A Family Sticks Together

A family that stays together....sticks together.

That has been rolling in my head lately. Most of the designers here at Paperthreads have had one life changing event after another in the last few months!

Lori of Beloved Keepsakes is dealing with her husband deployed overseas and a sick relative. So her days are quickly filling with activity as she keeps busy to avoid having to stress over it. Jan of Sam & Hailey Designs has a wedding for her son in just over a week! She has been so busy working in the background getting things ready for this wonderful event, while at the same time working on her membership club and this wonderful newsletter (which we could not do without her and the other designers hard work.) Jenette's (Butterfly Designs) little grandson broke his arm and had to have surgery, she is now helping out by taking care of the grandkids while he recovers!

The stories go on and on, as we all have been dealing with lifes little curves. Through it all, the one thing stays constant, and that is we are still here at Paperthreads working hard, helping out in any way we can on the forum, finding little pockets of time to research and find interesting projects for the newsletter, and finding other even smaller pockets of time to design and create new files! As a team, we stick together and support one another, not only through the design process, but through all life's processes.

When my dad passed 2½ months ago, the team pitched in and helped me out with the store and forum, so I could spend my time with him in his last days and then even more time during the funeral process. Then, I came back from all that, and they are still supporting me by helping in so many ways, as I am packing up my life and moving several states over.

Most recently, Carrie of Carrie's Creations shared the news that her husband was sick again with cancer, and that this time it was in two places. We once again banded together to find a way to support another member of our Paperthreads family.

Carrie and Scott have a long road to recovery, with Scott most likely being unable to work for at least a year. Because he works for himself, even after that year, it will take him time to rebuild his business in this struggling economy. Carrie has spent the last two months driving Scott to and from hospitals and appointments. The rest of the time she keeps their seven children busy and out of the house to keep things quiet so Scott can rest and recover from the pains of treatment.

As a team, we wondered what we could do to help. We finally decided we could do what we do best, and that is to design and create a great collection of files. We wanted to keep the cost down and the price down, so as many people as possible could participate in the fundraiser. Instead of putting effort into producing a CD of our fundraising files, we decided to create a special memberhsip club. This would enable us to increase the amount of files we could offer and allow us time to do more than just a couple of files each. With the downloadable format, every dollar will be going directly to help Carrie's family!

So, the Vacations & Getaways Membership Club was formed! The club is already open and the first file was uploaded on July 1. We plan to have WELL over 50 files during this membership. At a price of only $15, that makes each file only THIRTY CENTS each!

What better way to help out one of our own! So far we have already made over $1,000 for the family through the membership club and private donation! The first batch of funds is on it's way to the Schwartz family this week, and will go a long way to helping with food and everyday living expenses.

Spread the word to anyone in the cutter world, our goal is $3,000, and we are almost halfway there! If you haven't joined yet, don't miss out on a great chance to do some good for someone else, and add to your stash of great Paperthreads creations. Join us today!

Michelle Hessler
Owner
www.paperthreads.com

Paperthreads Poll

Alisha (AKA lishwhit) said "I've had 3! I started with the Xyron personal cutter, I saw it and I HAD to have it, I didn't research it or anything, just got it. Then I realized there were better things out there, so I bought a CR about 5 months later, justified it by saying it could cut vinyl lettering for our work rigs Then I saw an Element for sale, used really good deal and had to have it...I'd really like to upgrade again to bigger, but that will have to wait for a while, I can manage with the Element for now.
Oh and I use the cuttlebug embossing folders with my pasta machine, too. who has time to make homemade pasta anyways?!?!"

Carol (AKA Moovet) said "'I never really thought about it, but I think I need a 12 step program!"

Sheri (AKA bzyPTmom28) said "I'm on my first die cutter--the Pazzles Inspiration! I love it, I just couldn't justify the manual ones, it seemed with all the dies it was too pricey! I love the PI! It cuts lots of stuff and I keep playing and learning new things---if only I didn't have to have a 'real' job--I'd play all day!"

Next Paperthreads Poll: What's your favorite material to cut? Click Here to vote!

Forum Member of the Month

by Jen Adkins, Jen Adkins Designs

There have been many joys and challenges within the Paperthreads family this spring. My choice for Forum Member of the Month is not outstanding for the trials she has confronted, but rather for the way she has plowed through them!

In the past few months this member has had her father hospitalized, her mother required skilled nursing care and then passed away, graduations for three of her children, her daughter's wedding, and her other daughter's prom! Through it all she has continued to share pictures of the projects and the stories from her own life that prompted their loving creation.

So I'd like to take a moment to thank Laury (who you may know as magentaswan) for all of her help, her inspiration, and her kind words on the forum. To honor you, and your family's contributions to the forum, I'm sending you my "Reflections (of the way life used to be)" file.

