Sizzix eclips 2 Review and Unboxing

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

iPad Pro is Everything and I've Been Missing Out

Maaaaannnn, where do I begin!? I finally sat down to use an iPad Pro to try handlettering because I keep seeing everyone using ProCreate, so I wanted to try it. When I tell you that I literally improved my lettering in minutes, I am not exaggerating. I even rewatched a time lapse video of my first attempt and you could see the progress after 35 minutes! That's a really neat feature by the way; you can export a video of your art work. I am just starting out, so I am super excited about practicing and learning more. Before I was using my Wacom pad and Adobe Illustrator; I won't get rid of that, but I can tell an immediate difference in ease of use and results.

Some lyrics from "This Town" 

Below you can watch the video of me starting to use the software and finally getting the lettering right. 

I cannot stress enough how excited I am! I even did another picture for the #DNDchallenge.  You can get the full list of prompts over on www.bydawnnicole.com along with some other cool tips and techniques about hand lettering! Yesterday's prompt was "Hot Pink" and I may have gotten carried away.

So easy to do backgrounds!  

I will be using this more than my Wacom I think, any letterers out there care to chime in? Leave a comment about what method you prefer; is it iPad, Wacom, or paper? Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting.

-Gaby

CAS (Clean and Simple) Card with no stamps.

Hi everyone, Gaby here with a CAS card using some dies I like, layering, and markers.  I wanted to challenge myself to make some nice cards without using stamps.  I started by die cutting the hearts out of two pieces of cardstock, one pink and one white.  Then I ran a coordinating piece of cardstock, one in white and one in kraft and ran them through my Xyron to use for layers.  Then I placed the leftover piece from the die cut onto the sticky side of each layer and replaced the die cuts into the opposite color paper, like an inlay.  Once that was done, I cut the paper at an angle and then adhered it to a pink piece of 4.25" x 5.5" with foam tape.  I had some additional die cut words that I covered with Glossy Accents and let them dry.  Once I attached those, I added some Nuvo Glitter Drops and some faux stitching with a Copic Multiliner and a white gel pen.  Once that was all dry, I colored the inside of the hearts using a Spectrum Noir Glitter pen.

The heart die is from Simon Says Stamp and the words are die cuts from the Lawn Fawn heart envelope die.  I will be posting more cards like this in addition to my regular projects that use stamps, stencils, inks, embossing powder, and the kitchen sink! I just think it's nice sometimes to use some of your supplies that you might forget about because of all the new products. Until next time, happy crafting!

Gaby

Stamp Perfect Positioning Tool Review

Hi everyone, I am super excited to share this review of the Hampton Art Stamp Perfect Stamp Positioning Tool. I have been wanting a stamp positioning tool, but could not justify the cost of the Misti; We R Memory Keepers makes the Precision Press, but it sold out on HSN the day it launched and I have not seen it for sale anywhere else.  Finally, I found this tool and decided to order it and give it a try and I absolutely love it! It's a nice size, it feels sturdy, and I like the color.  Check out the video below for a review and demonstration.

I will be doing much more with this tool because it makes stamping images so much easier!  It's great for making multiples of images and even for stamping different images at once.  I hope you can find this and you get a chance to up your stamping game.  Until next time, happy crafting.