Coffee Mug and Pen Tool Tutorial by Lori m.

Using one of the bosskutdiecuts files by Judy Stark, I put this cute coffee mug card together.. 

The Coffee Mug file was made into a Print and Cut Mug shaped card, with Judy’s permission, for me to use as an example.

Of course, every Gazelle needs a little bling even if it’s one on a card. 

If you haven’t purchased the new Gazelle Funtime IV upgrade, you can’t even imagine all the fun you’re missing.

Here are a few things I’ve been playing around with, like the coffee mug squiggly.

If you click on your right side “Free Hand” tool it will bring up a selection box. From here you’ll have multiple choices to choose from, two being Calligraphy. I just keep playing around with the different size brushes and practice squiggly lines and curves until I find one that works with my project.

                                  

Here are a few more examples to show the differences between Calligraphy 1 and 2. Pretty cool huh?  It just keeps getting better.

Now if you click on your Color selection box, look to the bottom and click on the Brush and Tools buttons, the fun keeps getting better

                 

Once you select the brush feature it brings up another box named “Pen”.  From here I scrolled down, and then selected a dashed line and you can see my squiggles turned to dashes.  Have fun trying out the different affects you can get doing this.

Ready for a little more fun?

Now using the features selected up till now, let’s take this one step further and add in our “Scissor” tools.  Here, I opted to go back and use the straight line instead of dashed line.

Your lines will now be in the pattern of Scissors you chose, play around with the sizing and patterns. Fun is what it’s all about.

Moving along!

Now I’ve used my slider on the Color Box at the bottom to add even a little more dimension to the designs, pretty cool right? I bet, I’ve drawn over a thousand squiggly lines in a few days just having fun with these tools alone.  I guess I should try out the rest of the new features. 

My list of ingredients:

1. Coffee Mug with Candy Sticks by Judy Stark.

2. Pink and White Rhinestones from www.bosskut.com.

3. Pretty Siam Pink Seam Binding from www.bosskut.com

4. Scotch Glue Stick

5. Ranger distress markers, “Spun Sugar” and “Frayed Burlap”.

6. Studio G Glitter Glue

7. Stampin Spot “Ruby Red” mini ink pad

8. Ranger glossy accents.

Enjoy, and have fun, that’s what crafting is all about

Lori m.  - Bosskut Design Team

WINE GLASS LAMP SHADE by Jamie G

Files Used: Heart Doily by Phyllis Parkins BKD 092, Heart Doily by Judy Stark BKD 081,
Materials: Vellum, computer printer

I've seen lamp shades on wine glasses circulating on Pinterest and other craft blogs. I immediately loved the look of them and knew that I had to create my own. Seemed simple enough, until I decided to create my own cut file instead of importing an already existing template available. I started with trial and error and ended with a lot more error.

I really wanted to be able to make my own cut file for the simple fact I wanted to be able to share that within the Boss Kut Forum and I wanted a custom fit for the specific wine glasses I was using. With little success on my own, I commissioned my dearest husband for the math part that I was missing. He figured out the size of the large circle, small circle, and how much I needed to cut away from it to create the size cone I wanted to end with. He did explain it to me and I honestly tried to understand but I'm thinking that if I need help again I know just where to go. :o)

These beautiful wine glass lamp shades would be perfect sitting out on the table for that romantic dinner. With a battery operated tea light, these little shades are perfect to create a personalized dinner.

For the these 2 lamp shades, I used the embossing tool and embossing mat to emboss the vellum with the Heart Doily by Phyllis Parkins BKD 092 and the Heart Doily by Judy Stark BKD 081. For both of these, I chose a lower force setting of 2 and did multiple passes (4) to get the look I wanted.

For the Heart Doily by Phyllis Parkins BKD 092 (pictured above on the right) I increased the size to match the size of the shade and cut it in quarters. I only used 1/4 of the heart doily because I wanted to large swirls for this shade.

With the Heart Doily by Judy Stark BKD 081 (pictured above on the left) I used multiple copies of it at different sizes and just placed them over the lamp shade cut file in different places. Another idea for this would be to emboss just the outside of the heart doily and then cut out the smaller pieces inside. I think that it would make the lamp shade look like it was made from actual doilies. Sometimes it's amazing what you see and can come up with after a project is complete!!

