Burton Avenue

Freebie Friday - Simple Shamrock

2012-03-09T17:36:00.004-07:00

I've been learning how to make my digital cutter files available in different file formats, so I can share them with you! Each Friday, I will post a link for a free file for your digital cutter! The file will usually be from something I have created earlier in the week, so you can see what it looks like cut and have an example of a project you can make. Downloads will be available for one week and are for personal use only. Links are at the bottom of the post. Here are this week's freebies. Enjoy!

Here is the project I made. A simple shadowbox frame with scrapbook paper for the background and vinyl applied to the glass.

As always, if you have any problems with the files, please let me know (this is still a learning process for me). I've included .jpg, .png, .svg. .ai, .eps, and .gsd in the zip file. Just click to download.

Simple Shamrock.zip

Simple Shamrock Decoration

2012-03-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

This was an easy St. Patrick's decoration that took about 5 minutes to put together and everything I used was leftover from other projects! The background is actually Christmas scrapbook paper, but the colors matched my vinyl perfectly.

The cute shamrock will be this weeks freebie. I hope you'll come back later and grab it!

Salt Dough Shamrocks

2012-02-29T16:52:00.001-07:00

Since February is basically over, it's time to put away the red and pull out the green. Oh, and then I realized...I don't really have decorations for St. Patrick's day. What a great reason to get crafty! I have some pegs on my seasonal shelf that I like to hang small holiday items on. So, that was the first project I tackled. Instead of paper or wood, I thought I would try salt dough.

I had never used salt dough before. But, I've made plenty of sugar cookies and figured it would be about the same (just no tasting the dough). Here is the recipe I used. I cutout shamrocks in two sizes with plastic cookie cutters. I also used a toothpick to make small holes for the wire.

After they had completely dried, I sanded down the rough edges. I painted them in two shades of green and then splattered them with the other green. I glued them together and threaded wire through the holes. Then, I tied a piece of fabric to the top.

This was a really easy and inexpensive project. With all the great cookie cutter shapes available, I can see myself trying this again for other projects!

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Freebie Friday - Lucky Shamrock

2012-02-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here is the freebie for this week. I used it to create a quick and easy holiday decoration by applying the vinyl to a silver charger.

Lucky Shamrock.zip

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St. Paddy's Day Charger

2012-02-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

Even though my Valentine's decorations will stay up through the end of the month, I thought I'd get a head start on some St. Patrick's decor. Here is my first project.

I really love using these chargers for vinyl. They are so inexpensive and make such a cute and easy decoration.

Come back on Friday for the free digital cutter file to make your own!

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Freebie Friday

2012-02-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

This week's freebie is a cute cupcake with the phrase "sweet" below it. I used it with heat transfer vinyl to create a cute t-shirt for Valentine's day. But, it's generic enough to be worn any time. It would be cute in other colors or use it as a template to create a fabric applique.

Sweet Cupcake.zip

Heat Transfer Cupcake T-Shirt

2012-02-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

My daughter absolutely loved this shirt I made for her for Halloween. So, when I mentioned I was going to make her one for Valentine's day, she wouldn't leave me alone until it was done! Luckily (after I designed the cupcake), it took about 20 minutes to put it together.

I found the shirt on clearance for $3.00, so this project was cheap! I love heat transfer vinyl because you can create whatever you want and the results look professional.

Come back on Friday for the free digital file so you can make one for your sweetie!

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Co-Hosting Tuesday Time Out!

2012-02-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm hosting Tuesday Time Out with

Melanie from Reasons To Skip The Housework

If you link up here or there, you'll be on both linky lists!

Please link to your post - not your main blog address.

Have fun!

{If you're feeling friendly, you can add the TTO button to your party list.}

Freebie Friday

2012-02-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Loopy Heart

Here is the project I created using both images, a dollar store plate made cute and perfect for cookies and other treats.

If you need a file type that is not listed, please let me know. Also, since my cutter only uses a few files, I couldn't test cut all of them. Please let me know if you have any problems.

