It's coming soon... I can't wait....
Customer Appreciation Day - is February 15th!!!
Oh the fun we will have.
Start looking for fun games and challenges next week!
Oh and I have been working on a set of new frames for cards and layouts. Here is a quick preview of one.
That's all for now
Laury
Ok I know it looks like a kids book! But wait, One of the biggest groups of copic marker users is the manga and anime crowd! These kids are drooling over Copic markers! So getting back on topic, I ordered this book used and it came this morning! Wow! It has everything, A great catalog of available copic products, a color wheel of the available colors, s discussion of paper and what works best, also a discussion of pens that work well with the copic markers. I have not even gotten through the first chapter! There is also a information about the air brush systems. Can you tell I am excited!
Ok This is a great book but the format is different. It is formated like an anime or manga book. That means you begin at the back of the book and move left to right. Well the text isn't backwards but the text boxes are arranged from left to right on the page. It is taking a little to get used to it but hey the information is great and since it is written for teens, it is clearly presented with good detail. (lots of illustrations LOL)
I found the book on the copic website, Amazon, and Borders online. There is another book on the copic website which I have also ordered used. Hopefully that one will be just as great! Oh and when I get tired of the books, I know a great group of kids to donate them to...
My interest in the Copic Markers and Airbrush is aimed more at how to decorate die cuts. I am not currently excited about stamping maybe because I did that 20 years ago or so. But as with everything else this too may change!
Oh and my Victorian Flourishes, Lace Flower, and Celtic Heart Border are up in the store so take a look. Also look at the additional pictures at the bottom of the store listing for each file. I have included details of how I decorated the die cuts with my little copic marker collection.
Sometimes the bleed through on the back is just as interesting as the front -- even more
These are from my Lace flower file
These are from my Lace Flower file and the new Celtic Heart Border file.
This last collage uses the Lace Flowers file and a little knot that I am planning on giving away as a freebie with instructions on how to color it.
Oh And did you all notice the little tid bit in Michelle's blog --Customer Appreciation Day (CAD for short) will be Feb 15th. Plans are not totally complete on who is doing what but look forward to Games, Challenges, Tutorials and of course Freebies and a Blog Hop. Man I hope someone will do the scavenger hunt. Well I think I am looking forward to it, maybe I should check out my glasses first LOL. I love that game but my eyes start to bug after a while.
Well that is all for now!
I have to get cracking on my freebies, tutorial and game/challenge?
Laury
The border file should be available soon. Check it out. It is called Victorian Flourishes
I am now busily working on a new file. This one is based on lace flowers. It has lots of part that can be mixed and matched. It looks great cut with white, creams or pastels for a soft old fashion look. Or you can go wild and color it with bright colors as I have done below.
Can you tell that I have been having a lot of fun with my small selection of Copic Sketch Markers? I have a blue, green, yellow, orange, red, purple, blue-green, in nice deep colors, and a couple of lighter shades of violet along with the blender.
I also have the small Copic airbrush set up. Notice the little blue spots on the leaf above, that was done using the pointy tip of the pen in the airbrush holder. I definitely have a lot to learn about airbrushing and working with markers. I suspect that the coverstock paper that I am using is a little too porous. But it is cheap and I am having fun!
So that's all for now
Laury
I am now busily working on a new file. This one is based on lace flowers. It has lots of part that can be mixed and matched. It looks great cut with white, creams or pastels for a soft old fashion look. Or you can go wild and color it with bright colors as I have done below.
Can you tell that I have been having a lot of fun with my small selection of Copic Sketch Markers? I have a blue, green, yellow, orange, red, purple, blue-green, in nice deep colors, and a couple of lighter shades of violet along with the blender.
I also have the small Copic airbrush set up. Notice the little blue spots on the leaf above, that was done using the pointy tip of the pen in the airbrush holder. I definitely have a lot to learn about airbrushing and working with markers. I suspect that the coverstock paper that I am using is a little too porous. But it is cheap and I am having fun!
So that's all for now
Laury
This is for you Sue!
Here is a mini tutorial on how I decorated my lacy Victorian Borders using Copic Markers. The Border file will be in the store SOON!
I have a very limited supply of markers so I use what I have. If you have a triad of light, med, dark in any color, they will work.
I used Copic Sketch Markers:
BV08 - Dark Violet
V17 - Medium Violet
BV00 - light Violet - I really think this should be a little darker so that the there is not so much variation between the medium and light.
BG05 - used to color the berries.
At you Spica Pink 02
Uniball Signo Broad White UM-153
Since this file is not yet in the store you might consider using this technique with my other lace files.
These cards would look great with the border colored in!!I may give it a try later today.
The journal block, picture frame files would also look great
Well That's all for now!
Laury
so.... I could not resist here is the little square lacy block
Here is a mini tutorial on how I decorated my lacy Victorian Borders using Copic Markers. The Border file will be in the store SOON!
