Crafting On A Budget-Making Something Personal

Christmas is getting closer!  Radio stations are playing Christmas music and the stores have been full of Christmas decorations for weeks!  My mind has been filled with Christmas projects as well!  But not every project is planned entirely of paper.  I know!  That's not what my name would suggest!  I do like to stray off the paper path every once in a while, just for something different to do.  This Christmas I have plans to add vinyl to the very popular plastic tumblers that everyone seems to carry around.

I made this one as a test to see how difficult it would be for me.  Working with the vinyl is a little challenging, but with more practice it will be easy.  This tumbler is from the Dollar Tree.  I bought the Oracal vinyl on ebay last year, but I'm just now getting around to using it.  I went ahead and ordered a case of the tumblers from Dollar Tree direct, so I wouldn't have a problem getting the number I needed.  Popular items can be hard to locate there, when you really want them!   These should be super cute and I'm sure the "giftees" will really enjoy them!

I watched a YouTube video made by Christopher Alan Designs on how to apply the vinyl.  Very helpful presentation.  I already had some clear transfer tape from my very first attempt at vinyl several years ago, but when I came across the Magic Cover clear contact paper he talks about, I bought 10 rolls! (at the Dollar Tree of course!)

For another project, I wanted to get more use from my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio tools.  (I have acquired several of the shapes)  They were having a sale on Joann.com for the charms that go with the various shape studio tools.  

So, I bought some to go with my tools.  But...I wasn't sure what to do with them.  On another shopping trip to Michaels, I came across some bracelets that were only $2.49 each on sale.  They are made with the stretchy cord and had at least one dangle hanging off of them.  Light-bulb!  Take off the dangle they had and replace it with a charm!  Here is one of the bracelets I changed.

I also found some packages of heart charms and word charms that I added to this one.  I like the way it turned out and for such a budget price!  (less than $5.00)  

Another project I did recently (sorry I forgot to take pictures of it) for a guy was to take some pictures of a mutual relative (it was for the other grandfather) and make little "tool box" magnets from the epoxy shapes.  I also made the My Day with Dad toolbox to put them in.  I did change the tag from dad to the recipients name.  Another personal project that packs a big punch for such a budget price!

Just wanted to share these few easy, budget friendly projects to show that it doesn't cost a lot to show someone you care.  Just a little bit of your time to make it special!

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to like me on Facebook!

10 Reasons Why I Love SVG Cuts!

Today I got a  Facebook post from SVG Cuts alerting that there was a new free design available for download.  It just reaffirmed why I love SVG Cuts and have since Easter of 2010.

 This was a free file that they offered on 2-27-2010.  It is also the day I discovered how wonderful they are!  Below is what I made for a class of preschoolers for an Easter take home treat.  I had just gotten my Cricut Expression in December, and hadn't really done any crafting like this before.   SVG Cuts taught me a lot!

So today I thought I would share 10 reasons why I love SVG Cuts and only cut their kits.  Here goes...

1.  Free designs.  They currently have 318 free designs to download.  

2.  Great kits!  Every kit is carefully designed and tested to assure your crafting experience will be fun and rewarding.

3.  Tutorials.  All 3D projects have a video tutorial to help you assemble your project.  Mary also includes crafty tips and highlights tools to help make crafting more fun and special.  Because of her recommendations, I have gone out and purchased several crafty tools!

4.  Product reviews.  Leo has tested and reviewed all the new cutting machines that can cut SVG files whenever they come to market.  His reviews are thorough and unbiased.

5.  Customer service.  They set the bar high, and deliver the best customer service in the business.

6.  Personal interaction with customers.  If you have a question, you're going to get an answer from Leo.  If you have an issue, you're going to get support from Leo.  And if you're lucky, you might just get a "because I wanted to talk to you" phone call from Leo.  Not to mention the constant interaction Mary and Leo have with fans on Facebook.  

7.  Give aways.  Lots and lots of chances to win something.  Kits,cutting machines, gift cards, crafting tools, paper kits...the list goes on.  I'm sure a big Christmas give away is about to be announced.

8.  Affiliate program.  If you have a website or blog, you can sign up for the affiliate program and earn a commission from every sale your site generates.  

9.  How to videos.  Leo doesn't have to, but he makes videos to show us how to use different features in the Sure Cuts a Lot program/ecal.  He has also made videos to show how to download kits to the software for the new Cricut and for Silhouette.  These are wonderful value add items that don't generate revenue for them directly, but does have a positive impact on their business in the long run.  It's a win/win!

10. Community.  They have brought together a wonderful crafty community that can share ideas, and projects.  We support one another.  We cheer each other on.  We cry with each other.  We laugh with each other. They have given us a place to make friends with people all over the world, who share our passion for creating.  A place to belong.

If you haven't gone to the SVG Cuts website or Facebook page, then I encourage you to look them up and browse their pages for a bit.  I think you too will find your own 10 reason to love SVG Cuts!

November Give Away on My Facebook Page

For November, the give away will be winners choice.  There are still fans that prefer to keep the autumn theme going.  I will have the drawing on November 15.   Be sure to check out my Facebook page.  If you like the post for the give away, you'll get one chance.  If you send a friend my way, you'll get 5 more chances.  They need to say you sent them, and like my page for you to get the additional chances.  If we get to 100 page likes by November 15, I'll make the North Pole Express for the milestone give away.  So, visit my page (click here for the link).  Be sure to like it.  Share my page with your friends.  Be sure they know to like my page, and leave a comment that you sent them.  Then you'll get even more chances to win!  You might even win the North Pole Express!

Thanks for stopping by!

Crafting On A Budget-Dollar Tree Pre-Christmas Haul 11-4-2014

Hello Everyone.

I went to my local Dollar Tree today to stock up on essentials (face tissue, paper towels, baggies, bread).  I always cruise the other isles, because you just never know.  Today I made some fabulous finds, both for crafting and for gift giving!  Here they are!

On the counter are, Skylanders fun tape, burlap ribbon, laser tap,  some adorable compacts, a sweet Disney pen and pad set, and Christmas ribbon!  

They were stocking some really nice looking pics and floral things too!  I had to stop myself!

I love finding the compacts.  They go inside the Luxury Handbags from SVG Cuts nicely for a little extra special something.  These will be great for the younger gals.

I hunted at both Hobby Lobby and Michaels last week for Christmas ribbon for the Classic Christmas Advent Calendar from SVG Cuts.  I was only able to find the 2" wide ribbon or the 3/8" wide.  The ribbon I found at Dollar Tree was 5/8", which fits around the calendar better.  The 3/8" ribbon works, but the thicker ribbon helps hide any little imperfections.  

Not as many choices, but I'm not unhappy about the selection.

I'm also expecting a case of the plastic tumblers to personalize with some vinyl that I have been ignoring for a year!  Can't wait!  This is going to be a craf-tabulous Christmas for me!

Be sure to check out my Facebook page and "like" it.  I have a monthly give away.