Smooch for the belt buckle, and some smooch for the eyebrows, beard and hair.

I then used my bow template and made a double ribbon for the card. 

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for card base and stamped base; SEI Glitzmas papers

INKS:  Memento Black, Copics


DIECUTS:  Pre-printed  diecut pattern from SEI Glitzmas Collection

STAMPS:  Santa Reading List by Whiff of Joy

ADHESIVE:  Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, 3M ATG Tape, Pop Dots

MISC:  Ribbon by SEI Glitzmas Collection, Fun Flock by Stampendous (Cotton White), Chipboard Tag - SEI Glitzmas Collection, Smooch

Is she still alive?

Where have I been?

Well that's the big question!

It's been a hectic week since I have been back from CHA!  Between catching up on emails, orders, customer inquiries, etc...and doing month end reports, and doing follow ups with some of the vendors we spoke with, it has been hectic indeed!

I did decide that I truly wanted to finish the one make and take project that we did at the Kaiser Crafts booth, because like my good friend Shirley, I wanted to turn it into my "Copic" journal, where I will track color combination and test with various inks and papers!

So, I did finish it up in my evenings, when I had free time!

Here are my pictures!

 

I really enjoyed finishing it up!  And check out that grungy letter rub on that they gave us?  I thought it was perfect for this type of journal!  I used all Kaiser Craft products on the journal, with the exception of the glue I used to put on my journal.  

So, what else has been keeping me busy?

Well.....preparations for our THIRD ANNUAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY!  Which we will host this coming Monday, February 15th!  But....because we have so much planned, we decided to do some of the challenges starting earlier in the weekend...so check back, as I think the first challenge starts this coming WEDNESDAY!  I will be posting a list of challenges, activities, and best of all PRIZES soon!

Also, I didn't forget about the week 5 of the 52 week challenge, I'm just a little late in posting it!  But I will soon!

Week 4 of the 52 Cards in 52 Weeks: Our Furry Friends!

Wow...what a journey!

Today, by the time you read this, I will have my bags packed and be in the airport waiting for my plane ride home!  What a wonderful week this has been, and such a great joy to spend with my friends!  I'll miss you girls, until next time!

Hopefully, my kids and hubby will have missed me enough to let me pamper myself with a day of rest and relaxation tomorrow, as I'm sure I need it!  I'm exhausted, but in a good kind of way!

So, now it's on to week 4 of the 52 Cards in 52 Weeks Challenge!  Has anyone been making their cards?

Before we post Week 4 challenge...for those of you that want to post your finished project, please feel free to post it in your blogs, but if you don't have a blog to post it to, you can post it in our gallery, located here:

52 WEEKS CARD CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY

For a quick link to the 52 Weeks Card Challenge information:
CLICK HERE FOR CHALLENGE INFO

Also, please post back here in the comments of your card for the week!  So we can know where to go look for it and enjoy your work!

If you don't want to do a Christmas card, feel free to do any card, just do it within the challenge for the week!  But the goal is, at the end of the year, you should have enough cards to be able to mail at at Christmas time next year, without that last minute scramble to make your cards!

WEEK 4 CHALLENGE:

This week, it's an another easy challenge!  It's simply your job to use a furry friend somewhere on your layout!  This could be a diecut, stamped image, whatever!  Cat, Dog, Bear, Lion, Mouse....any type of little furry friend!!  (Um....no, pigs aren't furry, so I guess pigs are out....and birds are out too...they are feathery!  We'll have a feathered friends challenge later on in the year!)

And here is my example!

For my example, I used some great paper by SEI, and I really wanted to keep it simple, so I just used the background pattern paper, and then cut another small strip, and used the back side to mount my ribbon layers onto.  I used three different ribbons, all from SEI, layering them to create the band across my card.  I then used some epoxy stickers and a diecut with the rubon words, Merry Christmas.  This time, I cut my stamped image out by hand, and used some pop dots to place it on the front of my card!  I also used some of my glitter pen and fun flock to embellish my image a bit!