I have a very limited supply of markers so I use what I have. If you have a triad of light, med, dark in any color, they will work.
I used Copic Sketch Markers:
BV08 - Dark Violet
V17 - Medium Violet
BV00 - light Violet - I really think this should be a little darker so that the there is not so much variation between the medium and light.
BG05 - used to color the berries.
At you Spica Pink 02
Uniball Signo Broad White UM-153
Since this file is not yet in the store you might consider using this technique with my other lace files.
These cards would look great with the border colored in!!I may give it a try later today.
The journal block, picture frame files would also look great
Well That's all for now!
Laury
so.... I could not resist here is the little square lacy block
Yesterday I broke down and bought a couple of Copic Sketch markers. I wanted to see what I could do on a diecut. Here is what I did. I am kind of proud of it.
Now if you are a Copic expert please be kind. I don't really know what I am doing as far as the techniques.
I am very impressed with the fact that the borders did not warp!
This file will be up in my store soon. Today I will be converting it and packaging it for the store.
If folks are interested in how I did this then I will follow up with instructions. Let me know.
The borders were cut at 11inches so can be resized to 12.
Here are the accompanying motifs.
Now if you are a Copic expert please be kind. I don't really know what I am doing as far as the techniques.
I am very impressed with the fact that the borders did not warp!
This file will be up in my store soon. Today I will be converting it and packaging it for the store.
If folks are interested in how I did this then I will follow up with instructions. Let me know.
The borders were cut at 11inches so can be resized to 12.
Here are the accompanying motifs.
When I first started cutting with my Craft Robo I was seriously frustrated! However I had given my self a good six months before I needed to start cutting for my daughter's wedding.
As a newbie I had no idea what a good cut looked like or what to expect. So for all you newbies out there this is for you.
First off I am using a Craft Robo and Cutting from Adobe Illustrator. I have an accublade holder and am using the standard blade ( both of these are available from paperthreads.com ).
In the Adobe Craft Robo bridge software I am using a pressure of 19 and cutting 3 times! I am including the pressure to be complete but your pressure is going to be based on how deep your blade cuts. I also tend to cut at a lower pressure because I am cutting 3 times. The depth of the blade is based on how thick your paper is. Michelle over at Paperthreads.com has some great tutorials about setting your blade depth and pressure- READ THEM!
The paper I used was standard Cover stock which is slightly thinner than Card stock from Staples Office Supply. it is not acid free but for items that are not going to be saved..... why bother. Also as a designer I work with cheap paper until the design is perfected.
Lately I have been working on lace designs which have lots of intricate cuts. So what I am showing you is one of my new files being test cut for the first time. The image below is of the cut design before it has been taken off the mat. Notice there are no major snags. There are a few little ones that I will be checking on to see if they need to be fixed in the file.
Frankly I am pretty happy with this cut (or you wouldn't see it here lol) Below are a few questionable areas
The next image is the mat after I have take off the outer area. This is what is left on the mat. Notice that all the little areas of the design are still on the mat. Meaning that I do not have to sit and carefully poke out little pieces of chad - not a fun exercise been there done that!
The last image is of the outer area - it came up easily and in one piece!
So based on how easily the file cut and how easily it came off the mat I am feeling pretty good about this file. I will go back and check out some of those pointy areas that had minor snags but since they all lifted off the mat with no problem I am pretty happy with what is going on!
Now all I have to do is remove all the little pieces from my mat. To do this I use a plastic artist pallet knife. This is not the best tool and I will probably be replacing it. I seem to have to use my finger nails a lot. Getting chad under your fingernail can be painful...... so....
Well that is all for now
Remember if you are using different paper, machine, blades, etc...
"Your mileage may vary" as my husband likes to say
Laury
As a newbie I had no idea what a good cut looked like or what to expect. So for all you newbies out there this is for you.
First off I am using a Craft Robo and Cutting from Adobe Illustrator. I have an accublade holder and am using the standard blade ( both of these are available from paperthreads.com ).
In the Adobe Craft Robo bridge software I am using a pressure of 19 and cutting 3 times! I am including the pressure to be complete but your pressure is going to be based on how deep your blade cuts. I also tend to cut at a lower pressure because I am cutting 3 times. The depth of the blade is based on how thick your paper is. Michelle over at Paperthreads.com has some great tutorials about setting your blade depth and pressure- READ THEM!
The paper I used was standard Cover stock which is slightly thinner than Card stock from Staples Office Supply. it is not acid free but for items that are not going to be saved..... why bother. Also as a designer I work with cheap paper until the design is perfected.
Lately I have been working on lace designs which have lots of intricate cuts. So what I am showing you is one of my new files being test cut for the first time. The image below is of the cut design before it has been taken off the mat. Notice there are no major snags. There are a few little ones that I will be checking on to see if they need to be fixed in the file.
