christine

Making Friends in the Pazzles ...

I feel so blessed to be able to meet all of the wonderful people who own our Pazzles cutters. I have been going to Scrapbook Conventions, CHA and, most recently, retreats for 12 years now! Over the years I have been able to see some of you every year. My one sorrow in not doing conventions anymore was not getting to see my wonderful friends. Now, we have the Pazzles Craft Room! One of the things I love the most about this community of people are the friendships that are being forged.

Flip It Inside Outside Card Writing

How to Use the Pen ...

Back Flip, Flip This House, Flip Flops, Flipping Burgers...... Have you noticed how often we use the word flip? We all get the picture of what the phrase means because we can envision a flip, right? I have been using what I call the "Flip It" technique at the Pazzles retreats this year. I usually teach it for a card that uses distressing and pen lines. The technique can be used in so many different ways that I am going to create several video projects. Hopefully by the time I am done you will find all kinds of ways to "Flip It" in you projects.

Hexagon Page

Recently, I have seen a lot of geometric shapes in scrapbook designs including the hexagon. I have always liked the hexagon shape. Perhaps it appeals to me because it is so symmetrical. I decided I wanted to make a page that incorporated hexagons and my favorite tool: the Pen Tool.

Sidewalk Chalk Art Loki

It’s So Much More

Over the holidays my husband and I went to a Chalk Art contest in the park. It included professional artists and amateur categories of all ages. Some of the designs were amazing in detail and design. Others were fun and whimsical or just plain weird. The children's designs were colorful and sweet.

Paper Clip Flags

Those little flagged paper clips are adorable but way over-priced! Save money and make your own at home, they are super quick and easy!

From Card to Page Independence Day Layouts

From Card to Page

Do you consider yourself a Paper Crafter, a Card Maker or a Scrapbooker? I personally consider myself a Paper Crafter. Whether it is cards, boxes and dimensionals, or scrapbook pages, I want to make them all. However, I do know that there are those of you who are a bit more focused. I often hear, " I only make cards" or "I stick to scrapbooking". Being focused on one thing means you probably do it very well. However, be careful that you don't miss some wonderful cutting files just because they don't fit in your 'category' of interest.

Make Custom Photo Frames

Have you discovered the newest movement in Scrapbooking? It goes by different names: Project Life, or Simple Stories for example. It differs from the scrapbooking we are used to because it reverts back to the pocket type page protectors. Do you remember those from years ago? Each photo slipped into a pocket. You might have a spot for writing what the photo was about but that was pretty much all you did. The updated version of this is so much better!

Pazzles Cruise News – Prices ...

Did you know that the cruise fare prices dropped recently? I booked mine a few days ago and saved almost $100 per person for my balcony view cabin. This would be a great time to get the reservation in for our Pazzles Cruise.

Up Close and Personal

Beginning today we are going to have a new blog on Thursdays. Just Chatting is going to be an opportunity for you to get to know us here at Pazzles a bit more personally. We also want to get to know you better.

Hello Card

Have you seen the New Images added to our Image Library on Friday? The latest group included three cards. The Hello Card just begged to be recreated. It was so simple and yet it had so much potential! I could envision several different ways to interpret it.

Understanding Font Types

Did you know that there are over 185 file extensions for fonts? A file extension is that little 3 letter code after the dot in a file name. We are used to .com, .net, and .wpc at the end of a file name. All font names also have a file extension after them as well. File extensions are often ignored but they are vital if you want to know what type of file you are working with. I am not going to ask you to know all 185 font file extensions but I would like you to be familiar with a few of them. I also want you to understand what types of font files will work best in the Inspiration Studio Software.

Understanding Text

Don't worry! You don't have your days mixed up. We switched to a new version of our video editing software and we encountered some MAJOR changes that required writing new code on our website. Thanks to Dave and Cris, we our now up and running again! Please accept our apologies for the delay! You would think that text would not be so difficult to understand. After all we are living in a 'Techie' world and we use text everyday. In fact, I sometimes wonder if I still remember how to write in cursive! I love all of the interesting fonts that are available for my computer. I think I have collected more fonts than I will ever be able to use in my lifetime. Once you master the basics of the Inspiration software, you are ready to try some fun things with all those fabulous fonts you have collected. This is usually the first time you realize that text is its own creature.

