Making Memories

Video Tutorial Using The Slice

A while back, Jenny made this video for the Slice website showing you how to use the Slice and create an embossed look to your layout.

On this layout, you can see that the designer used the Slice to create a background using the Paws and Claws Design Card.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO

This a a very simple technique using the Slice that you can do to create a cool look to whatever project you are working on.

The ideas are endless! :)

Have a GREAT Day!

Wendy Bretz

Slice Design Card Options - A Tutorial in the Basics

Today we're going back to basics. I’m going to show you the different options you have on your Slice design cards, and give you some tips on how to make the most of those options! I've used lots of different Slice cards in this post. The papers that are shown all come from the Making Memories Panorama collection.

Fonts

Many of the Slice cards come with a font. You’ll notice that not all the fonts are the same size when you cut them out. This means that a letter cut at 2” from one design card might not be the same size as one from another card. When you select a letter, you’ll see it appear in the square on the screen. Sometimes you’ll see the letter doesn’t go all the way to the top of the square, meaning it’s a somewhat smaller font. You can see the difference between the Home Sweet Home font on the left and the Music & Dance font on the right, with both of these cut at 2”:

The same applies to the shapes on the design cards also. Knowing how much of that square the shape will take up when you cut helps you to anticipate how large your final cut will be. On the following cut from the Words & Expressions card, I could see ahead of time that the word only took up the lower half of the square, so I could work out how to line up the cut on my paper.

MS+ cards

Many of the Slice cards have the MS+ option, which gives you the option of mirroring and shadowing features, plus a speed upgrade to your Slice machine. The speed boost is a permanent upgrade and will then work with any of the design cards you have. On the MS+ cards, when you select a shape you'll notice which mode you're in by what the screen says on the left side - Normal, Mirror or Shadow. On the cards that have the Layering feature (see below) this is where you'll notice the Layer option also. Press the double arrow to scroll through the different options. The order is Normal - Shadow - Mirror - Layer (if available) and then back to Normal. You'll notice that some shapes don't have the mirror option because they are symmetrical and so it isn't necessary. On the Words & Expressions card above, you’ll also notice that because this is not an MS+ card, the left side of the screen is blank.

Mirroring

MS+ cards open up all sorts of extra possibilities for your Slice! Here I've used the mirroring feature to make a mirror image of a flourish on the Basics 3 MS+ card. (You'll notice how the word Normal changes to Mirror on the left of the screen.) I've used this idea before and cut out multiple pairs of shapes to make my own border.

Shadowing

Below I've used the shadowing feature for this dragonfly from the Basics 2 MS+ design card. The word Shadow appears on the left of the screen to show you which option you've selected.

Layering

On some of the newer cards and on the Slice Fabrique cards, you'll find a layering option. The layer is a separate shape that you cut and layer on top of the original shape to add dimension to your cuts. Pretty cool, huh! Below is what you see on one of the menus for the Dilly Dally card, to show you what the shapes and layers look like:

This is what the shape and layer look like when you cut them out: 

 
Even if you don't have a card with this layering option, Making Memories has designed many of the shapes on the cards to work together so you can make your own layers. Below is a layered shape I made by using two different shapes from the Wedding design card and then layered with pop dots.

Shape size

This is a small thing to notice but it might be useful. In the bottom left corner you'll see a tiny square and it changes size according to what size shape you're cutting. Below is a stork from the Baby design card at 1" and 4" to show you the difference. Plus, I think they look kind of cute together when they're cut out and the little one can hide in the big one! J

Becoming a fan of the Slice Facebook page will give you more opportunities to find out the latest tips, projects and giveaways!

Caroline

Guest Designer June Goh

Today June Goh is Making Memories' Guest Designer. June created her own embellishments for this layout. Check out her tutorial below.

I really love this Making Memories' paper from the Paper Reverie collection, but I could not find a suitable embellishment in my stash to highlight the page. In the end I decide to make my own flower in the shade that matched my layout.

All you need are a few basic items:

- crepe paper (in any color you require)

- circle punch (or you can just trace the base of an small circle container)

- card stock

- glue (double sided tape or tape glue)

1.  Punch or cut out a circle of cardstock of your desired side. I used both a 1" and 1.5" circle for the flowers in my layout. Apply glue all over one side of the circle.

2. Give the end of your crepe paper a little twist and stick onto the middle of the circle.

3. Keep twisting the crepe paper and stick the crepe paper onto the cardstock in a circular pattern.

4. Keep going until you reach the edge of the circle.

5. Tape the lose end of the crepe paper to the back of the circle and cut of the excess.

Now you have the perfect colored crepe paper flower for your layout.

 

 

A Creation by Jill Schwartz

Today I wanted to share something simple, but elegant. Since my last two creations have been necklaces, I thought it would be good to share a pair of earrings.

