A Happy Hello - Feb SOTM Blog Hop

Hello Again. It is the beginning of the month so it is time for a new Stamp Of The Month. This month we will be showcasing A Happy Hello.

This hop is a giant circle. Just keep hopping around until you get back to where you started. You should be coming from {Tamytha Jenkins} if you did not start here. Next in the hop is {Jenny Gilbert}.

This stamp was a little hard for me. I didn't want to do the basic cluster of flowers like they are meant to be. I always try to use the stamp outside of what it is meant to be. The first thing I noticed was the large stamp looked like a sun. So I ran with it. I looked through my Artfully Sent booklet trying to find something that would fit with a sun. This card came up. It was almost perfect. Almost. 

image #M100B23

It already had a sun. So I used contour in Design Space (tutorial below) and removed the sun. 

Now I could stamp my happy sun right above the sentiment.

I wanted the sun to be yellow, even tho I am using an orange yellow card base. Close To My Heart does not carry yellow embossing powder and using pigment ink and clear embossing was not turning out, So I embossed with white and used our Shin Han markers to color the embossing powder. Worked like a charm.

So my second card, I wanted to make the circles like balloons. So I went searching through my Artfully Sent booklet again to see what birthday, celebration cards they had. I came across this one. Loved the sentiment, but that is all I wanted. So again I used contour and removed everything but the congratulations.

image #M100B7E

So once I got the card they way I wanted, I couldn't get the circles to look like balloons. One of the attempts used the dotted circle around the others to make the balloon. I didn't like it, but I did like the circles. So I took pigment ink and random stamped the whole card. After I was done, I clear embossed the circles.

See that glitter behind the sentiment? That is our white shimmer trim. I again took the Shin Han markers and colored it. I adhered it to sheet of White Daisy, cut it smaller that the card and adhered it to the front to sandwich the trim.

I have one more card I am working on, but I didn't finish it in time so I will be posting it later. 

I hope you enjoyed these projects. I love using things in different ways, so I just love the options Design Space gives me to do so. I don't think I have used the Artfully Sent cartridge just as it comes. Between slice and contour, I have been able to use this cart outside of the card option. Oh wait, there was that one Christmas card.

I have a tutorial below showing how I made this card, plus i have a more detailed {contour tutorial}. If you do not want to see the tutorial, you can hop over to {Jenny Gilbert} to see what great ideas she has.


When you upload the image in Design Space, it comes attached with the score line. You will have to detach to use contour.

Select contour and it will change to blue.

Select all the parts you do not want, they will change to another blue and hit contour again

Once you are done, remember to attach the score line.

And there you go. I hope you enjoyed this stamp set. 

 You can get your own during February only for $5 with a $50 purchase. Stop by {nikkageers.ctmh.com} to place your order today. If you would like to see what other tutorials I have done with Design Space, check out my {tutorials page}.
And please join my {Facebook group} to get updates on new tutorials, artwork and specials.

Now please join{Jenny Gilbert} for her projects using the sotm.

Recipe:

Here Comes The Sun card

Stamps -

   A Happy Hello S1502

Paper -

   Goldrush Cardstock 1243

Ink -

   Versamark Ink Pad Z891

   Golden Yellow Marker Z2452

Other-

   White Embossing Powder Z2068

   Artfully Sent Cartridge Z3017

Congratulations Card

Stamps-

   A Happy Hello S1502

Paper -

   White Daisy Cardstock 1385

Ink -

   Whimsy Pigment Ink Set Z2504

      Canary 

      Glacier

      Thistle

      Pixie

   Adventure Pigment Ink Set Z2501

      Pear 

   Tender Pink Marker Z2464

Other -

   Clear Embossing Powder Z2088

   White Shimmer Trim Z3024

   Artfully Sent Cartridge Z3017

   

Cricut Explore Tutorial - Writing Inside a Card

I am back with another tutorial. This one was requested. I will show you how to make a card with cut outs on the front and writing inside. This will only work with the front being cut out. If you want to write or print on both the front and inside, you will have to do two separate ones and glue together.