How to Resize Images

Have you ever had trouble finding the right size element for a project? You can find the perfect tag, sticker, title or die cut but it is the wrong size. It reminds me of the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. Everything is Too Big or Too Small and hardly ever can I find one that is Just Right.

Sully Plantation, near Chantilly, Virginia

Chantilly, Virginia Retreat coming in ...

Chantilly, Virgina September 7- 9, 2012 Chantilly is located in western Fairfax County in the Northern Virginia region of Virginia. During the Civil War, the Battle of Chantilly took place nearby. It is approximately 24 miles from Washington D.C. and is home to Dulles International Airport The hotel is located only six miles south of Dulles International Airport and offers easy access to the heart of Washington, DC. The hotel is centrally located to popular area attractions that include the National Air and Space Museum as well as many other Smithsonian Institution destinations in downtown Washington, DC.

Chicago Retreat was Amazing!!

Sadly, the Chicago retreat was our last retreat until this fall. Klo and I will miss meeting all of you! However, we have been busy planning our next 2 EVENTS! We will have another one in September AND something REALLY fun scheduled for February. Be sure to check back later today to find out more about both opportunities. :)

Opening Files & Adding A ...

I couldn't come up with a clever title for this week's Tricky Tuesday tutorial. Yet, doing this one little process will make your life a lot easier AND...the little icons for your cutting files will be a lot prettier. If you ask me, that is VERY clever!

Masculine Card Series: Tape Measure ...

Is your Dad a handy man type of guy? Does he have all the tools and the tool belt to go with it? Then this is the perfect way to tell him how special he is!

Dad Covered Cups and Dad Card

Masculine Card Series: Best Dad ...

While Moms may appreciate the extra effort that goes into a card with lots of layers and frills, Dads tend to like cards that are bold and simple. This easy cut away card lets Dad know he is the BEST of the best.

Select An Element

When you are a beginner with the Inspiration Studio Software it is hard to decide where you want to start. Do I make a title using my own font? Or do I try designing a scrapbook page using images from the image gallery? You have visions of beautiful projects like the ones you have seen in the Craft Room Image Library. And then..... you realize that you have to walk before you can run.

Adding Favorite Papers to the ...

I am willing to bet that you have favorite papers that you use over and over again. When I find a company that has designs that I love, I am a very loyal customer. If the papers cut really well on my Inspiration I will use those papers consistently. Have you ever wished you could save the pressure and blade length settings for those papers?

Make Your Own Box

One of the most requested video topics is based on a class that I teach at the Pazzles Retreats. I have come up with a fast way to make boxes that virtually eliminates line guides and rulers. After the ladies see how I do it at the retreats, they always ask if I will do a video lesson on my method. Since I have not wanted to reveal my "secrets" before I taught the class, I have waited until now to share it with all of you.

Party Cups

Custom Party Cups

Have you ever gone to the party store to buy paper goods for a party? I seem to want to take things up a notch especially for graduation and baby events. I have found myself wandering the aisles looking at all the great paper plates, napkins, cups and banners. I might even put them in my cart and then...I pull most of it back out again. It is so expensive! It also seems like I can never find the right colors of paper goods to match the graduation colors.

Covering Chipboard Shapes

Have you noticed all of the chipboard shapes available? There are letters and shapes both simple and more detailed. Do you ever find one particular shape that is just begging you to buy it and turn it into something wonderful? And have you ever bought one of those shapes and spent hours painting it, or hand tracing and cutting paper to go on it? I have to admit that in the past I have passed up those fun shapes because I did not want to spend a lot of time making the project. Plus, why buy a chipboard shape when I can cut chipboard on my Inspiration?

Are You Ready for the ...

The Chicago retreat is just 2 weeks away. Windy City here we come!! 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!

Page 6 of 13« First...45678...Last »