Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WOYW?W 97 - John Henry was a papercutting man

Today my workdesk has a contradiction lol. Like that's a stretch? It's handmade vs. machine, or using a machine to make different handmade or where does machine made differ from hand made lol.

I love my Cricut (this is the Champaign [sic] Expression Cricut. For those of you unfamiliar with it, an electronic Die Cutting Machine. While I usually use the 12 x 12 inch mat, there is a 12 x 24 inch mat available too. It's kinda wonderful :D. I bought it for making titles to scrapbook pages and now I'm doing scrapbook pages, making cards, home decor, boxes, tags... well you get the idea. But I also make projects without it. And I made projects that give me some hand making time supplemented by machine cut things.

Add to that my Gypsy which is sort of a design studio in a handheld device which allows me to weld images, hide cut lines, design in my car, waiting for DD in various after school events, skew images. This is 4 of the same image welded into one new image from my new favorite cartridge Paper Lace.

I've also been having a lot of fun with these two books: Zentangle Basics and the Doodle Formula. Zentangled is a bit too structured for regular usage by me, the Doodle Formula is more my style. But both are very informative.


So I cut the image in the Gypsy on kraft cardstock, but not all the way through. Then I cut off the edge with a craft knife (lots of time for reflecting whilst I did that lol) and opened some of it up. Then I put the kraft cardstock frame on a piece of vintage Anna Griffin paper. And I used some Distress Crackle Paint (need to use Tim Holtz products lol) and lightly brushed it over all the cuts and when the paint dried I glued it to a piece of black cardstock. The kraft cardstock frame was decorated using a Fine Line Sharpie. The black cardstock was decorated using a Signo Uniball Gel Pen. I haven't decided what to do with the papers yet, still mulling over some ideas.

Now if you are wondering, "What's all this WOYWW then?", head over to Julia's Stamping Ground and have a gander. Better yet, take a picture and join in the fun :D.

30 comments:

Nicky said...

Loving the frame you have made machine/handcut ~ Happy Wednesday ~ Nicky

oneoff said...

Ooh, I have gadget envy! I love those frames, and it's good to know how much use you are getting out of those bits of kit.

Thanks for the heads up on the Doodle Formula; I get what you mean about Zentangling, lovely though it is, and will have a look at the doodling.

Bernie x

jude said...

Loving all your creations .Glad you use your circuit just didnt get on with mine .Got the Vagabond and big shot that does me .I only used circuit twice just sat collecting dust .Rather than sitting pretty dusty i sold to a good home few weeks ago!Have a creative wednesday
hugs judex 3

Elaine Harding said...

I really ought to get my Cricut out to use more often. Inspiring stuff! TFS

Cathy said...

Great frame you have made ... happy Wednesday,
Cathy xx

Dragon said...

Glad you are enjoying your machine so much... I would not be able to justify that... happy woyww
Frankie
xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Holy cow that was a lot of work, or at least it seemed like it was.

Helen said...

You are getting lots of use from your big gadget, that's for sure!!

Zue said...

I love what you do! You have some really fantastic results there and the books look just the sort to be very comfortable on my shelves. Thanks!!!
Sue xx 41

karen said...

How interesting that you mention the doodling! Just today I was watching an on-line course by Tam of Willowing and she was showing how she doodles in her art journal entries. I am going to give it a go and was wondering about ZenTangles and if I should look into that, I am glad you mentioned it is more structured, I am not interested in more structure. But I will definitely check out the other book! Thanks!
xoxo Karen #55

donnalouiserodgers said...

I do Art on my Mac and on Paper

I think if you Can DO IT on Paper the machine is an extension,

I rarely see good designs done on machines except by people who primarily can draw (or take non copyright images and use them....)

I suppose the difference is I'd call machine made designed rather than hand made?

either way the stuff you have done is amazing, impressive and definitely hugely creative.

akilli melek said...

wow i'm impressed! the nearest i get to technology is my bigshot and a computer printing out sentiment, lol.
have a fab wednesday
caroline #49

okienurse said...

I love my Cricut and use it all the time for all sorts of things. I have the 12x24"mat and have made vinyl for walls etc with it. Your right about handmade versus machine made but I figure all the work I have to do to design my project and set up the machine to cut it is 'handmade' Very nice frames. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #78

Nadia (WithGlitteringEyes.blogspot.com) said...

Very inventive. Thanks for the info about those books. I will have to check into those!

Julia Dunnit said...

Wow! Great idea..my head would have burst from the scalpel work - admiring your patience for sure! I'm an Adrienne Looman fan; love her style..

JoZart Designs said...

Great to see what you've creative with the Cricut... Thanks for all the info,
joZarty x

Michele Kovack said...

Very cool!

Cauliflower Cupcake said...

I also love my Cricut Expression - but never got on with the design studio. I think I will have a look at the gypsy though. That Doodle Formula book looks great and I'm gonna check it out on Amazon after I've finished snooping round people's desks. Love the frame you made.
Happy WOYWW
Rebecca (84) x

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Cool machines there and what cant they do?! lovely thanks for sharing - Happy WOYWW,
love Shaz in oz.x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Great that you are enjoying our equipment so much. I have one of those books too and I agree it is very good. Thanks for the snoop. Tracy x

Angie said...

Love your creations ....and like the look of those books ...every so often I start Zentangling/doodling and get adicted ...have to prize the pen from my hand lol

Hettie said...

I don't have a Cricut but I do have a Silhouette cutter but it does not do 12 x 12 but I do love everything else about it! Must get down to finding out some of the design features it has!

Tertia said...

OK that first sentence had me so confused I had to get up and get some coffee. LOL My thoughts? Who cares, as long as you are having fun!
Love that frame and the papers are yummy!
Happy WOYWW

BrossArtAddiction said...

Oh I want one of those Gypsies so bad...super envious...lol!

Happy be-lated WOYWW!

I have some yummy candy on my blog if you'd like to check it out! :D

My Blog Candy!

xx Tracey xx

Lovey said...

Oh how I love my Gypsy and Cricut too! I have the Imagine as well...Man do I love that one....
Beautiful...

Elizabeth said...

That machine looks awesome, the books look interesting and the paper is really pretty. Have a great weekend. Elizabeth x #66

Carola Bartz said...

It seems you're really enjoying your gadgets and put them to good use. Love your creativity.

Kezzy said...

Oooo so love your handmade papers of course with a little help from cricut lol. I have the smaller one but not the gypsy but i do use surecuts which is a bit like the gypsy. I have never thought to do bits like this. Im afraid my doodling is a bit crap as my imagination never seems to work well with doodle but you certainly have the knack, wondeful work. Kezzy x

Cricutjunkie said...

Congrats on your winnings. Traci

DonnaMundinger said...

I have that doodle book! how cool but it hasn't helped me yet. haven't practiced enough. Love your papers. such a cool technique. xxD