Product Review: Playing With Outdoor Vinyl

by Jennie Cornwall, JennieBeanCrafts

Unlike me, you may be lucky enough to have a car that is in pristine condition; no scratches or lumpy bumpy bits.  For those of you who have a ‘normal’ clarty* car like mine, why not cover up the scratches and dents so that your car looks braw** again.

There is a very quick, simple and cheap way to do this… car vinyl.  The cool thing is, at the same time, you get to play with your cutting machine.  As an added bonus, you may even get the man in your life to start to realise the potential and attraction of your cutting machine.  He may even help you save up for a bigger, better cutter…

Ok, so I am blethering*** rubbish now… but we can dream!!

Get along to the Paperthreads Store and check out the massive range of colours of outdoor vinyl that is available:

Scottish Translation
*clarty = messy and/or dirty
**braw = brilliant
***blethering = talking rubbish

Just to prove how simple it is to decorate with vinyl, here is a picture of my car covered in flowers.  A copy of the flower template is free with this newsletter, along with some photo instructions done by my dear hubby.  Even though the vinyl is guaranteed to last outdoors for a number of years, you can easily remove this anytime, and replace it with an entirely different design. 

How cool will your kids think you are when you pick them up from school? 

Download the Tutorial: Click Here

Download the Freebie: Click Here

Create A Mini Theme Album

by Diana Weber, Diana's Designs

A mini theme album is small enough to complete quickly, but still tells a story.  If you plan ahead, you can get the most out of your pages and they will be finished quickly.

First thing you do is pick a size. I like the size 6" x 6.5."  The extra 1/2" is for the ring binders or a Bind It All coil.

Of course, then you will have to decide the theme of the album.  Try to narrow down the theme. 

For example, I wanted to do a Twilight album for my daughter.  She is in love with the movie and the books.  Rather than focus on the entire book, I wanted my album to show the love between Edward and Bella.  So I only printed pictures of the two of them. 

Then on graph paper, I drew out the pages so I'd have an idea of what I wanted to do in the album.

I picked out my papers and embellishments that I wanted to use.  The ones that weren't the right color, I stamped with Staz-On black or red ink. 

I used mat board pieces that were thrown away from my local craft store for my base.  I inked the edges in black.  Then I glued my base paper on each board and trimmed if needed.  On my album pages I also inked around all the outsides with black to give it a little depth. 

At this point, I punch my holes. This “reserves” the space that the binding needs and it ensures I don’t punch holes through my pictures.

Then, I cut out the swirls, words, etc., that I was going to use and printed out the journaling that I wanted all in the same font for uniformity.  

I usually put my pictures down without glue at first, and move things around until I get where I like them, then glue them down. 

After I think I'm done, I go through the pages one more time to see if there are a few little extra's I want to add. Then I bind my album and tie ribbon to the binding.

July Sketch: Sunshine

In each issue of the newsletter we will share a sketch by a different Paperthreads Designer. Our sketch for July was designed by Jan Bryson of Sam & Hailey Designs. We've asked a few of our designers to share their variations on Jan's sketch showing how to incorporate your cutting files with the sketch. We'd love to see your variations, too! Post your layouts based on Jan's sketch in the July Newsletter Sketch section of the Paperthreads Gallery. We'll pick one or two layouts to feature in the next Paperthreads Newsletter!

You Bring The Sunshine by Jan Bryson, Sam & Hailey Designs

For my layout based on the sketch I decided to shake it up a little bit! Instead of the sun and rays I chose to take one of my Swirly Style Circles files (free in this newsletter) and cut it into quarters. Then I layered the swirls in graduated shades of yellows radiating out from the picture to represent the sun's rays. I also made the title appear like it's spooling off the round picture mat. I kept my background colors to shades of black, white and grey excpet for the yellow swirls, title and the tiny flower centers on Samantha's dress. This makes the whole layout very visually dynamic!

U R My Sunshine by Shelly Sweigart, Shelly's Art

I loved Jan's sketch so much I decided to do an exact interpretation of it without much variation.  I enhanced the sun by using glitter glue dots on the rings.  I also replaced the rays with loops of ribbon stapled shut and tucked under the last sun ring.  I used my Leap Frog License Plate file to showcase the title.  To embellish the floral paper,  I squeezed a dab of glitter glue on the centers of the flowers in my patterned paper.  I let it dry, then proceeded to cover up the glitter glue dabs with clear dew drops attached with glue dots.  The dew drops magnify the glitter making a very pretty, sparkly flower center.  This doesn't photograph well so you'll just have to trust me that it looks great in person!