Heart Border-SVG

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Loopy Heart Plate (w/Vinyl)

2012-02-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

Valentine's is a great holiday to make cookies for friends, neighbors, and people you love. Cookies are always yummy, but putting them on a cute decorated plate, makes them look even more delicious. I created this fun loopy heart plate using a white plate from the dollar store and some red and pink vinyl.

Even though it was a little tricky applying the vinyl on the curved edges of the plate, this took less than 10 minutes to put together. If only making and decorating cookies was that quick.

Get the free digital cutter file for this project here.

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Funky Heart Door Hanger

2012-02-01T19:54:00.001-07:00

My husband bought me a jigsaw for Christmas and I thought it was well past time to put it to use. Since Valentine's is right around the corner (and I can't find some of my Valentine's decor), I thought it would be fun to try making a heart door hanger.

I cut and sanded two sides of a funky heart shape..

I painted one side red and the other white.

I created this heart background, cut it out of vinyl and applied it to the wood. With the transfer tape still on, I used a sharp craft knife and trimmed around the wood.

Then, I removed the transfer tape and glued the two pieces together.

I drilled two holes, added some curly wire and a raffia bow.

I already had everything I needed on hand.

So, this project was free. I {heart} free!

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Valentine Block Subway Art

2012-01-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

Today, I made my first "block" subway art with vinyl. It's pretty much like any other subway art, but the dimensions are square instead of the usual rectangle. I like this for vinyl, because there are lots of square items (wood blocks, tiles, glass blocks, shadow box frames, etc.) that make projects super fast and easy.

I used a bunch of cutesy, curly fonts for the words and then cut them out of three different colors of vinyl. Then I applied them to a painted square block.

Yep, quick and easy!

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Love

2012-01-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is probably the quickest and easiest project I have done in a long time.

I found this white melamine shelf downstairs and figured I could put it to good use. I used a cursive font and just extended the first and last letters, cut it out of vinyl and stuck it on the shelf.

No painting, no mess...now that's something I love!

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Snow Gear Organizer

2012-01-14T22:57:00.001-07:00

Last week, we finally got enough snow to play in. Snow means snow pants, boots, gloves, scarves, coats and hats all come out so the kiddies can play. But, once the playing is done, I am usually left with a big pile of snow gear that doesn't get put away. Since I am trying to be more organized, I thought this would be a great excuse to make a snow gear organizer.

I had the wood leftover from an old table top. First, I painted it blue and then a coat of silver that I lightly sanded off.

These baskets were also left over from another project. I thought they would be great for hats and gloves (or any other items that don't hang).

Then, I added some hooks at the bottom, perfect for scarves and snow pants.

Finally, I added some vinyl lettering just to make it a little more fun.

This is located by our back door, which is where the kids go out to play.

Since, this is stuff that the kids only wear when they play in the snow, it will be nice to have it separate from our everyday outerwear. No more digging through coats and backpacks to find their snow pants and gloves!

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Shimmering Candle Holders

2012-01-11T23:49:00.004-07:00

I saw this idea on Krylon's website and thought I'd try making some snowflake candle holders. They were really easy to make. The hardest part was deciding what I wanted to put on them.

I made some snowflakes and swirls out of vinyl and applied it to a glass candle holder (be sure to clean the glass, first).

I taped off the outside and spray painted a few light layers of blue on the inside.

After that dried, I removed the tape and carefully taped off the lip and covered the top with more tape. Then, I spray painted the outside metallic silver.

Once it was dry, I carefully removed the vinyl and was left with these!.

So pretty

and easy!

I'm already thinking about some cute designs for Valentine's!

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Tree Skirt to Table Runner

2012-01-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

I've had this tree skirt for maybe 6 or 7 years and I really love it. The problem is, we repainted our front room green 3 years ago and I haven't used it since. But, I just haven't been able to get rid of it. For some reason each Christmas, I pull it out with the other decorations, remember we don't use it, and then pack it away at the end of the season. This year, I was thinking about making a winter table runner and realized the fabric of the tree skirt would be perfect.

It took some strategic planning to cut all the pieces out of a circle, but I was able to get all that I needed.

