Respite from the Heat

I read somewhere recently that only in Texas could we get a weather forecast predicting highs in the 80s and feel like it’s going to be cold.  But, yep, it’s cooling off and with that comes all those wonderful seasonal feelings of winning football games, or not :(, pre-holiday activities, holiday festivities, and memories of the fun had through it all.  I invite you to keep an eye on all the classes at Allbrands this fall where you can definitely make some fun memories as you make fun stuff for yourself, your family and your friends.

DecalPals.blogspot.com

Since I try to include tips and tricks in each weekly newsletter, I thought it might help you to be able to find all the newsletters in one place in case you need to reread something.  So, starting today, besides sending out the newsletter via email, I will put the newsletters in a blog at the this link, DecalPals.blogspot.com, and you can go there at your leisure to refresh your memory about something covered in one of the newsletters or to review some of the pics posted in each one.

Making a Vinyl Design to Apply to a Rounded Surface

ScanNCutter Jana shared the pics below.  Really cute idea.  Read on to learn from Jana’s experience and get tips on getting it right on your project.

Here are her comments to me in her email:  “I tried doing this as a wrap. I don't think I'll try that again. The thinner letters didn't peel off very well so I have some holes I'll have to fill in individually.  I think next time I'll try to do each name individually.”  She goes on to say that this project would be cute made up of the names of a group or team.  Jana, keep coming up with those ideas!

So, let’s talk about choosing a design to be applied to a rounded surface.  In this case, the surface is only rounded horizontally although the circumference gets smaller towards the bottom of the tumbler.  This is a bit different than, say, trying to decorate a wine glass where the surface curves on the vertical as well as the horizontal direction which makes it more challenging.

In either case, here are some things to think about at the design point of your project. 

• Choose designs that don’t have large solid pieces. 
• If you have to have solid pieces in the design, try to find pieces where the solid is wide rather than tall.  In other words, if the solid is a banner 3” wide and 1” tall, you’ll have better luck applying it to the tumbler than if it were 3” wide and 3” tall.  As you worked the design onto the lower part of the tumbler, you’d risk getting wrinkles in the vinyl as your tumbler’s circumference gets ever smaller but your piece of vinyl doesn’t.
• If you want a larger design, look for designs that give the illusion of being large but are actually smaller components assembled together.  That would allow you to separate the various smaller components and apply them one at a time to the tumbler.  Again, covering a smaller space makes it less probable that you’ll have excess vinyl that’s likely to wrinkle up.
• If you’re making something that is going to be handled, steer clear of really fine lines.  The Oracal 651 vinyl works really well in fine lines on our SNC machines but better safe than sorry.  If the surface is likely to be touched and washed on a regular basis, just look for fonts and designs free of really fine lines.  Dafont.com is a great place to find free fonts of EVERY kind.
• Don’t be afraid to try and try and try, again.  Oracal 651 vinyl can be removed easily from a surface by using a hair dryer to soften the vinyl where you can scratch it off with your fingernail.  Sometimes, you don’t even need the hair dryer.  If you’ve just applied the vinyl, you might be able to scrape it off with your fingernail or squeegee.  Take care not to use anything that would scratch your surface.
• Don’t expect perfection the first time around.  With every attempt, you’ll learn something and the next version will show your improvement.

Sharing and Inspiring

Here are some other things Jana did with the Frightful Faces files she got in class as well as with some designs she found on her own.

 

Please, please, share your pics.  If you’re not comfortable with me using your name, just let me know.  We’ll keep it anonymous.  No problem.  I just want everyone to see what creativity we’ve got going.

SNC Classes September 2015

I hope to see you all in classes soon.  Here are the remaining classes scheduled for this month.  If you missed the Frightful Faces classes (vinyl on glass home décor and Heat Transfer Vinyl on T-shirts or tote bags), email or text (713-261-7349) if you’d like me to schedule another one.  We can go into the first week of October with that one if there’s interest.  Here’s what’s coming next, ladies.  Call those wonderful wenches at Allbrands, 281-333-5322, to register and save your spot.  We’re only taking 7 people in each of these classes so we have plenty of room to work.  Make sure you call early.

Snow Globe Christmas Card of the Month (paper) – 9/23/15 5 pm to 7 pm $25

Don’t you just love snow globes, especially at the holiday season?  Our Christmas card this month will use the shaker card design to fashion a snow globe to wish everyone a happy holiday season.  By the way, shaker cards have a clear window in the card with glitter or confetti that moves around when you shake the card. 

Time permitting, we’ll make a second shaker card for another occasion of your choice.  Maybe you’ll choose to make a birthday card, anniversary card, get well card, or just a thinking of you card.  These shaker cards are delightful to make and delightful to receive.  So, join us for this class. 

Thanksgiving Word Soup (vinyl) – 9/25/15 10:30 am to 12:30 pm $25

 We’ll make this Happy Thanksgiving word soup on a glass cutting board.  Besides the word layout you see above, I’ll have some cute Thanksgiving icons that you can cut from the vinyl and use to decorate the design to make it your own.

Into the Future

Like I said, text (713-261-7349) or email me if you missed our Frightful Faces vinyl and Heat Transfer Vinyl classes.  I’ll see about getting another one on the calendar in early October, if there’s a demand.

As well, get ready for the bling.  We’ll be doing rhinestone classes in November and December.  I can hardly wait!!  As soon as those details are worked out, I’ll let you all know because I know a lot of you are waiting for the bling.

Word is that the new ScanNCut CM650W could be arriving at Allbrands any day now.  If you’re ready for an upgraded machine, get ready for some cool improvements.  If you’re not ready to upgrade, never fear.  Our classes will not require a new machine for what we do.  We want everyone to join in the fun and we’ll make sure the projects work for everyone’s machine. 

As always, ladies, I appreciate your continued support.  September is my 6^th month to be teaching the classes and I’m really enjoying getting to know each of you and having a good time in class while we make stuff! 

Keep on cuttin’!

Kathy