It’s very simple to do.  Let me show you how.

Supply List:

• I used the “Hey Chickie” digital kit from Fayette Designs.  It’s absolutely adorable!
• Peeps candy
• Snack Ziplock bags
• 3D-Dots by EK Success
• stapler
• scissors or Silhouette cutting machine

I created the bag topper in my Silhouette software, but you could do it in any graphics software program such as Photoshop.  Here is a screen shot.

The topper is 7 inches by 6 inches.  The line in the middle is just for the Silhouette to cut a perforated line so I can fold it easily.  But you can score it just as well.

I created the chick and the “Just hangin’ with my peeps!” saying with a white outline around them.  The gray line is there just to show you how it looks.  But you could also use the gray line to help you cut it out if you are using scissors.

With the Silhouette, I used the print and cut feature.  The key is having it print the registration marks.  Just send it to the printer.  After printing, put it on your cutting mat and load into the Silhouette.  The machine will find the registration marks and cut out your shapes.  (Love that I can print and cut with the Silhouette.  No more cutting by hand!)

After cutting the three pieces out, you have this:

Now simply fold the topper in half.  Adhere the chick and the saying with 3-D adhesive dots.  Put the peeps in the snack ziplock bag and staple the topper to the bag.  It’s just so fun!!

And here is how the back looks!

Leave your comments and questions below! 

I used a swirl from the Silhouette shop on the left. The swirl on the right is from a brush I had in Photoshop. It was harder to trace and cut because of the thin lines and intricacy, but it still worked out.

I actually used the black faux leather contact paper I found at Home Depot. I also placed it contact paper side down on my mat, cut it out, removed the backing and then because my mat is clear, placed it on the Cameo, pressed down, and took off the mat. Fabulous!

What do you do when your cutting machine mat is not sticky enough any more??  No need to buy a new mat!  Watch this video and see how you can have your mat back to it’s new condition, but better, because it won’t be too sticky like new mats are.  So happy to find out about this!

Using the Best Cleaner Ever — new from ScraPerfect.com — and the Best Glue Ever…a SAFE, easy, & inexpensive way to clean your cutting mat and make it t sticky again.  Great for all brands of mats!

When I discovered that I could customize my Control Panel cover on the Cameo, you know I just had to do it!!

How cool is that!!  Let me show you how I did it.

First just open your library in the Silhouette software. (I have the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition software.)  Find the control panel pattern.  Click to import it onto your page.

NOTE:  I couldn’t find it.  So, if that’s the case. Do the following:

• In your Silhouette Studio software, go to File (or Silhouette Studio menu for the Mac)
• Select Preferences -> Advanced -> Restore the Initial 51 Designs

Make sure you leave the size the way it is and just position it on your page where you want it.  I’m using a scrap piece of my favorite paper, so I put it in the upper left hand corner.

Put your paper on your mat, load it into your machine and click on Cut.

There is a little opening at the top of the protective plastic covering on the control panel.  use something non-sharp so you don’t damage it to lift it up.  You could probably even use your fingernail.

Then just place your newly cutout panel, put the plastic cover back on, and you are so customized now!! 

Next up…..matching vinyl swirls on the lid of the Cameo.  Just gotta run to the store for some vinyl.  Can’t wait!  (UPDATE:  See swirls here!  And find out what I used instead of vinyl!)

Not only that, but ArcSoft Inc. has graciously offered to give away full copies of the software to 10 LUCKY READERS!

Review of the PC Version of Perfect 365
(by Cindy Wyckoff)

UPDATE:

I have to admit it….I had to see what I could do with my grandson’s photo in Perfect 365.  I bet you didn’t think about editing babies in this software.  I was able to take an ‘okay’ photo and turn it into a great looking photo in just three little clicks.  Love it!!
Click on photo to see larger:

I played with Perfect 365 on my PC and created a how-to video below that I think you will enjoy.  Have you ever had a picture taken of yourself and then wished you had a little more makeup on or even just some lipstick?  Here’s a sneak peek of one of the images I did a makeover on.
Hover your mouse over the photo to see the differences:

 Watch the Video….

