Heart-to-Heart from Scrapbooks from the Heart

Diecut Divas - January Class

You are going to looovvvee the next release of shapes from QuicKutz!! We'll give you a hint: it's time to spring into your new year's goals! Stop in the store next Tuesday to see all the shapes and some fun samples!

Did you know that Main Squeeze has received a facelift? Our monthly class features a free shape for each participant from the latest QuicKutz release. We now recognize ALL brands of diecut machines since QK shapes work in every brand of machine. You will go home with a complete 12x12 double page layout and a brand new shape for your collection. The class is taught by QuicKutz Ambassador, Joyce McCall. You can add your photos at home or in class. You'll need a regular class kit (paper trimmer, adhesives, etc) plus you may want to bring a white journaling pen and your vintage photo distress ink. This month's shape is called "hot drink" and it looks just like the to-go cups at your favorite coffee shop! We can only show you a sneak peek now, but we'll reveal the whole page soon!

 Photo sizes: (3) 3.75 x 4.5 portrait orientation, (1) 3x3 square, (1) 3" circle or square

January's Diecut Divas class is Tuesday, January 19 at 6:30 pm and costs $25. You can call or come by the store to reserve your spot! Space is limited. Participants will receive a class discount on all purchases the night of class!

December Daily: Journal Prompt 1

It's time to start documenting the holiday season! Whether you took part in our mini-album class or created your own album you'll be able to find inspirational journal prompts here each day until Christmas. What better way to start your album than by including your Christmas card for the year! If you aren't the photo card type, then get someone to snap pictures of you creating cards from scratch or addressing envelopes before you mail out your greetings. A photo will fit on the envelope above the "Wintertime"  accent. You can tuck one of your cards in the envelope or insert the card behind the envelope and tuck some other goodies inside the envelope (like your super-duper secret hiding place for gifts!). Don't forget to add your number 1 if you are turning your album into a countdown book!

 

To see what I'm doing to my personal album, take a peek on my blog!

Guest blogger: Joyce McCall

October QuicKards Sneak Peek!

Each month Joyce teaches a Saturday morning card class that features QuicKutz cutting dies, embossing shapes, cutting media, or AccuCut shapes that we carry in the store. September's class was full of festive fall colors and shapes. You won't want to miss October's class! It's time to start working on your Christmas projects! You will get to make 2 winter greetings cards, plus 3 non-Christmas cards featuring new techniques and LOTS of sparkle & bling! I can only show you a little sneak peek here of one of the Winter Greetings cards! But all 5 will be in the store soon for you to see!

 
Saturday, October 17th at 11am. $20 per person. Call or come by to sign up!

 

T!m-time Thursday

 Hi Bloggers!

Here's a little sneak peek of an upcoming class, and yes, it is the one Tim Holtz taught us at Creative Escape! The suitcase is cute all on its own, but, the mini-book is  a true work of art! Simple, easy to recreate, filled will all kinds of possibilities (think gift-giving)! Jen has already found a supplier for the luggage, so as soon as we get them, we will put it on the schedule.

Isn't it cute?

Georgia

T!m-Time Thursday

 

Hi Bloggers!

As promised, here is a picture of Tim Holtz with me. I have to tell you, going to Creative Escape was a once in a life-time experience! We were so excited to arrive and I was especially excited to meet Tim Holtz. He is every bit as charming and nice as he appears in his videos. He is also an excellent teacher! I can't wait to share with you some of the amazing projects we made in all of our classes. This is a picture of the first slide in Tim's class. He gave a inspirational talk on using our imagination to invoke our creativity. Thanks to Joyce, we all had seats on the front row center to watch him teach! 

 Check out those shoes!

On the final evening, there was an auction to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The group invited the incredibly talented past and present teachers to take a cheap-o IKEA lamp and create something fabulous that would be raffled to raise money. Two lamps, Heidi Swap's and Tim's were held back for the auction. Heidi's sold for $8200. and Tim's sold for $29,000!!!!

The trip as a whole was an incredible combination of inspiration of the creative imagination and generosity of spirit. I am so proud to be in the company of such incredible hobbyists!

