SUPER-DUPER FREEBIE ALERT!

O.K., I've been pretty disgusted  that my camera isn't functioning, since I made some cool Christmas stuff and had some great ideas I'd like to share.  Since we are presently paying 2 mortgages, and two households worth of utility bills (other house hasn't sold yet due to a zoning snafu that effects loan qualifications, but that hopefully should be worked out soon), I can't justify buying a disposable or anything else.  SO... I'll just send you to someone else's freebies.  Which is probably better for you, because this person has MUCH more talent and experience than moi.

Go over to BIRD'S CARDS and you'll find an amazing assortment of freebies.  She's got free templates, free digital cut files of all kinds, free digital stamps, free sentiments and free papers all on her site.  AND if you sign up for her newsletter, you get even more exclusive freebies right to your mailbox.  The card cut file I got today just took my breath away.  

Here are a couple of the Card SVG's she has on her site:

Wouldn't this card look great with Christmas papers?

She's got lots more than cards, but I got stuck on that page today, there were so many things to check out.

AND FOR MY BIKER FRIENDS OUT THERE, CHECK OUT THIS CARD:

Gotta have it, right?  You'll find these and tons more at BIRD'S CARDS.  And don't forget to sign up for the newsletter!  You'll be glad you did.

Have a blessed Christmas! - Kat

More Free Stuff Links

As you know, if you've read my blog, I love free stuff.(Who doesn't?) I've been meaning to tell you about this site for weeks ... Echo Park Paper Company has free  paper crafting E-Books you can download.  There are all kinds of great ideas.  You can get them here: http://echopark.mybigcommerce.com/echo-park-e-books/

They also have free Project Downloads that you can find here: http://echopark.mybigcommerce.com/projects/.  Pages and pages of them.  Here's one for a Christmas Shadowbox:

 It's so much fun to shop and not spend any money!  It's almost like the library, only you don't have to return anything.  What could be better? 

Enjoy! Kat

Seasons Greetings!

Thank you everyone who downloaded my project, and especially those of you who sent such lovely comments.  I haven't felt well the last few days, and was still running around trying to get my Christmas gifts made, and didn't check my email until a few minutes ago.  It made me feel so much better!  Thank you for the e-hugs!  -- Kat

FREEBIE ALERT!!!
NEW & IMPROVED - Fireplace box

I wasn't all that happy with the fireplace gift box papercraft I posted a couple weeks back.  Besides being a bit too basic and square, it came out much darker than I planned.  Seems I have the brightness cranked up high on my monitor (more of my bad eyesight). 

As I saw it stated somewhere "It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are supposed to be doing something else"... I have a ton of work to do for my "real job", plus all the Christmas stuff I have to make, so here I am re-doing something I don't really need.  But, hey, they will hold some of the candy treats I hope I have time to make!

My camera is still not working, so I drew up a small rough sketch of how the box should look once assembled:

It is now more of a rectangle, brighter, the marble "mantle (box top)" came out nicer, and now there is an optional chimney to add on top.  It is still far from perfect, but what the hey, it's free!

You can download the template for this RECTANGLE FIREPLACE BOX/W CHIMNEY  papercraft at 4-Shared or BOX.  Enjoy!  - Kat

ECRAFT CUTTING MACHINE - possibly a very helpful hint

I used my hot pink eCraft cutter last night, first time since I moved.  Took me a few minutes to remember what I was doing, but got the hang of it again quickly.  Thought I'd share with you a couple of things I learned the hard way when I started using it.

I found the best way to get a good cut was to keep the paper from sliding about. Since there is no "sticky mat", I was using the covers off my paper stacks.  I'd just put little peices of tape around the edges to keep the paper in place.   Then I found something at my local "Wallyworld" (as we call it)... they are called flexible cutting mats.  Actually, I think I first bought them as disposible mats for the kitchen. They are "Mainstays" (but you may be able to find others, but look at these first to get an idea), thin, and measure 12" x 15".  I tape at the top and bottom , and insert the 12" side into the machine.  It keeps the paper from moving around, and you can look at the mat to see how deep you are cutting, making it easier to adjust.

I don't know if this will work with other machines, but it has been a blessing with the eCraft cutter. You can reuse them many times.  After they get pretty cut up, I use them as glue mats (because, as you may know, I'm a VERY messy gluer!).

Another thing I do, if you are having trouble, is I always insert from the front.  I feel I have better control, and I just couldn't get it to work right feeding from the tray.

AND ... if you just got your machine and can't find the tools and extra cutting blades, eCraft has  cleverly (maybe too cleverly) hidden the sliding compartment at the back of the machine.  Look behind where the read-out screen is (at least on my model). 

I hope this helps somebody!  Happy cutting.