How to Make a Burlap Rose–Part 3

My Journey of trying to cut Burlap with a Pazzles Inspiration Electronic Die Cut Machine – PART 3

Part 1 - How to prepare your Burlap
Part 2 – How to Assemble the Rose.

Well, mud on my face, I was unsuccessful!  I was just told that sometimes a steel die just works….and I truly could have made 100 Roses by now, by not fiddling with this.

But just incase you want to give this a go, I will tell you what I did, and if you figure this out, please let me know!

I took prepared burlap (prepared burlap from now on will mean, I have dipped it in the 50% mod podge and water to stiffen it) and used painter’s tape to tape down to my mat.  I used the balsa wood setting with the blade at 6.  The burlap moved, Had to stop my machine.

I put the raw burlap on my mat and covered it with clear contact paper.  This cuts but you really can’t see the shape well. 

I put the prepared burlap on my mat and covered it with clear contact paper. This cut’s but slips

I tried it again, but sandwiched the prepared burlap between the contact paper. 

I sandwiched the prepared burlap between two sheets of freezer paper and fused it by ironing it.  This performs like the contact paper, except the paper get’s cut perfectly, so when you do a second pass it lifts up.  Contact paper is better.

Oh dear God, where was my mind?  I sandwiched the burlap between two sheets of red tape.  Worked!  but…..OF COURSE it leaves the burlap sticky on both sides….another No-GO and this brainy idea of mine, could have been a blooper!

It just dawned on me, while typing this, to fuse the freezer paper to the burlap and cover it with the red tape…Just measured the thickness it’s 1.69MM which is under the 2.0MM limit of the machine.

I am going to post this, as I need to have a rest from this project.  Have you ever worked on a problem so long that you just don’t want to do it any more?

Sorry folks….at this time, I would highly recommend using the BIGZ die.

 

Poke out the Owls Eyes? NOT!

I have been missing in action!  Good News!  I am now retired, which should give me more time to craft and blog!  Todays blog is about a problem I had….it was solved so simply….

Here was my problem. I downloaded this Free to Craft Room Members, darling Owl, in the Pazzles Craft Room.

Then, I took all the pieces I wanted to make a 1 layer Owl.

I wanted to use only one color. The white parts, I wanted to weed out, so that the cup color would show through.

This part was simple enough….

 

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Until I looked at WireFrame View.

From Menu Bar Select:

View | Wireframe

Notice how I had a hard time lining up all the cuts?

Hint, look at the ears for example…well, I knew that would be a mess when it cut…

Look at the eyes, I did NOT want three cuts…

So off to welding I went

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From Menu Bar Select:

Tools | Welding

Well, it fixed the extra lines around the ears and other places…

But the eyes! YOUR KIDDING ME!

I Lost my wings! LOL In more ways than one! LOL

That just WOULD NOT work!

Thank goodness for UnDO!

I took his eyes out and welded them separately…

I was ready to poke his eyes out…

Really needed this Owl…

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So, I sent the file to Klo and she demonstrated how to fix this

Happy Dance!

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She really is the MASTER of KISS (Keep it Simple Sweetie)

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Select the owl

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Choose W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.

Otherwise known as

What You See Is What You Get

(That is for those that are my age)

Or from Menu Bar Select:

Shape | WYSiWYG Cutting Transformation

Your mouse pointer will turn into a little "clog"

Click on the Owl

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Well, I have no idea…but, this is just me, High must be better, so I choose High…

Have no idea what the bottom check mark is for, however Klo did not choose it, so neither did I

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Hum, for a week, many hours I fiddled with this owl….Klo showed me how to make the dern COMPUTER do the work, instead of me…

I swear, the computer only took a minute to do, what I could not do in oddles of hours!

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Then two of these birds showed up.

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This is what they look like in WireView

That’s that "W" Icon at the bottom of your screen, or

From Menu Bar Select:

View | Wireframe

Yep, I was SOOOOOOOOOOOO Happy to delete the one on the left, with glee!

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I gathered up all the feathers and grouped them

Hold down your shift key and select each feather one at a time…

Drawing a box around them did not work for me . . because the outside of the owl got in the way..

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Then after you have all of them selected move them somewhere outside of the owl

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While they are still selected, choose

Shape | Group

Now that is out of the way, time to put the name of the person receiving the cup!