Honeysuckle in a rich earthy hue is the color of the year. I love this color combination because it's great for any wardrobe. I added texture using fabric in addition to metal. This pair of earrings demonstrate how beautifully mixed metals work together. Often times people think they have to always use the same metal color, but you don't. In fact think outside the box and throw all preconceived notions out the window when you are creating. You will find your creativity soar!!!!

Go get your Vintage Groove pieces and play. In fact all Michaels stores will have the second collection at the end of this month giving you even more alternatives and pieces to play with.
Don't hesitate to combine the two collections. Your Vintage Groove world is about to get bigger!!!!

Learn more about Vintage Groove at MakingMemoriesJewelry.com.

 

 

 

Table Decor

Here is a simple decor idea for your next big event. Cover some simple kraft boxes with patterned paper. Add an extra touch with ribbon, gems, and die-cuts. Stack the boxes as one piece or separate them to cover a large table.

This project was created with Making Memories' Tie the Knot collection. Check out the Making Memories' website to learn more.

Tip for Spraying Adhesive on Slice Mat

I absolutely love my Slice hands-free kit. It really does make Slicing that much more enjoyable and with a better end result! When spraying the mat with the repositionable spray adhesive, I’ve found the following tip can help, so I wanted to share it with you today.

I love having a sticky Slice mat but I do not like sticky fingers! So I cover the edges of the mat with masking tape before I spray, and just about ¼ in all the way around on the mat itself (to the thick black line). I know I won’t be cutting right up to that edge, so I know that it’s not going to make a difference to the performance of my Slice. However, where it really saves time is when it comes to cleaning the mat – no sticky on the edges to remove!

This is what the mat looks like with the masking tape:

It can also be helpful to run a fingernail gently in the groove between the edge of the mat and the glass board, just to make sure no spray gets in there.

Then spray your board!

(OK I’ll confess: the person who actually sprays my Slice mat is my husband, whose hands you see in these pictures… J )

Once it’s sprayed, you can remove the tape, then the edges will still be smooth and not sticky, and it means less cleaning next time you need to respray.

For handy tips on using your Slice hands-free cutting mat and how to clean it, check out this blog post from Laura Vegas.

If you’d like more handy tips, giveaways and project ideas, make sure you become a fan of the Slice Facebook page!

Caroline

Wedding Frame

Create your own decor for your next special occassion with Making Memories' Tie the Knot collection. This collection is great for big events like weddings and anniversaries, along with all the other ones inbetween.

Create your own flowers by cutting around a paper circle. Check out the video below to learn more.

Customize T-Shirts with the Slice

 

I loved this project that the Slice It Up Blog posted so I wanted to share. Make sure to check out the blog to find more inspiration.

Last week at the Carter's store I found these cute little snap tees on clearance for $1.99 for a 5-pack!!! My mind started churning and I bought all 6 packs they had! I am always needing baby gifts, my plan is to make a bunch of these cute little shirts and have them all ready to go.

 

I don't sew much, but I love cutting fabric with my Slice Elite. When JoAnns had fabric quarters on sale for .99 I stocked up with all kinds of colors and prints. I ironed the fabric onto the Making Memories Fusible Web and sprayed my hands free mat with Slice repositionable spray adhesive. Using the Applique Basics design card I cut out butterfly shapes in different colors and then ironed them onto the shirt. I think these shirts will make great little baby gifts!!

 

 

Guest Designer Amy Bender

Today we have Amy Bender as Making Memories’ guest designer.

 

To create this flower card, Amy used her Slice and Vintage Findings Design Card with the Vintage Findings 8x8 pattern paper pad. 

 

1. Cut eight pieces of a three petal flower.

2. Gradually curl the ends of the petals and add glitter glue.

3. Adhere flowers together with Glue-Dots and slightly overlap.

4. When the flower is complete, add a half-pearl to the center to make it look like a vintage daisy brooch.

 

Thanks Amy for sharing this adorable project with us.

 

 

Slice Idea: Invitations by Wilna

Danielle's card

So, I saw this gorgeous card from Danielle Flanders and totally fell in love with her romantic design. And those little stacked butterflies undone me. So i lifted her in this project: An idea for invitations! This can work for a champagne breakfast, a fancy cocktail, a wedding or any type of party!

I used my Slice elite and the Paper Reverie card to cut the butterflies. I set my sizes on 2 inches and 2½ inches. The bottom butterfly is from the Paper Reverie collection. I used hot glue to adhered the butterflies together. I adhered the pin between the 1st and 2nd butterfly. So each card has 3 butterflies.

To make it interesting, i used 3 types of patterned paper. Are those little bottles of sparkling wine not the sweetest ever? Any questions? Please ask them here, on my blog in the comments.


love and a kiss

Wilna