Who would have guessed that I would be doing a segment on computer crafting products? Linda was our computer expert who experimented and invented many wonderful projects that she made with the help of her computer/scanner/printer. I only showed what she made and explained what she taught me. Now, however, there are a growing number of products out there that are made for helping you craft on your computer and we discovered some that are so easy even I can follow the directions and get good results!
The product that really appealed to me was the CD-ROM from Red Castle called Fit -It Volume 1. It appealed not only because it was so incredibly easy to use but it printed out patterns for making little gift boxes . . . one of my favorite things ! In this case, put the CD into the computer and directions immediately come up on your screen. There is a list of some 30 different box shapes with no guessing about what each one looks like because you can click to get a photograph of the box, click to see a pattern and click to get directions. The directions are incredibly easy to follow because the boxes are all printed indicating where to cut and where to fold. And if you want a different size, simply hit the keys to enlarge. You can print out patterns that take nine 8-1/2" x 11" pages to print then tape them together and transfer the pattern to whatever you will make your box from. You can also enlarge individual parts of the box. A flat envelope box can become a cube by simply clicking to make the sides higher. Print out on patterned card stock and you don't even have to decorate it. Ordinarily when I show a product I only SHOW the product but do not necessarily give an endorsement. This one I tried and liked (figure A)!
Also from Red Castle is a CD that prints patterns for making frames. As with the CD for boxes you can enlarge the patterns with a click of a key.
Included in the list of computer craft programs is Marshall's Photo Coloring System. Marshall's is not new to photo coloring but now they have their coloring products available along with an inkjet canvas so that you can print your photos onto canvas before coloring them. It gives them a different look. The necessary materials are available individually or you can get a starter kit that includes everything including an eraser for removing your painting mistakes (figure B).
Avery Dennison is a name that has been long known in the office supply business and they are now realizing how many crafters use their products in making stickers, rubber stamping, etc. They were among the first to come out with a product that you could print your photos on and then transfer to fabric . . . a T-shirt, apron, etc. The transfers worked wonderfully and easily became very popular but they worked only on white or light colored backgrounds. The newest Avery Dennison contribution to the crafting world is a transfer that can be applied to black or other dark colored backgrounds. They look great (figure C)!
Another new computer item that I enjoyed using was The Art Of Creative Lettering from the folks at Creative Keepsakes. This is another CD that you just pop into the computer and the images come up on the screen. There are dozens of different fonts available at the click of a key and another click will color them in whatever color you select. Make them large or small, plain for fancy, they should be a great help to you scrapbookers. However I think they would also be great for any number of crafty projects. This one is one of the few that is available in a version for a Mac as well as a PC (figure D).
The Hallmark Scrapbook Studio Deluxe and the Print Artist Grande Suite I did not have an opportunity to personally try, however I did see some of the projects made with them and they should keep you crafting for many years. The Hallmark Scrapbook Studio Deluxe includes a wide variety of original Hallmark scrapbook designs, artwork and sentiments for creating scrapbook pages, paper dolls and memorabilia (figure E). Print Artist Grande Suite Volume 12 has a book that comes with it showing the over 200,000 images you will find on their CD. That's correct . . . 200,000! The Grande Suite has all the tools to make unique print projects including greeting cards, stickers, labels, banners, place cards, boxes, 3-D crafts and more. All in all, it should supply you with enough to keep you crafting on your computer for a lifetime (figure F).
Resources Hallmark Scrapbook Studio Deluxe, Print Artist Grande Suite
Available at office, discount and software stores nationwide.
Sierra Entertainment
Website:
www.sierra.com
Avery Personal Creations dark T-shirt transfers (Model #: 03271)
Avery-Dennison
Brea, CA
US
Toll Free Phone: 800-462-8379
Fax: 800-831-2496
URL:
www.avery.com
Fit-It Volume 1: Custom Template Printing CD-ROM, Fit-It Frames Custom Template CD-ROM
Red Castle Inc.
Saint Cloud, MN
US
Email:
phil@red-castle.com
URL:
www.red-castle.com
The Art of Creative Lettering cd
Creating Keepsakes Magazine
Website:
www.creatingkeepsakes.com
Canvas ink jet paper, Perfect Pair ink jet canvas, Photo Oils set
Available at local photo product retailers.
Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group Inc.
Website:
www.bkaphoto.com
Also in this Episode
)
)
)
)
)
)