RECIPE FOR CARDS:

I colored my stamped image, then I used my Quickie Glue pen, and on fur of the hat and put some Cotton White Fun Clock (see video on using fun flock!), to add some texture to my image!  I finished off the image with my Atyou Spica Glitter pens to give it a littl bling!

I then used my bow template and made a double ribbon for the card. 

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for card base and stamped base; SEI Alpine Frost: Through the Woods.

INKS:  Memento Black, Copics (and Atyou Spica Glitter Pens)



DIECUTS:  Pre-printed chipboard diecut pattern from SEI Alpine Frost Collection

STAMPS:  Gillian Roberts: Christmas Stocking by Stampavie

ADHESIVE:  Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, 3M ATG Tape, Scor Tape, Pop Dots

MISC:  Ribbon by SEI, Alpine Frost Collection, Fun Flock by Stampendous (Cotton White), Chipboard Tag - SEI Alpine Frost Collection

Hope you enjoy this card!  And I hope to see some of your cards from this challenge!

Check back late this evening for CHA updates!

Peace Out!

Can someone Say.....WOWZAAA!!

Seriously??

We came to California....and we hit the motherload!

First...the make and take projects we did were all top notch!  And what a great way to try out products!  I really do like that finger tip fiskars you ladies have been bragging about!  Now I know what all the hype was!

And then....the little freebies and goodies we got were just fantastic!  But most of all...we all came out winners!

Jenette won a Wacom Bamboo Craft tablet on Monday.....I won the same great prize on Tuesday....then Tuesday, Shirley won not ONE but TWO Cricut Cartridges!  So...today we head to the show, with no big expectations except to have some fun, take in some more make and take projects and place my last order....and yet...we walked away with Jan winning not only a Cricut Create machine, but also one of her VERY OWN Wacom Bamboo Craft Tablets!  Then....the Wacom booth people were so generous, and knew we came as a group of four...and they told Shirley to call them next week with shipping information and they will send her something special!

The guys and gals working the booth there were great!  And answered many of my questions....and are even going to help me get the new tablets in!

So...can we absolutely say...holy moly....that's a lotta "stuff!"

Here is a picture of just MY collection of goodies that I have to somehow find it's way home!  All three of us had piles AT LEAST this big!  Enough that we decided we had to ship some home!

 

Isn't that just totally AWESOME?

I have so much to blog about when I get home, but it's so hard to blog here in the hotel, especially when I want to spend time with the girls!  Jan leaves in the morning...and I'm SO GOING to miss that girl!  She is so fun to hang out with, and I'm so glad i got this opportunity to spend some time with her! I know she really missed her hubby and girls, but we had so much fun, that it was worth it!

tomorrow...Jenette, Shirley and I are heading to Hollywood...we are going to enjoy the walk of stars, kodak theater, and a few other things!  We will take many more pictures...then Friday...we head home!  (don't forget to check the blog out on Friday...as i have the next 52 Card challenge posted then!)

After we get home Friday...I plan on taking the various projects/make and takes, and other pictures and give you some more detailed recaps of each!  It will be much easier to do it from my main computer, and to take each piece and individually take a pictre and give you some info about each!

Oh...and just a little HEADS UP....Paperthreads is having their "Customer Appreciation Day" on Monday, February 15th...and on that day...i will have a couple giveaways from my travels here....oh...we are going to have SO MUCH FUN!!

Can't wait!!

Movie Mondays - Letting your Origins work for you!

Yes, it's back...a Movie Monday!  I know it's been a bit...actually, I posted a movie last week....just not on Monday! :)

But this week...I'm posting on a Monday!  I'm preparing this here today, a day before I head out to the CHA show....and I'm setting it up to delay the post, so it shows up while I'm gone!

So....in anticipation of all the fun I'm having, let me just say...I'm sure the show is great, I bet I have lot's of things to show you, pictures taken, and new ideas for the store...but most of all, I'm just positive I'm enjoying my partners in crime...Jan, Jenette, and Shirley, as we explore all there is to know about crafting in 2010!


On to the video tutorial!

