While I'm Recovering, Have I Mentioned How I Love Creative Fabrica?

 

As I've been sharing, I'm still recovering from my unexpected hospitalization and as such, can't spend any real time in my office which is also in disarray because we're in the process of moving. Because who doesn't want to deal with a hospitalization in the middle of a move?! 

One thing I can do is enjoy the daily email I get from Creative Fabrica with their awesome daily free gifts (you get one font, one graphics package, and one SVG file EVERY DAY!) and take advantage of the regular steal deals they offer like this bundle I bought today for $1. They are one of my go to resources when I'm looking for Fonts, Graphics, or SVGs and I do highly recommend them as a resource. They also periodically surprise you with free bundles, $1 subscription deals (for the first month) a weekly freebie, and other generous goodies. 

You get a full license and their SVG files are wholly compatible with Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Studio, fonts are easy to install and import into other programs and graphics files can be used in places like PicMonkey, Inkscape etc. They offer everything from the daily freebies to monthly subscriptions. And while I am an affiliate this isn't about selling you something because I'm not a person who's super comfy with that. I will say that if you're interested and click this link I won't be sad but no pressure because who likes that? Not me. 

I don't write about things I don't believe and use. But even better, let me show you a couple of the things I've made using things I've either bought or downloaded for free from Creative Fabrica. 

I shared this Bunny Mandala project that I made and framed for Easter. As much as I am working on learning to make my own layered cut files ( because I'm compulsive about "learn all the things" ) sometimes you see something and the work's already done for you and why reinvent the wheel?

Here it is framed along with the link to my original project. 

Last Christmas season, I had too much fun making Quatrefoil Tile Ornaments and used a great Pandemic Humor Bundle along with a fun Coffee Themed  Cut file to make small gifts for local businesses as well as friends. Made one for the local Roastery where my husband gets his beans and one for my favorite Starbucks location that keeps me in Iced Mochas! 

One of my other favorite projects is this re-purposed frame I used to glam up a motivational quote that was in my old office and will go in my new one! With this hospitalization, boy is this ever true! 

If you're new to playing with fonts, graphics and SVGs or you're a seasoned crafter who's looking for great digital creative resources you can find many more high quality premium graphics and crafts on the Creative Fabrica website.

https://www.creativefabrica.com/subscriptions/graphics/

https://www.creativefabrica.com/subscriptions/crafts/

Papercrafting: Layered Bunny Mandala

 

This week's party continues here .

This post contains a referral link for which I may receive free products. 

I mentioned in this week's party post that I love Creative Fabrica as a source for fonts, graphics, and SVG cutting files and that they offer one of each of these for free each day. I downloaded this one when it was free the other day ( it's still available here but no longer free). 

I was excited to play with it and I'm excited to show you how it turned out!

Supplies: 

• Scrapbook papers 
• Electronic Cutting Machine ( I used my Cricut Explore Air2, these files also work in Silhouette Design Studio)
• Spray Glue
• Frame

Downloaded the file to my computer and imported into Cricut Design Space as follows: 

Click on image on the left side of the design panel, Click on Upload Image. 

Click browse to go to where you've stored your file, and then select the SVG file. 

Your file will appear in your recently uploaded files and then select Insert Image. Once it's on your canvas, then you can re-size as desired. I sized mine 8x8 for a 12x12 frame. 

All three layers will be shown . For me, it's easier to work with one layer on the screen at a time so I can keep straight which layer I want in which color. To hide the layers you don't want to work with, click on the eye icons until only the layer(s) you want is shown. Then you can send to cut each layer. 

I did the background layer in turquoise glitter The middle layer in pastel turquoise. The top layer in cream. 

Since each layer is so detailed and delicate, I used a spray adhesive to attach them. I like the repositionable kind in case you need to adjust. 

Here are the first two layers glued together. Repeat the process to attach the base layer. 

