AC Cardstock

where’s the cuckoo?

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks around our place… thus the cuckoo title. Me thinks the cuckoo flew the coop! Oh well, on with the make. I’ve gotten out of the habit of late taking pictures of the progress, so we’ll just have a couple.

I did add a sound module from Invite By Voice to this make from Emma Parrish – you can find her shop on Etsy — and it’s really kind of fun to listen to when you open the box and look through the flaps and pockets. I didn’t follow her design exactly, but pretty closely. The audio was a find on Pixabay… yep, they have audio files and video files too!

TIP: You do need to pre-print the backs of each sheet before cutting. I did have to do a little redraw on a few shapes for a clean cut in SCAL — the jpgs just didn’t trace well – and that is a drawback to SCAL on some things especially if there are light lines on the image. I chose not to do the preprint on the back, but did print a separate sheet and cut the shapes. It worked well and gave my box a little more stability in the base and on the side walls.

That birdhouse in the center of the base does stand on it’s own. I changed out the flowers in the kit and used a flower punch. You do need at least 2 layers on the flower for extra strength at the base of the post. While you can’t see it in the picture, there is a Nuvo drop center in the flower for a little extra detail. Each of the images in the pockets are provided in the kit. And there were a few extras left over.

Even on selecting BEST for printing, the colors are a bit muted and vintage looking. I like that. The design is well thought out. She has lots of printable designs in her shop.

I wonder if the cuckoo will find it’s way home again?

where’s the cuckoo?

Additional materials:
AC and Encore cardstock (textured white)
Printer
Bearly Art glue – fine tip applicator
bone folder
foam tape
Sound module (light activated) from Invite By Voice
mp3 audio file (freebie from Pixabay)
Distress Ink (Old Paper)
blending tool

Hoping you’ve got some creative time inked in on your agenda for the coming week. Have some fun and nurture your heart along the way.

they fold flat for mailing!

These Pinterest inspired cards were so fun to make and the last projects for January 2026 that I can publish at the moment! 🙂 Just waiting for a few more things to get to their recipients.

The base for this hexagon shaped box card is adapted from the Valentine Gnome Box Card from Simply Crafty SVGs. I trimmed off the top edge of the base and the extensions on the insert risers. Easy to accomplish in the SCAL software using the knife. Close the path once you’ve completed the slice and removed the unwanted piece. Make sure you re-group any pieces with score lines.

The “realistic” chip and avocado images are a find on freepik.com. They come with a white background – if you want a transparent background you can opt for the premium version and pay for a subscription to the site. HOWEVER, you can eliminate the white using the Paint app in Windows. Choose layers, hide the white. A white background will still show. Then choose the icon for removing the background. The white should disappear, leaving a transparent background behind the chip. I used the eraser and removed the shadow under the chip for a cleaner image. Save As a png and then you can import the file into SCAL. The cut is pretty clean. No TRACE needed since your image is a png. There are lots of other software/app options as well that will remove the background from the image. The above is what I used for this project. The edges of the cut chip images were inked with some yellow orange ink for some added “powdered cheese.” The process is basically the same for the avocado if you choose to add it.

The labels are found in the SCAL library. No shadow layer was added. The fonts used are from the fonts folder on Windows — and were set to print only in the SCAL software after they were sized and centered in the label.

AC Cardstock, Bazzil, Sabor and an old two tone green (source unknown) sheets were used to create the box and inserts. I did use the Tiny Bubbles embossing folder (Provo Craft – retired) to add some texture to the Holy Guacamole box panels. Added a little ink to add some additional interest.

Other materials:
bone folder
Bearly Art Precision glue
printer
Skycut C24
SCAL 6 Pro

The card when folded flat will fit into an A2 invitation envelope.

Hoping you have some creative time carved out in the coming week! Enjoy every moment! Nurture your creative spirit and heart as well.

scrapbooking – restart!

It’s been a long dry spell since I put a scrapbook page together. Nearly 10 years since I’ve created a page for one of the albums.

The heart shape in this layered title was the piece that I really needed to figure out since there didn’t seem to be a way to make the squiggly line in SCAL using techniques I was familiar with. I decided to try my hand creating something in Procreate and it worked! I was able to save the image I created as a png with a transparent background and trace it in SCAL to use as a cut file.