This week, I'm showing you a quick video on how to use your Set Origin in your KNK machine to work to your advantage!  Many people don't know this little trick I use....so I thought I would pass it along, because I only have to set my origin once a day, and can cut for many hours without having to set it again!

How???  Simple...watch this video, and you will see how much time you can shave off your cutting day!

Getting your Set Origin to work to your Advantage! from Michelle Hessler on Vimeo.

Hope you found this little tidbit useful!

Happy Cutting!

Real quick photos from day one...

 got a moment to crop some photo's from day one...so am posting them quickly.....

Here is a picture of the eCraft machine by Craftwell.  This one is "periwinkle"

I Love You diecut, cut on the eCraft machine.

...close up picture of the die cut piece from the eCraft machine.

Here is the new eClips machine by Sizzix!

Up close shot of the blade housing on the eClips

Hey...who made this dragonfly and forgot to give it to me?  it's in my colors too!

and finally...the girls in I in our Paperthreads.com shirts!

*Jan*Michelle*Jenette*Shirley

CHA Day 1 - Adventures in Paradise

so far, CHA has been full of adventures!

Today, we were able to get ready leisurely, and head on over to CHA just as they were opening their doors for the first time!  We immediately headed to the Craftwell booth, to get a gander at the e-craft machine.  They have made some great improvements to the machine since it's first demo at CHA Summer in Orlando, and they will be well received by our cutter firends!  We still don't have all the specs on the machines, but Paul, from Craftwell, is going to provide me with all the information we need to get it added to our Machine Comparison Chart sometime in the next week or two.

Some of the features of the Craftwell:

1. Has a roller on the back, attached to the back bed of the machine, above the paper tray, where you can put a roll of material to be cut.  This is great for those rolls of material you may have....or rolls of vinyl.
2. Does not use a cutting mat.  So you don't have the additional expense of having to replace cutting mats.
3. The blades come in packs of 10 and will be at a decent price point.
4. It does come with a software program, the eCraftshop.  It will allow you some limited abilities to manipulate your files.  There will be Shadow, Weld, Rotate, Stretch, Flip, Nudge, Kern & More...(per their brochure)  From what I understand, this software will be distributed with the machine, but please don't quote me, as I didn't get final package items for the machine.  The eCraftShop can use the images on the SD image card, but it does not use true type fonts, and you can not import other file formats with this version of the software
5. You can purchase an upgrade to the software, moving you to eCraftShop Pro.  This includes all of the features of the original software, plus the ability to unlock over 1000 images from the SD cards, it will allow you to utilize all true type fonts on your computer, and you can create new artwork or import images from other design programs to cut with your eCraft.  Though, at this point, and I'll try to get better clarification tomorrow....you won't have complete designability with this program, it will still have some limitations.
6. The machine will also have an eCraftApp for all you iPhone or iTouch users, where you can access your images anywhere.  You can create new designs, make changes, access their online host site for files, and connect with the ecraft community through this app.

A couple of things that we think of as some limitations on the machine, although these are limitations and not everyone would be affected:

1. Because the machines do not have a mat requirement, it does have micro-perforations, or little chads, where the machine does not cut all the way around, keeping the item in place on the paper, and then you would "pop" it out.  These perforations are very small, and for most people, will be no problem!  In fact, if you currently by many laser cut designs, you are used to smoothing out these little micro perforations already, as they cut in the same method.
2. Because the machine has an automatic thickness/material sensor, it cuts ALL the way through your vinyl and backing, so if you have a pretty intricate cut or cut that needs to be applied and pieced together, you can't do it as easily.  With vinyl, it's really important to be able to weed out your parts you don't want, keeping the final design intact on the backing, and from there, use your transfer tape to transfer the image from the backing to your final surface.  Because the machine cuts all the way through, this is not possible to do.  If you are cutting out a piece or two for easy application, then it can be no problem!!  So it really depends on your needs with vinyl, and your application purposes!  We did express some concern with it, and they were very receptive to our suggestions and ideas...so we shall see, it may be something they change on the machine at some point!

All in all, the Craftwell is another great starter machine, and will be a great machine to quickly pop in a SD card and start cutting!

