You have got to love tags! The are such a simple idea and yet they can add so much to a project. Tags can stand alone on a gift or be the accent to a card or page. They can be made plain and simple out of solid or print cardstock or they can be over-the-top with layers of paper and dimensional flowers. Whether the tag is basic or elaborate they all start with a simple shape. Maybe that is why we love them....they are so uncomplicated.
You may have seen this cute little Candy Corn Bug in the New Images folder. When I designed him, I immediately knew that I was going to have to include him in a project. He is just too precious to pass by! I backed his wings in vellum to give them a fairy-like feel. This Candy Corn Bug Box project is probably not quite a 15-Minute Project, but it is really close! It depends on how much inking and decorating you want to do.
Have you seen an image you loved but didn't know what to use it for? Have you ever wanted to put together a project but didn't know how to pull all the pieces together? I would guess that most of us can answer those questions with a resounding "Yes!" We all struggle with designing from time to time. It is the reason why we are attracted to paper lines that coordinate and stamp sets with several pieces. They help us envision what the next step in the creative process will be. That is why beginning this Friday, we are adding a new category in the Craft Room Library called Collections.
I have to admit that I am a little sad that this Haunted Village project has come to an end. It has been a lot of fun to work on. The team effort has been worth it and we all want to do group projects more often. It has also made me grow in my dimensional engineering skills!
Learn how to make beautiful silhouette overlays for any occasion using images from the Craft Room library.
Have you ever met a person and knew you were going to hit it off with them right away? After the first day with Michelle we all knew she was the perfect person to be the new Pazzles Craft Editor. She has only been here for three weeks but she is already generating new enthusiasm and ideas into the Craft Room.
Have you ever made or received a really cute box that is so nice you want to save it? I just can't bear to part with some of the boxes I have made. I usually store them away in my closet to use another day. I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled a box out only to find it has been crushed or damaged. Paper projects with dimension just don't seem to store well and they take up a lot of space.
'Take time to smell the roses.' 'Remember the moments.' I think we all know what those phrases mean but do we really, really ever apply them to our own lives? Yesterday, I was reminded several times what it means to take delight in simple things.
There are two Arc tools in the Inspiration Studio Software: Arc from Path and Replace with an Arc. Both work essentially the same way. Arc from Path lets you draw a perfect arc wherever you want one. Replace with an Arc will replace a croooked, jagged arc with a nice smooth one. Both are valuable tools when you are creating or correcting a design element.
Most of the time we fly in the afternoon before the show or retreat and head home right after it ends. We see the airport, the meeting room and our hotel room and that is all. Often we don't even go outside the during the three days we are there. This time Klo and I decided to stay an extra day in Washington D.C. and create our own adventure!
Over the past few years I have been making tutorials and projects for Tips and Tricks (previously Tricky Tuesday) on a weekly basis. I chose the topics based on what I have seen in the Pazzles Forums or what I think will make using your Inspiration Creative Cutter more enjoyable. Rather than choose a new topic myself this week, I think it is time to hear from you!
When I am creating titles and projects, I try to have nice flowing lines. I use script fonts and like lots of curves. I like how curves look and feel and I like how they cut out. However, some designs just look better with angles and points, and it can be a bit tricky when it comes to cutting out those tight spots.
We want to extend a special invitation to all of our fabulous Pazzles customers. Join Klo and I on a cruise to the Caribbean, February 10–16, 2013! We will be teaching classes on the days at sea and then you can play on the days at port. You can even join Klo or I in an activity if you want! Of course we won't begrudge you time with your special someone either. After all, they are going to treat you to this romantic Valentine's cruise, right?
In an earlier blog, I promised to show more projects made using the 'Flip It' method. By using this method you can write on both sides of a project in one easy flip of the paper. Plus you don't need to follow any complicated steps to line everything up. Imagine not having to write the sentiment or poem on a separate piece of paper. You don't have to glue it to the inside of the card hoping you get it all lined up either. You can add fancy pen work with the Inspiration Pen Tool where ever you want on the card.
This Hydrangea hanging ball, or pomander, would make a beautiful wedding decoration. It can also be used as decoration in the home. I made this one to resemble a hydrangea but it could be a fall chrysanthemum by using golds and rusty reds. If you change the colors to red and green you can have a poinsettia ball. The Inspiration makes short work of cutting all of the flower pieces. (I cannot imagine punching each one out individually.) The project is perfect for working on while watching a movie or your favorite tv show. Older kids can help by poking the pins through the center of the florets. But be warned! They will likely want one for their room too.
Recently I asked my Facebook fans for ideas to do with my five grandchildren ages 2 to 9. I got a lot of wonderful ideas from them! (If you want to see more ideas 'Like' my Facebook page.) One of the projects was to make soap in the microwave. It was such a success that I couldn't wait to tell the Pazzles office staff about it. Eventually I concluded that a demo was in order so I packed up the supplies and brought it all to our Pazzles kitchen.
The Chantilly Retreat is just 2 1/2 weeks away! Are you excited? Have you already started packing? Maybe you didn't realize how close the time was getting, or maybe you are just a little nervous? Are you afraid you won't know what everyone else does? Don't worry, the retreat is going to be a wonderful experience!
You all know that when you are cooking, you should have all the tools and ingredients you need close at hand. The same organization applies to making a project in Inspiration Studio. Your tools are found in the Inspiration software and, thankfully, stay right where you can find them. Your ingredients are often images from the Image Libray but can also be ones you have made. You may have special ingredients like clip art or photos.
Recently my mother gave me Grandma's jewelry boxes filled with her costume jewelry. What a walk down memory lane! My mom thought the grandkids would like to play with them but I am not really ready to part with these treasures yet. The big question for me is: What do I hold on to and what do I let go? I know that I cannot keep every piece, but it is so hard to decide. Have any of you faced this dilemma? Any ideas on how to chronicle these treasures?
Are your Craft Room cutting files neat and tidy? Do you have them arranged so that they are right at your fingertips? I love the concept of being organized but rarely do I actually accomplish it. I may start well but actually getting it done is not so easy. I have gotten a new computer and have determined that I will do a better job of organizing my Craft Room Image library files this time around.
There is a fresh face in the front office here at Pazzles. Kendall has been with us about a month and is already proving herself to be invaluable. I have really enjoyed working with her; she is always ready to do what ever I need with efficiency and cheerfulness. If you are going to the Chantilly retreat, you may have already spoken to her on the phone. I think she is a perfect addition to the Pazzles family.
Lock (verb) a: to fasten in or out or to make secure or inaccessible by or as if by means of a lock b: to fix in a particular position It is pretty obvious to all of us what the verb 'to lock' means. Many of us have locked up our bike so it cannot be moved or locked a gate so that it won't swing open. We all lock things up that we want to keep safe. There is a fabulous feature in the Inspiration Studio PRO Software that also can help you lock things so that they cannot be moved. Look at the bottom of the workspace and you will see two little padlock icons for the Lock/Unlock feature.
Have you ever been working on a project and wished you had someone to guide you? Maybe you are struggling with color combinations or how to use a printed paper. You might be trying a new product or technique and can't seem to make it work. Recently, I was faced with that challenge when I decided to try digital scrapbooking.
I tend to wear my computer out more quickly than most people. I will admit that it has created a fair amount of teasing here at the office. I think it is because I travel with my computer so much. Anyway, that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it! I could not believe how many updates I had to run once all of my software was installed on the new computer. It seemed like every program wanted me to run updates. It was a bit frustrating to say the least. There I was, ready to play with my new "toy" and I was bogged down running updates.