April Carnival: Spring/Easter/Earth Day!

Edited to Add:

Thank you to all who participated and shared these wonderful ideas! We will select a random winner at midnight tonight! Enter now if you haven't already by sharing your link below!

Oh how we love our glorious Carnivals! This one is especially fun because we get out of our winter doldrums, and into the springiness of Spring! Share your links below for Spring, Easter or Earth Day (April 22nd). We will republish the final carnival on April 29th and share everyone's projects here!


Just click the "Add Your Link" icon at the bottom of this post on the Craft Critique website to participate! The link you share can be from your blog, Flickr or any online gallery the public can view.

We will also pick one lucky random winner to receive a set of the new EX-5 Copic markers donated by this month's Carnival sponsors SCACD. International entries are welcome, however SCACD cannot pay customs or any associated additional postal fees for our International friends, should they win.

Remember, a carnival only works if you share it! So please, if you participate, tell all on your blog, or share on Facebook/Twitter. You can even add this cool badge to your blog or website to spread the word!

Susana's Custom Art and Card Design is proud to host the Spring Carnival! As warmer days approach thoughts of warm breezes and fun come to mind. SCACD offers a wide range of products including Viva Decor and Sew Easy. They also carry their own line of exclusive stamps by Artists Elisabeth Bell, Victoria Case & Carmen Medlin.

Today SCACD releases a new line of Stamps! "The Peekers" designed by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD. These cuties will make you think Spring!

SCACD also offers FREE shipping in the U.S.A. for product Orders over $100 and a free gift with every purchase!

Disclosure

Vendor Spotlight& GIVEAWAY!: Ephiphany Crafts Shape and Button Maker (day 2 of 2)

Reported by Susan Reidy

Several years ago, I bought a bag of clear buttons with the intention of creating my own embellishments with patterned paper, cardstock, etc. It turned out to be a rather messy and time-consuming process, and my finished buttons always had ragged edges.

So I was more than happy to try out the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio and Button Studio line of tools. They promised a simple method for creating my own epoxy shapes and buttons. I'm happy to report, they delivered.

Using these tools pictured above I was able to make round epoxy shapes and heart buttons with patterned paper, cardstock, photos, tamped images, layered punchouts and even doilies.

Epiphany Crafts has 10 tools -- six Shape Studio and four Button Studio. The shapes include Round 14 (about 1/2 in.); Heart 14 (about 1/2 in.); Round 25 (about 1 in.); Oval 25 (about 1 in.); and Square 25 (about 3/4 in.).

The Button Studio includes the Round 14, Round 20 (about 3/4 in.), Heart 20 (about 3/4 in.) and Flower 20 (about 3/4 in.). The primary difference between the Shape and Button studio is that the Button Studio tool makes button holes.

Coordinating with the tools are the same-sized epoxy shapes and clear, self-adhesive buttons. Other embellishments also are available; more on that later.

For those of you short on space and questioning the need for another tool, it's worth noting the size of each shape tool. They are relatively small, as you can see in the picture below the Shape Studio next to a tube of flowers. I think they store nicely in a basket, given the round shape.

So how do they work? Basic instructions are included with each Shape and Button Studio tool, and more information is available online, including step-by-step written directions, videos and even a way to virtually try out the process.

I started with the Round 14 Shape Studio.

I was very impressed with the thickness of the epoxy shapes. These are much thicker and sturdier than the epoxy shapes that I found on the market several years ago.

I decided to try it out with a heart doily. I wanted to use the center part of the flower and some of the individual hearts.

The reach of the Shape Studio tool isn't very deep, one of the cons I found with the tools. But, I solved that by trimming my doily so I could get to the part I wanted.

Next, I inserted the doily in the tool and lined it up.

I removed the sticky-backed epoxy circle from its backing sheet and placed it in the hole of the tool. Be careful handling the epoxies; I had one pick up a hair (or cat fur) and couldn't use it.

Next, I put the insert tool on top.

And pushed down.

I repeated that process again on a different part of the doily, and here are my custom-made embellishments. It didn't take as much pressure as I thought it would, and the edges came out clean in both cases.

Super cute added to the center of a flower:

And then on a birthday banner for my youngest daughter.