Review Using the Mac Version of Perfect 365
(by Brianna Curran)

When I was asked to review the Prefect365 I was excited because I love taking pictures and uploading them online, but I am not the best with Photoshop. Although, Photoshop is a great tool and you can do endless things with it, it can get complicated and time consuming if you don’t really know what you’re doing, like me.

When I first loaded up Perfect365 I was amazed at, first, how fast it came up and, second, how easy everything is! The interface is easy to navigate through and it’s very simple to figure out how to work all the sliders and tools without reading a long “how-to tutorial.”

On a mac, everything was fast, crystal clear and simple. I loved that there weren’t too many options, buttons and distractions. The whole program is very straight to the point while still giving you lots of options to chose from leaving the people in your photos flawless!

To test it out, I, naturally, picked the most flattering picture of myself to edit.

This was a picture from our honeymoon in Hawaii. Pretty right? I wonder why he married me too sometimes. The first thing you notice, are the preselected faces on the left. They have the whole face with preselected eye makeup, lashes, eyebrows, skin tone, lipstick, blush and they can even thin your face. Dang! If you don’t like those options and want to adjust things more manually, they have a manual tab so you can have more control.

I was amazed at how it automatically recognized my face. It will even recognize mutiple faces in a photo and allow you to edit each one individually. Amazing! Even if some of the makeup seems a bit off on your face, you can manually adjust it so everything goes where it’s supposed to.

So after a bit of tweaking, I was able to give myself a bit of a facelift complete with eye makeup, eyeliner, lipstick, teeth whitening and I even cleaned up my eyebrows.

Ta da! Aren’t I so much prettier now? Well okay, there may be some things that I just can’t fix. It was fun to try out new makeup and see how I look with different shades of lipstick, etc.  It looks so natural too! No one could even tell that I did it all on my computer. ?

Another thing I liked was how easy it was to upload my beautiful face to Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. It takes a lot of steps out of the mix when you can do it all in the program. Just click “share” and log in to wherever you’d like to send it!

If you are an avid self-picture-taker, like myself, or just want a cool way to edit your photos in a refreshingly simple and fun way, Perfect365 is your answer.  It was easy to use, fast and looks so natural!

It’s a Giveaway!

For every “share” that you do about this article review, you get an extra chance at winning.  Pin it, Facebook share it, Twitter, Blog about it!  Link back to this article.  Comment below where you shared – with your links.  You have until March 7th and then we will pick 10 winners!  Yay!!!

If you aren’t one of the 10 winners, you can still get the program for 50% off! 

Perfect 365 Shopping Cart Link for FULL VERSION with 50% off coupon (For a PC, use coupon code scrapbdp365w2.  For a Mac, use coupon code scrapbdp365m2.)

FREE VERSIONS – Low resolution output of images only:

PC FREE Version of Perfect 365

MAC FREE Version of Perfect 365

So I wanted to make something to give to you…to let you know how much I appreciate you!  This is so easy to print out and adhere to folded cardstock.  Love it!!  (Yes, there are instructions included, too.)

I love to draw Zentangles.  (If you don’t know what they are, check out our video interview with the originators of the Zentangle here.) This card has a heart Zentangle that I drew. 

I also made one without the “Be Mine!” on it so you can write your own sentiment. 

I’d love to hear from you.  Leave your comments below.  AND…if you want…PIN it…or share it by sending your friends to this page. Thanks!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE CARD HERE

Nate Berkus is a design expert, New York Times best-selling author, and was a regular contributor to “The Oprah Winfrey Show” since 2002.  The Nate Berkus Show was launched in 2006.  This daily television series explores a broad range of lifestyle subjects providing take-away information and inspiration. Nate says he couldn’t be more excited about his show that is dedicated to living beautifully.

The House Proud segment of The Nate Berkus Show spotlights homeowners that have decorated their homes and shows the clever do-it-yourself projects they have done to make it a home to be proud of!

