AccuCut Craft Blog

The 2nd Annual GrandeMARK Challenge begins today!

By: Traci Armbrust

The 2nd Annual GrandeMARK Challenge kicks off April 17, 2012. Designers can enter their projects in six different categories for the chance to win the Grande Prize, a $500 AccuCut Craft Shopping Spree. Six others will win $100 AccuCut Craft Shopping Sprees. You can enter as many entries as you like.

Remember, the more entries you enter the better your chances are of winning!

Here are the Categories:

1.Cardstock-Stationery

2.Cardstock-Non-Stationery

3.Recycled Media

4.Plastic

5.Chipboard

6.Fabric

All entries are due by Midnight CST May 31, 2012. Please be sure to read the rules and check out our "How To Enter" page below.

GrandeMARK Challenge Flickr Group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2012-grandemark-challenge/

 

GrandeMARK Challenge Official Information Page:

http://www.accucutcraft.com/grandemark

 

GrandeMARK Challenge Official Rules:

 http://www.accucutcraft.com/grandemark-official-rules

 

GrandeMARK Challenge FAQ’s:

http://www.accucutcraft.com/grandemark-how-to-enter

 

Click on the banner on the right side of this blog to see entries and the winners from last year.

Good Luck everyone! You're Crafty and We Know It 



 

Our Fresh Start to 2012 Includes My Top 5 Trend List

By Christina Kudym

   A new year brings with it many things, but a fresh start seems to be what I hear and see commented on the most.  What will you do with your fresh start?  Do you want to create and design wondrous things that no one has seen before?  Create THE hottest “must-have” item, or maybe start using different and new media in your creations?  Maybe you want to create some additional revenue with your creative talents for the first time or maybe, just maybe you want to do all of the above.  All I have to say, regardless of your answer, is “GO FOR IT!” 

    In this post I’d like to touch a little on what was popular in 2011 and a few things I think will be big hits, possibly trends in 2012.  To start I’d like to recap our 10 most popular items in 2011.  These are listed in order of popularity.      

 2011 Top 10 Popular

1. Pinnovation
2. Circles
3. Envelopes
4. Anything A7
5. Flowers
6. Cupcakes
7. Boxes
8. Frames
9. Albums
10. Squares

    I am not surprised that our Pinnovation dies came in at number one; these dies are seriously a must-have.  We’ve seen your requests for these unique dies to be made in different sizes and shapes and believe me when I say, “We are listening”.  Were you surprised by anything on this list?  Was there anything you thought should have made the “Top 10”? If so leave me a comment and let me know, I would love to hear from you.

    Now onto the top five Trends for 2012, or at least things that I think are fantastic and should be the top 5 trends.  Hey, it’s my post and I can dream all I want.  Make sure to let me know if you think I'm way out in left field or right on target.     

Drum roll please...

1. Felt, Felt and more FELT – I love this media and really can’t get enough of it.  Many people use felt, but I think it will be used even more than before and in new and fun ways.  FYI the GrandeMARK multi-craft cutting machine cuts felt and all other fabrics.  Did I mention I think this machine is crazy awesome!
2. Hats! – You think Mustaches are adorable (we obviously do, which is why we have a mustache die) just wait until you see hats hit the scene.  Adorn picture in your albums or just use them as accent pieces.  Place a bowler atop Dad’s head perhaps?  Maybe use a fedora and a sunhat on shower or wedding invitations.  LOVE! 
3. I’m a little… - You fill in the rest. Hint: It's a song and an adorable shape.
4. Copper - The color itself and the media I think will be a big hit this year.  Coincidentally I’m wearing a copper hued sweater today.  Just saying.

And last but certainly not least…

1. Recycled Media – This isn’t your mama’s recycling bin.  I’m talking about anything that can be re-used.  Flatware, plates, denim, old scrapbook pages, cards & invitations, plates, playing cards.  Heck, find old textbooks from college, tear the pages out, put cardstock in and bind it with your favorite binding system to make an awesome college scrapbook. 

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an advocate of destroying books; but really, what were you going to do with them anyway?  You could leave some pages inside that are highlighted to kingdom come as a reminder of those infamous “all-nighters” if you want.  Now that’s the kind of recycled media I’m talking about! 