The second stop of the day was for us to hit the Sizzix e-clips machine!  They've been pretty hush-hush about the overall aspect of this machine, so it was really nice to see it up close and personal!  this machine will start shipping sometime in May/June, and as soon as we can start taking some pre-orders we will!  There were a few unique features to this machine....we didn't get to see them all...but maybe we'll pay them another visit tomorrow!

1. One of the unique features of the machine is that it has a "print preview" type feature, where you can run the "blade" though it's steps, and a laser light will point down and mark the position of the full cut around.  Telling you exactly where you image will cut on your paper.
2. There are two blade movement speeds, so you can move that blade over quicker, and then slow it down if you need.
3. The machine has 700 grams of pressure!  SWEET!  this is a great bonus to this machine, as you will be able to cut some light weight chipboards easily!  
4. they are putting their designs that are so popular in their regular dies, and so you can have greater ability to use their designs and cut them to your needed size.  You can resize in pretty small increments!
5. Has a handle on top, for easy portability.
6. The handheld control pad is easy to hold and maneuver in.
7. The starter kit on the machine comes with one machine, 2 blades, the handheld unit, cradle for the handheld unit, starter cartridge with booklet, 12x12 cutting mat and use manual.

Here's a video I did of the e-clips....i didn't have time to edit it, but you can at least see it cutting!



Some of the downfall to the machine currently is that it doesn't yet hook up to your computer on its own with software...so you can't "make your own" files...but they hinted that they are working on something...so maybe in the future this will be a possiblity!

All in all, they are both great machines, with their own pro's!  and they will meet many peoples needs in an ever growing market!  we hope to be doing some orders soon!

We saw lots more things...if I get a chance, I'll post more in the morning before we head out, about some of the other great things we saw!  Wait until you see the new line of stamps I'm going to pick up!  They are just too awesome for words!

CHA "Pre-Show" Day!

Well, we are hear, and we are having a great time!  Anaheim just doesn't know what it was missing without us!

Today, Shirley and I were up bright and early, and headed out to the Mariott Hotel, where our Copic Class was hosted at.  We had a great time with Sherrie Seimens teaching, and learned a lot about the markers!

The biggest thing I  learned is the Copic Air compressor is WONDERFUL!!  I SO WANT ONE!  It was so quiet, and the difference in the consistency of your results is so much better!  I guess I will be saving up!

Here's a picture of some wonderful copics....our fearless teacher, Sherrie, and finally...a sampling we were working on, showing a solid coloring of green copic marker, then blender pen used with some doodling!

After our GREAT copic class, we then went back to the hotel...and FINALLY Jan had arrived!  So we sat and chit chatted for a while, then headed out to the opening reception, where we had some great snacks and beverages.

We then headed to the SEI Winter party, where we had heaps of ice cream (there went my diet!) and we got to get a peak at their upcoming products!  Man, do they have some GREAT new papers coming out!  I can't wait!  I hope to have some in the store at some point!

here's a snap shot of Jan and Shirley, at the reception!

Tomorrow we plan on hitting some of the best booths we can, and we will hopefully have more pictures!

Oh...and ask Jenette how her taco was tonight?  She sweet talked the bus driver to stop at Taco Bell on the way back to the hotel...he not only stopped, but he also BACKED in to the Taco Bell parking lot!!  It was hilarious!  But at least she got her taco!  Hope it was good!

Take Care, and Happy Cutting!

Week 3 of the 52 Cards in 52 Weeks: It's all about CIRCLES!

Ok...CHA is fun so far, though today traveling was a bit of a bear!!

So, we are heading into week 3 of the 52 Cards in 52 Weeks Challenge! 

Before we post Week 3 challenge...for those of you that want to post your finished project, please feel free to post it in your blogs, but if you don't have a blog to post it to, you can post it in our gallery, located here:

52 WEEKS CARD CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY

For a quick link to the 52 Weeks Card Challenge information:
CLICK HERE FOR CHALLENGE INFO

Also, please post back here in the comments of your card for the week!  So we can know where to go look for it and enjoy your work!