Make it a great day,

Georgia

T!m-Time Thursday

Hi Bloggers!

This week I want to share with you a new favorite of mine, Grungeboard. This medium reminds me of chipboard with a twist! You can paint it, ink it, cover it with paper-anything you can do with regular chipboard. But wait! There's more! You can also bend it, shape it, twist it, mold it. Yes, its flexible!

We now have several embossed and shaped kinds of Elements Grungeboard. Check it out! This Saturday, we are giving you the opportunity to try it before you buy it with an all day make-n-take. I know you will LOVE playing with Grungeboard!

  This gorgeous flower was made with a sheet of Grungeboard cut with a dye, painted, stamped, and covered with Rock Candy crackle paint. I copied it from Linda Cain's blog. I can't wait to make one, tooHere's a cool video as Tim Holtz demos grungeboard:

Georgia

Technique Tuesday-Silhouette

Hi Bloggers!                    

A  question came up at the Silhouette 101 class this past Sunday.  I found out the answer and wanted to share it with you, too!   Hope this helps! Answer came from Quickutz customer service -they are wonderful!

Georgia                   

MY QK DESIGN CD WON'T INSTALL/LOAD PROPERLY. HOW DO I ACCESS THE 

IMAGES ON THE CD?





If your CD is not automatically loading, you may manually install the library 

images included on the CD by performing the following steps:

 a. Insert your CD into the CD drive.

 b. If the installation process automatically starts, cancel out of the

 installation. 

c. Right-click on your “Start” menu and select “Explore” 

d. Select the CD device labeled with "name of CD". 

e. Select the folder labeled "Designs" 

f. Select and copy all files in this folder. To do this, go to the "Edit"

 menu and click on "Select All". Once all files are highlighted, go back to 

the "Edit" menu and click on "Copy" 

g. Go to C:\Program Files\ROBO Master\Templates and go to the "Edit"

 menu to click on "Paste". This will place all files into your library. 

h. Save and then run the following program:

 http://www.quickutz.com/support/programs/QKThumbnails.exe 

Your images should now be in your Silhouette library and be accessible 

from your library. 

Technique Tuesday-Silhouette

Hi Bloggers!                     Before we get to the Silouette topic of the day, I must take time to congratulate Joyce McCall, our very own QuicKutz Ambassador! She was chosen as one of 8 Ambassadors nationally, out of thousands of applications!! We are soooo proud of you, Joyce, and know that QuicKutz made the BEST decision! I'm sure we will hear in upcoming weeks what her duties will be and how we will benefit from them.

Q: I'm trying to cut the new Clock image. I re-sized the whole image to a size I want, but I want to cut the hands in a different color, so I ungrouped the image and moved the hands off the page. Then I decided the clock was too big, but I can't really re-size it now because it's un-grouped. 
Tell me how to cut the different parts of an image in different colors. I'm getting so frustrated with ungrouping an image just to remove a part I'm not ready to cut on the first go. I want to just use the ungroup feature to edit out parts of an image I don't like.

A:To cut individual colors go to File>Output Settings.  Then in Output Settings go to Cutting Settings and at the bottom Cutline Settings.  Here you can uncheck whichever colors you don't want to cut, or check whichever colors you want to cut.
 You can still resize the pieces, even if they're ungrouped. Just make sure to draw your box around ALL of the pieces before you resize anything. Hope that helps!

Don't forget that Silhouette 101 is this Sunday, August 23rd at 2:00pm and Silhouette 102 is Thursday, September 17th, 6:30 pm. Call the store to sign-up if you'd like to attend!

Georgia

 

Technique Tuesday-Silhouette

Hi Bloggers!

Sunday afternoon we had a great discussion at the Silhouette 102 class about Print and Cuts. I showed the class how to make them and then went home to find a great article on Print and Cut by the wonderful Quickutz girls on their blog. So, here is a portion of that article to help further your knowledge and increase your fun on this terrific machine! 

print & cut: silhouette's best kept secret

Let me just give you a brief explanation in very basic terms . . . along with a little sneak peek, of course. ;) Take a look at Nichol Magouirk’s use of this monogram letter and word tab on her absolutely amazing page. LOVE it!

