Chica's Cookies

I met my Bestie, Karen, when we were freshmen in college. She actually worked for my mom, so I kept running into her. We seemed so different at the time. She is so level headed and I'm so..well not. But she puts up with my craziness and maybe even loves me for it. We've known each for a very long time now (Chica, we're getting old!) and I don't often make her gifts. This year for her birthday, I wanted to do something sweet. I decided that I would etch her a cookie jar and fill it with treats. We live far apart and haven't been able to share a birthday cake in forever - this was my way of celebrating with her.

It is super easy, but I did learn some tricks along the way. I cut out the stencil for the etch on my Pazzle with contact paper. Now contact paper is *great* because it is cheap, BUT it's clear. So for your very first project you may want to use some dark scrap vinyl so that you can see where you are placing it. Make sure to clean your glass item with some Windex - you don't want any fingerprint smudgies!

Now lay on the etch cream - THICK. Much thicker than what I did. It is reusable! Just scrape it off back into the jar when you are done, so go crazy and lay it on THICK!

Let it sit for a LONG time. Like go do a load of laundry time. Whatever it says on the container, it lies. I'm not sure why. But seriously give it like 30 minutes.
Scrape off the gunk and save it for later. Rinse & dry your glassware.

That's it!
Fill it up with treats - and tada, a birthday sweet for your Bestie that will last long after the cookies have been enjoyed.

Peek-A-Boo, How Cute Are You!

You have been warned - the cute factor is about to explode.

Are you ready?

Remember - you were warned!

OK,OK I can not take credit for this fabulous idea.

One of my favorite bloggers, Serenity Now

has totally encouraged me to use my Pazzle more (Check out her Cutting Parties!!)

and she posted this link to Living with Lindsay's fabulous Anthropolgie knock-off!

Before

A cute modern shade with a vinyl frame

but wait there's more..

After!

Peek-A-Boo

How flippin' cute is this bunny silhouette for Easter??

Lovin it!

And Isabelle plays with it nonstop..

The details..

I bought ^ that lamp up there for $10 clearance at Target.

((Run to your local one and check out the sale end caps!))

I used images from Silhouette

(hence no freebies today -sorry!!)

and cut them out on my Pazzle with a black vinyl.

Stuck them on!

Frame on the outside and bunny centered on the inside.

I fully intend to change this lamp monthly with new adorable-ness!!

Linking up to Tatertots & Jello!

Iron Craft 12

The challenge this week on Iron Craft was to create something

inspired by "lucky".

Since St. Patrick's Day had passed, I tried to think outside the box.

And lead me to a bigger box, Julie's bedroom!

Her room is over the top cute cowgirl!

Shades of pink and brown abound, with lots of Riley Blake fabric..

I decided that I would break out the Pazzle again

(it's actually starting to make itself at home on one of my craft tables)

and cut out some horseshoes.

I used Silhouette's brown velveteen vinyl.

So soft and yummy...but one teeny complaint..

It doesn't adhere as nice as the other vinyls.

Luckily the horseshoes around the clock have stuck!

There ya go partner - a little luck, country style!

Want to make it for your half pint?

Here are some FREE downloads for ya

(personal use of course)

Here is the JPEG

Here is the WPC

Happy Beer Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sorry this is sooo late in the day.

We had some major internet issues - I hope Digis never needs a referral from me..

Alas, earlier this month I found this awesome tutorial from Cathie Filian

As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make it for my hubby.

I don't often think of crafty goodness that he would want to wear,

the man doesn't appreciate knit scarves or sweaters but we love him anyways ;o)

Her tutorial was super easy!

I actually used my Pazzle to cut clear shelf liner.

I like using my Exacto, but I need to be quick and accurate.

I also used a fabric paint pen rather than just paint.

Can't say I'm thrilled with paint pens in general.

It always poops out on me during the first project.

One day I'll learn, one day..

Anywho, my manly beer lovin' hubby looks awesome in his shirt.

He's off at the bar whooping it up, but at least he won't get pinched!

Addicted!

I'm SO excited about my latest project,

I can't even wait for the beautiful morning natural light..

so you're stuck with poopy pictures.

Is this not the sweetest thing ever?

Once I tried the Easter subway art,

it came to me that it would be adorable to have one customized for your family.

This is so special to me.

I adhered it on our fireplace wall where

we have 2 very large framed wedding pictures.

Our little homage to how our family began..