If you don't want to do a Christmas card, feel free to do any card, just do it within the challenge for the week!  But the goal is, at the end of the year, you should have enough cards to be able to mail at at Christmas time next year, without that last minute scramble to make your cards!

WEEK 3 CHALLENGE:

This week, it's an easy challenge....it's all in the circles!  That't it!  Do a card that has some circles on it!  One Circle, a ring of circles, polka dotted background...what ever!  The challenge is to have a circle somehow, somewhere!

And here is my example!

For my example, I used some great paper by SEI, and I really wanted the snowflake pattern to shine through, so I offset my circles a little bit!  I also used the Out of Bounds Technique when cutting my frame around my stamped image.  You can find the video on how to do this with your nestabilities by clicking HERE!

I diecut/punch cut three circles using the snowflake pattern of the paper, to create my three circle embellishments on this card layout, and I played a bit by using two different ribbons!

RECIPE FOR CARDS:

I colored my stamped image, then I used my Quickie Glue pen, and on the reindeer antlers, I filled them with fun flock (see video on using fun flock!), to add some texture to my image!

Using the Out of Bounds Technique, I cut my stamped image out, so that it looks like my little friend is sitting on the circle frame.

I then used my bow template and made a double ribbon for the cards 

PAPERS:  Georgia Pacific used for card base and stamped base; SEI Alpine Frost: Through the Woods and Dust of Snow.

INKS:  Memento Black, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Copics


DIECUTS:  Nestabilities Classic Circles

STAMPS:  C.C. Designs: Christmas Trevor

ADHESIVE:  Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, 3M ATG Tape, Scor Tape, Pop Dots

MISC:  Ribbon by SEI, Alpine Frost Collection, Fun Flock by Stampendous (Caramel Latte Tan), Chipboard Tag - SEI Alpine Frost Collection

Hope you enjoy this card!  And I hope to see some of your cards from this challenge!

Check back late this evening for CHA updates!

Peace Out!

Backup your License files!

So, the chatter was on at the KNK Yahoo Group, and someone needed to reinstall their KNK Studio software program, as it was no longer behaving as it should!

I posted there that they should reinstall, but to back up your license files first.  Then I got a couple emails, asking why this was important...and here is my reply:

"It's important to back them up, because if you upgrade to a new release of the software, or if you start experiencing errors and need to reinstall, you don't have to use a new activation to reinstall, you can use your license files already provided when you activated it!  But to do this, you must have a copy of them!

Now, this does not affect you when you have to reformat your computer, or when you upgrade your computer's operating system.  In these situations, you are given a new "machine" id, so you have to actually request a new activation!  To do that, you would have to contact your retailer, providing your activation code and machine id.  (See later in this post!)"

Also, note that this does not affect those KNK Users that have the version of the software using the "dongle key" as their license key!  Their dongle is their license key, and they just have to make sure to handle it carefully so as not to lose it!

Alright...with all that being said, here is the quick tutorial on how to back up your license files!

Backing up your License files on KNK Groove or Maxx Studio Software from Michelle Hessler on Vimeo.

And, of course, for those that need to get a new license generated because they had to reformat your machine...at this time, there is no cost to get that new license generated, as long as it's been 6 months since you first activated the license.

To do this, you will need your original activation number, which was provided for you when your machine was shipped to you.  Then, before you request a new activation, you will need to INSTALL the software.  When the activation screen comes up, it provides you with a "machine id" number.  Write that number down, as you will need it! 

(you can also find the same number, by going to the help menu, and  click on About Klic-N-Kut)

Take those numbers, the machine ID number and activation number, and contact your retailer, providing that information, and they will submit a request for a new license activation.  (You need to also let them know why you need a new activation, such as hard drive failure, operating system upgrade, system restore, etc)

Hope this helps you, and you are taking the steps to protect your copy of your license files TODAY!

So...tomorrow come back, to check out week 3 of the 52 Card Challenge!  And don't forget to check back on Monday, as I have a quick and easy video tip for you Klic-N-Kut users you won't want to miss!

Happy Cutting!