Social Distancing, Creating With Friends and My Cricut

In this time of "social distancing" when so many are learning to adapt, what have you been doing in life? 

Do you find yourself quite comfortable being home more? For those who view their home as a comfort and a haven perhaps you like me are swimming in new ideas, whether it be thinking about what I will do when I am able to get out more or in ideas for my next NEW endeavor. I confess, I am a creative junkie. Even when I'm not creating I am looking for new ideas... yes I am a Youtube and Pinterest junkie. I am fortunate to have sweet friends who are always on the lookout for  opportunities to help me in my addiction to create, ha-ha!.

A while back I updated my old Cricut  which I hardly used to a Cricut Explore Air 2 since these sweet friends bought an extra at a warehouse sale (in case I wanted it ;) 

Chip checks out our Italian Soda Bar

The first project I used it for was to help decorate my house when I hosted a WHITE ELEPHANT party after Christmas. Thank you Diane for all the help you gave in cutting the darling little Elephant banner (sorry I don't seem to have a pic) and the signage for my Italian Soda Bar. They turned out soooo cute! 

I have been determined to learn how to use  the functions in Cricut Design Space and the settings on the Cricut so I will get better use out of the machine. Lucky for me I have some awesome friends (thank you Diane and Jennifer (you don't know me but yes we're friends ;) I have shared so much time with you both. Because of you and many other youtube friends I already have a very long list of items I want to create and with that in mind I really need to know how to best use this machine!

Here is a part of my list:

1. HTV some shirts for my grandkiddos (Fiona loves Hamilton The Musical, Luke is so-ooo into gaming), the littles anything Peppa Pig and the older ones I'm still thinking. 
2. A vinyl decal for our wall, a gift for DH, sh-hhhh!
3. A fun No Solicitors sign for my DIL...any suggestions for a quote?
4. A pantry project, labels.
5. A vinyl quote for my craft space wall.
6. Family Name signs for extended family...a cool Christmas gift! 

The list is much longer but it becomes like making resolutions in the New Year so let's just stop there ;)

Since my larger goal right now is to learn how to use  the functions in Cricut Design Space and the settings on the Cricut I have been in Youtube classroom mode. I have found Jennifer Maker to be so helpful, if you read this a huge THANK YOU to you! 

Here is some of what I have learned and practiced so far...

• How to ATTACH things and why I might need to. (Score lines need to be attached to the project you are scoring or it simply won't score on the project ;)
•  I found that the GROUP/UNGROUP feature is great when editing text to keep it all together.
• I found out the importance of WELD after I cut out my Soda Bar letters.The script letters each cut separately,ok WELD before cutting.
• I've played with the SLICE feature and have a project saved in Cricut Design Space.  I learned that Slice only does two layers so if there are more, simplify by FLATTENING...AND once FLATTENED and saved you cannot reverse. 
• I learned the difference between an IMAGE and PATTERN and how to use PATTERNS. 
• SVG defined and how to make my own...this is definitely ongoing. 

I've got many more things to learn and I am finding that the best way for me to learn is watch something visual then then do what I watched. All in all, the "shelter at home" directive has certainly created opportunity for me to get familiar with my machine although my counter and kitchen table have been much more cluttered <sigh>...sacrafices have to be made ha-ha!

Have you a favorite Youtuber or Facebook Group for interacting and learning? If so please share in the comments! 

On Being RESILIENT

Whats all this QR Code Stuff?

What's all this QR Code Stuff?? 

We live in an amazing digital age that is changing at the speed off light OR perhaps faster with microchips, 3-D printers, QR and BAR codes...

A long while back QR codes seemed to be all the rage...I remember seeing them at events from Home Shows to Pinterest shows. You could use an app from your smart phone to "see" what the person wanted you to. The home show QR code displayed in a frame might link you to their website... all you needed to do was use your QR Code app to scan the code and BOOM you were visiting their site and probably at the page of their "special" from the show. 

StampinUp used them in catalogs in 2014 to take a customer to specific projects... in fact I even bought QR codes from them to use in my cardmaking to add that special touch for my card receivers, unfortunately if you "lost" those in your craft space for 3 years like me they were no longer useable <sigh>. 

In that same timeframe I received a really cool Christmas. The giver had added a QR code designed to share more about the family. I loved it!

Back then I realized that the QR code could be for so-ooo many uses. But then I digress. How did I start down memory lane? 

"Did you know that QR codes can be read directly by YOUR smart phone camera?"