So lets get started.

You will want a card base (#M41F28). Whatever image you want to use, I used a butterfly (#M466C5). And a score line (#M48E16).

 The trick I use to line up the score line is to use the x position and enter where you want the score line to be. For this card, it will be 4.25 Do this first so you know what size your front will be.

I choose Happy birthday using Artbooking font.

You will want to mirror every image that will be on the front of the card. This is important.

Write out everything you want to have written on the inside of the card. Make sure to change to has a writing style to find a writing font.

Once you have everything done, make sure to select all and attach.

It should be all on one mat, all together. Double check that it has the symbols for cut, score and write.

It will prompt you to insert the pen and when to insert the score tool.

I wanted to show how it would look done, but when I cut it, I forgot to change it to cardstock so the cut is ragged. I didn't want to waste another piece just for a show. So ignore the non perfect cuts. Just remember to change settings before you cut.

I used Pilot v5 pen for this. I have always loved how it writes and is a great ultra fine pen that fits in the Explore.

So there you go. You can now make your own cards and write in them too.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. You can check out all of my other tutorials on my {tutorial page}.

To make sure you don't miss out on any new tutorials, artwork or members only specials, as it is easy to miss posts on Facebook and I don't post to all of them, join my {Facebook group}

Subscribe to my {Youtube Channel} for updates on new Create Your Card videos.

I offer one on one classes for Cricut Design Space. Stop by for more {details}.

I have used the following Close To My Heart products: 

Artiste Cartridge Z1790

Artbooking Cartridge Z1906

White Daisy Cardstock 1385

Adventure Fundamentals Z2032

You can order your own at {nikkageers.ctmh.com}

Cricut Explore Tutorial - Embossing With Design Space

Hello. Back again with a tutorial on how you can use the Explore to emboss. Now this is not direct embossing, using the score tool to emboss. This is how you can achieve the embossed look on all your papercrafting projects.

The first one I will show you is faux embossing. This is a cheat in a sort because there is no actual embossing to it. This technique gives you the embossed look. You will cut out an image and just glue it to the background. To achieve this look, you will need to use the same paper for the background and the cut itself. 

I used image #M101137 from Artfully Sent cartridge and White Daisy cardstock, both from Close To My Heart. Check out my {tutorial} on how to take the cards from Artfully Sent to make them overlays using slice. 

Glue the cut to the background. You can do a second layer to get more of a deeper "embossed" look. 

Next, you can make your own embossing plates to use in your Cuttlebug.  These won't be as deep of an embossing as normal folders, since this will only be one sided folder. 

I used two layers of chipboard to make this. But I would recommend doing three layers for a deeper embossed.  I backed with an acetate sheet, but you can use another sheet of chipboard. My chipboard is actually a backing of a paper pad.

I used image #M10118F from Artfully Sent Cartridge. I also used the same technique as above. I really doing this with all the sleeve cards found in this cartridge.  

Use the custom setting of thick chipboard. Cut twice to make sure it was a clean cut.  My first cut was perfect, but the second one didn't cut a clean. Part of the chipboard got stuck on the blade while cutting. If this happens, pause the cut and clean the blade. 

Next is making a stencil to use with either embossing paste, or use Versamark or pigment ink to use embossing powders. 

I used presentation covers for my acetate for stencils. It is a thicker acetate that works beautifully. And I love how the Explore cuts this. I used my old machine to cut this before and it just etched it. Which looked cool, but I didn't want to figure out the magic combo to cut it.  Use the custom setting for stencil and do 3 passes. 

I used image #M101204 from Artfully Sent. 

I made my own embossing paste. Found this recipe on many sites. Baking Soda, White Acrylic paint and Mod Podge. 

Here is the stencil with Versamark and gold embossing powder. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Please check out all the other tutorials on my {tutorial page}.

