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.

The Chocolate Bunnies Are Here!!

I have been working on a provisional patent for scented vinyl for about 2 years now.

After trying to sell the rights to it to several companies,

I decided that I would sell it on the side,

and see what interest there was.

I think the idea of being able to scratch n' sniff your vinyl decals

is pretty flipping awesome!

I'm offering this limited set on my buisness Facebook page today,

and then listing what sets remain on Etsy.

Right now I only have *3* left.

For $20 including shipping you get,

1 chocolate scented 7" tall bunny and 5 jelly beans.

If you are interested,

join my Facebook page and let me know..

I will be offering more types of scented vinyl in the future.

Let me know if you have any custom orders..

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!

Instant Giveaway!

This week a little girl I love very much,

had a loss that has broke her heart.

I wanted very much to know that she was smiling again,

so I did what I do.

I make something.

She loves Twilight.

Like a lot.

A lot, a lot.

I hope she equally loves this Twilight blood red decal I made for her.

Do you love Twilight too?

Well..

be the first person to comment on this post and it's yours baby!

It is blood red and apx. 3" x12"

Good luck!

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