One tip I learned -- if you are lining up a very precise spot, once you get the paper in position in the tool, apply a little pressure so it doesn't slip out.

I did find some ruffling of the paper on the back of the shape, especially when I started using thicker papers/photos. But since I was adhering the shapes down onto something else, this didn't bother me.

Epiphany also has a line of embellishments that coordinate with the Round 14, including three lines of plastic vintage-like settings and three types of felt flowers -- star flowers, spring flowers and frayed flowers -- each in three different color schemes.

Here are the Marina Frayed Flowers on the left and the Chocolate Strawberry Spring Flowers on the right.

These are the Vintage Settings in Clubhouse. The package includes two of each color. The Round 14 shapes nest perfectly inside the settings.

I was anxious to try these out, so I punched out a butterfly from black paper, adhered it to some Basic Grey patterned paper, and turned it into an epoxy shape. The tool had no trouble punching through the two layers. I adhered the shape into the green Vintage Setting, and attached it to a ring base.

Here's the finished product on my finger. Epiphany does offer its own rings and charm settings that are sized for the Round 14 shape.

Next, I wanted to see how the tool would handle something as thick as photo paper. One thing I wish the tool did include was a template with the size of the shape. That would make it easier to move around your paper and see how much of the design will show. I solved this by using the tool to punch through a piece of paper, without an epoxy shape in place.

I used my template to see how my index print photo would fit in the shape. The photo was a little small, so I cut it out and attached it to cardstock before making my final shape. Once again, the tool had no trouble cutting through the heavier photo paper; my edges were nice and smooth.

And here's my youngest again, all snug in a green Vintage Setting.

I used E6000 to glue a super strong magnet to the back.

Threaded some twine through a washer.

And made a necklace that I can change out when I feel like it (or when my other two daughters complain that I'm not wearing their photo).

I really had fun with the Vintage Settings. They take an already cool custom embellishment to the next level. These would also make great refrigerator magnets, thumbtacks, scrapbook embellishments -- the possibilities are endless.

I next turned my attention to the button maker. This tool requires a few more steps, some of which I skipped the first time around.

Again, look at the nice thickness of these buttons.

I stamped an image on my patterned paper first, and created my own template again to see how the final button would look.

I lined it up in the button maker.

Took the backing off the button and laid it adhesive side out on the inset tool prongs. You have to be careful not to push through the adhesive; just lay it on top. I was skeptical this would hold once I put the button in the tool, but it defied gravity and held on.

After the button is in place, and before punching, you're supposed to remove the insert tool, and push down firmly on the button so it adheres in place. I skipped this step, and my paper scooted out of place.

Once the button is adhered down, put the insert tool back in place, close the lid and push down.

After my first punch, here's what my button holes looked like. They didn't go all the way through, and just made an indentation.

I put it back into the button maker, and pushed again. This is what I got the second time.

The holes were bigger, but I still needed to use my paper piercer to make the holes larger so I could get my twine through.

Here's my finished button. You can see how it shifted a little, probably because I didn't push down on the button before punching through with the insert in place.

Here I added it to my scrapbook layout. I made another Round epoxy shape, and added it to the top of one of the felt flower embellishments. I removed the brown layer, since I had no brown on my layout, and will save it for another project.

And here's my finished layout.

I really had fun with the Epiphany Crafts Shape and Button Studio tools. The results were so much more professional, simple and fast compared to my attempts to make my own customized buttons without the Epiphany tools.

I can't wait to get my hands on some more of the tools, especially in the larger sizes.

Pros:

• Simple, fast way to make custom embellishments.
• Works on a range of materials including cardstock, patterned paper, photos and layered paper.
• Great accompanying embellishments including Vintage Elements and Felt Flowers.
• Shapes can be used for scrapbooking, cardmaking, jewelry, home decor and more.

Cons:

• Can get a little pricey if you want all the tools, which retail for about $19.95 each.
• You'll have to keep buying the epoxy shapes and clear buttons in order to use the tool. Epoxy shapes have various amounts per package, depending on size, and are $4.99. The buttons come 20 to a package and are $4.99.
• The tools have a short reach, but you can cut your paper down to size if you want to reach a certain spot.
• The button maker didn't punch the button holes as large as I needed for threading twine, but it was easy to expand them with a paper piercer.