To make sure you don't miss out on any new tutorials, artwork or members only specials, as it is easy to miss posts on Facebook and I don't post to all of them, join my {Facebook group}

Subscribe to my {Youtube Channel} for updates on new Create Your Card videos.

I offer one on one classes for Cricut Design Space. Stop by for more {details}.

 Close To My Heart products that have been used in this post can be purchased at {nikkageers.blogspot.com}

Artfully Sent Cricut Cartrdige Z3017

White Daisy Cardstock 1385

Versamark Ink Pad Z891

Gold Embossing Powder Z2066

As a thank you

If you did not know, I have a Facebook group which will keep you updated with the newest tutorials, artwork and specials. This group is growing larger than ai thought it would. And as a thank you for joining my group, I will be doing a special once I hit 100 members, which is so close. You will need to be an active member to get this special, so please head over to my {Facebook group} and join. And thank you so much for following me on Facebook and here on my blog.

Birthday Challenge Part 2

Back again with the birthday challenge at {Heart 2 Heart}. 

This weeks challenge is the birthday challenge.  You get a color to work with depending  on what month you were born. My birth month is November, so I have the color cocoa.  This is my second project for this challenge. When I went to Pinterest, I saw a couple ideas that I wanted to do. This one is my favorite.  I love damask. Almost as much as I love Celtic. Okay. I lied. I love Celtic a lot more than I love damask. 

This is my inspiration picture. Cream with the brown. The single damask image partially off the sheet.

Such a simple design, Didn't want to put too much on this card, so I made it a simple thank you card. Used second generation stamping. The only problem I have with this, is it doesn't stamp evenly.  There is a way, but I haven't figured out how.  It's not as noticeable in person.  This Cricut image used is from Art Philosophy #M40137. 

Would love for you to join us for this challenge at {Heart 2 Heart}. You must use some Close To My Heart products to play along.  You can order yours at {nikkageers.ctmh.com}.

To make sure you don't miss out on any new tutorials, artwork or members only specials, as it is easy to miss posts on Facebook and I don't post to all of them, join my {Facebook group}

Subscribe to my {Youtube Channel} for updates on new Create Your Card videos.

I offer one on one classes for Cricut Design Space. Stop by for more {details}.

Recipe:

Stamps - 

   Variety Of Thanks B1471 (Hostess Only Set)

Paper -

   Colonial White Cards X1410

   Cocoa Cardstock X5642

Ink -

   Cocoa Ink Pad Z2114

Other - 

   Art Philosophy Z1686

Birthday Challenge At Heart 2 Heart

wrrereeee

Welcome to this weeks challenge at {Heart 2 Heart}

Happy birthday to you. This weeks challenge is all about your birthday. Each month has a color that you use in your project. My birthday is in November, so I my color is Cocoa. Trust me, I was not thrilled with this. I kept looking at this challenge going 'why me'. Then I went to Pinterest and searched brown. Got a couple ideas. I do have a second project I will be posting later this week. 

Searching through Pinterest, the gold / brown combo showed up a lot. And somehow this ended showing up. I loved the simple stick snowflake look. 

So here is my card. This is actually the second take. The first one just was too simple. didn't look like a snowflake. So take two. 

I took a piece of cardstock, covered it with Versamark and used our new gold embossing powder. Two layers, and then cut into strips like Popsicle sticks. 

I also embossed the sentiment, I went to Hobby Lobby to find a embossing aid. Something to help the stray powder from sticking. They didn't have one. Looked online to make my own. It involved nylons. Which I don't own. But I do have corn starch. So simple is the best for me. I have a bag with corn starch and just brushed it on. Works for me. And look, no stray powder.

Glad you stopped by. Would love if you joined us for this birthday challenge. Stop by {Heart 2 Heart} to see what your birthday color is. Remember, you must use some Close To My Heart product to play along. If you do not have any, stop by {nikkageers.ctmh.com} to order, and then come back to play. 

To make sure you don't miss out on any new tutorials, artwork or members only specials, as it is easy to miss posts on Facebook and I don't post to all of them, join my {Facebook group}

Subscribe to my {Youtube Channel} for updates on new Create Your Card videos.

