STORE NEWS SUNDAY - November Releases

Todays update is all about our November releases. I am so very proud of this months kits, I just adore every little bit of the kits contents. Plus we have 2 new flair releases and and abundance of digital releases for November :) 

So lets get started -

Our Main Cake kit for November

This includes the latest Maggie Holmes 'open book', Amy Tangerine 'Stitched' collection as well as some papers from Jillibean Soup. There are also 2 speciality papers; a speciality vellum and a kraft paper. 

You can purchase the Main kit in store here - there are still a couple left 

Our November Cupcake Kit:

This kit highlights the gorgeous 'September Skies' collection from Heidi Swapp. It contains a whole ephemera pack and also a 12x12 Template from Kaisercraft that is so awesome and versatile.  

The 12x12 template included.

You can purchase the November Cupcake kit here

Below are the newest Christmas Cherry Flair releases. I have a couple more designs for christmas in the works but these are the first of them :)

The Cherry Flair can be found here instore

Lastly we have our digital store releases for this month! So much goodness here! Don't forget that most files can be used on all cutting machines and some even include Photoshop Brushes too which you can use to edit your photos like the how to video I created here 

Below are the new digital files now available for instant download :)

So much goodness and so much inspiration from our awesome designers coming up! 

Stay tuned

Raquel xxx

DIGI STORE SATURDAY - Natalie May; Cutting the new digi files

Hi there!

Today I'm going to show what works for me when it comes to cutting the new digi files that are available in store!

How cool are these?

I'm a messy scrapper and never have the room to have my Cameo set up ready to go if I need something for a project so what I do is pre-cut and store for later!



I imported my files to my library and created a folder called APOCD where I knew I could easily access them and keep them all together.

I then opened a new doc and filled the 12x12 with the files I wanted to cut. I put as many on there as I could so that it utilized the paper.

I am using white flat cardstock as it can be coloured and is easily adaptable to any of my projects.
Once I sent it to cut, I went off and did a few jobs and came back to a nearly beautifully cut sheet - I need a new blade (husband has been cutting vinyl with the machine which I now realize has made the blade quite blunt)

To remove them from the mat, I lift the edges with a knife and then use a Couture Creations Lift Off tool to peel the rest up.

I tend to peel off my cuts first leaving the backing on but then use the Lift Off tool to scrape the rest off the mat! Works really well to get your mat nice and clean again!

Once I have them all cut, I store them in a pizza box between baking paper so that they stay flat and are easily accessible.

So that's what works for me!

Everyone is different and I am still learning to use my machine and fine tune my settings!
What settings do you use for Cardstock & Watercolour paper? What works for you?

And how do you store your cuts?
I'd love to hear some suggestions!

Have a great day!
Natalie May

TUTORIAL TUESDAY: Watercoloured background with Aimee Dow

Good Morning happy little cake folk! This is my first post here and I am super excited to get started. This month I have been working with the October main kit, and isn't she a beauty to behold.

Lot's of really great graphic prints in this one - it makes me so happy!

Anyway I am here today to teach you a very simple tutorial on watercolored backgrounds, but before we get started a small disclaimer. I don't do mess. I am not even kidding a little. I don't own watercolors. The paints Studio Calico keep sending me live in the shed, not my studio and things such as gesso have never EVER crossed my doorway. I tell you this because I want you to know how easy and clean this is. So without further ado, here is the finished layout.

For the base of this layout I used JcChris's Aztec Background cut into the white cardstock from this months kit and the following supplies:

Mr Heuy's mist in Ocean, Doris and Pretty Pink, a craft mat, brushes, low tack washi, water and a something to use as a palette (I use the container lid). 

Instructions:

1. Tape your cut file background down to your craft mat with your washi. Be careful not to put tape anywhere you wish to paint, but use enough tape to your layout is held taught. This reduces buckling in the paper later on.
2. With a clean wet brush go over the areas on your cardstock you wish to paint. This first coat of water helps to blend and bleed the ink later on.
3. Start with the lightest colour first - in my case the green. Dip your wet brush in to the ink and proceed to paint your cardstock where you see fit.
4. Wash your brush well before changing colour. Now you may start to apply your second colour. If you are looking for a mingled edge between colours simple go over the edges with a bit more water/watered down ink.
5. Clean your brush your brush and apply your 3rd colour. For me this was the blue. I found the blue ink to be a tad dark for my layout. To lighten an ink colour simply add some ink and a little water to your pallet and painting from there rather than straight from the bottle.
6. Once satisfied with your pattern, leave your mat and layout somewhere warm to dry.
7. Why your layout is dry very gently remove the washi tape and back your layout with your choice of paper. 
8. (Optional) You may choose to put your layout under heavy books if the layout has buckled, but in my case I wasn't too worried about.