If you would like one too,

I'm offering them custom made in the store.

Free Easter Subway Art File

Man..I'm thinking it was a poor choice to photograph this on my

daughter's honeysuckle pink wall.. Whew..will try to retake later!

This was my first vinyl project on my Pazzle

(nevermind I've had the machine for years..)

I'm offering the JPEG of the file for free here.

It is slightly different..in a few words - learning curve!

Most digital cutters with editing software will let you use a JPEG.

If you have trouble or need a different type of file - just let me know.

I adhered mine to a canvas that I had painted.

I love the texture!

You can of course place on your wall, wood piece, etc..

If you would like a step-by-step tutoral - just holla!

*Please use it in the spirit in was given - personal or charity use only*

*If you are so inclined to pay it forward, Japan could really use that spare change*

^^^^^^Want this one up here^^^^^^

I have it listed in my shop.

For $8.00 + shipping, you will receive a 12" square vinyl

weeded and on transfer tape..just waiting for you to finish it & love it!

Linking up to Today's Creative Blog

Easter Subway Art - Freebie Coming!

My Pazzle has been dusty.

Since I closed my bakery, I haven't had a need to use it much.

And I've been eying my Mum's Silhouette.

I love the Silhouette graphics and have been bitter I can't convert & use them.

I know I could spend more time figuring out my Pazzle,

but when the girls give me 20 minutes here and there,

it is hard to imagine studying anything..

This past week, my Mum & I visited

a local craft store and found a fabulous idea!

They had a DIY St. Patrick's Day Subway Vinyl Art.

It was fabulous!

All you had to do was paint a wood square

and rub-on the vinyl..

voila, instant holiday decor!

Alas, there was no Easter one

:(

The impatient DIY'ers we are..I decided to make our own.

I love Subway art, but have never made one.

I broke out my dusty Pazzle and decided to take some time to

rekindle the love..

I created the image in Photoshop.

Simple enough - just lay out words in different fonts & sizes.

Since this was my first time, I laid out the words too far apart.

But even this had an easy fix!

I imported the JPEG into my Pazzle software.

It cut out my vinyl with ease!

I weeded the excess and covered it with the transfer tape.

I cut out the individual words so I could place them closer together.

Instead of transferring to a wood piece, I painted a square canvas instead.

The vinyl goes on just as easy and I like the texture of canvas better.

As you can see from my picture,

when I placed the words closer together I created a lot of negative space.

I'm going to measure those areas and cut out more words to fill in.

Once I have it completed, I will upload my JPEG for you to use!

It won't look exactly like mine,

but it will be a great start to a pretty easy and lovely Easter decoration.

I should have the freebie up by Sunday night -

so come on back!

I will have a less Religious, more Bunny focused piece

in the shop later this week as well..

LINKING UP TO THE FABULOUS CRAFTY CHICA

Inspiration From The Past

A couple years ago I had a bakery shop on Etsy.

I found an amazing restaurant that was willing to lease me

time in their kitchen during their off hours.

It was such a success - I even had an appearance on the local news

within my first month of business.

But family comes first.

With the commute, Isabelle, and my other Etsy shop..

I had to close down.

But here is a peek of what I made for that St. Patty's day news appearance.

You could easily do this with any electronic cutter.

I use the Pazzle, though I have some unrequited love for the Silhouette.

Super easy to personalize those treats for any holiday!

Electronic Cutters

There are so many electronic cutters on the market these days,

it's amazing that home crafters now have this technology at their fingertips.

About 2 years ago I bought both a Silhouette and a Pazzle.

I ended up selling the Silhouette without trying it once.

I did use the Pazzle for awhile when I had my Etsy bakery store open;

I cut personalized cupcake wrappers and more.

However, now with 2 little ones I am more frustrated with the Pazzle

and wished I had bought the Silhouette.

Why?

Although the Pazzle has more power, Silhouette offers a ton of

ready to use really cute, trendy images that you can purchase.

Granted with my Pazzle and Adobe software,

I could create my own images.. my daughters do not allow time for this.

Soo.. what is a girl to do??

I've been saving all my Amazon money and have been planning on buying

a Silhouette..again.

However this morning I considered since anyone can purchase Silhouette images..

What if I could convert the Silhouette files to a Pazzle file?

I could save my $200 on Amazon, have access to super cute images,

and keep my power of the Pazzle..

It's a great idea..

It is my goal this week to tackle this endeavor!

I will let you know how it turns out..