Frankly I am pretty happy with this cut (or you wouldn't see it here lol) Below are a few questionable areas
The next image is the mat after I have take off the outer area. This is what is left on the mat. Notice that all the little areas of the design are still on the mat. Meaning that I do not have to sit and carefully poke out little pieces of chad - not a fun exercise been there done that!
The last image is of the outer area - it came up easily and in one piece!
So based on how easily the file cut and how easily it came off the mat I am feeling pretty good about this file. I will go back and check out some of those pointy areas that had minor snags but since they all lifted off the mat with no problem I am pretty happy with what is going on!
Now all I have to do is remove all the little pieces from my mat. To do this I use a plastic artist pallet knife. This is not the best tool and I will probably be replacing it. I seem to have to use my finger nails a lot. Getting chad under your fingernail can be painful...... so....
Well that is all for now
Remember if you are using different paper, machine, blades, etc...
"Your mileage may vary" as my husband likes to say
Laury
I just though I would make a few notes about bringing svg files in to Make the Cut at the proper size.
To begin you must import your svg into the program.
Check the use actual box. NOTE: I have not messed with the 90dpi. I suspect that can change from file to file based on how the file was created. The important thing is to check the "use actual" box.
This will bring in the file at the right size but not the correct location.
Move the image so that the little green box is in the upper left corner outside of the cutting area.
If you do not check the use actual box when you import the svg, the image will come in very small
To remedy this go to the Location and Size pallet and set the height to 12.00 inches being sure that the Lock Aspect setting is Locked.
Now move the image into place as above.
If you don't like the little green boxes you can get rid of them using inkscape (free vector software) BUT be aware that the boxes are there to maintain the correct size! This is important for coordinating the correct size across files. It is also important because designers have tested the files at this size! Not all files can be reduced!
Well I hope this helps a little and if I have made any errors please contact me so that I can fix them!
Well that's all for now
Laury
To begin you must import your svg into the program.
Check the use actual box. NOTE: I have not messed with the 90dpi. I suspect that can change from file to file based on how the file was created. The important thing is to check the "use actual" box.
This will bring in the file at the right size but not the correct location.
Move the image so that the little green box is in the upper left corner outside of the cutting area.
If you do not check the use actual box when you import the svg, the image will come in very small
To remedy this go to the Location and Size pallet and set the height to 12.00 inches being sure that the Lock Aspect setting is Locked.
Now move the image into place as above.
If you don't like the little green boxes you can get rid of them using inkscape (free vector software) BUT be aware that the boxes are there to maintain the correct size! This is important for coordinating the correct size across files. It is also important because designers have tested the files at this size! Not all files can be reduced!
Well I hope this helps a little and if I have made any errors please contact me so that I can fix them!
Well that's all for now
Laury
Click the link below to goto a download site for the freebie zip file.
Available formats are .ai, .gsd, .wpc, .knk, .svg
Ihaveadream_lv.zip
Hopefully this link will work, if it doesn't please let me know
Thank you to you guys who let me know the last one didn't work. if this link doesn't work I will try something else. My teeth are gritted and my fists are tight. This will not get me down and stomp me.....
LOL
Laury
Dream Sale on my entire store - 25% off!
Here is a quick little border because we all have dreams!
I will have it up as a freebie soon.
Laury
Here is a quick little border because we all have dreams!
I will have it up as a freebie soon.
Laury
Here is a little Valentine I have been working on. This little card comes with a surprise. The center opens out to display a secret message. The heart can be attached to a card or sent as is. You can also mount it on a scrapbook page as a fun way to journal or hide a small picture!
The file should be available this weekend or sooner....
Well the holidays are officially winding down. Lily is just about set to leave on Sunday.
Lesley got the go ahead to go back to work. She can even drive!!! Wow our couch will not know what to do!
Tom however has a blood clot in his leg which is not so good. He has been giving himself injections in the stomach all week and is now taking coumadine (spelling?). The blessing is that they found it and he does not need to go to the hospital! He pretty bummed and goes around the house saying "DANG IT". He also can not swim until the clot has dissolved! So that is another source of "DANG IT". Poor baby! We are just happy that it was caught before it became something life threatening! So that is a major blessing!
Callie's baby is the size of an eggplant this week according to Lesley's itouch app! We get a Thursday update each week!
Well that's all for now
Laury
The file should be available this weekend or sooner....
Well the holidays are officially winding down. Lily is just about set to leave on Sunday.
Lesley got the go ahead to go back to work. She can even drive!!! Wow our couch will not know what to do!
Tom however has a blood clot in his leg which is not so good. He has been giving himself injections in the stomach all week and is now taking coumadine (spelling?). The blessing is that they found it and he does not need to go to the hospital! He pretty bummed and goes around the house saying "DANG IT". He also can not swim until the clot has dissolved! So that is another source of "DANG IT". Poor baby! We are just happy that it was caught before it became something life threatening! So that is a major blessing!
Callie's baby is the size of an eggplant this week according to Lesley's itouch app! We get a Thursday update each week!
Well that's all for now
Laury