The letters are adapted from the Cookie font I found on Creative Fabrica. I cut all the shapes using the using the Skycut C24 using the SCAL 6 Pro software. I used some Kraft and white cardstock. Coloring in the shapes with Ohuhu markers and some additional inkpads for depth and texture. The font used is Cookie from Creative Fabrica.

The journaling sheet is a pullout from the pocket created by the cover photo. There’s enough room for several 4×6 inch prints to be tucked in there.

That’s it for the this post — I hope you have set aside some time for some creative endeavors today, tomorrow or in the near future. Nurture your soul!

waiting for Spring…

I’m really liking this design. It was a Facebook freebie from Cheryl’s Whimsical Inklings. The SVG was designed for use with a laser but was easy to adapt for use with paper. Just 3 lines had to be reset for cutting and a little resizing.

There are 2 or 3 layers for each cut to add stability since this sign is designed as a hanger. The top layer for the kraft colored base is embossed using a Craftwell 8.5×11 embossing folder. Sadly, Craftwell has closed shop and the folder is no longer available.

The frame was cut in a medium green paper and then inked with a Forest Green ink to add a little more dimension and depth of color. I used a paint pen for the splatters.

All of the other pieces of this design are 3 layers of stacked white cardstock, color added with inks from pads I have in my stash and additional details were added with the paint pen.

I really like how this turned out and while I’ve used some of Cheryl’s clipart on other projects through the years, I really do see how many of her laser cut files could transition into paper designs very easily with just a few clicks of the mouse using SCAL.

SideNote: Hop on over to KadoodleBug Designs as they have translated lots of the Whimsical Inking clipart files into SVGs for consumers.

TOOLS and MATERIALS:
SCAL 6 Pro
Skycut C24
AC cardstock
Encore cardstock
Woodgrain embossing folder (retired)
Big Shot Pro
Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
FSJ Ink pads
Blender tools

checkered bunny

This was a fun 1st project of 2026 made using some files from Simply Crafty SVGs – while I’m sad her store will be closing the end of April, I’m grateful that she’s got quite a few files on Creative Fabrica and is expanding her store on Etsy.

The files I chose to create this Pinterest inspired bunny are:
Witchy Pumpkin (cut at 100%), Hollow Easter Egg (cut at 75%) and the ears from the Magical Rabbit Hat Box (cut at 75%) using only the base and not the inside. I used a border file from SVGCuts and added a rectangle and scoring lines to create the “ruff” in SCAL.

The checkered paper was in my stash — as a single file, so it’s likely I found it as a free file. I printed the paper on 12×12 cardstock and then cut using the software for this design. You do need to print 2 sheets for the panels. I created a “ruff” using a border file from SVGCuts and a rectangle and a series of scoring lines. Buttons are from my stash.

SCAL 6 Pro Software
Skycut C24
Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
Half pearls colored using Ohuhu markers
Neenah white cardstock (110 lb)
AC cardstock (80 lb) White smooth

a little play time…

Decided to get a little play time in this week and do a little designing and creating. The file was created in SCAL. After the first cut and assembly, I opted to make a few changes to the file – And I think the time spent making the changes was worth it. I’ll still keep the version above — but I think I’ll continue to play with the newer file adaptation shown below.

Both are shelf sitters — Finished size of the body is 4.2 x 4.5 x .325 inches. I did place some “filler” in the box to make it a little sturdier. The results were worth it.

Inspired by a design found on Pinterest.

American Craft paper, Bazill cardstock
Also used in making these: Ohuhu and Spectrum Noir Markers, white paint pen, chalk, foam tape strips, Distress Ink, Bearly Art glue
SCAL 6 Pro
Skycutter C24

Holiday Tags Reveal – pt 2

I really like this tag. The mistletoe cut is from a collection I found at Creative Fabrica. The embossing was done using an old border folder and the “merry Christmas” was done using the Foil Quill. Half pearls and some metallic thread and a glittered star round out the rest of the details for this tag. It would also work as a panel for a future card — maybe next year’s card… we’ll see.

Digital image from Creative Fabrica. The plaid is from an old Carta Bella Christmas/Winter collection. I did use an old background stamp for the base of the tag and added some cuts in the plaid for trim. The digital image is propped on a wobble and it’s fun to watch it shiver and shake!

