IPad Sketchbook Pro

I've been using my break time to learn how to draw on the Ipad with Sketchbook Pro. Drawings here.

Made the front page of Etsy

My 15 minutes of Etsy fame on Canada Day. Soap tote is on lower left.

It was always my Etsy dream to one day get on the front page, and here it is and it was so anticlimactic. One thing I noticed is that I got no sales from this. What I do get sales from is an Etsy Finds feature. Based on the views from past Etsy finds features, I need about 80-100 views to make a sale.

Living Pixels lamp by Yanko Designs

These lamps are made from recycled banners. The coloured part of the banner is on the inside and only shows when the lamp is turned on. I'm going to have to give this technique a try sometime.

It looks like the individual pieces are squares with folds at the corners. So a Sure-Cuts A Lot file could be created for the Cricut Expressions from drawing software. The drawing file would be comprised of squares with optional dashed lines for the folds. I'm not sure how the vinyl is attached to the underlying frame though.

Ups and Downs

A page from my notebook about some of the highs and lows I've experienced as I try to create and sell my stuff. I hope you find it amusing.

Custom Bicycle Handlebar Bag

I made this bicycle handlebar bag for Sandra Brunner to go with her panniers. It features a detachable shoulder strap and velcro loops to attach to the bicycle handlebars. It has a lapped zipper and a floral racing stripe.

Custom Notebook

Cam from chrome dome designs wanted a custom 5X7" notebook so I made this. I traced his logo in Adobe Illustrator and found the font he used on his website with this nifty font finder Whatthefont. In Whatthefont you submit a picture and identify the letters and it gives you a few font equivalents to the image you submitted.

I'm finding that with adhesive vinyls using a medium blade depth and a medium pressure in the Cricut Expressions usually does the trick, and it was trial and error to find which particular vinyls worked best. For example a glossy vinyl I tried tended to rip in an "accordian fold" manner on some of the fine letters. So I used a matte vinyl instead.

Got a great haul of adhesive vinyl

Thanks to Roy Alexander for the connection and Bob Cook at Branded Visuals for the end pieces and leftovers of adhesive-backed vinyl. I feel like a kid in a candy store. There's lots of etch vinyl which I can use for frosted glass effects and to tint colors.

I spent a good hour rolling together similar colours, and listening to the Vinyl Cafe, an amusing coincidence.