I have to tell you that when the Big Shot first came out, I wasn't too excited. I didn't use my die cutting machine too often, but I decided I would give this new machine a try...and I'm glad I did. The Big Shot is as easy to use as "they" say it is, and utilizes all of the dies I already owned, as well as using some new dies that I find myself reaching for all the time. And best of all, it allows me to create cards, stationery, special envelopes, boxs, bags and tags, and great gifts! I'm only limited by my imagination, but you know what? I've found the community of stampers I am now a part of shares everything so willingly and will even answer questions as to how they did it -- they will even tell me what to avoid so I don't have as much of a learning curve! You can't beat that!
How many times have you been to a craft show and said, "That is so cute. I could do that!" Yes, you could, but will you? Well, I finally decided to put my brain into action and create some of those things that are supposed to be very easy to see just how easy and economical they really can be. Here is a canvas bag I created in less than 30 minutes, beginning to end. Click on any of the pictures and they will enlarge for you.
Okay, let's start with Picture 1. The fabric called out to me because I know that it is scrapbook paper fabric -- I swear I've used this pattern before and to find it in fabric is SO NOT FAIR! Truly, I totally suffer from a paper addiction and now that the fabric manufacturerers have figured out we paper crafters are addicted to paper, they are making the patterns in fabric. So not fair! But, it matched the ivory on my canvas bag that I picked up for half price (read $1.50) and I couldn't resist! I bought 1/2 yard of each fabric knowing full well this would more than cover me, but I tend to screw up at least once and sometimes twice, so I decided this way, I would be safe. (Hard to believe, right?) All of the fabric, and I have a ton left to create more items, cost $4 total.
In Picture 1, I used heat and bond iron on fusible webbing on the floral pattern and chose some of the flowers to cut out and iron on to the bag. Much easier than cutting paper images and this went so quick, I was surprised. You can purchase heat and bond anywhere and I happened to have picked it up a few weeks ago...when it was 50% off. Just watch and wait...it will happen again, trust me on this one!
In Picture 2, I used my die cut alphabet and just placed the letters on the argyle fabric to run them through my Big Shot. It cut them first time -- imagine my shock and awe when something I tried worked THE FIRST TIME! Well, the machine said it was easy and I have to tell you -- the machine didn't lie! Of course, I used the heat and bond fusible webbing on the fabric first (nice touch, Tami, that you remembered to do this first!). My letters cut very quickly and I arranged them on the flip slide of the canvas bag, ironed those puppies on and voila! A canvas bag that looks great, took me less than 30 minutes, from start to finish to create, and is completely functional! Best of all, the tag is still on it and it is ready for gift wrapping and gift giving.
My original thought was to give this bag to one of my nephews or to create it for my neice who lives in Texas and I wanted to do their names. However, the more I thought about this, the less I liked the idea but only because I don't want to put them in stranger danger -- I'm not a fan of someone knowing their name unless they should know their name, know what I mean? But think about all that fabric out there -- I know my Florida Nephews and my Wooster nephew love the Cars movie and trust me -- if you haven't been out to look at fabric lately, you are missing the boat. I agonized over that cars fabric but decided to wait and see if this truly was as easy as it looked -- AND IT IS! So, while my local craft store has all of their canvas products (hats, bags, aprons, and whatever!) on sale at 50%, and fabric is at least 30% off, I'm off to collect some more items to personalize for them for Christmas. These are gifts I can easily afford to make and I'm making them with lots of love and prayer that they will give my special someone a whole lotta joy in the upcoming year.
Does it make you want to create something just as easy for someone in your life? I could just as easily have stamped on these bags and heat set the ink so it would be permanent. Maybe I'll try that too in the upcoming week. I just really like the idea of creating something myself for those I love and in this economic time, well....I think a hand-crafted gift will be just as much appreciated because I took the time to do it myself. I'm thinking there are so many options -- you just need to look around and think about the ones you love. What do they adore? Is there something you can create for them that fills a need, fits a passion, makes life easier, or says, "I love you!" and I know what it is important to you?
Have a great day and many blessings to you!
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