Gab with Gaby

An engineer's creative corner studio.

Cricut Maker Unboxing

Unboxing, Cricut, Reviews, TutorialGabriela SimsComment

Hi there everyone! I am back with a review and unboxing of the Cricut Maker.  What can I say? I absolutely love it and I have not even had as much time to use it as I would like.  However, I was able to get one a day or two after launch, but due to a packed schedule, I was not able to get this video done until just recently.  In this video I am doing the unboxing, but I am also showing an overview of the Maker and cutting some cotton fabric.  This is a simple but in-depth review, check it out below.

I hope the video offers some clarity on the product and helps anyone who might be on the fence. I forgot to mention it in the video, but I did not use the USB cable because my internet at home is wireless and my computer I used for this is a laptop, so for anyone wondering, it does have a USB port and cord.  That's all for today, but my next few videos will cover the Brightpad and the Easy Press because I was fortunate enough to get them all and I wanted to share any info with you all.  Until next time, happy crafting!

-Gaby

 

Quiltologie Mini Quilt Kit Review

Quilting, Tutorial, Decor, Reviews, Crafts, Sewing, How to, DiyGabriela SimsComment

Hello there everyone! I saw these wonderful quilt kits at JoAnn and decided to try one out. They come with everything except the batting, fusible web, and thread, but if you quilt, you already have those things! The pattern has all of the cutting and piecing instructions; so you can get started right away even if you do not have any batting handy. I did my cutting all at once and then started piecing.

 

These are eyes! 

These are eyes! 

The most satisfying part was getting all of my fox blocks done.  This is also the most challenging part, if you make it through this, everything else is a breeze.

 

 

Pressed and ready! 

Pressed and ready! 

I finished with some simple FMQ and this is now proudly displayed in my cube at work! 

 

This was before the "final" press. 

This was before the "final" press. 

I had a great time making this and I was able to complete it in a weekend, but you could do it in a few hours if you focus. I think it's totally worth the price and if you use a 40% off coupon, you can get it for under $10. There are several patterns available, so if you want to start quilting, these are great! Thanks for stopping by, happy crafting!

-Gaby

Cricut Bright Pad and Tombow Markers

Hand Lettering, Tutorial, Graphic design, Cricut, Drawing, ColorGabriela SimsComment

Hi there, it's Gaby here with a quick project that will let you work on your hand lettering without eraser marks!

Meow!

Meow!

I started with some drawing paper and a few Tombow pens.

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I drew my image on paper and then put it over my Bright Pad with another sheet of drawing paper on top.

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Then I traced the drawing and added some color!

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I added some details and a few more colors and it was all done!

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I did my tracing with a Tombow Fudenosuke and then added details with my Monotwin. This was a fun, easy project and this would be a good way to practice your hand lettering as well.  Until next time, happy crafting!

-Gaby

Sizzix eclips 2 Review and Unboxing

Tools, Sizzix, Die Cutting, Paper crafting, Reviews, Unboxing, Crafts, eclips 2, DiyGabriela SimsComment

Hi there crafty peeps!  I am back with a video that I recorded a few months ago (I know!) to review and unbox the Sizzix eclips2! I am super excited about this and I cannot wait to do more projects with this machine.  I am especially excited about learning the ECAL software because I think it will allow me to make some cut files that I have been thinking about for a while, without having to go through Illustrator.  Anyway, check out the video below for the full review.

Overall I really like it and I'm excited to see what else it can do as well as what else is available in the Sizzix store.  One thing I mentioned in the video is that it is larger that my Cricut Explore, it is also bigger than the Scan n' Cut 2, just wanted to share that.  Ok, that's all for now, but I will be back into the regular swing of things pretty soon, I have some more reviews to share, including one on the We R Memory Keepers Stitch Happy. Happy crafting!

-Gaby

Decorate an Envelope

Stamping, Gab with Gaby Stamps, Paper crafting, The Gab with Gaby ShopGabriela SimsComment

Hi there, Gaby here with an idea you can use to pretty up any envelope!  I used Tombow markers for this and a Wink of Stella pen.

 

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I put a piece of card-stock in the envelope to keep any ink from seeping through the paper.

 

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I started by using the Meet The Jelly Friends stamp set and did some masking to group three of them together. I used pigment ink here so my stamped image would not bleed.

 

Hey guys!

Hey guys!

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I did my coloring here by doing the back ground first and then coloring in each stamped image.

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I added my Wink of Stella and then used my Monotwin to fill in the part of my sentiment that did not fully stamp.

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Finally, I cleaned up my image and then covered it with MicroGlaze, that way when it goes through the mail it will be water resistant.

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If you do use MicroGlaze, write the recipient's address and apply your postage first because the glaze is almost like a wax.  I had to glue on a stamp once because I forgot!

 

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I used the Mono Sand Eraser to clean up pills before I applied the MicroGlaze.  That's all for today, I hope you make some amazing mail art! Happy crafting.

-Gaby