Over the course of the years, I’ve tried to include one tag that has some interactive component – music, lights, wobble, motor, etc. This year, I opted to use a chibi light on a reed switch circuit. The last time I tried that particular circuit I couldn’t get it to work… this year, it worked on the first try! I’ve had some fun with it and the bar magnet was a perfect tool for the on/off switch! I’ll be using that circuit again for sure. The tag shape was created using shapes in the SCAL library. I used two layers of foam tape to allow for the depth of the switch and battery. Since the switch is generally in the off position, the battery lasts much longer than if I was using a regular circuit and a switch at the battery.

These tags are always fun to make. Hopefully, next year, we can bypass the pneumonia and other issues and just have time to play and create! I’m looking forward to it!

Annual Holiday Tags Reveal – pt 1

this year was a bit different than previous years’ reveals. I wasn’t able to finish all 12 tags due to illness… so instead of doing several different posts this year, I’m going to do just a couple. So let’s get started:

Lots paper piecing this year — most files were already on the computer, found for free online or inspired by something on Pinterest.

This first tag is a go cup – all the facial features were created using simple shapes in SCAL. Love being able to use up a ton of scraps as well this year. The embossing folder is from Crafter’s Companion – likely retired by this point in time.

I’ve always liked this bear stamp — I’ve used it for several different projects including birthday cards. For this tag, I added some digital paper from an old Echo Park collection and a bit of the paper yarn I made last fall. The sentiment is foil quilled and the SCAL software makes it to easy to complete a print to cut; foil to cut project!

A third tag is a fun piece — I’ve created something similar a couple of years ago, but I do like this version of the “peeker”. A little bit of ribbon, some Nuvo drops and a white paint/gel pen for details. Fun way to use your scraps again.

Using a file for a laser ornament — the file was from Creative Fabrica. Super easy to do and I just used 2 extra layers of paper to get the look I was after. All paper is from AC cardstock – with texture.

Poinsettia’s are a favorite of mine… they come in all sorts of colors and I thought that the white on white would be a perfect way to display this one. The file is from Maison Gregoria, reduced in size to about 2 inches across finished. Tag shape is made from simple shapes and a little bit of gold pen on the panel edge adds a little more texture to this tag.

We’ll stop there for now…. Just a few more to go and I’ll share those tomorrow.

teacher appreciation – November

These got put together pretty quickly. T was needing something for his “team of 25” at work. These were pretty easy to put together in SCAL — I did however forget how heavy all those apples would be — and that T would need to pack them about 1/2 mile into his office from the gate — We did find a way to pack them in hopes that he wouldn’t bruise them too much. That duffle bag sure came in handy.

Background paper from an Autumn Collection in my digital files, I think. I used Fairy Sketch and Ink Free from my Fonts library on the PC. The tag is printed on a white base and I was able to 12 to a page and still have room for the registration marks to cut using the Print 2 Cut option in the SCAL software. Tags were cut using the Skycut C24.

Hoping you’re finding some creative time doing something you love! Enjoy! Keep nurturing your soul in a creative way.

Gobble, gobble, gobble

I’d wanted to use this file to create the Halloween version, but couldn’t get to it soon enough for this year’s display…

image credit Simply Crafty SVGs

so I decided to see if a Thanksgiving version would work. I think it does! I’m looking forward to putting it out next week!

I left the file at it’s original size, changed out the words for the spines of the books – using vinyl. It’s a fun box to make and pretty easy to assemble. The finished size is about 5″ x 4″ x 6″. A little big for the tiered tray, but will be a good companion piece all in all.

I created the feathers using a triangle from the SCAL library and then colored them using markers. I doubled them up for a clean finish front and back. I added some stitching details and inked the edges before gluing them to the turkey body. These are tucked into the body piece before gluing the sides together, but could be glued to the back panel instead if desired.

For the top of the box I added a maple leaf (also found in the SCAL library), colored it with ink and then roughed up the edges a bit before gluing it in place. The lid to the box is held in place with a hook and loop dot.

If I were to do another one, I think I would change up the book cover colors a bit and add a couple of leaves draping them over the edges of the books as well as add a few more details on the spines about the books with some different wording. Lots of options and I do think I see a snowman in a future iteration of the this file.

On a side note: Sandy is closing her web store sometime next year. She has set up an etsy store and is moving a few things over to Creative Fabrica as well. So we won’t be losing access to her creative files and work. You’ll also want to follow her on YouTube for assembly videos.

Wishing you a creative day! Have fun and keep nurturing your soul….