I found some inexpensive blue satin and used it for the lining (instead of the original blue lining) and a border and then trimmed it with some silver ribbon.

Now, I have a pretty winter table runner.

And I can quit pulling out that tree skirt every year!

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A Place for Everything

2012-01-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

One of the Habits of Highly Organized People, is to find "a place for everything". Is it really possible for everything to have a place? I can't imagine all the time I would save. I wouldn't waste time looking for things or get frustrated for putting them somewhere I thought I would remember. Since time is something I am always wishing I had more of, I thought this would be a great goal for the new year.

I cut the quote out of vinyl, put it on the glass of a shadow box frame and added some scrapbook paper to the back. Now, I am constantly reminded of my goal. Hopefully, along the way, I will have some tips, tricks and projects I can share and find out if it really can be done.

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Best of 2011

2011-12-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

With the year coming to an end, I thought I'd wrap it up by sharing some of my most popular posts and since it's 2011, I'll share eleven. So, for any new readers, here are some projects you might have missed.

1. (Cereal Box) Lighthouse Candle Holder

2. Easy Art Center

3. Burlap Ghost Lights (PB Knock-off)

4. Measuring Cups/Spoons Organizer

5. Christmas Charger

6. Snowman Soup Gift Idea

7. Burlap Spider Web Garland

8. Oversized Dry Erase Magnetic Calendar

9. Turkey Favor Tins

10. Homework Helper

11. Job Charts

Hope you have a fabulous New Year! See you in 2012.

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New Years Plate and Printable

2011-12-28T22:39:00.000-07:00

There were a few people on my holiday giving list that were away for Christmas (and a few that I just didn't get to). Since Christmas is over, I thought it would be cute to put together a New Years themed gift.

I cut vinyl numbers in different fonts and sizes and applied them to a white plate. I added some cookies, wrapped it up and attached some fun new years items.

Here is the printable. To print, first click to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer.

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Guest Posting at A Little Tipsy

2011-12-27T22:16:00.003-07:00

I'm guest posting over at A Little Tipsy. I hope you'll stop over and check out my tutorial to make this fun balloon topiary.

Christmas Candy Subway Art (vinyl)

2011-12-21T16:57:00.003-07:00

I got this plain platter for a buck and thought it would be fun to dress up. I'll probably be putting some type of Christmas candy on it, so I came up with this Christmas candy subway art.

I'd love to make some of my digital cutter files available to download, but I'm still trying to figure out what types of files different cutters use. If you own a cutter and would like this (or possibly future layouts), let me know what type of file your cutter can import, and I will try to make it available to download.

Be sure to check out these great linky parties:

Snowman Soup Gift Idea (with Printable)

2011-12-16T17:50:00.002-07:00

I've seen this snowman soup idea all over and thought it would be a great neighbor gift this year. There are already so many different variations, but I had these mugs left over from another project and figured I could turn them into cute snowmen mugs.

I cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth in vinyl and applied them to the mug.

I thought this snowman would look extra cute with a hat. So, I cut a doughnut shape and rectangle out of craft foam. The diameter of the circle should be about 2" larger than the top of the mug and the center should be about 1" smaller. The rectangle is about 2" tall and long enough to go around the inside of the circle, plus an inch. Then, I just glued the two ends of the rectangle together and glued that on top of the doughnut.

I wrapped some small marshmallows, a couple packages of hot chocolate, and some peppermint kisses in a cello bag. I tied it with some white ribbon and tied on the candy canes and Snowman Soup poem.

There is no top on the hat, so the bag can poke out.

Isn't he cute?

That's one down, only 17 to go!

Here is the printable. To print, first click to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer.

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Stenciled Fabric Magnet Board

2011-12-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to be asked to do a review on a stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils! Before they contacted me, I already had a project that I was going to stencil, but I was going to try doing it with vinyl. Once I started, I quickly realized how much easier it was to use their stencil over vinyl. Here is my project. It's a magnet board that I covered with stenciled fabric.

