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

Preparing for a Craft Show

Hi everyone! So I finally did it...I booked a craft show.  I have never done one before, but I have visited many, so I at least sort of know what I'm getting into.  I have been reading articles and it's amazing how many little things I overlooked when I was thinking of what I would need to bring. Like change, a receipt book, and bags for customers! Now I am aware of those things and I have started building my booth/display and I'm sure I will learn a lot more in that process.  I will be documenting the process in posts here and I have put up the info here. I will be updating that page as I do more shows/events. I decided to go with grids for my items because it would allow everything to be displayed.

Cards on display! 

I also made some blankets for this show, so I tested out hanging those as well. 

I'll probably need to get some new hangers, haha. 

Of course I'll be selling Gab with Gaby stamps too and a certain pin. 

Had to zoom in here! 

I am still working on a small card display for boxed sets of cards, but I think I have a solution, I'll post that once I check it out. In the meantime, I am organizing and recording inventory to make sure that I have enough stock, but not too much! I am creating3 prints for this show based on my hand lettering/drawing and I have to work out that display too. 

Design number one. 

I also need to make signs and decorations, so it looks like I still have a ton of work to do! I cannot wait until this show, I feel like I will learn a lot and have a lot of fun. Until next time, happy crafting!

Hand Lettering is Amazing.

Hi there everyone.  I have been working hard on my hand lettering and was able to make a piece of framed wall art that says "But first, Coffee!".  I did this lettering on my iPad and then made a cut file that I sent to my Cricut as a "Print & Cut" file.  Once it was cut out, I added some stamped images and adhered the letters and put everything in a jazzy frame.

I will be making more of these and posting them in the shop; once I figure out how to upload cut files, I will have some free downloads for you too! That's all for today, but you can always check me out on IG by clicking on that slideshow on the right, 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