I offer one on one classes for Cricut Design Space. Stop by for more {details}.

Recipe :

Stamps -

   Best Christmas D1613

Paper -

   Colonial White Card and envelope  X1410

   Colonial White Cardstock 1388

   Cocoa Cardstock X5642

Ink -

   Versamark Z891

Other -

   Gold Embossing Powder Z2066

   Craft Heater Z555

Tic Tac Toe Challenge At Heart 2 Heart

Hello again. I am back this week with a new challenge from {Heart 2 Heart}.

This week is my week off, but I decided to play along anyways. This weeks challenge is Tic-Tac-Toe. Get three in a row and you win. I may be channeling bingo at the moment, but I didn't want to do just a row. I thought it would be a bigger challenge to do them all. Yes, I played blackout. It was challenging, but I did it, And I think it turned out awesome.

So let me break down each step.

Here is the sketch I followed. I followed it exactly.

 

Cricut.Cuts are the honeycomb (#M45C8C) and the word bubble (#M396F9)

Embossing. I embossed everything I stamped. The trees and the word bubble. They look like I used green embossing powder, but we don't have that color. So what I did was stamped in pigment ink and used clear embossing powder. This was you can have whatever color you would like, as long as you have the ink color.  If you don't have pigment ink, you can stamp the color, then stamp over with Versamark. But the pigment ink stays wet for a while. Embossing also helps the ink from smudging. I also used the embossing/piercing tool on the wood grain paper.

 Close up of the embossing. 

Stamping. The trees and the word bubble. 

Ribbon. I kinda fudged this. I used baker's twine as my ribbon.

Distressing. I used the embossing/ piercing tool to make 'grain' on the wood grain paper so I could sand it. Looks interesting in person.

Manly. I used masculine papers from Dakota, Timberline and Wildwood Assortment for a hiking layout. 

Bling. I used the baker's twine for this as well. It has metallic strand in the twine. 

Scrapbook. 

That is all of them. All nine categories. 

I hope this inspires you to join. You only need to do three in a row. And you need to use some sort of Close To My Heart product to join this challenge.

You can place your order at {nikkageers.ctmh.com} and then come back to play with us.

To make sure you don't miss out on any new tutorials, artwork or members only specials, as it is easy to miss posts on Facebook and I don't post to all of them, join my {Facebook group}

Subscribe to my {Youtube Channel} for updates on new Create Your Card videos.

I offer one on one classes for Cricut Design Space. Stop by for more {details}.

Recipe:

Stamps -

   It's Your Day (retired)

   A Journey (retired)

Paper -

   White Daisy Cardstock 1385

   Goldrush Cardstock 1243

   My Crush Wildwood Assortment Z2040

   Timberline Paper Pack (retired)

   Dakota Paper Pack (retired)

   Dreamin' Paper Pack (retired)

Ink -

   Ponderosa Pine (Enchantment Pigment Set) Z2502

Other -

   Clear Embossing Powder Z2088

   Metallic Baker's Twine Z1921

   Artiste Cartridge Z1790

   Artbooking Cartridge Z1906

   My Crush Wildwood Assortment Z2040

   Sanding Kit Z1294

   Piercing & Embossing Tool Kit Z2046

   Journaling Pen Z1979

   Ruler Z1471

   Liquid Glass Z679

   Bonding Memories Pen Z553

   Timberline Assortment (retired)

Cricut Explore Tutorial - Vinyl Tutorial

Welcome to another tutorial on Cricut Explore. Now, you can you any machine to cut vinyl. These steps are all the same.

This one is on regular vinyl. There will be another on iron on.

There are many types of vinyl, but you will mainly be working with two kinds. Indoor (Oracal 631) and Permanent / Outdoor (Oracal 651). There are some more outdoor vinyl, like marine grade, but most of the time, you will only need those two.