The lamp shade above was easily done using the scissors available in Funtime. I had to start over with the cut file by creating the 2 circles. With the largest circle, I chose the type of scissors I wanted and used the largest setting for the cut. Then I multiplied that circle by 2 and changed the sizes. I cut the circles in quarters and kept only 1/4 for my cut file. I embossed the middle 2 and cut the shade. This could be easily embellished with adhesive pearls, rhinestones, or whatever else you can think of.

I love the way text looks on vellum, just one of those things I guess. For the shade above, I started in Funtime on my lamp shade file. Then depending on how many lines of text I wanted on my shade I created that many circles, all various sizes. I typed out the text and then fit the text to path. After I had all the text typed out, I grouped it all together and mirrored the image. I did this because I think that having the text printed on the "back" of the vellum gives it a softer appearance. After doing that it completely displaces the text on the shade, so I had rotate the text back to the original placement.

My children will be with their grandparents this year for Valentine's Day, so I wanted to make something that they would enjoy from us. For my 2 1/2 year-old son, I made the shade with the alphabet with the "I" "O (replaced with a heart)" and "U" for him to enjoy at dinner. My 4 year- old daughter will enjoy the one with the song "You Are My Sunshine" on it. She absolutely loves to sing that song. My parents have assured me that they will put those out on the dinner table for my babies.

While I tell my family I love them frequently, I love celebrating Valentine's Day. I love making sure they know just how very much I do love them and how very special they are to me.

Please be sure to check out the Boss Kut Forum for the wine glass lamp shade and if you have any questions please feel to post a question or private message me and I'll be happy to help you personalize your lamp shade!

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog

Valentine's Cake by Lori m.

Need a fun Valentine’s Day centerpiece?  Here’s an idea, take a Styrofoam ring; mine was 8” in diameter and 2” high.

Using my Gazelle, I cut my card stock to cover the inside and outside of my mold. I cut a circle 9”, and used my Gazelle Funtime software, scissors feature to create the scalloped edge; this will become my cake base.

The next, part was easy using a few cute die cuts from www.bosskutdiecuts.com. The hardest part here was trying to decide which files I was going to use.

Honestly, what Valentine cake wouldn’t be complete without a few love bugs, and pretty hearts?

Bling, and ruffles, add a little lace, some glossy accents, pearls, flowers, rhinestones and you’re finished.

I decided to add a candle to the center of mine. It looks much nicer glowing with the lights off.  

Here are the Files I used:

1. Popkut Lovebug by Judy Stark

2. Scalloped Heart by Judy Stark

3. Hearts and Flowers by Phyllis Parkins

4. Flowers

Have fun, there so many possibilities using one small Styrofoam ring, imagine a double decker cake using two rings.

Enjoy!

Lori m. - Bosskut Design Team Member

 

Etched Candle Holders by Jamie G

Files Used: Great Outdoor Tree by Olivia Myers 0974, Snowflake available in Funtime
Materials: Armour Etch (glass etching cream), repositionable vinyl,

I love the way that a candle can add that warm feeling to a house and I love having them on in my house. Unfortunately, with a 4 and 2 year-old in the house that's not the wisest of ideas. So thanks to those cute little electronic tea lights I can have some of that glow around the house without the fear of my babies getting hurt.

One evening I was watching my son with one of my candle holders and I noticed how plain it was . . . PROJECT IDEA!! Opening the tree in Funtime, I copied it so that I had 3 of them and then sized them each differently. I cut out several of each size in repositionable vinyl and placed them around the holder. I just thought that these adorable trees looked perfect with the rocks in the holder and a bit of the tea light flickering in the background as a camp fire would.

I applied a thick layer of the etching cream to the trees and then used a q-tip to apply dots to the top edge. Personally, I've found that if I leave the cream on for about 7-8 minutes and then move the cream around, sometimes applying more and then leaving it on again for another 7-8 minutes I get the best even etch. Don't be afraid to play around with it, you may find something that works better for you!

Also, don't forget to check out the images that you have available in the blue book in Funtime! There's so many and that's where I found this beautiful snowflake.

I haven't looked at plain glass the same way since I first tried etching. Once you start crafting and find a technique you like, it's really hard NOT to enhance them to your liking! :o)

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog

PAINTED AND RECYCLED by Lori m.

Have you seen all those beautiful painted Mason jars all around? Well, for me, it’s a painted pickle jar and I love it! My first idea was to make, mine in pink tones and zebra stripes, which would have been pretty too. Instead, I decided to just make more of a swirly pink and white painted jar. Mixing Mod Podge, food coloring and a little water this is what I came up with. I let the first coat dry, and then took a brush inside to make some scrapes so that the next white coat would be a more of a textured look.

