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Each month we will try to spotlight a favorite link in the crafting world that one or more of our designers love visiting!
This month we're sharing a list of our favorite links from the Blogosphere! What do we like in a blog? Lots of new and interesting ideas, product reviews, sketches, and most importantly INSPIRATION! Maybe one of these blogs will inspire you, too!
http://dihickman.blogspot.com/
http://www.pencillines.com/
http://heidiswapp.typepad.com/
http://www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com/
http://jenjen.typepad.com/digiscrap/
http://jengallacher.blogspot.com/
http://tamipotter.typepad.com/what_was_i_thinkin/
http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Don't forget all of the Paperthreads Designer Blogs! You can find them all HERE at http://www.paperthreads.com/blog!
Lastly, you can keep up to date with all your favorite blogs with the handy and very easy to use service called Bloglines!
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There's always something exciting happening on the Paperthreads Forum! Come on over and check it out!
B-I-N-G-O
Starts the 1st of each month
Card Sketch Challenge
Starts the 1st of each month
Scrapbook Sketch Challenge
Starts the 1st of each month
Off the Page Challenge
Starts the 1st of each month
Save Gas, Stay Home and Scrap
Challenge
Starts the 15th of each month
Book Of Me Challenge
Ongoing!
Lots of Swaps
Starting monthly!
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by Shirley Clark, Shirley Clark Designs
As most of you know, I love Illustrator and I love learning things that make my time with Illustrator easier and more productive! When I first got Illustrator, I always went through a routine. I opened Illustrator, went to "Window" on the toolbar at the top of the page and opened the palettes and tools that I like to have open when designing. One day, I learned that I could save my favorite workspace preferences. This took less time and made my designing life just a little easier. Here's how!
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First of all, my personal choices of palettes/tools to have open are:
Attributes
Color
Control Palette
Layers
Navigator
Pathfinder
Stroke
Tools
Once you get the palettes/tools you want open, arrange them on your screen where they seem to be the most convenient. If you have dual monitor set up, you can even arrange some of them on your second monitor.
Go to Window > Workspace > Save Workspace.
In the save window, name your workspace. I named mine Shirley's Workspace. Then click OK. That's it!
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You can save other workspaces as well. Suppose you have two designers that use the same computer and their preferences are different. No problem. You can save a workspace for each person. If you open Illustrator and your workspace isn't there, go to Window > Workspace > and click on your saved workspace. It's that easy!
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Guess what we have coming your way in time for the Christmas holiday??
Yep, you guessed it, a BRAND new Klic-N-Kut machine, called the KNK Maxx.
Maxx is such a good name for our new friend, because it will take you to maximum levels of cutting fun and enjoyment!
The new Maxx will come in two great sizes, the 15" and the 24".
Both machines will have a host of new upgrades and features, taking you to all new possibilities in the cutting world!
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It will have almost DOUBLE the pressure of the original KNK Models. This will allow you to cut more material types! I've been told that in playing and testing the machine, they have been able to cut many different chipboards, 0.04 mil styrene, balsa wood, felt, craft foam, thin to medium weight mat board (varies by density), acrylic sheets (which we will be carrying in the store!), stamping materials, shrink plastic, and so much more!
There is a repeat button right on the machine allowing you to repeat the same cut without having to send it through the computer the second time. So, let's say you are making a birthday invitation, you send the cut through the computer to the machine, and it will cut it out for you. Then, you load a new cardstock, put it in the machine, push that repeat button, and it will cut the second card for you! Without having to go BACK through the software again! Or, lets say, you didn't get the cut to go all the way through, leave you material in place, adjust the pressure or blade height, and press that button, and it will send that cut through all over again!
New and improved grit shaft system that will work hard in reducing any material slippage, as well as an additional pinch wheel for better mat control, also helping to reduce bowing and deflection of the mat in the center.
Laser alignment for print and cut, making it easier and more precise.
Bolt on cutting tables to hold your carrier sheet and material in place. Because it is bolted in place, you can set your machine up to the edge of your table space, giving it complete room in the back, and ultimately, taking up LESS space in your working area!
Much quieter too! All the machines make a certain amount of noise, but this one is quieter, so you can cut down on all the ruckus coming from your craft room!
The Maxx is also faster than the original models, as it picks up speed around the curves!
The bladeholder jaw will hold anything up to 20mm round (3/4") Giving you much more flexibility in the pens, markers, and tools you want to use. It also includes a larger, thicker, more rigid mat! This helps keep your material in place on your mat, for better cutting results.
We hope to have pricing and preorders set up in the store in the VERY near future!
Don't forget, we also have gift certificates, available in any dollar amount, so your whole family can chip in together and get you this great machine!
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