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Choose Type

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I choose a Pazzles font.

You don't have to…

But, I wanted simple and easy. Pazzle fonts cut WAY easier and I wanted something quick and easy as I was worn out working on his eyes!

Not wanting to poke his eyes out any more…

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Sized the name to fit into the Owl

Selected the Owl

Control G to group

Or from Menu Bar Select:

Shape | Group

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Size the Image

Select the image

Right click

Choose Height

Or….

Just select the image and type an H

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For my water cups, I know the image can't be higher than 4" and I know the width can't be more than 3.5

So, I type in a 4 and choose apply

Perfect. This made my Width go to 3.157 :)

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Ready to Cut!

Oh, I have a yellow stick up on my monitor that says "Do not cut until you check these things"

1 - Check Wireframe - Make sure those are the lines you want to cut…see, this is where I got caught in step number 2 (thank you post-it note) Did not waste any vinyl on a bad cut.

2 - Do I need to weld? Yeppers. I am an expert on welding now, I welded this Owl every way you can imagine.

Welding did not work in this situation.

WYSIWYG is a better choice in this situation.

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3 - Any Sharp Points? If so, I round them up. In this event they were all good. I turn on Construction Points and make sure I don't have millions of nodes. If I do I remove them.

That’s the C Icon right next to the W icon on the bottom of your screen

Ok, right here, let's talk about this. Construction points, are those little white boxes all over the place.

For right now, I want to tell you, I about ruined my pazzles when I first got it. Turned it on copied clip art off the internet and sent it to cut. Machine started up and just cut in one place…

Wonder it did not blow up

Years later (a few weeks ago) I decided that since I was retiring, that was one thing, I wanted to learn how to do well. Operate my Pazzles and my Software. Well, it would not cut good. I opened a new mat and prepared it. (had to review the video on http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/videos/fundamentals)

I put in a brand new blade (again referring to videos above)

I updated my machine and my software and tried again (yeppers videos for that to)

Double checked my blade length and pressure…

Nothing worked….

Then I seen this video and thought, what the heck

http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/2013/06/25/maintain-your-creative-cutter-for-best-performance

My gosh! My machine worked perfectly! When I cleaned the blade..I was shocked…there was paper shoved up in that hole! I mean, it was packed in that hole! Under the rollers I had had enough paper to make a card…well not really, but WOW!

While I was removing this dirt, grime, paper, glue from my machine that was HARDLY USED, I thought back, about cutting that thing that made my machine cut in one place….I bet, I did that when I first got it..I just bet that is when it happened…I am sure that the few times I used it I messed it up…you see, I just have a habit of jumping in and read later.

Really did not like the machine, no really. Liked it WAY better than the cricut, like way better. But, would rather, get out my punches and dies than to mess with the time it took me to cut one thing. Because it would usually mean I would have to fiddle with it and cut it over and over, just to get the paper up, cut crisp lines and then, usually have to finish the cut with scissors.

And NOW! It cuts like butter! Who would have thought? Eh?

Love it so much, ordered the VUE!

Sorry rambling..

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4 - Paper size - Yep, this will save your vinyl or paper…

Verify that you have the correct paper size prior to cutting

I like to work, without the page showing or the Mat.

Here is where you turn them on or off from showing up on your screen

View | Page

Photo to the right shows the page turned on.

As you can see, I don't even have my image on the paper….

I only need a 4.5 square piece of outdoor vinyl for this cut

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Ok, now let's check to see if the page size is correct

Setting | Page

Nope

I am not using my 12 X 24 mat, so I fixed that

I like to see my cutting mat, so I checked that.

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This defiantly will cut on a 4.5 X 4.5 square piece of outdoor vinyl.

I purposely placed in in the lower left hand corner, because I alternate where I cut on my mat, so it lasts longer…

When I place my vinyl on the sheet, I made sure I put the paper side down to the mat and the vinyl side up.

Make sure NO bubbles exist. I use a credit card sort of thing and smooth out the vinyl making sure all winkles, bubbles are gone.

Make sure the vinyl piece is stuck down real good. If it is not stuck down real good, I use painters tape around the edges so it won't slip.

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Last but not least TEST!