I had some dollar store white carnations and wanted them to match my vase a little bit so I used my pink Stamping up ink pad and ran it over the top edges. Of course it needed a little more bling and what better than using a cute ballerina bug from www.bosskut.com. It still needed a little more, to achieve the look, I was aiming for. So by adding the pretty pink Rhinestones and ribbon, it finally was complete. There you have it, my newly painted and recycled pickle jar. Lori m. - Bosskut Gazelle Design Team Member

Let it Snow Wreath by Jamie G

Files Used: Snowflakes 0598, Snowflake by Phyllis Parkins 0875, Snowflake II by Phyllis Parkins 0876

Materials: Wreath, Glitter Paper, push pins, rhinestones, fishing line

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

So, maybe this is considered a Christmas song but I personally feel that it's more of a seasonal song and should be played at least until February. :o) Can't help, LOVE this song and I LOVE the snow! Weird, maybe, but I've come to terms with that and I'm definitely OK with it.

There's just something about the fresh fallen snow when it's really cold outside and the sun is shining. I just love the when the snow sparkles, I imagine you can almost see each individual snowflake. The glitter paper that Boss Kut sells is perfect to achieve this look and pictures really don't do it justice. The glitter doesn't flake off, the Gazelle cuts it easily, and beautifully!!

I recently had the opportunity to work with another brand of glitter paper and was left disappointed. I swear I was covered in as much of the glitter as the project was! 100% convinced me to stick with Boss Kut glitter paper.

Onto this project! I started with a white Styrofoam wreath and added some snow to it with Mod Podge. I could have easily just kept the wreath as was but I wanted some sparkle and added dimension to it.

I then cut out several different shapes of the Snowflakes 0598, Snowflake by Phyllis Parkins 0875, and Snowflake II by Phyllis Parkins 0876 in 3 different colors of glitter paper.

Then I typed out "LET," "IT," and "SNOW" in the Funtime font Cooper Black. For the word "SNOW" I removed the "O" and just added spaces so that I could add the snowflake. With all the words, I outlined them twice so that I could add all the colors to my sentiment

Using fishing line, I hung the sentiment and a couple of the snowflakes to the center of my wreath.

With the snowflakes on the wreath, I simply used push pins to attach them to the Styrofoam. I really like how easy using the push pins are and it make it simple to rearrange it until I got it just as I liked it.
Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog

Snow Days Card by Judy Stark

                         FREE WPC FILE and PRINT-n-CUT in the Bosskut Owners forum

A card I made for the holidays using the free Funtime snowman with tree file. ( in your Bluebook)  I added the snow and title to the file and the extract white from black feature using my Funtime software.  I then added a background mat and ice cycles.  Cut this with my Bosskut Gazelle using 85 wgt cardstock, settings at K/O 15, force and speed at 2. I then added my glitter to the snow and ice cycles and my card is done!  

Happy Holidays!

Judy Stark

LET IT SNOW LAYOUT by Debbie Grommet

This 2-page layout is all about the beauty of snow. It is a special place to display your winter pictures. The snow flakes were created using the layering snowflakes available at www.bosskutdiecuts.com . I cut the snow flakes using Jewel Blue and Opal White glitter papers by Best Creations, these can be purchased at www.bosskut.com 

 Put the snow flakes together using pop dots and add a bit of bling. The papers are Powdered Mountain from Bobunny and the font I used is Hobos in your funtime software.

Winter Scene by Jamie

Files Used: String of Lights by Judy Stark BKD 165, Bunny Silhouette by Karen Taglia 0341,
Materials: Card stock, embroidery thread, Glossy Accents, Mod Podge, fine glitter

For this project, I started out by following Terri's video on how to convert any digital coloring book page to a piecing or print & cut file. I found a great site with some beautiful Christmas coloring pages and printed the page in the recommended PDF format. Or you could right click on the image and save image as a PNG to your computer. Either way, Funtime can import the image to create a cut file. I just LOVE the fact that Funtime can import all sorts of file types including SVG, DXF, EPS, AI, PDF, images (JPG, BMP . . . ), and several others!!

Then I imported the Christmas House Coloring Page and used the auto vecto to create the cut file. I changed the color of the lines so that when it came to cutting out specific colors I was only cutting out the shapes that I needed in each color.

Since this was a larger image, I duplicated the whole image and changed the pen style to the kiss cut. I made sure to leave my outer most rectangle as the regular cut. Doing this allows me to cut out the rectangle (in this case) and then leave the pattern to follow while I'm piecing my page together! Love this tip, BIG thank to Terri for this one!! Make sure to watch the entirety of the video shared above to see how easy this is to do.