GIVEAWAY!

The great folks at Epiphany are giving away this amazing prize package to one lucky reader. Just answer any of the following questions in the comment section of this article on this blog to be entered:

Have you tried the Epiphany Crafts Shape and Button Tools? If you had one, what would you make? Which shapes do you love the most? We LOVE to hear from YOU!

One comment per person, per Vendor Spotlight: Epiphany Crafts article (this is the second of two).You have until Sunday, May 1st at 6pm CST to leave your comment.

See all of Epiphany Crafts fabulous tools and shapes.

Disclosure.

Vendor Spotlight & GIVEAWAY!: Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio and Button Studio

Reported by Jessica Ripley



I was first introduced to the Epiphany Crafts Button Studio and Shape Studio at Summer CHA 2010 (where it went on to be named one of Craft Critique's Best of 2010), and was able to watch a demo to see exactly what these tools that seemed to take paper punching to a new level could do. As something that creates custom embellishments, they pretty much had me at hello, but still I wasn’t sure I needed yet another tool to add to my already overflowing allotted craft space. Still, I was excited to try them and see what they could bring to my crafting process.

Epiphany has created a variety of custom shapes to work with when it comes to choosing a shape or button tool. For each tool, there is a corresponding clear epoxy shape with an adhesive back which fits that particular tool exactly, and is ultimately the key to creating your own unique embellishment.


These shapes must be purchased separately. This may seem like a deterrent to some that you must continue to buy product once you purchase a button or shape tool in order to use it (which honestly was my first thought), however upon further consideration, the number of epoxy shapes which can so easily be customized in each packet is quite generous when compared to similar pre-made embellishments that we buy. Buttons of course usually come in much larger quantities than what Epiphany provides per pack, however the value of being able to coordinate them to fit any project is definitely a plus.

As I am primarily a paper crafter, what excited me most about these tools was the sheer ability to match embellishments to any project using patterned paper. The slot to place the material to be punched is about the same width as a paper punch, and strength of the "punch through" similar as well. Therefore, it seems you are limited to using paper with the tools. I tested thick cardstock which worked just fine. I also tried a thin fabric just for grins, but to no avail (not the manufacturer's fault at all, just testing in the name of crafts).

Using the easy to understand instructions on the back of the package, I was creating my own shapes and buttons in no time. There are 4 easy steps:




1. Insert paper (I found small detail patterns work best) and line up using the see through view finder. I love punches that you are able to see exactly what you are punching out, so find this part of the Epiphany design is just excellent.

2. Place the appropriate epoxy shape on top of the area of paper to be punched. (This was a little tricky for me at first. The epoxy shape is a tight fit and needs to be worked into that opening, and the flower button shape had to be positioned just so, but I quickly got the hang of it.)

3. Place the plastic insert on top of the epoxy shape then close the lid and press down. You must press fairly firmly, but not necessarily any harder than you would normally do with a press down paper punch. The rounded lid is also easy on the palm of your hand.

4. Lift the lid and remove your finished customized embellishment.

Epiphany also has a line of products which enhance the pieces even further, such as felt flowers and settings.


I created the layout below using the Round Shape Tool and the Vintage Settings.



So, if you are like me, my first thought was "gee that’s neat. But couldn’t I do the same thing by using a paper punch I already have and then using a 3D gel medium to create that “epoxy” look?" Well, yes probably, but one of the most valuable resources I ever consider in my crafting is time. This little gadget saves time, and in a big way. Not only in drying time if I were to go the gel medium route, but also in cases of mass production, I just couldn't beat it. Plus honestly it is just plain fun, and a little addicting once you start. Suddenly my scrap pile was looking full of possibilities!

As mentioned above, another time saver Epiphany Crafts offers are felt embellishments that can add your customized piece to. In a matter of minutes and with a little hot glue I had whipped up these pins to add to one of my favorite purses (that always needed just a little extra something).


And they of course work great on paper projects too like in this card.


I even whipped up a pair of post earrings.


