Merry Christmas!

We're getting ready to head south for a little sun and sand over Christmas, but I wanted to take a moment to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your families in 2011.

I look forward to more crafting with you next year!

Using the New Basic Shapes in MTC version 3.2

If you're new to Make the Cut!, or if you just updated and can't figure out where Basic Shapes went, this tutorial will show you how to access Basic Shapes and all the great new shapes that are available, as well as how to add your own custom shapes to the Basic Shapes library.

More Great Deals from Lettering Delights

Lettering Delights has a great holiday deal and a whole bunch of new SVG files! Use coupon code HolidayDelight to save 30% on purchases of $15 or more.

Plus check out some of the great new sets they've just introduced! There's tons of new Christmas images including snowflakes, trees, ornaments and so much more. Just click on the image below to see the whole collection. And make sure you check out pages 2 and 3 to see the cards, envelopes and boxes they've introduced as well!

Free Cutting File - Paper Pals Summer Clothes

We're headed to Jamaica for Christmas and I'm looking forward to a week of sun, so I thought my Paper Pals could use some summer clothes! :-) The download includes a sundress and sandals for a girl, and shorts, tank top and sandals for a boy. And if you haven't picked up the Paper Pals doll body yet, you can grab it here.

Just click on the preview image to download the files. MTC and SVG files are included in the free download. Enjoy!

Fabulous News about Make the Cut!

Woohoo! Version 3.2 of Make the Cut! is here and it's fabulous! Some of the great new features to play with:

• Create rhinestone patterns
• Wrap objects and text to any path
• Over 130 basic shapes are now included with MTC
• Rotate the mat to portrait or landscape orientation

And lots more! I'll be doing some more tutorial videos very soon, demonstrating the new features.

If you've already purchased Make the Cut!, the upgrade is free, just like all upgrades! You can download the new version here. It is recommended that you uninstall any previous versions of Make the Cut! that you might still have on your machine when you upgrade.

And if you haven't purchased yet and want to try it out, there is a free 30 day trial version available, which you can download here. The trial version is fully functioning, but cuts a watermark when you cut. Once you've decided to purchase (which I'm sure you will once you've had a chance to play with it!) you can purchase a license code here, then just enter it the next time you start up Make the Cut!

And on a totally different topic, I just received my first stamp order from Peachy Keen Stamps. I ordered the assorted face collection to use with my Paper Pals, and I have to say I was thrilled with the stamps. I also got an adorable little snowman stamp, so of course had to try him out right away. Here's what I came up with. I colored him in using water color pencils, and embossed the background using my new Texture Boutique, which I'm just loving. Too cute!

Video Tutorial - Cutting with Lettering Delights SVG Files

I'm back and as promised (in the post below) I have another video tutorial for you! This one shows you how to import Lettering Delights SVG files into Make the Cut! and get them ready for cutting or print & cut projects. The video also demonstrates a number of features of the Layer Properties palette including renaming and recoloring layers and breaking items into their own layers. The tutorial is done in version 3.0 of Make the Cut!, so remember that if you haven't upgraded yet, you'll be looking for the Gear icon rather than the SVG button to import your file. I hope you find it helpful!

JOY - Mojo Monday Challenge

I finally got a card made for a Mojo Monday challenge, and I'm so pleased with how it turned out!

Here's the challenge sketch:

And here's the card I made:

And another view:

The snowman is from one of Lettering Delights new SVG sets, Merriment. If you'd like to try out their new SVGs, the Merriment and Merriment Alpha sets are free right now.

I cut him out of Coredinations cardstock using Make the Cut!, and added flock to his collar and cuffs, then popped him up using Pop Dots. (I'll also be posting a video tutorial very soon, probably later tonight, showing you how to prepare Lettering Delights SVG files for cutting or print & cut projects in Make the Cut!) His button and the bling are from Imaginisce, and the Joy stamp is from Inkadinkado.

The gorgeous background paper is from the Lost and Found line by My Mind's Eye. When I spotted this paper with the glittery stripes, I couldn't resist, I had to have it!

Free Cutting File - Gift Tag

Are you getting your holiday gifts wrapped? Here's a pretty layered tag that you can add for a personal touch.

Just click on the preview image to download the files. MTC and SVG files are included in the free download. Enjoy!

My Stocking is Hung, Sort of

Here's a simple little card I made using my Christmas Stocking cutting file. I've got a few other ideas in mind for this file, and as luck would have it, I have a scrapbooking day planned with my sisters this weekend, so you might be seeing some more projects soon! :-)

For this card, I snipped off the ribbon piece and added a piece of real ribbon. I inked the edges of the stocking and used a white pen to add some faux stitching around the patches. I also inked the edges of the card itself.

Exciting News! Lettering Delights now offers SVG files!

Have you heard the news? Lettering Delights just introduced their brand new line of SVG files for all us cutters! Their first few sets are out now, hurry and check them out! And while you're there, don't forget to grab the two FREE sets, Merriment and Merriment Alpha. Merry Christmas to all of us!

Free Cutting File - Christmas Stocking

Here's another freebie file for you, a cute little Christmas stocking to dress up your scrapbook pages or holiday cards.

Just click on the preview image to download the files. MTC and SVG files are included in the free download. Enjoy!