Crafter's Square vinyl at Dollar Tree!

I was shopping at one of my area Dollar Trees the other day and saw a shelf full of Crafter's Square vinyl!  So, I bought one of each color, which at that store was black, white, red, blue, yellow and green and in glitter vinyl there was silver, gold and rose gold.  If you follow my facebook page you would have seen a live review I did using both the regular and glitter vinyl.  Be sure to check out the Facebook page to see that review.

The book I put the vinyl on was handed off to my granddaughter.  So far, with the exception of some picking attempts, the vinyl is holding up.  Would I use this on a tumbler or mug that I wanted to last more than a few weeks?  No.  But if you are making a shadow box and placing vinyl on the glass, this would work.  Or if you are wanting to put vinyl on birthday treat bags.  12" wide by 48" long is a lot of material for $1.  Well worth it, I would say.

See, making beautiful things can be affordable!

 

Giving Sublimation Another Try

 When I found out that you could convert an Epson ecotank printer into a sublimation printer, I ran out and bought myself a ecotank 2720.  I already own a 2720 and a 4760.  The savings in ink is unbeatable.  But when I started trying to make things, the excitement didn't last.  Even though I had purchased a highly recommended ink, I wasn't getting the results I wanted, or saw others getting.  Before long I was listing that printer for sale on marketplace.  

I had found a new love.  Direct to film.  But, I had already invested money into a mug press and sublimation paper.  And there were still a few projects I really wanted to try.  So, while converting wide format printers over for dtf, I realized I could convert one of these into a sublimation printer.  I already had the refillable cartridges and a printer, so I just needed the 6 color inks.  I decided on Printer Jacks.  The difference in the outcome is amazing!  I'm looking for things to sublimate again!   Peek a boo shirts, mugs, and even some custom fabrics.  The printer I chose to convert is an Epson Stylus Photo 1400.  The colors that it's producing are vibrant and wonderful.

It makes me excited for sublimation again.  Not the all over shirt designs that you can find online, but the projects, that are more my skill level.  The all over shirts take a great deal of skill.  

So, if you tried sublimation with an ecotank, and it fell flat for you too, you might want to consider an Epson Workforce printer or a wide format cartridge based printer.  You need to be sure there are refillable, chipless cartridges available on the market, or it won't work.  

This week on my facebook page, I'll be giving away mugs, sublimated with the winners design.  So if you have ever wanted a personalized mug, be sure to go to the Crafting On A Buget facebook page and enter!

Peek A Boo Shirts

 This week on my Facebook live giveaway, I did a tutorial on how to create a Peek A Boo shirt.   The next giveaway will be for a kit to make your own Peek A Boo shirt.  Winners will be able to choose from the sublimation designs you can find here.  Giveaway is open to everyone.

The sublimation kit will include the fabric inset with the design of the winners choice and the Heat Bond tape to secure the inset onto a shirt that you already have.  

This is the perfect way to upcycle something and give it some new life.

So be sure to visit Crafting On A Budget facebook page and comment and share for 2 chances to win.  Then tune in for the live giveaway to be announced.

Giveaways On Facebook!

 Every week I try to give something away on Facebook.  Here are images of some of the items I have given out.

ICT potholders/2 sets

3D printer slipper for mouse ears

3D printed carriage for mouse ears

Workbooks for kids preschool to 5th grade

More 3D prints for mouse ears in child size

So be sure to go to our facebook page, like and share for your chance to win!

Ways To Craft On A Budget.

So, a company in Utah released some new machines recently, and of couple of people that I started following during the pandemic because of the mask patterns they had, are influencers of their products.  And I'm sure thousands of people rushed to own the latest and greatest new machines on the market.  I don't promote that company or use their cutting machines.  I do own the first easy press and a Your Story machine.  That being said, you may be wondering, "what does this have to do with crafting on a budget?"  A lot!