Speaking of jewelry, Epiphany Crafts has thought of time savers in that area as well. Rings and Charm Settings that can be attached to necklaces or bracelets which hold one of the round customized shapes perfectly are shown in their 2011 catalog. I was not able to find these yet online, however look forward to their arrival in stores. What a great way to create a custom gift these will be.

The projects above all use a Shape Tool, however the buttons are just (if not more) versatile. Buttons will never go out of style, and being able to add customized looks to sewing projects is so wonderful.

The Button Tool works in the same way the Shape Tool does, but has prongs on the insert that you place through the button holes before punching.



Creating several buttons takes only minutes, especially once I had the hang of the process. A minor issue, I did notice that though the punch has two little prongs to poke through the button holes, they don't quite go all the way through the paper cleanly when punched. Because I planned to sew the buttons, this didn't bother me as I knew a needle would just poke through, so I don't feel it that big of a problem.

I just love that I can sew these onto projects! I made the pillow below and added several as a decorative touch.


After having a chance to try these out for myself, I have to say that I foresee myself reaching for both the Epiphany Shape Tool and the Button Tool many times. I've seen them listed for sale anywhere from $15 to $25 depending on the retailer's price, and the corresponding epoxy shapes around $5 per pack. Though this is a little more expensive than say a paper punch would be, I will be adding another 1 or 2 to my stash. I just love the possibilities with them, and at their relatively small size, my fear of not finding a place for them in my craft area is completely gone. I know right where they'll be actually, front and center on my desk ready to be used again and again.

Pros

• A unique tool that is fun to use, small in size, but big on possibility.

• Create custom embellishments and buttons for all sorts of craft projects using patterns and colors you love.

• A precious time saver, using the tool is quick and easy.

Cons

• You must continue to purchase the corresponding epoxy shapes to use the tools.

• The highest price I found of $25 seems a little pricey, but I did find it for less also (and with a coupon, would be a bargain).

• The use of the tool is limited to paper (or photos).

GIVEAWAY!

The great folks at Epiphany are giving away this amazing prize package to one lucky reader. Just answer the any of the following questions in the comment section of this article on this blog to be entered:

How would the Epiphany Button or Shape Studio change the way you craft? Do you find the possibility of being able to create custom buttons exciting? Or would you continue to work with whatever you can buy in stores? We LOVE to hear from YOU!

One comment per person, per Vendor Spotlight: Epiphany Crafts article (this is the first of two).You have until Sunday, May 1st at 6pm CST to leave your comment.

See all the fun shapes and tools from Epiphany Crafts.

Disclosure

Lifestyle Crafts Epic Letterpress Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Lifestyle Crafts Epic Letterpress Kit...

Savannah O'Gwynn said...
I've wanted one of these letterpresses since they came out! I am sooo exited about this giveaway--your cards turned out sooooooooo cute! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Thanks for the chance to win!

Please email your name and address to info@craftcritique.com. Please put Letterpress Winner in the subject of your email. 
Thanks and Congrats!

Vendor Spotlight & GIVEAWAY!: Spellbinder Grand Calibur (Day 2 of 2)

Reported by Dana Vitek

I've been a Spellbinders customer since the beginning of time. I have one of the original Wizards; it says "Patent Pending" on it. I've been collecting the Spellbinders dies since before the Nestibilities came out. As such, I have amassed quite the collection:

I may or may not have a problem.

So when the time came to test out the Spellbinders Grand Calibur, I was the obvious choice.  Kandi did such a great job yesterday describing the contents of the box and such, I'll just get right down to the business of showing off.

The first thing I wanted to cut and emboss has been hanging out in my craft room for years:

This is Craft-a-Board, developed by Ellen Hutson for use with the Spellbinder Nestabilities. It's a sturdy board, like chipboard, but nicer. I could never get the Nestabilities to cut cleanly through it with the original Wizard, so I was excited to try it with the Grand Calibur.

I laid out all the dies I wanted to cut. The largest scalloped square there is the very biggest of the Grand Scalloped Squares. I also threw some scalloped paisleys on there because I had SO MUCH ROOM on the cutting platform.

Here they are after one pass through the Grand Calibur:

One piece didn't cut cleanly all the way through, but a quick pass of the craft knife, and it was ready to go.

