3 frustrating hours later my machine is calibrated!

My fondest memories of childhood are those of my Mom reading us the annotated Alice in Wonderland. It was a large and heavy book and it took some time for her to finally read it all to us.

The part that I always loved was when the Queen of Hearts gives Alice a Flamingo to use as a croquet mallot. From that time forward, I have always loved those birds whose legs seem so very fragile.

As I was thinking about my Mom and her storytelling I started working on a cutting file of a flamingo, but because of the legs are so thin comparative to the body, I ended up opting to create a digi file and this is where my 3 frustrating hours came into play!

When I originally purchased my KNK Maxx, I remember calibrating it and from that time on never had a problem with print and cuts. When I went to cut out this file however, I was WAAAYYYY off and couldn't figure out what was wrong until I opened the manual (when in doubt always pull it out). I started reading it to see what suggestions it had and don't you know it, in reviewing, it suggests you write down your settings in case you ever have a problem with the software. That's when it hit me, I had had a problem and had to reinstall and as such all of my settings were lost. Now did I write down my previous settings? Of course not...I mean that would be logical right?!

So to make a long story even longer...after numerous attempts (3 hours worth!) I finally got the whole enchilada calibrated and working so that I could finish working on my file. What is the moral of the story? For all of you Maxx owners who have already gone through the trouble of calibrating your plotting settings for print and cuts if you have not done so already, make sure you go look at what you have it set at and write it down in your book to avoid what I went through. PHEW!

In any event I think the hard work was worth it and I hope you will too when you see my Pretty Pink Flamingo Digi File (EC00207) in the store. I provided 3 separate stamps and the info on sizing is in the description. You can add embellishments to your finished item to make it fit a specific occasion if you want (like the little party hat in my birthday card pictured).

Well, thank goodness everything worked out and thanks to my Mom for inspiring this cute file.

Have fun!
Eddita

One more day until the weekend...

This week for some reason just seems to be dragging on and on but if I squint my eyes really hard I think I can see Friday on the horizon!

I'm not sure if it's because the heat of the summer is starting to go away or if it's because I can feel a tease of fall in the air, but I have been in full "crafty" mode! At work, I have my little notebook and I find myself doodling when I have free moments here and there.

So when I recently just signed up for the Christmas Card Swap that Sue (aka baracudasue) is hosting over at the Paperthreads site, I pulled out my notebook and created my latest file, Holiday Birds ! I even threw in a snowflake for good measure!

If you are interested in joining the swap, there is plenty of room and you only have to make 10 cards. The deadline for signup is tomorrow, 30 September, so if you are interested make sure you jump over right now and join and get the full details!

I'm not sure if I will be using the birds or go with or something else, but for right now it's in first place (hahaha!) I like that I can use either one alone or put a few together for a nice grouping, not to mention what a cute little accent they would make on a layout. I may even cut these out of fabric and resize and make appliques for a child's shirt as a quick and easy gift....hmmmmm....

Well, it's almost 8:30 which is my bedtime since I'm up at 5 for work! We'll catch up some more later!

Eddita :)

Unbelievable!

I'm still here! So much life has happened since the last time I logged in. All good. Everyone is healthy and busy, although feeling a little more aches and pains every day.

I spent most of the summer gardening and canning to my hearts content. I ended up putting up over a dozen quart jars of whole tomatoes, over a dozen quarts of tomato sauce, a dozen each sweet and dill pickles, some acorn squash and watermelon rind pickles and watermelon jelly. I love looking at my shelving unit and seeing all of my pretty pretties all lined up in a row!

Some of you may remember that my DD was finishing up her second associates and she did! Graduating with her degree in culinary and after enjoying the summer off, she wrote her resume and made a bunch of cold calls to local bakeries. She went so far as to call a place about 30+ miles down the road and she was asked to come in and do a "bench test". It took about 3 hours and after a number of items (fondant work, flower forming, airbrushing, piping, icing, etc) she was hired!

She is so happy...she really did what she wanted and is now a "Professional Cake Decorator"! Only downside is the commute as she has to go in rush hour and there are days it can take her 3 hours to get home! She has started to leave the area around 5 in the morning so she can get there by 6 and then leave around 3 in order to miss the height of traffic, but she says it's worth it. You can see here a cake she decorated...all of the roses and leaves she formed by hand!

Now I have been working on some files and just finished posting a new one (my first in a long time). I was trying to think of something that would look good on a card for a male and thought of chess pieces!

As you can see, I have included what I consider the 6 main pieces which comprise of the King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook and Pawn.

I can picture a romantic card...In the game of life I'm just your Pawn..Your castle or mine? You are the King/Queen of my heart...etc! So I finished it up this weekend and loaded into the store (EC00203).

Hope some of you like it and get some use out of it.

Well, gotta get running to get to work!

