Monday, April 15, 2013

Cards, Cards, Cards

Busy month for me so far, weddings, birthdays and taxes (ugh!!) I needed some "me" time so I decided to go back to my first crafting love....cards!!  Yes, I truly love making cards. It relaxes me.  I hope you enjoy them.
  Missing You
I made this one for my brother that I haven't seen in a while.
DCWV - All Dressed Up cardstock
Cricut Cartridge - Surburbia
Anniversary Card for my Husband
He spoiled my surprise by coming into my craft room and going through my cards!!!  This is something he never does!! He said he just wanted to see what I'd been working on.  I was so upset because this will be our first anniversary apart (going to Mania with his blessings) and I wanted to surprise him. Oh well, I guess I better come up with a Plan B!!

Graphic 45 - A Proper Gentleman cardstock ( I'm really starting to like Graphic 45)
Cricut Cartridge - Surburbia
Party Invitation Card
I designed this card with my Silhouette Software for my husband's aunt.       I had to make 40 of these.
Wassau Metallics Paper Purple Shimmer
 Pocket Cards
I bought a Sizzix pocket die off of a Face book group for a really good price. I've always wanted this die, so when it posted, I nabbed it!!!  I had so much fun making these.                                                                                Don't be surprised if you see a lot of pocket cards in the future.
Hello Pocket Card
Holly Robinson Peete Craft Paper
Flower-Wood Veneer colored with Copics

Friendship Pocket Card
I made this for a friend. I hope she doesn't see this before it arrives at her home!
Bazzil Basic Smooth Cardstock
Cuttlebug Embossing folder - Bandana
Martha Stewart Branch Punch

Another Friendship Card.
Wassau Metallics Paper - Pink Shimmer
Cuttlebug Embossing folder - Bandana
Martha Stewart Branch Punch

Friday, April 12, 2013

Zebra Charger Plate

Hello all!! I hope this day finds you in great health and happiness. It's Danita from http://danitasdesigns.blogspot.com/

Those that know me, know I like to decorate charger plates for gifts. I'm often get asked "how do you center your image?" so I decided to give you a quick demo using my Cameo. ( The basics are the same even if you are usng another die cutter machine)

I was asked to make this plate for a teenage girl who loves zebra print. Personally I would have gone with a different contrast color rather than pink, but this is the color that was requested. I hope you can see it. It was rather hard to photograph.


The first thing I do (and most important) is measure the circumference of the inside circle of the plate and work inside of it. In this case the measurement is 8.25 inches.  You will need to make sure you measure this because not all charger plates are the same.


Then pick your design.  I chose a circle flourish design (from the Silhouette store) and placed it inside the circle. (sorry the picture is not that clear). Circle designs work best because you can just size it to fit. Then  placed the intials (also from the Silhouette store) and welded them together. I added six single flourishes to the design also. Then cut.
(try to place images a close together as possible if you want to save vinyl)


Once you have everything cut out and weeded ( notice the initials are different fromt the finished product, I made a boo boo but forgot to tak a picture of the corretion, so for the purpose of this demo....well, you get the idea. lol) You do not have to "mirror" your images (yay!) for charge plates.

I used clear transfer tape on the image. Make sure you burnish (rub hard) your image so that it will stick to the tape. Peel it up slowly.  If any of the image doesn't transfer to the tape, simply lay the transfer tape back over it and burnish it some more. Now cut away the single flourishes from the circle design. Place image on the plate and burnish it. A lot of burnishing I know, but it helps to adhere the image to the charger plate better and smoother.

 I just kind of eye where I want the flourishes on the outer rim to go and make them with a water base maker( so it will rub off). Add your bling and you're done!!

It's a quick and easy gift and I have found that people love anything with their name of initials on it!

Thanks for looking and you can check out more of my charger plates on my blog. Here's the link: http://danitasdesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/Charger%20Plates