Compared to the trouble I had with this stuff using the original Wizard, I was thrilled!
While I had the Craft-a-Board out, I decided to make a puzzle for my daughter, using the Spellbinders Jigsaw Puzzle Die. I traced out the size of the die in pencil, and then went to town stamping and coloring the Craft-a-Board:

I centered the die over the design, and ran it through the Grand Calibur:

One pass through... 

and here it is in pieces:

Most of the pieces came apart with a little back and forth wiggling; I think I had to cut 2 or 3 pieces with the craft knife, and it literally only took seconds to do that. A quick, personalized 20-piece puzzle for my kid. These would be great as birthday party favors!

Now then, I have letterpress on the brain because I just finished up a some letterpress projects, and the packaging of the Spellbinders Impressibilities caught my eye. It says it can be used for letterpressing. Don't mind if I do!

I pulled out my letterpress paper and ink, and inked up the Paisley Impressibility:

I laid it on top of the paper on the 'A' plate. I ran it through the machine using the "embossing sandwich" but there wasn't enough pressure, and I didn't get a good deboss.

So I tried it again with the regular cutting sandwich ('A' plate, paper, Impressibility, 'C' plate), and voila! It looks fabulous!

I was really impressed! Pun intended!

Moving on to one of my favorite media: shrink plastic! I love making little charms for cards and jewelry, and I wanted to see if the Grand Calibur generated enough pressure to cut plastic with the low-profile Nestibilities.

Test subject:

I ran it through the Grand Calibur, and the plastic cut with no trouble at all! I set my old-school Old Milwaukee heat-gun to work, and came up with this cute little dragonfly:

Here's a fun little card for a coworker's new baby girl, using the letterpressed paper, the dragonfly charm, and some cut paisleys:

I figured that since it could cut shrink plastic, it could probably cut thicker plastic too, like the ubiquitous clamshell packaging. I swear, I have saved every plastic package since the late '90s. Really. I refuse to let it go to a landfill, but I've never really figured out what to do with it. Well, now I know!

This is actually the packaging from the Grand Scalloped Square Nestabilities

again, one pass through, no problem...

all sanded up and ready to go!

I'll bet you're wondering what I made with all this stuff... okay, I'll show you.

While I was cutting paisleys, I cut a bunch of them, and made a scrapbook layout featuring my kid wearing a dinosaur hat:

this was a happy little accident... 2 paisleys=a heart!

this kid knows what's up.

I decided my layout needed some rub-ons, but didn't have the energy to use that Popsicle stick doohicky, so I placed the rub-on where I wanted it, and ran it through the Grand Calibur, just to see if the pressure would transfer the rub-on.

It totally did! What a time-saver!

And here's the finished layout. This uses the largest (8") Scalloped Square that I cut from the Craft-a-Board; the smaller scalloped square, also from the Craft-a-Board; that sanded plastic piece that I cut from the packaging, and the Paisley heart: 

Please be gentle... I am not a scrapbooker!

I put the Grand Calibur through its paces, and am happy to report that I never found anything it couldn't do. EXCEPT. Except it is just not quite big enough to use the regular Sizzix dies. I was so hoping that I could whittle down my die-cutting machine collection to just the Grand Calibur, but I have way too much $$$ invested in regular Sizzix dies, so the Big Shot stays.

Pros:

• Wide-format opening allows for 8" dies to be used.
• Grand Nestabilities match the smaller Nestabilities, and allow for layering.
• Easy-to-turn handle, no shooting the sandwich stack across the room like with the original Wizard.
• Can cut lots of media, not just cardstock.
• It's pink. Ish. Kind of a raspberry, really, but I'm down with that.

Cons:

• Opening is not quite big enough to allow a regular Sizzix die through.
• The crank handle takes many revolutions; seems like the gear ratio should be reset.
• That's all I've got. Really.

GIVEAWAY!
Our friends at Spellbinders have given us a set of Grand Scalloped Squares AND a set of Grand Squares (which coordinate) to give to one lucky reader (that's a $100 value!). Just leave a comment on this blog post answering this question:

Knowing now what different media you can cut with the Grand Calibur and the Nestabilities, what would you try to cut?

One comment per person, please. Winner will be selected on Friday, April 29, 2011.


Disclosure