ScanNCut 101 video and some past favorites

As you may know, I am a paid consultant for Brother. I create projects for them regularly (SO FUN!) and of course when I come up with fun projects and ideas I share them here on my blog as well. Today I want to share a new basics video with you, as well as some links to past favorite projects and posts.

First off, here is my post for is the ScanNCut is a good machine for you (and difference between models) post.

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Here’s a plant topper post – great for gifting and for the upcoming holidays!

Here is a ribbon flag post – I’ll be doing a fall version soon!

I do so love the iron-on material and here is one of my favorite (simple!) projects a fabric pencil case tutorial.

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One more to share here – decorating a holiday notebook. Hard to believe it’ll be time for a new one soon! All of these projects are fairly easy to recreate with a ScanNCut – but I’ve got a new video to share before I go today!

I’ve gotten a few requests for a basic basics “101” type video series, so here is the first one. Got questions? More requests? Just let me know! here is a link to my YouTube video

There are some new accessories and exciting stuff with the latest software update – so stay tuned for more ScanNCut fun from me in September!

Thank you card with 28 Lilac Lane

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First of all – wow! Your response to the new limited edition mix has been so positive. Thank you!! More info on that below – today I want to share a quick video and card that I created.

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This Thank You card is simply a watercolor + stamped image + embellishments. Easy! Love this stamp so much – my friend Tammy Tutterow designed it and it is available in a lot of shops. (affiliate link to Scrapbook.com)

Here is my video showing the card in progress on YouTube.

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I just love how this turned out with all those special details! As a reminder – this new mix is not going to be around for long- and this week only I have a discount code to share as well here is the info: I have a new limited edition mix in my 28 Lilac Lane line!! Available exclusively from Buttons Galore this week here is a link. You can enter code LL400 when checking out between now and 11:59p eastern time on Friday (26th) and you’ll get $1 off making it just $5.99.

What could be cooler? Within USA spend $30 or more at the Buttons Galore online shop and shipping is free! They do have the entire 28 Lilac Lane line – as well as dozens (hundreds?!) of their own button mixes as well.

ScanNCut: repurpose ‘ruined’ card front

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See this card? It was never supposed to be this way. It was meant to be a fully white card front, no fancy cuts at all. Ah, but you see I seriously messed up my idea and it was headed to the recycle bin. Instead, I thought well let me run it through my ScanNCut and see what happens.

Here is a link to my YouTube video. One thing you’ll notice is that I had some trouble at first with my paper sticking. 100% user error! I like to try and include those kinds of errors in videos now and again, because I know we all do that stuff, and it’s one of those things that I like reminding myself of. Always use a standard tack mat when working with such serious paper!

When you work with watercolor paper you’ve got to remember that it is thicker and rougher than normal papers on a machine. I have an old blade that I save to use just when I’m working with this kind of paper because it really dulls a new blade fast! Anyhow, I just love that adding a few cuts to a card front that didn’t look good to my eye changed it into an oval that looked beautiful!

I debated leaving this as an oval and placing on a gift, but I’m short on cards and decided instead to mount it with foam adhesive onto blue cardstock.

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This is a great reminder to me to be sure and rethink “mistake” pieces before giving up on them! Die cutting (or punching) shapes is so often a way to rework paper that wasn’t quite right. My favorite part is the little tiny hearts cut out – they really added the special touch I needed!

I’ve been creating up a storm for Brother (usual disclaimer: I am a paid consultant but all ideas & opinions are my own) – and I can’t wait to share some more layered and complex cuts with you.

Limited edition mix: Fall Jewel

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I have such exciting news to share with you – I have a new limited edition mix in my 28 Lilac Lane line!! Available exclusively from Buttons Galore this week here is a link. You can enter code LL400 when checking out between now and 11:59p eastern time on Friday (26th) and you’ll get $1 off making it just $5.99. What could be cooler? Within USA spend $30 or more at the Buttons Galore online shop and shipping is free! They do have the entire 28 Lilac Lane line – as well as dozens (hundreds?!) of their own button mixes as well.

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So what inspired me to create this mix? Well I LOVE fall. It is by far, no question, my favorite season. I wanted to create a jewel tone inspired mix that captured my favorite colors to wear in fall – and oh! I’m so in love with it. The big wooden button to the charms, the blue, berry, green and chocolate brown buttons to the beads and matte gold sequins… it’s all just so much fun to create with!

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From back to school to thankful cards, or any time or reason projects, this mix was a must!! I’m so excited that Buttons Galore agreed, and put together a limited number of boxes of it all ready for your creative needs.