Once all my pieces were cut out, I glued them onto my background. I then mixed a small amount of some fine glitter with Mod Podge and "painted" it on to the snow. It's just something to see freshly fallen snow when the sun is shinning that simply amazes me!!

Since you can't complete a winter scene without some adorable woodland creatures, I added in a couple of the Bunny Silhouette by Karen Taglia. Hey, bunnies are just for Easter!! ;o) These little bunnies measure 0.477 by 0.363! Very tiny and my Gazelle did an incredible job at some very clean cuts.

Using green embroidery thread, I outlined the house where I wanted to string the Christmas lights. Then using the individual lights from the String of Lights by Judy Stark I cut some out and applied them to the string. To give the light bulbs more dimension I added some Glossy Accent Tones. How big are the light bulbs you ask? Each one measures 0.139 by 0.217. Once again, my Gazelle doesn't disappoint. She cut each one beautifully!!

I wrapped a jump ring (usually used with making jewelry) with green embroidery thread for the wreath on the door.

I originally made this with the thought of if being a card but as I put more into it I've decided to frame it. I had so much fun with this simple paper piecing that I'm already on the hunt for more coloring book pages that I can create with!!

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog
 

Thank You Cards by Jamie G

Files Used: Layering Snowflakes by Debbie Grommet BKD 078, Sassy Bird Pop Kut 0421

Materials: Card stock, Pen of choice, rhinestones

For this project, I had several different objectives in mind.

·    To have the envelope and card match.

·    Keep the card design CAS (clean and simple) so that I could easily make lots of them as needed.

·    With the simplicity of the design, I could give sets to family and friends as gifts no matter their taste.

For the snowflake thank you card set, I started in Funtime by taking the layering snowflakes and outlined them. I then changed the line to a kiss cut line.

Using a blue Sharpie pen, I let my Gazelle "cut" out the sentiment and the outline of the snowflake. I replaced the pen with the blade and let my Gazelle cut out the snowflake and the rectangle. I attached the light blue paper to a white card base and simple enough.

The envelope was just as easy. I created the envelope cut file in Funtime and positioned the matching snowflake where I wanted it. Again using the blue Sharpie I "cut" out the snowflake and changed back to the blade to cut and score the envelope.

For the thank you card set with the pop kut sassy bird, in Funtime I choose 2 colors to work with. This made it easy when it came to cutting my project and to differentiate between what I was actually cutting and what I was "cutting" with my pen.

I started by creating 2 rectangles and centering them. The inner rectangle I changed the line to a kiss cut line and made sure that the rectangles had 2 different colors. For the sentiment and the outline of the bird, I made sure to make them the same colors as the kiss cut on the smaller rectangle.

Once I had everything laid out as I wanted it, I inserted a white gel pen into my Gazelle and "cut" the kiss cut rectangle, the sentiment, and the outline of the bird. I exchanged the pen with the blade holder and cut out the rectangle and the wings, and the tail feathers of the bird.

I just loved the way the white gel pen created a perfect faux stitching effect on the rectangle!

As with the previous envelope, I created the cut lines and then placed the bird I wanted it. I "cut" the bird out using a blue Sharpie and then the larger rectangle

The picture below shows the 2 different kiss cut options available in Funtime. You can easily access these by selecting the line that you would like to change, then select Setting > Brush / Pen. Keep in mind that the next line you create will be the last pen option you choose.

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member

My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:

BossKut Gazelle Blog

BossKut Company Blog

 

Let it Snow Card by Kenya G

Hello Gazelle Peeps!

Kenya here to share a cute little card using the BossKut Gazelle! Did you know you can use pens and markers in your Gazelle without an additional holder? If you have not tried it, you are in for a treat! For today’s project, I decided to use the Gazelle to draw the snowman image (which came from the shapes library that ships with your Gazelle) and colored it in with Distress Markers.

Ok, it is no secret that I really love the O’Hannah collection! Aside from it being a beautiful cut file, it cuts so smoothly on the Gazelle. This file had become one of my go to files for sure!

The O’Hannah Frame Mat reminds me of a snowflake. I use the O’Hannah to mat the colored image.  I added Stickles to the mat and to the images (nice and sparkly). It turned out great right?