I will not be showing how to choose designs in Design Space. Check out my {basic tutorial} and {how to upload your own images}. I am using #M3D31C from Artbooking Cartridge.

Make sure to change your setting to vinyl. If it is thicker, choose vinyl +. Some people have used washi setting in custom setting. Here is a tutorial on {custom settings}.

If it is a new vinyl that you have never cut before, do test cuts to see what setting you need to use. So many people have had a problem when they are doing a detailed image and it hasn't cut all the way through. You can see if it cut all the way through without ejecting the mat. If it hasn't, without removing the mat, you can have it recut by hitting the go button on the machine again and it will cut the same spot . If you remove the mat, it may not line up. Do not use the deep cut blade. Change the settings if it does not work right.  Also double check the blade to see if there is anything caught on it if it does not cut properly. I have a second blade just for vinyl. Not really needed, but I would rather have one. 

There are two sides of vinyl. The vinyl side and the backing. Place the backing on the mat, not the vinyl. When placing the vinyl on the mat, make sure there is no little bits stuck on the mat. This will make it not cut right. And the vinyl needs to be smooth. If there are any bubbles, it will not cut properly. You can remove the the vinyl from the backing and smooth out. 

When you cut the vinyl, you want it to kiss cut. Which means it will cut the vinyl, but leave the backing untouched. If it is cutting the backing, you need to lower the settings. This is important when you go to remove the vinyl. If you cut the backing, you will have the hardest time removing the backing from the vinyl, especially if it is very detailed. 

When you go to weed, cut it in sections (not part of the design, the excess)/. This will make it easier and makes sure the excess does not have the chance to attach to the rest. This is a pain to remove , once it touches the vinyl. This could ruin your whole design. Trust me, I have had it happen. Cutting the background into smaller pieces makes it seem better.

This is a weeding tool. This is so important. You need the right tool to weed.  A sharp pokey thingy will make sure to grab the vinyl and leave the design. Using your fingers makes things difficult.

Remove all the vinyl you do not need in the in the design, called weeding. If it is detailed, have a picture of the design next to you so you don't end up removing the wrong piece. Again, I have done it. It is very difficult to place a piece back where it needs to be. 

Use transfer tape to remove the vinyl from the backing and to place it on whatever you are placing the vinyl on. Burnish well to have the vinyl to adhere to the transfer tape. If it is a large image, leave the backing on and slowly remove as you apply. This will stop the vinyl from adhering uneven or sticking to itself.

Place on item. Burnish well. And burnish again. You can not burnish to much. you want it to stick more to the item and not to the transfer tape. In the Cricut tool kit, there is a scraper looking thing. This works wonders for burnishing. If not, use a credit card. Start from one corner and work down. This is the best way to not get bubbles.  If you do get bubbles, and have something you can us mild heat on, use a hair dryer and smooth out. Don't heat too much, it will melt.

When removing the transfer tape, start from one corner and pull down by gently rocking back and forth. If a piece stays on the transfer tape, burnish the spot again.

End product. This is my ipad case. After this, I had to remove the design on the spine because it was coming up every time I bent it. 

Here is another way to weed. It is called reverse weeding. This is good for small or detailed images. I am doing this on a very small word. The L is 1 inch. Very small.

It is hard to tell, but this is love cut out. Before the weeding.

Apply the whole piece to the transfer paper.

Remove the backing. 

Remove the vinyl that you don't want. The parts you want will stay attached to transfer paper. 

This is once everything is removed.

And the final piece.  I am sorry about these photos. Normally my phone takes amazing photos, but these just came out blurry. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  You can visit my {tutorial page} to see all the tutorials I have done. 

To make sure you don't miss out on any new tutorials, artwork or members only specials, as it is easy to miss posts on Facebook and I don't post to all of them, join my {Facebook group}

Subscribe to my {Youtube Channel} for updates on new Create Your Card videos.

I offer one on one classes for Cricut Design Space. Stop by for more {details}.

You can order your own Artbooking or any other of the Cricut cartridges at {nikkageers.ctmh.com}