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At the very end of this post I will list affiliate links to the other supplies used (alcohol ink, adhesive, etc) in case you’re trying to find something. I am having so much fun creating with this new mix, that I have a third project to share later this week.

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Here is a YouTube link to check out my how-to video for both of these projects, and a closer look at the mix.

I hope you enjoyed this video – and tell me what you think of this new mix! I am so excited about this, and for the approaching fall season. This is not a mix that will be around long, nor will you find it in stores. It is a Buttons Galore exclusive, and for a very limited time! Remember when checking out use code LL400 (by this Friday the 26th) and you get $1 off this mix!
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Other supplies used:
PPA Adhesive ( Buttons Galore |  Ellen Hutson  |  Simon Says Stamp )

Alcohol Ink Caramel and denim ( Ellen Hutson | Simon Says Stamp )

Mercury Glass Stickles ( Ellen Hutson  |  Simon Says Stamp )

Tim Holts “Thank You” Stamp  ( Simon Says Stamp )

Crafty Shopping: Sacramento edition

In my travels I like to look up stationary, craft, and gift shops. One thing I’ve always meant to do is document/share here on my blog – but I never get around to it! Today I’m getting started with Sacramento, CA area and the places the girls and I enjoyed on our recent girl’s crafty day out trip.

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Before we dig into the creative, I strongly recommend starting the day as we did at Bacon & Butter. It is ridiculously good spot for breakfast or lunch, and is in a good position to begin a Sacramento day as it is quite central. We made a loop up to Roseville and back down, in this order.

First up: Container Store (Arden Fair) Other local stops could include chain craft stores (that is a huge mall area!) This was our first visit and our brains leaked out of our ears with color love and happiness.

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The only shop open at 9am, we passed stops 2 and 3 (though all are very close) to get to it. Containers and colors and so much pretty! We restrained ourselves admirably but it was a great kick off after we had filled our bellies with a delicious brunch. Note: there is a Papyrus Shop inside the mall across the street – we didn’t want to wait an hour for it to open but it’s there and a lot of fun! That is a chain just like Container Store, so you may have one locally!

Blick Art supplies (905 Howe Ave, Sacramento)

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For fine art supplies, I’d recommend bringing a shopping list. I got overwhelmed by choices and colors and didn’t buy any! What I ended up doing was purchasing wood “canvas” blocks (see a previous post I did where I did matte gel transfer on one), sticky notes, and some fun pens. This is a chain – so you may have one locally! It’s a small location, but definite fun stop and close to my next place which was…

Paper Garden Boutique (558 Pavilions Lane, Sacramento)

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This cute little shop is one I’ve not visited in many years. You’ll want to come here if you’re looking for stamps and funky treasures.

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I really like the way they have all their displays done, and loved the funky notebooks and totes in addition to stamps and card makin stuff. From here we headed up 80 East to…

Stamp Art Shoppe (1000 Sunrise Roseville, CA)

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The Stamp Art Shop feels like a traditional scrapbook store like the ones that used to be so plentiful – oh how I miss them!!! They had a lot of stamps of course, papers and latest goodies, as well as really interesting class offerings. In fact, so interesting that I signed up for a mixed media book decorating class! The class was great and I was really delighted by the friendly staff.

Heading further east, I had to visit

Paper Source (Roseville, CA)

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I have been madly in love with Paper Source for as long as I can remember. They inspire me so much – they have awesome funky finds, beautifully themed displays, and I can always find a variety of treasures from journals to dishes to hold my buttons. We don’t have a local one so if I’m within 5-10 miles of one you can bet I head there! This is a chain, so look up in your area if you’ve got one! On this trip we found a father’s day gift, and each got a treasure for ourselves as well. They have a number of stamps and craft supplies – it’s not just stationary!

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The shopping center where this is located had everything from Whole Foods to a candy shop – loads of fun! We had a great time on our tour and called it a day at this point to make it back home before traffic got bad, but if you wanted to take things further I’d recommend:

It’s All About the Scrapbook in Dixon, CA

Stamper’s Corner in Elk Grove, CA

To find all of these places and map out my best routes I used google maps. LOVE finding placed I’d forgotten or didn’t know about using that tool. I am famous for entering key words (stamp, scrapbook, craft, art supply, cupcakes, etc) any time I am traveling somewhere and want to get a sense of what things are around.

Where will we head next? Who knows! But I’ll be sure to photograph, document, and share with you here…