Enjoy!

Eddita :)

4th of July Freebie

I figure if I start the title with a freebie you will all forgive my poor showing of many many moons! So much going on that when the day ends the last thing I think to do is log on and blog. Started working on weight loss and got down 25 lbs and then up 5 so I need to get back into the game. I think part of the problem is that I see it going so well that I think I can sneak some not good for me foods back into the mix a little and then they seem to takeover. Also while I was doing great exercising, I got lazy and really stopped.

That's kind of how it has been for a lot of things (including designing) but I am trying to get better...really I am

To get myself motiviated (and after seeing the price of t-shirts for the 4th of July at $ 10+) I bought myself a blank shirt at Joanne's (they are on sale this week 3 for $9) and decided to use the "FABRIC BLADE" I had purchased from Michelle at the last retreat, and make myself my own Patriotic shirt. I also had some fat quarter fabric stash as well as other sundries which helped keep the cost down! Now for those of you who don't currently have this blade, you can use your own sharp heavy duty one, but if you are thinking about making lots of appliques, this is a must have for your collection as it really made a quick job of it with no fraying!

Also, as we have a few days before the big day, I went ahead and created the file in all of the formats to share with all of you in case you want to make shirts for you and your families. It's a simple varsity letter set up and you can even make assembly line style...I think total time to make was 20-25 minutes (so you really have no excuse LOL!)

I also went ahead and created a YouTube video as well so you can see exactly how I put it together for those of you who are more visually oriented...now here are the materials you will need:

T-Shirt

Fabric (top and bottom layer if you want the Varsity Letter look...if you want just the letters one piece of fabric will do)

Double Stick Fusible Web

Iron

Not needed but you know me I like a little bling:

Heat set Rhinestones & Setter (Or a BeDaZzLEr!)

Important! Please wash all of your fabric and Tshirt before starting...this will remove any sizing and preshrink so you have no heartaches in the future.

Now while I did this on my KNK, the idea is the same for all of your personal cutters. Just follow your directions and you will be cutting and showing off soon enought too! Hope you enjoy the video and get some use and inspiration and make some fun shirts for you and your family!

Hugs,

Eddita

.AI Version

.GSD Verson

.KNK Version

.WPC Version

.SVG Version (whole)

.SVG Version (foreground)

.SVG Version (background)

Happy CAD!!!

Ok...so I AM alive (contrary to the stories out there!) I just realized that the last time I posted was Thanksgiving...seriously?!

Well, you know that the only thing that would bring me out of my winter hibernation is YOU! That's right and as you know, we designers at Paperthreads love to say thank you by having a Customer Appreciation Day (or in my case weekend!)

We are also having our fun blog hop so make sure once you finish here that you move on to the next great blog! Just in case you want to know who else is participating in the blog hop, here is the list:

Paperthreads (Michelle)

Accents by Eddita (you are here)

I Scrap Designs (go here next!)

Jen Adkins Designs

Just Laury

Sam and Hailey Designs

Shirley Clark

Keepsake by Design

Shelly's Art

Now, while I don't have a game or challenge, I do have (until Monday night) a free file for you. It's the cute one at the top of this post...Surprise!

I hope you enjoy it and if you have a moment, leave me a quick note and let me know how you have been. On Monday evening, I will have a random drawing from the list of names of everyone who left a comment and you will receive a fun prize in the mail! - HINT HINT...Post a Comment for your chance to win!

Also, if you go to my section of the store you will see that all of my files are 50% off until Monday night as well. I haven't had any sales for a bit so this is a good time to pick something up you may have been wanting.

Well, that's about it but make sure to check back...now that I remember how to blog, I will be getting on here more and more!

Happy CAD to all of you wonderful people!

Eddita :)

.GSD File

.AI File

.KNK File

.WPC File

.SVG File

Happy Post Thanksgiving & Cyber Monday

I'm just jumping on quickly to say that I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have enjoyed their Black Friday Sales! I was able to get some great deals this year and stay within my budget so Woo Hoo to me LOL!

This year we found a turkey farm near our home that we didn't know existed until we started researching online and after a lot of thought ended up buying a 19 lb turkey breast only....19 lbs! I brined it like I do every year and this time went with the slow roast method and all I can say is that after 12 people finished eating and after sending some home with my sister and mom, DH and I had enough leftovers for 2 meals only! We were really some turkey eating fools!

My mom was able to come over starting on Wednesday and helped me with all of the preparations. Since everyone brings something to the table, we were responsible for the turkey, potatos, stuffing, cranberry and pumpkin pie. My mom had seen a recipe that combined jello with whole canned cranberries, pinapples, apples and nuts. It was really tasty and really yummy (especially when I added a little whipped cream LOL!) My Sis brought a brocolli cheese casserole and salad and my Son and Girlfriend rounded it out with drinks and rolls....YuMmY!!!