Over a recent weekend our business teams participated in a show. Since we were selling products and each of us was handling their own sales we needed various methods of payment besides cash. The group used Paypal and Venmo which both produce unique QR code identifiers to ensure your customer pays you not another with the same name. That use seemed so far away from the creative uses I had first seen QR codes used for. It brings me full circle to HOW CAN I, the CREATIVE maker use these QR codes for more.

I was thinking...could I invite more people to my blog using a QR code? Thats when I researched and found a website where you can create your own QR code...it is free, and quite varied in application. I decided to start with the most simple and recognizable QR code, black and white blocks. Here it is.

So lets ask a few questions... 

Who is THIS QR code representing? Me or more specifically The Scraproom.

What does this QR code do? It is designed to lead someone, (you) to take action. 

When does a QR code lead you? Hopefully it creates urgency to use your smart phone camera (or QR code reader app to scan the QR image NOW.

Where does it lead you? This QR code is designed to lead you HERE to my blog!

Why? That is a very good question... Our digital age has provided us with so many wonderful tools to make life easier if only we know how to use it. 

I am amazed when I get a Facetime call from my 1 1/2 (now 2 year old granddaughter. Put a phone, or just about any controller in a young ones hands and they seem to intuitively know how to use it. 

If we take a moment we might find the QR code can help us with many areas of life. I'm thinking it could help me keep track (as a sort of cataloging) of my boxed items in my attic and document what is inside.  It might also help me create order from the chaos that is my craft room currently. 

I loved how simple it was to create a link directly to TheScraproom.blogspot.com! I want to explore the more creative QR codes I have seen and try one out! 

FUN NEW TOOLS and TOYS FOR this Creative Junky

Are you a CREATIVE Junky? I am...I feel as though I never get enough and that includes the great new toys being introduced yearly!  

CREATIVATION 2020 happened in January and because of it there is all sorts of BUZZ going on! Youtube videos have been hitting the airwaves showing bits and pieces of the show, demos of exciting new products and lots more. 
Have you heard the quote "There is nothing new under the sun"? Funny how the old can become new again...I watched a video today demonstration a fun new product. Suddenly I had a flash from my past of a really cool toy I had received in my youth. Funny we may have grown up but we still LOVE what we LOVE. 

Check out this fun product, the MOLD PRESS 

from WE R MEMORY KEEPERS.

 Interesting how the company name even connected to that specific memory :)

Were you one of the lucky kids who owned Mattel's VACUFORM? 

They had the best ads!! Curious? Check out this youtube. I loved this toy!  

2020 Addicted to Creativity

Wow! Can you believe we are  2 months+ in to this brand NEW YEAR and a new decade!! Has your world been crazy? Mine has, and it has taken me to new and different paths and brand ways of creating. Those who follow me know I am in love with the arts and I love to experiment with interesting new products, cool amazing techniques I see on Youtube, Pinterest and more but the most fun comes from sharing and seeing the excitement of others as we dive in together. Some use the words "addicted" to describe some new thing that has captured their attention, desires and heart. I then would have to admit having a multi-addicted life when it comes to my world of creativity and I feel ok with that though because our Creator is also! 

One theologian writes:

We reveal His glory when we are creative. It is a part of His nature and He has given us creative powers.  We, His creatures, love to create.  We paint, build, draw, sew, design, mold, form, write, and so many other things – often for no more reason than enjoying the act of doing it.  There is creativity in thought, culture, art and literature, work, economics, and in all other areas of life.

When I read those words I really identified, I am grateful to to enjoy many means of creative expression!

Do you ever think of something you love and say "I'd die without... Art in its many forms is that "love" for me BUT here I am experiencing a very long drought. 

Painting had been a daily expression, I was always in the middle of a variety of pieces whether they were for an upcoming Spring Boutique or for a commissioned artwork... then there was Life Interrupted.

Last year my I had shared a video with my sweetheart. It was intriguing, I  had watched someone  playing with paint in a way I hadn't tried before. A great descriptive would be "LET IT GO, LET IT GO". 

Oh wait a minute, there is a song from kids movie with that song featured, hahaha! 

The video showed something so very simple but so beautiful in the end. 
We promptly assessed our art tools and paint supplies then found ourselves drawn to setting up our own dedicated "Art Pouring" space. Of course we couldn't keep it to ourselves so before long we hosted a Pour Birthday party for my sweet friend Melanie Diane.  That was a year plus ago and it has spurred me to do more. 

It is not where I want it to be creatively speaking but it is growing!

What has been going on in your crafty world friends?

Creative bliss almost amiss!

I'm in the middle of my creative bliss, supplies all strewn about. craft room turned upside down as I look for just the right die to trim out a sentiment... WHAT? 

