Paper Piecing Teddy - Valentine Layout

I am super excited to show you my latest layout.  You see...for months and months I've been ooohhhing and aaahhhing over all the ADORABLE paper piecing projects that are out there.  However, I only had the Cricut so I had no way to create them.  That is until my super thoughtful sweetie gave me a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas.  And oh my... it is AMAZING!  It has opened up a whole new world of paper crafting.  Here is my first paper piecing layout and boy am I hooked. :)

   This cute little teddy and rock girl out fit are created from svg files from Treasure Box Designs.  You can visit them HERE.  All other cuts are from the Silhouette online store.  They are very similar to images found on various Cricut cartridges.

I can't say enough about how much fun I had doing this cute little teddy paper piecing.  One of the things I am most impressed with is how the Silhouette cuts such small details.  See the skull on the teddy's outfit...those cross bones and teeth are very small and slender.  It cut them Beautifully.  It even cut them perfect on my cheap black cardstock and that is Amazing!

Now you are probably wondering if I will continue to post projects made on the Cricut?  All I can say is...when I received my Silhouette...I had my mind set that I would utilize it along with my Cricut.  I planned to use what cartridges I already owned, but would not purchase new cartridges.  However, I am finding that I love the ease of cutting from files on my computer vs hunting for the right cut on a cartridge.  It is much easier and more time effective than I thought it would be.  For now...I will keep my Cricut and see how much I use it.  If I find that it never gets used I will probably sell it.  The good news is...with the exception of paper piecings...you will be able to use your Cricut and cartridges to recreate most any project I do. :)

Sneak Peek...Clear Explosion Box...

Tutorial coming soon... Clear Explosion Box using Better Than Acrylic.  Of course it does not have to be an explosion box.  There are multiple ways to keep the sides from exploding.  I wonder if Washi tape would hold the four sides together???

There is no lid on the box in the picture, but I do have a lid for it.  For the picture I hot glued the corners together.  I kind of made a mess and got hot glue all over the BTA.  Along with all kinds of fuzzy bits of burlap.  In my tutorial I will include a few tips on keeping your BTA nice and clear and glue free. :)

I Love how the little tree with ribbon curls turned out.  Along with the pretty little gifts.  I will include all the details in the tutorial.  If you were giving this as a gift with a gift card you could adhere the burlap around the edges only to form a pocket to hold the gift card.  Then it would be a present under the tree. :) 

This would also be really cute with a fireplace and stockings.  Perhaps using a tea light as the fire and build the fireplace around it.  Wouldn't that make the perfect little holiday accent light?  I just might give it a try and see what I  can come up with.

FYI...the BTA did not split or crack when making the box.  It held up perfectly.  I think the trick is to fold by hand and not use a bone folder to make an extra tight crease.

I am going to put the ordering information for BTA in my sidebar shortly.  For now here are the details once again.

Better Than Acrylic - 12"x12" sheets

$2.45 per sheet with a 10 sheet minimum order

No handling fee's, but there is a $1.25 fee for the mailer that I had to purchase. 

I can ship USPS priority mail or Ups ground service.  I will be happy to quote both to get the best price possible.

If shipping USPS insurance is optional, but recommended.  It runs $1.85 for $50.00 worth of coverage and $2.35 for packages over $50.00.  I am not responsible for uninsured packages.

If you are interested email me at bugjunkie@live.com.  Let me know how many sheets you would like.  Be sure to include your zip code and I will get you a quote.  TFL!   

Better Than Acrylic Video Tutorial - Cutting on Electronic Die Cutting Machine & Heat Embossing...

Another video...I didn't realize how much I missed doing them! :)  You can find information on ordering BTA HERE.

Watch video to find out how to make this cute little snowman.

Better Than Acrylic - Video

Finally I have a video for you.  It's my first video in over two years so I'm a little rusty.  Just focus on the product. :)  

  This video gives you a better look at this Amazing product.  The next video I do will start my actual tutorial series using Better Than Acrylic.  You are going to Love this stuff!

Ordering information can be found HERE

Better Than Acrylic...In The House & Shipping

I'm so excited to let everyone know I will be shipping your orders out today.  I worked like Santa's little elf last night to get it all packaged and ready to ship today! :)

When you get your order...there are a couple things to know:

1.  There is a protective film on the front and back of each sheet.

2.  This film can be hard to detect.  It lays so nice and smooth that you wonder if they missed getting it on.  It is there.  Remember this material is... by my standard...crystal clear.  

To help you remember I have included a little note on the 1st sheet of every shipment.  As well as a cutting guide for your Cricut machine. 

3.  I want to do a video on heat embossing, but for now here a few tips to get you going:

A.  This material will melt if not heat embossed properly.  I recommend experimenting with a small scrap of BTA.

B.  You want to get the embossing powder and BTA warm, but not hot.  Do it for a few seconds then pull away.  Do a few more seconds and pull away.  Continue to do this until the desired result is acheived.  Do not get in a hurry to get it done and leave it too long at one time.

4.  My recommended Cricut settings for most cuts are:

Blade Depth: 6

Pressure:  Max

Speed:  High

Multi Cut:  2

If you are doing an intricate cut you might want to slow the speed down even more.

If your mat is very sticky and you don't want to chance getting adhesive on the BTA...try leaving the protective film on the side sticking to your mat... until after you've cut your image. I've only tried this on a very basic cut and it worked fine.

5.  Dry Embossing through a Cuttlebug or Sizzix machine...I've had very good results with this.  There are a couple things to keep in mind...

A.  If your sandwich is too tight it can cause the BTA to curl. 

B.  For most embossing folders the basic sandwich works great.  If you have a folder that seems to leave really deep impressions (I have one that I can think of) you might want to leave a plate out and add card stock shims in it's place.  That way you can make the sandwich a little thinner. 

Basic Sandwich Recipe:

Plate A

Plate B

Folder & Material (BTA)

Plate B

Hopefully this helps everyone get started using their BTA.  If you have any questions at all when you get your order please let me know.  

With work, family and getting ready for the holidays...I am Super Busy.  I have many more projects to do, but will have limited time until after Christmas.  I will try and get something posted this weekend if at all possible.

If anyone else wants to place an order for BTA send me an email bugjunkie@live.com.

Thank you all for your support!  I hope you enjoy  BTA as much as I have!  I welcome any and all feedback once you have a chance to try it out.

What Happens To Your Craft Room When ...

you go on a crafting spree and don't allow time to clean in between projects?  

It looks like this! :(

I promise... there is a table under all that mess!

No wonder I haven't been crafting the last few days... I can't take the mess!  Yikes!!

There are cartridges, overlays and handbooks all over the place.  With trying so many new crafting techniques I think I have every tool I own pulled out.  

Today was the day I decided to tackle my mess so I could get back to creating.  

It's not perfect, but it's much better. 

I've only been in this room a short while so my walls are still pretty bare. 

 This spring I plan to paint my window well and decorate it up a bit.

 My poor embellishment center... still waiting to be hung.   

This cute little wire shelf is from back in the day.  It's from Home Interiors and was an awful gold color.  Nothing a can of spray pain won't fix! :)

Now you know what I have been up to.  I hope to get some crafting time very soon.  I have so many things I want to do and try... using Better Than Acrylic.  More projects to follow.  TFL!