After everyone left my Mom and I started looking at what was playing at the local theatre and ended up going to see Burlesque with Cher and Cristina Aguilara....My Mom liked it a lot while I thought it was very predictable...the positive thing I can say that really carried the movie was the Music and we both agreed that it made it fun to watch. Cher really sang well and as far as Cristina...well she has a heck of a voice and I do enjoy listening to her. In the end, I told my Mom I thought that it was like a cross between "A Chorus Line", "Chicago" and Bob Fosse's greatest moves. The real pleasure in the end was the company.

That's about it for now but I wanted to let you know that my Digi Moose have hit the store (woo hoo!). Also, all my files are on sale for this Cyber Monday for 45% off. I thank you in advance for your support!

Hugs,
Eddita

Birthday Blues, Shaker Cards and What a Great Ending!

Starting earlier this week I started to feel a little run down and though I was hoping to enjoy my birthday on Friday, those hopes were horribly dashed. I went into work at 6, had my annual review around 8 (which went well....paraphrasing Sally Fields, "they like me...they really like me" LOL!) and as much as I was sucking down cough meds and taking asprin etc, by 10 I was running a fever, my eyes were killing me from the light and all I wanted to do is crawl under my desk and sleep!

My daughter came and picked me up and tucked me into bed and continued working on her first ever cake contest entry (more on that below). I took a big swig of that night time sleepy med and passed out. When I awoke at 4 (6 hours later!) even though I still wasn't feeling well, I did sit down and open my birthday presents....sadly it still hurt to read so I just went back to the bedroom, took another swig and passed out....woo hoo....49 just started out with a bunch of coughing, blowing of nose and basically feeling horrible...I just hope it gets better!

Next morning I was able to enjoy pancakes (made by DD) and really look at my presents. Hubby bought me this great pressure cooker I had been looking at for awhile....A Futura which has received great reviews. I have really been wanting something to cut down cooking time and this just fit the bill perfectly! I received a gift card from JoAnne's from DH oldest son and family (I KNOW my DDIL was the one to pick it out as she always helps enable my crafy addiction) and then DD got me 2 boxes of card blanks with envelopes (how did she know I had run out?!) and this REALLY cool Fiskars punch with interchangable heads. I had seen it at the craft store but as it was way on the bottom shelf I never really looked at it...but Shazam!...it is nice! Here is a link. It is PEFECT for Shaker Cards as it will make the nicest confetti and has a little bit of everything from animals to holidays...I know I will get a lot of use out of it!

Speaking of Shaker Cards....I loaded a new file to the store which is a Shaker Box which you make and then attach to the front of any card! I am currently hosting Challenge 10 of 20 Christmas Card Challenge over at the Paperthreads Forum. If you haven't already signed up just click on this link to get to mine but make sure you also check out all of the other ones there. It's a great way to get all of your cards ready in time to mail out. Here is a picture of my sample (which includes a sneak peak of my latest Digi File - Christmas Moose with Gift)

I started sketching him a couple of weeks ago and playing with the placement of objects. I think he came out very cute and really enjoyed coloring him with my Copics as per Michelle's great class at the last Paperthreads Retreat.

I am slowly getting him ready to go up into the store...there will actually be a number of versions but more on that later once I actually finish!

Okay...so what about my Great Ending? As I said before my DD has been working on her very first cake competition. She found out about it just as the entry due date had closed but she was very happy to have been allowed to enter. She drew up the sketch and started baking the cakes and freezing them (all 5 of them) and then every day after work and between classes she was working on it in the basement where she had the quiet she needed. I would peek in every night and not because I'm her mom, but I was impressed. Luckily I was so much better on Sunday and it was a good thing to as I was her "assistant" and the one to ride in the car and hold onto to everything and then help her carry in. She took over the assembly though and final touches.

It was a nursery rhyme theme contest and she chose one that I used to read/sing to her and her brothers every night before bedtime...Wynken, Blynken & Nod. She used the KNK to cut out the names on the binding as well as the words that go around the edges of each book layer...each was a phrase from the nursery rhyme.

Everything you see either carved out of krispy treats and covered in fondant she made or just sculpted our to gumpaste she colored. She also did some great airbrushing (if I may say so myself LOL!)

Well, are you ready?! She Won First Place in her division! Woo Hoo! She was very happy! All of her hard work paid off! I was going to put up a bunch of pics but instead have this YouTube video to share with you. I think she did a FABULOUS job! As this was her first contest one of the nice things is that she was able to talk to crazy cake gals and get some good tips and techniques. I stood on the side listening to her talk and watch her excitment and see the sparkle in her eyes...it made my heart glow to see her so excited and happy.

Well I hope you all enjoy!

Hugs,

Eddita