    Just imagine the fun projects you can create and classes you can teach with the five things I’ve mentioned; the possibilities are endless.  Also imagine the profits you will make from your project classes especially the one using recycled materials as your media.  I’ve imagined both, which is why I picked these as the “Top Five”. 

    So, after seeing my picks, what do you think should be or will be the Top Trend in 2012 in the creative world?   

Store Spotlight: The Wedding Company

By: Traci Armbrust

I wanted to spotlight these incredible projects created by the stationery geniuses (Angela Troia and Laura Troia) at The Wedding Company in Manhasset, New York.  The wedding company was founded in 2004 and they create everything from save the dates, invitations, place cards, menus, favors, and shower gifts.

They used the A7 Cards-Dress Pinnovation die and beautiful trims, jewels and tulle on these exquisite birthday and shower invites.

I love the versatility of AccuCut dies and so must Angela and Laura. Look how they used A7 Cards-Frame Pinnovation dies a formal wedding invite then as a birthday invite for a young boy.

 Last but not least, creating unique Save the Dates are a breeze using the Circles-5 3/8" Pinovation die.

You can also follow the Wedding company on Facebook.

"Life is Sweet" Cupcake Mini Album

By: Angela Kelley

Thank you so much Accucut Craft and Traci, for inviting me to be a guest blogger (WOW!), and to share a fun project with you today! My name is Angela Kelley, and I absolutely love, love, love paper crafting!  I am completely addicted to paper, stamps, ribbon, buttons...ok,  I love it all! Oh and the tools, I love my tools! I teach paper crafting and stamping classes monthly here, in Northern California where I live. My GrandeMark Machine not only saves me time, but helps me make really unique fun projects for my classes.

 
The project I would like to share with you today is this fun mini album that I made using Cupcake (NC624 CJ) 2 die set. This die is normally used to make a cupcake card (adorable!), but with some chip board and a small modification to the "wrapper" I created this sweet mini album.

 
Here is what I did. I cut five cupcakes from a thin or light weight chipboard. You could even used a double layer of card stock for your pages. When using chipboard I ink around the edges with a walnut ink before applying my patterned paper, you could use any ink or even paint. Personally I just like the walnut ink with a dauber on the top, makes this step quick. This step is completely optional, I like to do this because I think it just looks a little more polished when finished.

 
I cut the cupcake wrapper from thin chipboard (a cereal box works great for this!) and ink the edges. I also inked around the opening about 1 inch down on the inside.  Cut and adhere the patterned paper of your choice to the outside of the wrapper.Score across the front of the "wrapper" (chipboard and paper) 1/4 from the original score line on the bottom.  Next I cut two pieces of Kraft card stock  1 1/4" x  2 1/4" and scored them both at 3/8" along the 2 1/4" side.

 
 
Now you are going to glue one piece ot the Kraft card stock along the 3/8 " side, to each flap of the wrapper. I prefer liquid glue for this step just because it seems to make a stronger bond. Something that dries fairly quickly is a good thing too. Now instead of an envelope for a card, you have a pocket for a mini album!

 
 
Now the fun part decorating your pages!! I like to mix and match my papers and add interactive pages with pockets, and flaps to open. This not only adds more options for photos and journaling, but it is fun and adds an element of surprise. Just remember that this album needs to be kept "thin" so it will fit into the "wrapper" nicely. Also, I always use the same "wrapper" paper on the front cover of the album as I have used for the wrapper pocket that the album slides into. Mostly because the album does not slide all the way into the pocket, and the top edge of the wrapper paper on the front cover is visible outside of the pocket.

 

 
 
I hope I have been able to inspire you in some way, maybe you will make a cupcake album of your own or maybe you will look at your dies a little differently. How many different ways can you use your fabulous dies?! The possibilities are endless!!

If you would like to see more of my creations, please come and visit my blog Artistic Detours

Have a wonderful day!!

 

National Stationery in NYC

 
By: Traci Armbrust

I wanted to post some photos of our booth at National Stationery and some other fun pics I took at the show and on the streets of NYC.  This show is packed full of beautiful and innovative products and the atmosphere is so electric and exciting.