After searching their website, I found this stencil and knew it would be perfect. Their shipping was fast! I was amazed at how quickly I received my order. I started by spraying the back of the stencil with adhesive, then I placed it on top of my fabric. I used a stencil brush and dabbed on white paint until I had covered the entire stencil.

I thought it would be fun to add a little color, so (after the white had dried) I dabbed some blue and green over some of the smaller seeds of the stencil.

Then, I carefully pulled the stencil off the fabric. Isn't it a little scary to lift off a stencil? I've had plenty of stenciled projects where the paint has bled, so I was pleasantly surprised with how good this looked and how easy it was.

Then, I glued the fabric to my metal board and added a frame. I thought it would look cute with some seeds blowing off, so I found a few little ones from the stencil and added them to the top corner.

Using this stencil made this project fast and simple. I'm already thinking of other places I could dress-up with a stencil!

Cutting Edge Stencils has great information and videos on their website, too.

You can also find more videos on their You Tube channel.

The winner is. . . .

JEN!

Jen said... Um, this is fabulous! What a great idea!
~Jen

December 18, 2011 5:59 AM

Jordan! Check your email!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Guest Posting at Craft Gossip

2011-12-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm guest posting over at Craft Gossip! I'm sharing my tutorial to make these over-sized pillar candles from cardboard tubes. I hope you'll stop over and take a look.

Peppermint Candy Plate (with vinyl)

2011-12-12T14:29:00.003-07:00

Turn a plain white plate into a cute peppermint candy plate, great for treats and gift giving. I used a plain white plate from the dollar store and cut out the design in red vinyl. I marked the center and applied the vinyl. Since the plate is curved, it took a little extra work to get the stripes to lay flat. I wrapped the stripes around the edge of the plate and then trimmed them with a sharp craft knife.

Add some yummy peppermint candy, wrap with cellophane, and tie on both sides to create a cute candy gift plate.

Here is the template I used. Click to enlarge, then right click to save to your computer. Make the size about 1.5 inches larger than your plate.

Peppermint Bark

2011-12-11T16:36:00.001-07:00

Back in junior high and high school, I had a friend who would always make this yummy peppermint candy for Christmas. I looked forward to it every holiday season. A few years back, I emailed her for the recipe, but never got around to making it. This year, I had a project that would be great with peppermint candy, so I decided to make it. Little did I know, it's pretty much the recipe floating all around blog world.But, I'll share it anyway.

1 lb. Vanilla Candy Melts or Vanilla Almond Bark

1 tsp. Peppermint Extract

3-4 Candy Canes

Red Food Coloring (optional)

1/2 cup Chocolate Chips

Crush the candy canes (you can also used wrapped mints) in a blender. Follow the package directions to melt the vanilla candy. Stir in the extract. You can make it weaker or stronger depending on your preference (I love mint flavored candy, so I added an extra 1/2 tsp). You can also add a few drop of red food coloring (I did not). Stir in the crushed candy canes and spread out on wax paper. Melt the chocolate chips so they are nice and runny. Drizzle over the candy and wait for it to harden (I put it in the freezer). Break into pieces and enjoy.

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Powdered Sugar Stenciled Cookies

2011-12-07T11:46:00.001-07:00

This is such a fun and easy way to add a little cuteness to a plain chocolate cookie.

I started with a plain chocolate cookie. I used this recipe, but I shaped the balls to about 1.5". Be sure to make plenty of extras, you know, because you ~~want to make sure they taste good~~ might want some for practice. When I took them out of the oven, I used a spatula to flatten the top.

After the cookies had cooled, I placed a stencil on top of the cookie. I made the stencil with my digital cutter.

I used a sifter to gently sprinkle a light layer of powdered sugar over the stencil.

Carefully, lift the stencil straight off the cookie.

I made a Christmas charger to put them on.

So cute and festive. Wouldn't this make a great gift?

A little note about the stencil...the thicker the material, the easier it is to pull off the cookie. My stencil was made from vinyl because I can usually get more detail with vinyl vs. cardstock, but cardstock would be easier to lift straight off the cookie.

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