Recent Posts

Powering Off Your Inspiration

Clearance bins are a great way to vamp up your paper supply. The only problem with purchasing discounted or clearance items is that generally what paper supply is left—well that’s all that’s left! So you really have to make sure that when you’re creating projects you don’t ruin what limited supply you have of a certain style or type of paper. We use a lot of paper at Pazzles when we’re designing and creating projects for the Craft Room! Test cutting on more inexpensive paper is a great way to ensure your creations layer, fold, cut and line up just right. So what happens if you’ve got your last sheet on the mat and you’ve either made a mistake in the design or you’re just not ready to cut out the project yet?

Flower Rosettes

Nana's Garden A couple of months ago I taught you about paper rosettes. At the time I had played a bit with making Rosette Flowers as well but felt that they deserved a lesson all on their own. When I needed to make a project for Grandparents Day for a magazine, I decided to make flower rosettes. What I didn't count on is how addicting they are! I just couldn't stop trying one more style of flower.

School Supply Box

It seems that when I have thought of back-to-school projects I usually focus on the elementary years. For this project I was determined to make something that would appeal to a high schooler, college student or even a mom who needs to organize her office supplies. So often the pencil holders found in the office supply stores are too small for the collection of pencils, pens, scissors and rulers that I want to keep close at hand but this roomy box holds a lot .

Keyboard Shortcuts

Thanks to all of you for the shortcut tips! I have updated the tutorial and the PDF list of shortcuts. Even if you viewed this recently be sure to take a look at the last 2 minutes and download the revised PDF. Special thanks to Camilla from Pazzles for alerting me to some Fabulous shortcuts. Chris The email started out "Mom, you are going to kill me but". Believe me, when Amanda sent that to me, it really got my attention! Most conversations or phone calls that start out in that way do not usually contain good news, but this one did. Her email went on: " draw a shape, hold down your Shift key and try to move your shape anywhere on the page. This works in any version of our software." Nothing else, just those instructions. Naturally, I went to my computer to try it out. Wow!

Classes for August 28 and ...

Sunday's Class, we are going to be working with the Magic Wand aka Contour Tool. We are going to show you how to use it for more than just Print and Cut. So bring your questions and ideas and join us. Tuesday's Class we will be getting all out of shape and working with the Distortion Tool. It is a fun, under used tool. Join us in the Classroom at Sunday at 8:00pm Central Time and Tuesday at 1:00pm Central Time. Just click on Join the Room and sign in as a guest. We will see you there.

Please Accept

My Apologies. If you have had trouble viewing the most recent tutorial videos I would like to ask you to forgive me. I switched to a new computer recently and although I thought I had all the settings correct, I had overlooked one tiny check mark. I have re-rendered the last 6 Tricky Tuesday tutorials and you should be able to view them as easily as you have in the past. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. Chris

Exporting Cutting Files

Using the export feature for JPEGs and BMPs is a great way to review your own creations without opening the file in the Pazzles software. Creating pictures from your files also allows you to share pictures of your designs with others and create printable designs which have many uses. We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words, and creating pictures from your cutting files is easy in the Pazzles software!

Using Symmetry to Save Time

I have to admit that I am a symmetrical type person. I am often teased about my obvious bias towards symmetry. I like my pictures in neat rows and I like the flower beds to have balance. I guess it does limit me at times. I do think, however, that it has been to my advantage when it comes to creating my own designs. I can see symmetry in a lot of images and I take advantage of that to save myself time when creating a new design.

Drink Collar

August is here and for many of you that means the heat is really settling in. So this project is just a little reminder to HYDRATE yourself! Drink that water people! This cute and simple project is great for mass producing water bottles for any outdoor event including sports games, practices, weddings, and pool parties. Today's project is also special because we are giving it away to EVERYONE for FREE. Just a little gift from us to you to thank you for being part of the Pazzles family! We are also providing the SVG for this cutting file for those of you that are using MTC or SCAL with your Inspiration!

We Love Shortcuts!

I remember playing the Candy Land board game as a child. I always hoped I would draw the right color card so that I could take the shortcut path. The shortcut would put me way ahead of my brother and just maybe I would win! Most of us still love to discover a shortcut. Whether it is a shortcut across town that saves 10 minutes or a shortcut to making a favorite recipe; we all love to shave a few minutes off our job. Apparently, there are a LOT more shortcuts for the Inspiration Studio software that I was unaware of.

Class for Upcoming Week

Sunday we will not be having a class. I will be traveling home from Tulsa this day and when I get home we are going to be celebrating my son, Jared's, 25th birthday. Many of you you know that he is mentally handicapped and have participated in sending cards, so I will be sure to take pictures and share in his delight with all the mail. Tuesday is going to be a fun filled class of working with the Scissors....the Decorative ones. There are so many things you can do with this extremely fun function and we are going to be working with them, so you can have as much fun with them as I do. Be sure and join us for class on Tuesday at 1:00pm Central Time. Just go to Community, then Klo's Classroom and join the class. You don't have to register, just put your name in where it says Guest and come on in.

When Your Cutting Strip Just ...

Often times I’m asked the purpose of the cutting strip and what function it serves for the Inspiration. The reason that the Inspiration has a cutting strip is to ensure that the blade doesn’t come in contact with the base of the Inspiration and which can leave cuts and grooves on your machine and damage your blade as well. When dealing with different crafting adhesives, vinyl, sticky backed papers there can start to be a buildup of adhesive residue on your cutting strip. A great way to remove the buildup is wiping it off with a wet wipe. If you find that the tape that is holding down your cut strip is peeling away due to years of use, you may want to consider getting a replacement strip.