Card Variation by Jennie Cornwall, JennieBeanCrafts

My challenge this month was to take Jan's wonderful sketch and try and use this for a card rather than a layout.  This design worked beautifully and I was able to insert a large embellishment in the space where a photo would normally go.  I used papers by Nancy Watt which features birds and flourishes, both which are very in-vogue right now.  I also used a daisy teabag design to create my embellishment (free with this newsletter).  As I was rushed for time, rather than matting and layering, I used a silver marker pen to edge bits of torn paper and the sentiment.  I was also able to use lots of old bits of ribbon to save throwing them away.

Video Demo: Copic Markers

by Michelle Hessler, Paperthreads Designs

The Trend Watch: Birds Of A Feather

by Jennie Cornwall, JennieBeanCrafts

Birds are very popular at the moment, both in layouts and for card-making. So I thought I would do some mystery shopping for you and searched for “birds” in the Paperthreads store. Attached are some of my favourite designs. Not only is there an amazing selection, but it is fascinating to see all of the different ideas from some of our favourite designers. The funny thing is, even though I have only been with Paperthreads for a short time, I guessed who most of the designers were before I read their names!!

Ask The Designers!

Here you'll find answers from the Paperthreads Designers on design basics and inspiration.

Sheri (AKA bzyPTmom28) asks: "Do you have an art background? How did you get started designing?"

Ileana:
No, I don't have a background in art.  Actually, my background is in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).  I started designing files for my own use, for my scrapbooks and for cards I wanted to make.  Then, I joined in on every swap I could at Paperthreads and polished my skills there.  I still love the swaps.  They are so much fun!

Jan:
I do have an art background. I started my university studies as an art major and dabbled a bit in every medium like drawing, oil painting, watercolors, sculpture, and even printmaking. Eventually, I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design. For the next thirteen years I worked in the computer industry but fell back in love with art and design when my Mother-In-Law introduced me to card making. I gained an obsession with paper about the same time!

My sweet husband gave me a Wishblade for Christmas in 2006 never dreaming the changes it would bring! I spent a lot of time on the Paperthreads forum learning and posting my designs before I applied for an open designer position. I feel very blessed to have my love for art, design and computers merged into one!

I love to use my KNK MAXX to create art like these 3D floral wall art pieces. I used bits and pieces of them to create my line of 3D Floral Cards!

Shirley:
No, I don't have an art background although, I found out I could draw several years ago. I used to look at cartoons and draw them on scratch paper. I'm not good at drawing from my head though. I need something to get me started. Then as I draw, I start getting my own version going in my head. I've always done arts and crafts of some sort and even started oil painting about 10 years ago. I only completed one painting and it's in my mom's house. I think I did a good job on it. It's a Texas Bluebonnet scene. I wish I had a picture. I'd share it with you!

Esther (AKA Esther WB) asks: "On average, what’s the timeframe from when you get an idea until you have the finished design in the store? After you design something, do you test it out on someone to see if they think it’s good or do you just trust your instincts and go for it?"

Jen:
The average timeframe? That's a hard question to answer. I find it is quite variable! I have some files that I dream up, create in Illustrator, test cut, and load to the store in the matter of a few days to one week; on the other hand, I have some files that I was working on when I applied to be a designer at Paperthreads that are still not in the store (and that's been over 2 years now)! I have designs in lots of different stages. Conversions and text files (part of the process of uploading a file to the store) tend to be my limiting factors. My husband is my guinea pig for most of my designs. I think most of us spend a lot of time worrying that no one else will be interested in the files we come up with. It's a nice surprise to see pictures of my files in use!

Shirley:
I have had ideas that came together quickly and easily. Those files usually take me about 4 hours to do from beginning to end. Most often, this isn't the case though. Complex files, of course take much longer to do than simple files.

Sometimes, I get frustrated and have to put a file away for a few days, weeks or even months. I usually have at least 3 - 4 files I'm working on at a time because I get bored sticking with one from start to finish. On the average, I would say I spend at least 8 - 12 hours on a file from start to finish. I have had files that took much longer than that though.

I ALWAYS test cut each and every file. Test cutting is a requirement for the Paperthreads Designers. This doesn't mean that I personally have to test cut it, but if I don't test cut it personally, I need to get someone to do it for me. I prefer to test cut myself though. This allows me to personally check my sequence of cuts and other things that are important to me. I would test cut even if it were not required. I can't expect someone to buy a file if I don't know that it will cut correctly. In my test cutting, I often find little things that I need to fix. For instance, I did a test cut on a file today. As the blade came around two curved edges, it made some shuddering noises. So I looked at the file more closely. In converting from Illustrator to KNK, it added quite a few nodes, so I'll decrease them and re-cut to see if it is smoother. I wouldn't have known that without the test cut!

Have a burning question that you've been dying to ask a designer? Send it to the Paperthreads Designers at newslist@paperthreads.com!

Tips and Tricks:Selecting By Color in KNK Studio

by Michelle Hessler, Paperthreads Designs

Wordsearch: Paperthreads Mania!