I am participating in the MTC Holly Jolly July challenge. One of the events is a dollar store challenge. These are just too much fun. Buy something and transform it.
Here is my angel. I bought a vase and a round bowl type container plus some iridescent package material. I love this stuff it looks either pink/purple or blue/green depending on the light.
I didn't add the face I planned because I liked it better plain. I added ribbon, faux rhinestone trim, and wings were designed and cut with MTC. I added perfect pearls to the paper to highlight the edges. I put some battery operated lights inside too for some ambiance.
I have a super fun thing I tried. I have been wanting to try the Photofrost icing sheets for some time. Their prices are much less than what you will pay in your local craft store. I knew there would be a little bit of a learning curve on these. Hopefully I can share what I learned from the experience. My son has a birthday on a few weeks so this gave me a chance to take a test run with the icing sheets.
The great thing about these is that they have their own paper backing so there is no need to use shortening to adhere it to the mat like you do when you make your own fondant or gumpaste.
I wiped down my machine with some Clorox disinfecting wipes. I also wiped the blade holder and blade and put in a new 60 degree blade. I also did all this afterward. Make sure you get in under the rollers.
I taped the edges and moved over the middle little rubber rollers to the side so they don't mess up the icing in the middle.
My first sheet was really to get a feel for what I was doing. I had no idea what settings to use. (No instructions)
My first test cut ripped an teared a little. I adjusted some settings until I found this combo worked best for me-
I use a click blade holder. A setting of 2 blade length worked better than a one to avoid the holder from touching the icing sheet and pushing on it. I found that a force of 1 was all I needed. No more.
Other lessons learned- Icing sheets are not paper and will tear much easier. I had better cut when I wasn't so close to the edge of the sheet. I also had to modify my first cuts to be not so thin.
Icing sheets start to dry out quickly. Make sure you are ready to cut before you take them out. At one point I added a very thin layer of butter to re-moisten the sheet since I was still in experiment mode.
Speed- If using a Zing I would say maybe a 9 on speed.
I am not using any print and cuts since I don't have a food safe printer or ink.
Here is my final cut that was to go on the top of the cake.I weeded the excess away from my cuts and let them dry a little to make them easier to handle.
I like the chance to try anything fun and different with my cutter. Would I try this again? Absolutely. Be sure to buy some extras to allow you to learn your way through.
The sheets are light and thin and don't take away from your frosting taste.
Now to come up with something awesome for my son's birthday......
Thanks for stopping by!
Update:
I spoke with them awesome people at Photofrost and have some more acurate info on setting when cutting the icing sheets:
Sorry, Yes I should have told you I normally use
40-45 force and only 1 multi-cut, speed 10.
I was suprised to read that you only used a force
of 1. That seems strange to me.
I also should have told you that depending on what
you are cutting you don't need a mat. Your first cut (the one that didn't
go so well, would not have needed a mat to cut it.
Also your small rollers do not affect the icing
sheet as much as you would think, I have mine in place. Only move them when I
tried fondant.
I plan to try these settings on my next Photofrost icing sheet adventure!
I realized I never posted the details of how I do my slate tile coasters, so I will share the steps here.
If you have ever seen unglazed slate you'll know it can be a little drab and boring. If you wet it, you can see the beautiful undertones it has. It takes on a new life. The one on the left has been wet with water in the corner. The one on the right has been sealed with clear polyurethane.
Putting a coat of clear polyurethane will give that wet-look result. I put several coats on- at least three or four before I add any design. I let it dry overnight to cure.
Once my design has been cut and weeded, I use drywall mesh tape to transfer the design. I lke using the mesh tape for so many reasons. I like that you can see through it. I like that you can use it to line us your design. It is sticky on one side so it will pick up and transfer the design for you but peels off easily.
Once they are on the tile I seal the design with another three to four coats of clear glaze again. I cover the back with stick crafting foam so it doesn't scratch the surface. These were a gift for one of my besties before I left Ohio. A dear and soulful friend. The design is from Creative Bling. Her desing sare perfect for vinyl because you can get such detail you just can't with paper.
You can buy these tiles at the hardware stores usually in a little package. I think you get like 8 for less than $4.00. If you get the chance to hand pick through them. Pick ones that are smoother and less edgy and rough. The vinyl will adhere better. Minor roughness hasn't been a problem.
Happy Crafting,
Ima Cutter
Here's a quick project I did for one of the challenges on the Make-the-cut forum. This is using a file from Creative Bling. I am doing these for a coaster set. I spray the slate tile first to bring out the beautiful tones, applied the vinyl and then spray again to seal the edges. I used outdoor vinyl for the image. These make a great gift.
I just added a quick little gift box project for the Make-the-Cut Holly Jolly July challenge. Come join in the fun!! The rolled flowers are by birdscards.
Come get a jump start on your Christmas projects. forum.make-the-cut.com/discussion/25884/holly-jolly-july-holiday-challenge-starts-now-july-29-2012#1
When you're in the process of moving there is nothing like shaking life up a little. We had to put one of our dog down a couple months ago due to health issues. I had promised my daughter she could get her own dog several years ago. I didn't know the perfect little girl would come just two weeks before we were to move.
Let me introduce our newest family member- Lilly May. She is a rescue dog. She is about three years old. She was rescued from a puppy mill. She was one of their breeding dogs. She has a super sweet disposition. I has been amazing to see her little personality come out. She is just so stinkin' adorable.
She was for Alyssa's birthday, so of course we had to make a matching cake.
We are not completely settled but getting closer.
I decided the dogs needed some updated food dishes.
At least my vinyl didn't get misplaced during the move.
Our dog Chloe got one too. I'm sure it will make our little doggie divas' food taste better.
We have some friends who make the best pizza EVA! It is a Friday night tradition most weeks at their house. You'll even find that they have their own facebook fan page for Uncle Doug's Pizza. I have to admit I can be a little jealous when my kids get to go over for pizza night and I'm left out.=/
Since we are moving I wanted to make a special gift for these wonderful friends with whom we have shared so much over these past years. This is a gift for my friend. I figured it was time to have their own signature set of cups. So I made a set of four mugs. The mugs are made by Pfaltzgraff and have a great glaze on them. I masked off the pattern with some vinyl I cut in MTC with my Zing.
I made a design on the other side too.
I etched these with my air eraser and was really happy with how the finish looks on the glaze. What makes this project a little different is most people just etch clear glass. The frosted look also looks really great on dark colored glaze for contrast.
My friend is really into coffee, so I hope this set of four Uncle Doug's Pizzeria coffee cups will be a reminder of how dear she is to my heart. <3 I just love the contrast of the etching on the dark glaze.
Thanks for stopping by to see my project~ happy crafting,
Trish (ImaCutter)
Sunday, July 8, 2012
What is a crafter to do when in the process of moving all of your 12 x 12 scrapbooking paper and heat transfer vinyl has gone rogue???? Well, that is my dilemma, so I had to make a quick trip to JoAnns. It is a little hard to image not having some of my favorite paper packs. There are some other things that have disappeared, but if you are like me you can have some money tied up into that stuff. I spend a couple hours trying to go through the mountainous heap of boxes yesterday with still no luck. It could be worse. I am hoping to get some things done. I do have some gift projects in mind to give an extra thanks to my most awesome friends who went above and beyond the call of friendship. Missing them has been the hardest part. I hope to get busy with some projects. I know I have lots of thank you cards to send.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Trish (ImaCutter)