I added guide lines, since I was using a scrap, to made sure I knew where the vinyl was on the sheet

To add guidelines, you just double click on the ruler when they appear, you just select it and move it to where you want it to go

Then add your test circle

Draw | Circle

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Choose Cut Project

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This setting works for me and my machine and the vinyl I use.

(now I don't know how to make that picture show a 1 1/2 blade, so I added it in the description)

Select just the circle

Choose cut project

Here is what you are checking for:

Did it cut the circle correctly?

When you cut vinyl, you cut ONLY the vinyl. Lift up the corner and verify that the paper is NOT cut! You should not see a circle on the back side of the "vinyl" (Vinyl is on the top, and a paper is on the bottom closest to the mat)

I repeat this process until I find the correct setting. Now, I only do it once, because I know my vinyl is the same and it works every time so far. When I find the correct setting, I choose "Add Media" and I add it, so next time I do Vinyl (outdoor) I know to set my blade at 1.5 with this "saved setting"

That’s all there is to it.

There are lots of video's on how to weed vinyl and use transfer tape to place your "sticker" on the cup, or where ever you choose.

Please take the time and leave me a comment!  I love  your comments and read each and every one of them!

Love my Pazzles!

Tip of the week - Thursdays

How to make your own Dimensionals or Pop Dot’sSupplies:Xyron 1.5’ Create a StickerFun FoamScissor'sBrayerTake your fun foam and put it in your paper cutter. I cut mine in 1 1/4” strips.

• Your cutter will probably not cut all the way through the fun foam, but it will score it. You can take your scissors and complete the cut.
• You can use any color of foam! I use a lot of black and brown card’s so I love to use fun foam in colors, however you can take a marker and color the edges of the foam to match your card base, if you use white. I really think white is more versatile.
• Need circle dimensional’s? Use your circle punches!
• Sometimes I need a 1/4” strip! ah, you got the idea!
• Run these through your Xyron
• I mush this down real good with a rollie thing…now what is that called? Just looked it up and added it to the supply list…brayer…humm. You don’t need a brayer, you can just use your hands or something else…this is just what I reach for when I need to mush things.
• Take off the cellophane
• Trim the waxy paper
• Run through the Xyron again the opposite way. Foam side down and waxy paper side up
• Squish down again with rollie thing
• Take the cellophane off
• Trim again
• Don't go to work with one of these stuck to your butt

The best thing about these, is you can make your own sizes, colors etc.

 

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How to make a liner with your Envelope Punch Board

Technorati Tags: envelope punch board,envelope liners

I am truly enjoying my new Envelope Punch Board. I needed a easy way to create a liner, using a little bit of paper…this is what I came up with!

Easy Peasy!

Let’s use this example. On my EPB (Envelope Punch Board) it states that a card size of 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 would need to start out with a 8 X 8 inch square of paper. Your starting score would be at 3 1/2. So go cut your paper, and score your envelope, but don’t fold it yet.

Now, for the liner. Notice that the first number for the card size is 41/4? Well, you are going to subtract 1/4 from that size and cut a square. That means, cut a 4” Square for your liner.

Now round just ONE corner, not two. The other side does not show, and you need one side pointed so you know how to place it on your envelope correctly. This step creates a guideline for later.

Now, it’s time to punch two edges. Refer to the golden arrow below, notice it has two points to the arrow. You need to punch 1/8” less than the size of your square. So, in our example, our square is 4”. So line up your square with the rounded punched edge to the left, upper top of the EPB to the 3 7/8 mark and punch. Flip your paper and position like the following photo and punch again at 3 7/8.

The fun part! Place your liner on your envelope, centering the rounded corners and the points of the punch on both sides, even with the score line of the envelope.

This is my very first video…I lost count how many “takes” I had….surly I will get better at this. For those of you who need to see it, here you go!

The StampinUp Board is correct. If you have a WeRMemory makers Envelope Punch Board, you can get a new sticker with the correct size’s at:

https://www.facebook.com/WeRMemoryKeepers/posts/10151304405751714

 

How to create a liner using the envelope score board by We are Memory Makers or Stampin Up.

Remember... no matter how bad your day is going... at least your not stuck in a fence getting laughed at by a cow.

 

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What a bunch of Turkeys!

 

This was fun!  I timed my second Turkey, and it took me 3 hours.  If you make one, PLEASE post on my Facebook page, your turkey!  Would love to see it! 