Using what you have is crafting on a budget.  I have the Sizzix elcips 2. It has been around since 2014.  I bought a Silhouette Cameo 3 a few years ago when they were on sale and right before they released the Cameo 4.  I've used it a few times, but I mostly have it for a backup.  My eclips 2 will eventully die.  So I don't need a new cutting machine.  I did get swept up in the world of sublimation and bought a mug press, but not from the company in Utah.  Mine allows for 4 sizes of mugs.  I bought a printer for sublimating, because sublimation takes a special ink, but I recently sold it.  I'm planning on converting an older 6 channel, wide format printer over to handle my sublimation needs.  I bought it on ebay.  Basically what I'm trying to say is, you can create without the latest and greatest stuff out there.  It's very hard not to want those new machines when they show you some new techinque that it can perform.  But I have to ask myself, is that really something I want to do?  I remember when the foiling pens were released.  It looks so beautiful.  I found them on sale at Joann's for $40.  They retailed for $100.  Bought myself some foil.  It has to be the We Are Memory Keepers foil, can't use the stuff that goes on shirts.  I was sure I would find so many applications for it.  Turns out, you have to have single line fonts, or designs and getting the foil to lay on the project is a real challenge.  I ruined several sheets of the foil before I got an acceptable result.  This has caused me to not use the foil pen as much as I thought I would.  So, it's in my craftroom, along with the Your Story machine (that I still haven't used) and all my cardstock, vinyl and filament.  

So my mission for the next few months is to NOT purchase any additional crafting supplies, until I have used up what I have.  So any paper projects I might undertake, will have to be made out of my existing collection of cardstock and papers.  Any further 3D printing will need to be done with the filament I have, and any sewing needs to be done with fabics I've already purchased.  I have plenty of "stuff" to make beautiful things affordably!

What Is A Makers Christmas?

  Last Christmas, due to the circumstances of the global pandemic, I decided I would make most of the gifts I was giving out.  My 3D printers and my sewing maching were very busy.  Lithophanes and pj's or gowns were gifted and received well.  As this year has flown along, I have been pondering what I should do for this upcoming gift-giving time.  Because if I'm going to do another makers christmas, I need to start working out my plans now.  There is some buying involved to complete gifts.  I've decided I have enough ideas and material on hand that I will be making gifts again this year.  I thought I might share with anyone who has never done this, some of my thoughts.

What is a makers Christmas?  It's giving gifts they you have handmade.  Whether sewn, forged, cut and glued,  crocheted, knitted or 3D printed, painted or drawn or stirred and baked or canned...anything you have created with your hands.  

Why a makers Christmas?  You won't necessarily save any money.  Some items a person might make could require very costly materials.  I have a lot of materrials on hand and in an effort to be less of a consumcr and more of a creative, I am going to attempt to use what I already have. So I guess to cut down on waste is one reason why.  It gives the recipient something to enjoy, that you have made special, just for them.  I will agree there are  people in the world who would not find a handmade gift special and would probably look down upon it.  Luckily, if I have anyone in my life that feels that way, they don't express it to me.  Also, I'm getting older and there will be a time I'm no longer here with my family.  I would like to leave behind a few things that they can look at and remember me fondly.  

My final thought on this, is the brutal consumerism that occurs during the months of November and December.  I am choosing to spend the time I would normally spend in crowded stores, at home either finishing the last of my gifts or relaxing and spending time with family.  

Although December is still a few months away, a good plan and a headstart will make this holiday season more fun and relaxing.  

If you plan on doing a Makers Christmas, leave a comment!  I would love to hear about it!

Let's Talk About Temp, Time and Pressure. How To Heat Apply DTF.

With every new thing, comes new challenges.  DTF is my new thing.  Finding information on how to heat apply was a toss-up for awhile.  Here is what I found online.  Your results may vary depending on your heat press.  

Do a pre-press on the garment you are apply the DTF transfer too.  Heat apply the transfer at 325° on medium to firm pressure for 10 seconds.  No cover sheet is required.

However, if you find that your transfer becomes dull after using this method, then try doing these things,

Lower the heat to 275° and press for 6 seconds on medium to firm pressure.  Allow the transfer to cool for a few seconds before trying to remove the carrier.  If the corner starts to lift, let it cool for a few more seconds.  

I was using too much heat and leaving the print under the heat for too long.  This is a by-product of sublimation, where the temps and times are very high and long.  Think of DTF being more like vinyl.  It is sometimes recommended to do a second press.  I have been doing the second press, but I do use a cover sheet whether it's teflon or butcher paper.  

Do you have a DTF tip to share?  Leave it in the comments!  Maybe you have a question.  Be sure to ask.