Congratulations to our August Challenge ...

Congratulations to wranglersport for participating in the August Word Book Challenge. It was so much fun to see everyones amazing word books. I love all of the different looks, all done with the same basic concept. What an amazing thing that we can do with our cutters to make it even more valuable to us. If you haven't taken the time to go look at all of the great word books, go here now and do that.

Candy Cases

Up-cycle small empty plastic cases into sweet treats

Challenge Projects are Due Monday!

Don't forget that your August challenge project is due MONDAY AT MIDNIGHT! That gives you all weekend to get it done right? *grin* Remember that this is a participation challenge, the winner will be selected by random drawing so everyone has a chance to win! Check out our fabulous prizes and all the details on how the challenges work by clicking here. You can see what the August challenge is by clicking here. Hurry, you still have time!

Classes this Week

This Sunday in class we will be going back to the basics. With so many new Pazzle owners joining recently, we are going to go back to some fundamentals that everyone should know. Even if you have been using your Pazzles for a long time, it is always great to have a refresher class. Or maybe you have been away from your machine for awhile and just need to brush up on the basics. If you haven't ever joined us for a class before, this is a GREAT one to start with. On Tuesday we are going to be focusing and using the Justification tool with the line guide. This is a very easy tool to use, but it is very powerful and can really help you line up and get your creations just the way you want. Remember, classes are LIVE and INTERACTIVE, so this is a great opportunity to learn and ask questions. Even if you can't make the classes, they are always recorded and archived on the classroom page. To join us, just go to COMMUNITY and then down to KLO's CLASSROOM and click the join button and sign in as a guest. Sunday Class starts at 8:00pm and Tuesday is at 1:00pm, these are Central US & Canada times.

Windows 7

The internet has allowed us to cross oceans, literally in a matter of seconds with the help of technology. Today there are so many wonderful ways to keep in touch with family and friends and of course, crafting friends we meet online via email and Skype! The internet has proven to be very helpful when it comes to communicating with others who have the same hobbies as we do, like scrapbooking! Forums and even abandoned threads are still a great resource to help answer questions that you may have about your Inspiration and the software. Regardless of what level you are at learning and using your Inspiration, someone out there just like you probably had the same questions and posted to an online forum.

What will You do with ...

I absolutely love small town pride and all the hoopla that goes with it! Pazzles is located in a small town and this past weekend we celebrated our company and our home town. There was the BBQ and the farmers market, the craft booths and the barrel train ride, but best of all was the parade. It may be hokey and lack the glitz of the big city but small town parades are a lot of fun! Where else can a kid get a huge bag of candy in less than an hour? Where else can you get soaked by the little old ladies and their water hoses as you walk by? (Believe me, that is very welcome on a 90 degree day!)

Pazzles Retreat

Retreat is Sold Out! Get on the wait list by going to the registration website. The first Pazzles Retreat will be held Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 16, 2011 in Boise, Idaho! Join us for a fun filled weekend where you will learn more about your Pazzles electronic cutter & software. Classes will be geared to beginners and advanced users alike and will include techniques, projects and lots of extra goodies. Note- Craft Room membership is NOT required to attend the retreat.

Camping Tent

Paper crafting is not just a hobby, but an expression of what we are and the things we like to do. For those of you who like to hike, or just like going camping this is the perfect project, but it also makes a great gift for kids who get to enjoy camps over the summer too. This summer I was able to take a hiking trip with an amazing group of friends. Since this was my first time, I didn’t anticipate the almost five mile hike. I was pretty exhausted by the time we got to our destination and started prepping our camp to get all the tents set up. I have to say it was a pretty impressive sight to look around our camp and realize we packed everything in with fifty pound packs. I made this tent to preserve the memories of that trip.

Classes this week

Sunday, there will be No Class, I will be traveling home from Nashville, TN. Tuesday we will be showing you how use the Single Stroke Files that are in the Pazzles Image Library. If you haven't had a chance to see these really fun files, go take a look and then come and learn some fun things to do with them. Come and join us. If you haven't ever joined us, make this the week that you come and learn with us live. Just go here. I look forward to meeting you.

Do You Need to Change ...

The blade holder is the most important part of the Inspiration. Hard to believe that such a small tool plays such a significant role in the cutting capabilities of the Inspiration. Not only is it important to keep the blade sharp, but it’s also important to keep the blade holder clean from cutting fiber and debris from your paper crafting projects. You will always want to make sure that if the blade holder is not secured in the blade carriage of the Inspiration that you have it stored in a safe location where it won’t get lost or more importantly damaged.

Making Basic Envelopes

Have you ever been in this spot? You have spent a lot of time making a beautiful card for someone special. It is all finished, you've spent some time admiring it and now it is time to slip it into an envelope and send it on its way. But what envelope? You don't really want to use a plain white envelope even if you have one that fits, do you? Why have a ordinary envelope for an extraordinary card?

August Challenge-Word Book or Word ...

Word Books have been around for a while. Did you know that the 'craze' got a huge boost when one of our Pazzles Design Team member created one on her Pazzles machine many years ago? I love using word books in the 'non-traditional' way. I have made them smaller and used them as a card, plus I think they would be great to use as a birthday party. Cut them out for everyone and let them assemble them, using photos from the party would not only be a fun activity, but a great party favor. I would love to see what you create. Even if you are a new to your Pazzles creating wordbooks is something you CAN do, because basically you are using a square and letters.

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