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.

Freebie Alert!

I just got the cutest papercraft in my email, which reminded me that I wanted to tell you about Scout Creative's Papercraft of the Month club.  Sign up for the emails, and each month they send a great free papercraft, with a calendar of the month somewhere on it.  I ADORE some of the past months, like last month's wild cell-phone charging station, and the hot dog stand from August, and the pool cat with boom box from July, and the Snails from March ... well, I guess I like 'em all.  AND if you go to the site, they have all the ones from the last couple of years posted.  Check out March of last year.  They are really cool, and totally free.  You don't even get any extra emails, just the papercraft link each month, on a PDF.  COOL!

A new papercraft FREEBIE from ME!!! 
A Christmas gift box or decoration.

I'm so excited, my hubby is coming to visit me for the week!   I wanted to post this project now, since I probably won't be blogging while he's here.  UNFORTUNATELY, my camera won't work for me tonight.  Not sure what's wrong.  I put together this little fireplace box ( a re-do of something I started last year), where the cover is the mantle, and I included some stockings to hang (some blank so you can color your own). A nice little Christmas gift box.  AND, you can always cut out the fireplace area, cover it with vellum, and use an electric tea light in it.  I included extra fire, I'm not sure why, maybe you can trace it onto the vellum, or put it behind.

I'll show you what it looks like on paper, and maybe someone can build it, take a pic, and post it here, since I can't. 

Papercraft Gift Box - A fireplace!

 



You can go grab this over at Box or 4-shared.  Print it out on cardstock, fit to page.
I hope you all enjoy it!   And please share a photo of it finished,  if you can.

And have an excellent Thanksgiving  -Kat

FREEBIE ALERT!

Hello out there!  I'm finally back online after 4 months, no internet.  We were going to wait and move the dish we already have along with the business , but the house still hasn't sold yet, and our business website (http://steelthundercc.com)  needed much updating.  I actually got connected a week or so ago, but made myself stay away from the blog so I could get "real work" done.  What with paying two mortgages and two sets of electric, oil, phone, etc. bills, I've really got to put my nose to the grindstone and try to make some cash. 

I've also had no TV all this time, but don't really miss it, except maybe for Glee. 

That didn't keep me from poking my nose around the net to see what was new.  I found a few things I want to share with you all, and this one just can't wait.  It is perfect timing before the holidays, for all of you who are making your own gift packaging.  It is a FREE TEMPLATE MAKER!  It makes a couple of basic shapes of boxes and envelopes, too.  Check it out at the Ideogram website.  What fun!

I've got more to share, but ta-ta for now.  So happy to be back!  - Kat

Oh, dear.  I was just watching the Today Show and got the surpising (to me) information that THIS WEEKEND was Father's Day weekend.  I would have gotten this 3-d project up earlier if I had realized (unfortunately, our Dads and Granddads are long gone).So, without further fanfare, here it the box template project I promised.  It's simple, maybe even a bit primitive, but I think it would make a cute box for a small gift (my Dad always liked candy!).


Beer Mug Box

Beer Mug Box with Cover off



It's fairly small.  Print "Full Page" on cardstock.

Beer Mug Box with cover template can be downloaded in ZIP file HERE at 4-Shared

Beer Mug Box with cover template can be downloaded in Zip file HERE  at BOX 

-Have Fun!  Kat

I wanted to post, since I haven't for awhile, mostly on purpose.  I've been thinking and coloring with my copics (it helps!) the last few days, whenever I had a few moments.  It's been a bit crazy here, with showing the house, MORE dental work ( I love my dentist, but I think I just bought him a new vehicle, pool, and/or house addition), closing on a house in another state, and various other things.  I have a bunch of files prepared, including something for the 4th of July, that I figured I could still get out even while I'm up to my ears in cardboard boxes.  BUT...  I'm really not too happy with the files I've already put out, I keep finding errors, and files that "changed" when I saved them.  I think I'm going to have to wait until I get my new computer and software (I'm using paint shop pro 7 and a senile computer) that I'll hopefully get after we move, to do what I want in the digital art area.  SO... I don't think I'm going to put out any more digiscraps at this point.  I do have a little 3-D project for Father's Day that I should have time to put up in the next few days, something I made a year or so ago.  A small beer glass gift box.  So if you are visiting, come back soon, and thanks for stopping by!  - Kat

Pretty Plaid Pink Part THREE:

One more FREEBIE in the series.

I had another motorycle for this one, until I saw how bad it looked on the darker papers.  It is now on my "to do" list for repairs.  So I threw in some motorcycle oriented word art and a few extra papers. There are some frames and various elements, too, all .png format and zipped.  Have FUN!

I wish Craft Crave would list me!

Download at 4-Shared HERE

Download at BOX HERE