Here I’ve brought that same “Happy” monogram into a new document. You'll notice how there's a red line around the image. That's the cut line.

 

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

Let me just give you a brief explanation in very basic terms . . . along with a little sneak peek, of course. ;) Take a look at Nichol Magouirk’s use of this monogram letter and word tab on her absolutely amazing page. LOVE it!

Here I’ve brought that same “Happy” monogram into a new document. You'll notice how there's a red line around the image. That's the cut line.

 

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

When you add the Print & Cut image into your document in the Robo Master software, it will display—in color—with a red cutting line around it. You’ll simply add registration marks to your document, print the document, place it onto the cutting mat, and Silhouette will read the registration marks and know where it needs to be cut.

 

To add registration marks, select Edit/Registration Mark Settings (or you can choose File/Document Settings and check Use Registration Marks).

Next, you’ll get this screen. Just click on the Use Registration Marks and you’ll see the little sample document on that screen change to include registration mark placement markers. Just leave the rest of the settings as is and click OK.

Once you click on OK, your document will now look like this:

Select File/Print and send your document to the printer. Here’s how it looks all printed and fancy (I sized it down first).

Note: For my printer I needed to change my document size to 8.26 x 11 because if it was set to the default of 8.26 x 12.5, my printer treated it like a legal size document and printed too close and off the end of the page. I should have gone into my printer controls and created/selected a page size that would accommodate that, but I was too lazy. ;)

You’ll notice on the end that it says “Feed this side first.” That’s the end you put into the Silhouette and then press Enter to load it. Or, if you’re using the original machine, roll your paper. At this point you can go ahead and cut your image like you normally would—making sure Search Registration Marks is checked on this screen:

A couple things to note at this step here. First, if you are using the SD machine, make sure your LCD display says Load w/Carrier and not Load Media. I was unaware of this the first time I used it (I'd accidentally changed it) and of course I had a hard time getting it to work right. If you need to change that setting, just press the right arrow key on the machine until you see that option.

Second, if, by chance, the optic eye is having a hard time finding the registration marks, try positioning the blade so that it is over a registration mark (the corner lines). If that doesn’t work, there may be other factors why it might not be reading it and you can find more information about that here.

Sometimes it may take a few tries and a little patience to make sure it’s all working right for you. But I guarantee, you will LOVE it when you use it!

Once it’s cut, it’ll look just like this:

* You can find another couple great links for using Print & Cut here and here.

Georgia

Technique Tuesday-Silhouette

Hi Bloggers!

I found a wonderful resource for ideas for cutting vinyl on my Silhouette! There are tons of companies popping up on the internet selling vinyl cut-outs for your wall. I thought, why not make my own? Recently, I made this piece for Father's Day-Dad really loved it!

I got the phrase idea from an online vinyl company, changed the font, downloaded the notes from Quikutz, and used a $1.79 charger from Hobby Lobby (thanks, Joyce!) to place it on.  Here's a couple of other ideas you could create using Quickutz downloads!                             If you have any trouble cutting out your vinyl, call us at SBFTH, or consider joining us at Silhouette 101 and 102 classes. Its ok to take the classes over since there is sooo much information to take in! We have a terrific selection of vinyl, too!

Here's some links to help you get started on vinyl ideas!

 

http://www.wallies.com/
http://www.customwallphrases.com/
http://www.vinylinspirations.com/
http://www.wordtothewall.com/
http://www.vinylinnovation.com/
http://www.wallsneedlove.com/
http://www.wallphrases.com/
http://www.bloomingwords.com/
http://www.expressivewalls.com/
http://www.art-a-peel.com/
http://www.signsandwondersdecor.com/
http://www.uppercaseliving.com/http://www.wallies.com/
http://www.customwallphrases.com/
http://www.vinylinspirations.com/
http://www.wordtothewall.com/
http://www.vinylinnovation.com/
http://www.wallsneedlove.com/
http://www.wallphrases.com/
http://www.bloomingwords.com/
http://www.expressivewalls.com/
http://www.art-a-peel.com/
http://www.signsandwondersdecor.com/
http://www.uppercaseliving.com/

Happy cutting!

Georgia