I was so sure the one I picked would fit the sentiment...but no-oooo :( Phooey! Back to the supply drawer-then back to the drawing board because what I do have just doesn't look the same. AR-RGH...

BUT WAIT!!! I may have a solution. I remember seeing a person using a punch unconventionally to solve a similar situation and as it turns out there are others who have found a solution too. So I am trying to use my dies similarly to the way I saw the tip for the punch.

The solution is what is referred to as partial die cutting.

The die is the width I wanted but sadly the length won't capture all of my sentiment.

 

The solution is to lay the die in position on one side or end. Next lay your top plate in place but not quite to the end. 

Now when you crank the die through it will not press down into the paper and the die will not cut the end.

See what the cut looks like? It has only cut the part that had the top plate covering it. 

Reposition the dies' uncut end so

that it is in perfect alignment using the cut edge of the die to help. 

Let's take a look at the result.

Ok , as you can see it does not always make a perfect cut. My positioning was NOT perfect, but I may use it on a card anyway. I trimmed the edge a bit. 

On my second try I was still a bit off but I think it is much better! I hope you enjoyed seeing my experiments; failures and successes too! :)

I haven't finished my card yet but here is a basic layout for the planned card. 

And a second similar card. Now it is 

time to get the out some embellishments and add some finishing touches.  

Sewing With My Grandkids

Hanging out with my grandkids is a most delightful time!

Every time we go to visit our grandchildren the time with them is super special. I really never knew having grandchildren was going to be this amazing! Each visit I make I find it to be a surprise-- I never know what will be the project of the day or the play of the night but in the end we had great fun. 

When we head over for a visit the car is packed with items relating to the last visit. One time when we arrived my granddaughter Fiona has an armful of "injured" stuffed animals that she and Luke told me desperately needed help--could I ple--eeze sew them! That night we worked with the supplies they had but when I got home I put together an "animal hospital" sewing kit. My"animal hospital" sewing kit has a variety of thread colors in it, a small pair of scissors, a needle threader and such. Now in the past when we visit this had become an absolute "must pack" item! Fo the longest time in fact I packed the car with this at the top of the list. 

Once when my darling granddaughter called me on Skype she had a "special request". Could I possibly make a special doll she had in mind? This child has some amazing character traits. Her story telling capabilities are very in depth, details are her forte. I worked on Christina for a long time.(I'm going to save that story for another day).

Christmas was just days away when we arrived. With it being just 4 days before Christmas our thoughts were on many things... 

• Did I send out of town gifts, give local gifts and remember to pack the gifts for family we are visiting?
• Did I bring extra wrapping paper, bags, ribbon and tape?
• Did I pack our Christmas Cards and the list, stamps etc?
• Did I bring the address and phone info for theAirBnB hosts?
• Did I clear out the refrigerator?
• Is our dog, his cage, toys, food, supplements info for dog sitters etc packed?
• Did I remember our supplements, first aid kit...oh and MY pillow?
• Did I bring written contact info (sometimes there is no wifi)?
• Did we pre-contact and set appointments for business partners and friends?

I wish we could say I forgot nothing but unfortunately that was not the case. Every visit we learn  of another "staple" not to be forgotten item.   Some items that were needed have now been replaced with other items. The kids now had there own sewing kits, they had developed an interest in creating sewn items. Last year the oldest sewed pillows as gifts for friends, her brother helped. My contribution...I brought my sewing machine and basic knowledge. The gifts were a great success.  This year as we unloaded the big blue truck the first question out of grandson Luke's mouth...Did you bring your sewing machine? What?! H-mmm. Oh dear!  

Apparently Luke had ideas and it included creating stuff on the sewing machine! So-ooo we now needed to design an alternate plan. It turned out to be a great plan. 

I had suggested we make things from fabric around the home, things no longer being used for the original purpose- like socks. I showed him a Pinterest board that repurposed socks in various ways. That was inspiration enough.

I had suggested we follow directions from one of the projects but Luke had a better idea...Excitedly he declared "I want to make a toy for Chip." Chip is our now 1 year old Border Collie. We got this guy last year right after Christmas. In fact we were just driving home from visiting this family when I saw the ad. One call, a quick early morning drive and we brought Chip home right then.

Backstory: We had a beautiful Border Collie, "Oreo" for 15 years. We got him right after moving to Utah. Oreo had been named by our oldest grandson Tyler. He had died in 2017 and it took us a while before we were ready for another pet but when we decided, granddaughter Fiona had asked to be able to name him. 

Ok, back to Lukes sock "stuffie"... Luke wanted the toy to be for Chip and also he wanted it to look like Chip. Here is Luke working on it, his finished results with Chip and his toy.