 
Our booth was 40' x 12' and as packed full of projects as always.

 

One of our most popular new dies was the A7 Card-Foldout #1. I also used A7 Cards-Frame on the inside to create a fun and hip Bar Mitzvah invitation.

 

I also love the new A7 Cards-Victorian. Such a versatile shape and can be an invitation one day and a table number the next.

 

Here are some pictures of gorgeous fashion creations created entirely from paper by different companies in the industry. I took pictures of my favorite three, but there was a hallway filled with about 30 mannequins with amazing outfits.

 

 
Nothing like going into the Godiva store in Times Square.

 

Times Square, still packed full of peple even though it rained the whole 5 days we were there.

 

GrandeMARK Challenge

By: Traci Armbrust

Get excited and start submitting those projects on AccuCraft's website.  The GrandeMARK does it all, so it seems only fitting that we have a contest that showcases all the different and unique materials that can be cut using the GM (Short for Greatest Machine).

 

Just to get you inspired, here are a few examples of the categories you can submit projects in

Chipboard

 
Paper

 
 
 Plastic

 
Recycled

Fabric

 

After posting you're welcome to go to our facebook page and post there as well.  Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Easter Fun

By, Traci Armbrust

I'm really getting in the Easter mood and was inspired by a super cute post on our facebook by Barbara Miller. Using Box-Cake Slice #1

 

So here are some more fun carrot favor box creations.

 
This is created with Box-Pyramid #4 and Seals-3" x 1 1/16" Pinnovation die. 

 
This carrot is Box Pyramid #2 and is cut out of our thin clear plastic sheets.  Check back for more Easter inspiration.  If you have some cute Easter/Spring projects post them onto our Facebook page, we'd love to see them.

Just remember, "everybunny" loves a cute favor.

 

 

 

 

Baby Shower + Pinnovation Dies = A whole lot of cute!

By: Traci Armbrust

Combining illustrations, die cuts, paper, and of course a joyous event, is a great way to create an ensemble that is as unique as the person you are creating it for.  I created this baby shower ensemble complete with shower invite (Diaper #2 mat, Diaper #2, and Seals Circle 1 1/2" & 1 3/4"), thank you card(Buttons #2 and A2-Cards Scalloped), favor box (Box #26), and birth announcement(A6 Card-Tag, Buttons #2, and Flowers #26).  I used Bazzill Basics Paper, Crate Paper Ribbon, Mark Richards clear jewels, and a few cute illustrations from Istockphoto.com. 

 Be looking for sneak peaks in January of our new dies being released at CHA winter. You're going to love them!!!

 

 

Store Spotlight: Events Couture

By: Traci Armbrust

Located in Roslyn Heights, New York, Events Couture truly makes the event. 

 

From corporate events to small personal baby showers, their website and store are full of innovative, beautiful ways they are raising the bar on party supplies and design.  One project in particular is a cute baby shower invite, direction card, and registry card.  The registry card is not a Pinnovation die, but they were able to make a template and lay the printed version just right on the die every time.  If that seems like a lot of work and you are creating hundreds, you can contact our Custom Die Department and have a die with pins created.  This can be done with almost any of our existing dies or with a creation of your own.

 

Events Couture also has a Facebook page with tons of beautiful pictures of their exquisite work and items they sell in their store and online. Congratulations on your success and thanks for the inspiration!

 

 

Oh My! You Need This Die.

By Traci Armbrust:

If you love to do favors and unique place card holders for holidays or special events, you have to get this die.  The idea to make Box-Pyramid #4  into a witch's hat was mentioned to me several times at the last tradeshow by quite a few creative store owners that either already had the die or were buying it to create fun and unique favors. 

 

 

Or maybe you want to use it for a Halloween place card using Seals 3" x 1 1/16" Pinnovation die.

 

 

How about using this same die for an adorable Christmas favor/place card.

 
I love the carrot. It is so easy to curl strips of paper and slide through the square part of the box and adhere inside.  You could also use curling ribbon.

 

But the real reason this box was designed was for wedding favors.  Look how a little bunch of silk flowers really brings this favor to a whole new level.
 
 
Oh the fun you will have with this box.  If you have this favor box, post a link to what you have created with it.  It's a must have!