Be sure to watch Natalie on the House Proud segment which airs this Monday, February 13th!  Record it, go home for lunch, put a reminder on your phone or call in sick (just kidding) so you don’t miss it.  To find out what time it airs in your area, go here:  http://www.thenateshow.com/station-finder/. 

Additionally, we are interviewing Natalie ourselves to find out how she liked her experience with The Nate Berkus Show and we will give you even more juicy tidbits about Natalie and her beautiful home projects!  Can’t wait!

And…if things couldn’t get any better, Natalie will be a Guest Contributing Editor in the very near future at Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine.  Stay tuned!!

“At CHA, we’re always looking for ways to showcase truly innovative product designs at our trade shows that can help shape the industry and spark new trends,” says CHA CEO Andrej Suskavcevic. “The creativity demonstrated by these winning companies in both their products and public displays helps set a standard for excellence at the show, and in the industry.”

2012 INNOVATIONS SHOWCASE WINNERS

The Innovations Showcase brings together the newest ideas and hottest products from exhibiting companies judged by CHA’s panel of celebrity judges, including Terri O, PBS-TV’s Super Simple With Terri O and CHA spokesperson; Jenn Mason, editor for CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS Magazine; Katie Hacker, T.V. host of Beads, Baubles and Jewels; Joy Macdonell, T.V. and online host of Crafting at the Spotted Canary; Julie McGuffee and Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, co-hosts of Scrapbook Soup; Candie Cooper, designer, author and host on the T.V. series Hands On; and Tina Manzer, editor, Art Materials Retailer Magazine.

Winners included:

• Winner: Kodak Shoe Art Film by Shoe Attitude
• Runner-Up: Cool 2 Cast Fiber Plaster by Tiffany Windsor and Yaley Enterprises
• Honorable Mention: The Knook (Knitting Crochet Hook) by Leisure Arts

PRESS KIT AWARD COMPETITION WINNERS

CHA’s 2012 Winter Show featured the return of two press kit competitions, including the Golden Press Kit award that recognizes exhibiting manufacturers for design/content and the Designer Press Kit Award. Members of the press reviewed an outstanding selection of press kits from both exhibitors and designers and voted for their favorites.

Winners included:

GOLDEN PRESS KIT AWARD WINNERS

• Winner:  Sizzix
• Runner-up:  ScraPerfect
• Honorable Mention:  Antiquity Mosaics by Diamond Tech

DESIGNER PRESS KIT WINNER

• Kid Giddy a.k.a. Kerry Goulder

EXHIBITING WITH EXCELLENCE

The CHA Exhibiting with Excellence awards are presented to companies whose dynamic displays and merchandising techniques enhance the overall atmosphere of the Show floor. Voted on by members of the press, CHA staff, and Susan Friedmann (trade show coach and consultant), judging criteria included use of floor space, visual appeal of booth, overall presence and friendliness of staff.

One winner was chosen in each of the following categories:

• New Exhibitor Winner:  Shurtech Brands
• Liner Booth Winner:  Action Wobble
• Island/Peninsula:  DCWV

The next Innovations Showcase, Exhibiting with Excellence and Golden Press Kit competitions will be held at CHA’s 2012 Summer Conference & Trade Show at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., from July 17-19, 2012. For Summer Show information, including programs, events and exhibitor listings, please visit www.craftandhobby.org

About the Craft & Hobby Association

The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is a nonprofit organization consisting of more than 5,500 member companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the $31 billion craft and hobby industry. The Association offers a broad range of member services, including market research, education and consumer branding initiatives, as well as operates two annual trade show events, the CHA Winter and CHA Summer Shows that attract industry professionals from all over the world.

The Craft & Hobby Association’s (CHA) celebrity judges are pleased to announce CHA’s hottest 20 products being launched from the CHA 2012 Winter Conference & Trade Show. The “CHA Hot 20″ were selected from more than one hundred new products entered in the Innovations Product Showcase, which is a small sample of the thousands of new products that will be launched from the Winter Show this week. The “CHA Hot 20″ will be featured during an exclusive CHA Innovations Sneak Peek Media & Buyers’ Event at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on Sunday, January 29.