I hope you all enjoyed today’s project! Check out BossKut.com for files and inspiration! Thanks for stopping by, Kenya~

Files:

Ohannah frame BKD128

BossKut PopKut Angel w/Tea Light by Judy S

A new ornament for my tree or for a gift.  On our Bosskut owner's forum, we have a Holiday sharing thread going and we are sharing ideas/projects for the holidays.  One of the ladies (Marda) shared using a battery tealight to make ornaments etc. and here is mine! 

I used the newly released PopKut Angel .   The angel has a mat with it and I cut the mat using the aqua glitter paper from Bosskut.  I  cut the angel using 85 wgt cardstock and applied Sookwang tape over the paper. (before cutting)  I cut using my Gazelle and settings were 2 speed,2 force and K/O at 15. I cut it 2 passes.  The sookwang is a little thick and I wanted a nice clean cut. It is best to go 2 passes at a lower force.  My Angel is 6.5 inches tall.

I removed the cross in the design and replaced it with a star.  This is where the battery tealight goes through.  I removed the sookwang film and used glitter and the burnished velvet technique.  Cut my holly for her halo and added a rhinestine.  I then inserted the tealight from the back to the front.  I snipped the little nip off of the tea light with my scissors.  An easy project completed within 20 minutes and after I add ribbon, on the tree it will go!! 

                                                       Happy Holidays!!

                                                       Judy Tesla Stark

Holiday Shirts using Heat Transfer Vinyl by Jamie G

Files Used: Reindeer Cookie Holder by Judy Stark BKD 169
Materials: Heat Transfer Vinyl, Rhinestones

For this shirt I used the reindeer from the the Reindeer Cookie Holder by Judy Stark. I just thought that he'd look so cute peeking out of a pocket of a shirt!

I started with heat transfer brown vinyl for the head and used the beautiful heat transfer red glitter vinyl for the nose. For the eyes, I applied 10ss cobalt rhinestones. It was a VERY easy addition to a simple shirt that's perfect for the holiday season!!

                                                    
I started by typing out my text in Funtime. For the top portion of the sentiment "It's OK to say" I wanted it to arch. To do this I created an oval and selected both the sentiment and the oval. Then from the top tool bar I clicked on "text" and then "fit text to path." I made my selections in the next control panel that popped up and voila!! Easily done. :o) For a much better tutorial on how to do this in Funtime, be sure the check out Jules tutorial!!

Once everything was as I wanted it, I set everything on my mat in Funtime as I wanted it to appear on the shirt. I didn't cut it this way because that would waste A LOT of material but I'm a very visual person and it helps when lining everything up on the shirt.

Make sure when you cut your design that your vinyl is face up on your mat and the transfer material is on the mat. Cut your design in reverse. Funtime makes this really easy! Once you've created your design, and you're ready to cut, go into the Cutting Control Panel. Under "2. Advance Options" there's an option to "Mirror" your image, select it. I also always select the "Weeding" option when working with vinyl

Once everything was cut and weeded, I started at the top and ironed everything onto my shirt. With this design there was 3 different things to iron on, the top sentiment, the nativity scene, and the bottom sentiment. After the first one was ironed on, I made sure that the iron did NOT touch the vinyl that was already done. I didn't want to overheat the vinyl and cause it to melt.

Directions:
•1. Cut design in reverse Note: Weed design carefully!
•2. Prepare heat press at 300 to 350 degrees F
•3. Press for 15-20 seconds with medium pressure (note: too much pressure will result in glitter baking off of transfer)
•4. Peel backing cold
Can be applied with a hot iron. Set the iron to cotton linen setting. No steam. Place a cover sheet, kraft paper, cloth etc. over transfer and heat for 15 to 20 seconds. Turn to inside of garment and heat again for 15 to 20 seconds. Be sure you test your fabric first.
Washing instructions:
Wash cool temperature. Turn garment inside out. Tumble dry up to 140 degrees.

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog 

Thank You Bosskut Design Team

   A BIG thank you to the Bosskut Design Team Members and Guest Designers for all of your great projects, hard work and dedication.  It has truly been a pleasure working with all of you this year!!

        

       Judy Stark                            Kenya Guard                         Jamie Gillahan

     

Lori m.                                        Debbie Grommet



Design Team Blogs:

Judy Stark :  http://judy-stark.blogspot.com/

Kenya Guard:  http://mygazelleandme.blogspot.com/  

Jamie Gillahan:  http://jamiescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Lori m. :  http://reflectionsfromgranny.blogspot.com/

John and Phyllis Parkins  -  Bosskut

Judy Stark-  Bosskut Design Team Leader