Since this file is so intricate, I kept the background simple to let it stand out, using the same cream scrapbook paper as I'd used for the top layer. Framed in a 12x12 shadowbox frame!

And now I have this very cool new piece to add to my Easter decor and I love it! What do you think? 

Sharing At:

The House on Silverado 

Follow The Yellow Brick Home

Our Hopeful Home

Holiday 2020: Using Creativity to Give Back

 

Happy Crunch Time Makers! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now we are full speed ahead towards the December holidays! I've been having such fun Elfing in my workshop and once I get a few things off in the mail can share some more projects but I can share a few things I've made to show our appreciation to some of our local favorites. This year with the pandemic especially, I am passionate about being grateful and showing appreciation to people who've been there and kept us going. 

I'm also going to share my latest obsession...making Quatrefoil Tile Ornaments. I know these have been popular this season and I too am hooked! 

Like so many, we've limited our eating out because of COVID but we have a local place that offers to go or outside dining. It's been important to us since we live in a small town to support local businesses so this set is for our fave little place called The Grotto Cafe which is part of an art enclave called The Red Truck Trading Company so you can see the obvious theme here! 

We also have a local coffee roastery called ROC2 or Roastery of Cave Creek where my husband gets his coffee beans. They do all of their roasting on site and small town living being what it is, they even use an honor system for their coffee locker. You pick up your beans and slide your money through the slot! 

Being a Seattle girl, Starbucks is in my blood. Literally. If you cut me, I will bleed a non-fat iced mocha, no whip. So while not a local company, my local go to location has the nicest baristas who always have my mobile order ready and are always so cheerful!

I have a few more of these to make but wanted share. Retail and restaurant workers have hard jobs, made harder this year by extreme conditions. I know these are small things but hopefully they will know how much we appreciate them! 

OK now for the tutorial on the ornaments! 

Supplies: (This is going to assume some basic knowledge of working with vinyl) 

• Digital Cutting Machine and Cut Files. I used my Cricut Explore 2. For the Red Truck ornament and card, I had this image already in my Design Space software and created the sentiment using same. For the Coffee themed ornaments, I used this SVG file from Creative Fabrica. 
• Vinyl and Transfer Tape (Green and red vinyl, Expressions Vinyl ; Black Cricut Glossy)
• Satori Quatrefoil Ornaments. Lowes, $5.98 for a sheet of 15! 
• Ribbon for bows and hanging
• Glue gun and glue sticks

These are the Satori tiles I used. They come on a netting that pulls right off the back easily. If you look on Pinterest or different SVG and Graphics sites, you may also see them referred to as Arabesque tiles. They're glazed porcelain so you get a very smooth finish on which to apply the vinyl. They could also be painted or you can use paint pens or Sharpies with a sealer. 

Clean your tile with alcohol or glass cleaner to remove any packing residue, fingerprints etc. Size, cut, and weed your vinyl in your machine's software (eg Design Space or Silhouette Studio).

 Apply transfer tape and position on the tile before you use your scraper to apply pressure to ensure the vinyl transfers. 

There are many ideas of how to apply hangers to these tiles. I remembered too late that I had some flat bails in my jewelry making supplies which would work or you can use wire or as I did, ribbon. I've read some tutorials of people who drilled holes through them but you need special drill bits etc. and I didn't want to deal w/ that! I also didn't finish the backs of my tiles.  I thought I was going to but when the netting came off easily and the back wasn't messy looking, I skipped it. Others have painted, applied vinyl or felt to the back. 

I cut a length of 1/8" ribbon and hot glued to the center of the tile as shown. Then using another piece of ribbon (the black ribbon shown below), placed a dab of glue on the front of the tile, wrapped it around to the back and glued down. To finish, I made a ribbon bow and hot glued to the front. 

I love the shape of these tiles and trust me, there are a TON of cut files out there designed specifically for these! 

Until next time! 

Sharing At: 

A Stroll Through Life

Our Hopeful Home 

Being A Wordsmith