Celebrity judges include

• Terri O, PBS-TV’s Super Simple With Terri O and CHA spokesperson;
• Jenn Mason, editor for CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS Magazine;
• Katie Hacker, T.V. host of Beads, Baubles and Jewels;
• Joy Macdonell, T.V. and
• online host of Crafting at the Spotted Canary; Julie McGuffee and Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, co-hosts of Scrapbook Soup;
• Candie Cooper, designer, author and host on the T.V. series Hands On; and
• Tina Manzer, editor, Art Materials Retailer Magazine.

Descriptions of the “CHA Hot 20″ products will offer only a small sample of creative products being introduced at the Show.
(Click on images to see larger.)

	Yaley Enterprises Inc.’s Cool2Cast by Tiffany Windsor is a plaster product designed for embedding, embossing, stamping, coloring, glossing and more for jewelry, home décor and mixed-media crafting.
	Leisure Art’s The Knook makes learning to knit easy with one tool – a new and unique specialized bamboo crochet hook, which replaces a traditional needle. No more dropped stitches with a hook and cord to keep them secure.
	Purple Cow’s CraftGeek Pin is a portable stapler for adding decorative metal embellishments to creative products with 10 different pin designs, including hearts, daisies, butterflies and buckles.
	Shoe Attitude’s KODAK Shoe Art Film is an at-home shoe decorator kit, including patented film with glue stick and printing instructions for how to design custom prints for shoes.
	Flower Me With Candy’s Flower Making Tool creates one-of-kind edible handcrafted flowers made with fresh candy in original wrappers and combined with silk floral materials and fun accents to create uniquely designed and realistic-looking floral arrangements.
	Craftwell’s eBosser is the first automatic and electric embosser/die cutter that handles materials up to letter and A4 sizes. Card makers can now make full-size cards in seconds without having to turn a handle multiple times. The eBosser cuts leather and up to eight layers of fabric at a time and is compatible with most cutting dies and embossing folders.
	Sullivans USA’s The Cutting Edge Clear Rulers are designed to sharpen rotary cutter blades with every cut. The ruler’s diamond carbide edge maintains the cutter blade’s sharpness, making it last longer.
	Dazzu’s Dazzu Light Craft Studio is a children’s product that combines patent-pending technology with traditional crafts. Each kit contains programmable, interactive lights that are a perfect addition to door signs, frames, journals, bracelets, photo albums and more. Kids can program their creation and share it online.
	Yu-Gene Enterprise Company Ltd.’s USB Power Glue Gun is a product that uses a USB outlet from a computer as a power source for the glue gun, providing safe and steady glue flow for the modern “connected” crafter.
	Prima Marketing Inc.’s Prima Press is a new “writing” tool that holds individual letter stamps so crafters can build the perfect word for each project, similar to an at-home print shop.
	Diamond Head Upholstery Tack is a one-of-a-kind product used to revamp furniture by using upholstery nails made of genuine bohemian crystals or lust art glass cabochon stones. The trademark system allows users to change the crystal or stone and bezel without replacing nails.
	Clear Scraps’ Send it Clear is a clear card kit designed for scrapbookers and card makers. The kit is made up of three clear card pieces, eight binding stickers and one clear envelope to make a 4-inch by 6-inch clear card. The cards can be inked, stamped, embossed and even sewn together for a one-of-kind creation.
	Eco Green Crafts’ Eco Crayons are environmentally friendly crayons made of plants and bees wax kept tidy in a recycled paper box.
	Beadalon’s Hybraid combines the best characteristics of wire and cord in a single beaded jewelry product. This unique cord adds texture, body and energy while behaving unlike any other beading material. The core of Hybraid is made of copper wire, surrounded by Spectra braided fiber and encased in braded stainless steel wire.
	Epiphany Crafts Inc.’s Crafty Bands are used to create unique, customizable silicone bracelets using the Shape Studio Tool. Add a brightly colored setting and snap onto a scalloped stretchy band for a creative fashion accessory.
	Hot Off the Press Inc.’s Copper Color Me is a paper product that makes creating the perfect color easy for cards and scrapbooks. The paper can be colored with nearly any product, including alcohol pens, markers, mists, chalk and more.
	iLoveToCreate’s Tulip ScreenIt All-in-1 Screen Printing System is designed for a quick and easy method of at-home screen printing with professional results.
	June Tailor Inc.’s Fringe In a Flash, Multi-Blade Rotary Cutter provides a fast and easy way to cut fringe for fleece tie blankets, pillows, scarves and more by using innovative rotary cutters with evenly spaced blades that cut three, one-inch-wide fringe strips or four, half-inch-wide fringe strips at a time.
	Prym Consumer USA Inc.’s Babyville Boutique is the first complete sew-it-yourself diaper program that meets the needs of today’s eco-conscious mothers using cloth diapers.
	Duro Art Industries’ Stick On Artist Canvas is a real artist’s canvas with a repositionable, adhesive back. The new product allows artists to display their work in new and different ways.