If you enjoy this post, Join my blog!  I have also added a link at the top right, so that you can subscribe to any future postings.

My Inspiration came from several places.  The first time I seen it was on Frenchie's page.  She has the best tutorial for making Rosettes.  It’s so good, I am not going to repeat it.  I learned some great tips from her.

I also seen Tim Holtz’s Quirky Turkey’s.  I intend to make these as place cards for Thanksgiving.

I went on a quest, trying to find the template for the turkey body and feet and found it at Archivers.  You will want to go there to download the template.

Supplies:

• 7 pieces of DSDP (Doubled Sided Designer Paper)
• I used K&B Company, Purchased from Joanne's, Susan Winget Nature
• Chipboard 1 sheet will do it!
• Ink (I used Walnut Stain - Distress Inks)
• Score Tape or Red Line Tape
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Ribbon
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Tattered Leaves Die
• Burlap

Tools:

• Score Board
• Circle Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Tim Holtz Tonic Craft Scissors or a Craft Knife
• Paper Trimmer
• Printer Pattern can be found at Archivers
• Marker (I used my Copics)

Prep these items:

3 Each - 4” X 12”, DP
3 Each - 3 1/2” x 12”, DP
3 Each – 3” X 12”, DP
3 Each – 2 1/2” X 12”, DP
8 Each 1 3/4 Circles or Scallop’s (I used my Stamping Up Punch) DP
16 Each 3” Circles (I used a Circle Scissors) DP
1 Each Chipboard – 6” Circle (I used Circle Scissors)
2 Each – 6” Circle DP
Die Cut Tattered Leaves using Burlap
Turkey Body and Feet out of Chipboard
2 Each Turkey Body and Feet DP

Border punch one side of each of the strips, and smudge distress inks over all edges, front and back.

Score every 1/2 inch and accordion fold.  Each size is going to make one rosette.  Attach the three pieces together of the like size with scor tape or red tape.

I completed the three small strips and had to run to do an errand, which means I needed to wash my hands, to get the ink off.  Found this cool tool to clean the ink or paint off my hands, so grabbed it.

HA!  It did not work!  I kept scrubbing and scrubbing and it was just useless….my memory is fading.  That is NOT a scrubbie, it’s a Adhesive Remover…now, I can tell you, it works AWESOME to remove glue goo, but for a hand cleaner, heck no!

The Scrubbie on the other hand, DOES work!  My suggestion, remember to grab the Scrubbie NOT the Adhesive Remover, you know, right tool for the right job..

I love to use Sookwang – Scor Tape instead of red tape, because I can just tear it, rather than grabbing the scissor's and cutting the tape…either one works.  Oh and see that nifty little tool that looks like I just picked it up from dentist?  A must have, if you have a die cut machine, but has it’s other uses like taking the liner off the scor tape, or the red tape.  I love to use clamps when I am making Rosettes…

Assemble your Rosette’s covering the glue with the 1 3/4 Circles or Scallop’s that you have smudged.

Now for the feathers in front of the Turkey.  Take two 3” Circles, glue them together, ink them up and fold them in half.

Then glue 4 of those circles together.  You will have two sets of “feathers”  Remember to ink up the edges.

Cover some chipboard on both sides with Pattern Paper, then cut out a 6 inch circle.  I dragged out my Xycrons.

Cover some chipboard on both sides and trace out your pattern of the turkey body and feet, cut out.  I am DANGEROUS with a craft knife so I used Tim Holtz’s Tonic Scissors.

Smudge up your  Turkey body on both sides and the feet on one side.  Hint:  Look at my turkeys…I forgot to flip my feet on the Turkey on the left….but heck, he is still cute, right!

Assembly Time!  Stack up your 4 Rosettes, aligning them at the bottom.  Start with the largest one and Hot Glue the 2nd to the largest one to it.  It should stand up almost by itself.  Make sure it is centered left to right, but even on the bottom.  That is how he stands.  Continue on with the next three Rosettes.

Now hot glue the back edge of the turkey body to the rosette,  Your Turkey will almost stand up on it’s own at this point.

Hot Glue the  feet to your 6” circle

Hot Glue the bottom of the Rosettes and the bottom edge of the Turkey head to the 6” circle, placing him on his feet.

Tie a ribbon around his neck, add some Tim Hultz, Tattered Leaves, from Burlap. 

THE END