These and over 100 other new craft products will be on display in the Innovations Showcase on the Show floor at the CHA Winter Show January 29 – February 1. Access to the trade show is limited to qualified members of the industry only. This is not a consumer event.

About the Craft & Hobby Association

The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is an international nonprofit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products worldwide in the $29 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. For more information about CHA, membership or its award-winning CHA Conferences & Trade Shows, visit www.craftandhobby.org.

“By partnering with leaders like TransWorld Exhibits and Southern Shows Inc., CHA will continue to expand the craft and hobby industry by reaching 75,000 new crafters in three key markets this year,” said Steve Berger, President and CEO, CHA.

“TransWorld Exhibits is very excited to partner with CHA. We are looking forward to adding the fun and energy of the CHA Craft SuperShow Section to our 34-year tradition of excellence at TransWorld’s JF&A Show in Rosemont,” said Don Olstinske, Show Manager, TransWorld Exhibits.

“The partnership with CHA to bring the Craft SuperShow Section to the Southern Women’s Show dovetails perfectly with Southern Shows. We’re really looking forward to adding the CHA Craft SuperShow Sections to our shows,” said Laura Campbell, National Sponsorship Director of Southern Shows, Inc. “This exciting feature will inspire creativity and encourage women to try crafts they can enjoy on their own or with friends or family.”

While most craft shows focus on one or two craft disciplines, the CHA Craft SuperShow Section educates and inspires crafters on a broad range of crafts. The original Craft SuperShow provided cross-promotional opportunities where knitters tried scrapbooking, scrapbookers tried quilting, and quilters experimented with beading. This year show attendees will be able to participate in craft make-n-takes and product demonstrations, learn the latest craft techniques, explore creativity, and buy some of the hottest craft products available.

The streamlined CHA Craft SuperShow Section will differ slightly from the original Craft SuperShow in that the Section area is composed of 50 – 100 exhibitors opposed to being its own event with craft education being offered as in-booth instruction only. Additionally, TransWorld Exhibits and Southern Shows Inc., will handle all sales, contracts and negotiations regarding exhibit space for their respective venues. For more about the CHA Craft SuperShow Sections go to www.CraftSuperShow.com.

******************************************

About Southern Shows
The Southern Women’s Show is a consumer lifestyle event launched in 1983, held in 10 markets across the country. The annual Southern Women’s Shows attract over 250,000 women each year with fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, decorating ideas and personal growth opportunities. For more about Southern Shows go to www.SouthernShows.com.

About TransWorld Exhibits
TransWorld Exhibits is one of the largest independent tradeshow producers in the United States and has been in business for over 50 years. The Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories Show is a premier Midwest shopping event designed to bring fashion and jewelry lovers the opportunity to buy direct from top product suppliers. The JF&A Show in Rosemont hosts 400 exhibitors and 26,000 attendees at its annual July Show alone! All six shows in Chicago bring in 1,200 exhibitors and over 120,000 buyers annually. For more about JF&A Shows go to www.jfashow.com.

About CHA
The Craft & Hobby Association is a not-for-profit trade Association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the $27 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. For more information about CHA go to www.craftandhobby.org.