Here is a picture of my painted background once finished. 

To complete my layout I backed it with the hexigon pebble paper from the current kit and layered up the stickers from the Shimelle Sticker book with a few pieces of the doodlebug vellum tucked in and around the struts. Finally a scattering of random embellishments for whimsy, a title and some journaling and I'm calling this one done!

I'll be seeing you again real soon.

Aimee xx

P.s.Any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. I'll get back to you with an answer.

STORE NEWS SUNDAY - A BIG BIG Update!

Hi Friends of APOCD,

I really do not know where to start with this post as there has been SO MUCH happening here at APOCD, so be prepared for a LONG post. Lots of capitals, yes, but very necessary! 

Digital Store

So hmm, lets start at the beginning with the new most exciting change to APOCD. The opening of our digital store.

 The store can be accessed from our main site and can be found here

http://www.apieceofcakedesigns.com.au/digital-store/

We have the most awesome files available from three very talented designers; Jessy Christopher, Rachel Hodge and Polka Dot Creative

These digital files provide you with numerous file types perfect for all digital uses; svg, png, dxf, pdf and some even contain the .abr photoshop brush file so you can use the gorgeous images on top of your photos too!

These are available in our store now. 

*Please note all files are in AUD* 

*The digi files are immediate download and a download link is given via email* 

Blogging…even more inspiration!

Starting this week our blogging will be a little bit different than usual. The DT and I will be providing you with inspiration covering a variety of themes, Messy Monday, Workspace Wednesday and more. You will need to visit the blog regularly to it out!

October Kits

The October kits are released and available in the APOCD store now. I know I say this every time but I do think these are my all time favourite. I love love love the colour combos in them and the kits come with so many bits and pieces that you will be able to create lots of projects with them.

Here they are:

Cherry Flair

As you all may be aware, due to my pregnancy and arrival of my baby boy Jack, I deactivated the flair for a little while. It was something that I know requires a lot of my love and energy and I simply couldn't give 100% to. 

But, our little family have slowly found our feet. Little Mr is 3 months now, so the flair are back up and running on the APOCD site. 

We have two new sets released and available here 

For every Pink Ribbon set sold APOCD will donate $1 to the Pink Ribbon Foundation. 

Well I think that is all for now, don't forget to add our blog to your favourites or blog feed to stay up to date with all things APOCD and be inspired by our awesome design team!

Raquel xxx

DESIGN TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT - Returning Natalie May and some STORE NEWS

Hi everyone,

Today is the first of the Design Team announcements!

We are very lucky here at APOCD as the lovely Natalie May is returning for another term. Natalie has the most amazing versatility in her scrapbooking and is able to create projects covering a variety of scrapbooking styles. We are truly blessed to have her staying on and showcasing the APOCD kits in the way she does. Thanks for staying on Nat and for loving and supporting APOCD the way you do.

Heres a little about Nat in her own words,  so you can get to know her better:

I’m lucky enough to be a full time paper crafter, working at Adelaide's best scrapbooking shop, Seriously Scrapbooking alongside some of Australia’s most recognised scrappers, 

teaching around 15 classes a month and designing chipboard forImaginarium Designs. 

I’m also an Intermediate Certified Copic Designer and love everything inky & color based. 

I don’t have a particular style – versatility is my biggest asset … from 

heritage, simple, sketches and shabby through to mixed media and cardmaking – I like to dabble in it all! 

Currently I am the Design Team Coordinator for Imaginarium DesignsChipboard and recently joined the Creative Team at Australian Scrapbooking Ideas Magazine and I am also loving being part of the team with White With One Challenge site.

Blog

www.happydaks.blogspot.com

Instagram
happydaks

Please join me in welcoming Nat back to the team!

We also have some store news here and I plan on sending a store newsletter out this Sunday just incase you missed the announcements on Facebook or Instagram

We have upgraded the APOCD store and it now offers lots of new features. It may look the same but multiple changes have been made to improve your online shopping experience; a more streamlined cart, the ability to register and track new and past orders and of course being able to download digital files!

Which means, I am pleased to announce APOCD is opening a digital store offering cut files, photoshop brushes and other digital elements perfect for digi scrapping and using on your cutting machines! The best thing about the digi store is that the shopping is INSTANT, you will be sent a digi link to download your file and then your ready to start using it right away :)
 

In order to start this new venture I have a few awesome designers on board who are helping to create items exclusively for APOCD.  I am revealing two of them today:

Our first designer is the lovely Jessy Christopher, she is not only a very talented scrapbook but an awesome designer too!

Hello! My name is Jessy Christopher. I am a stay-at-home mum & a scrapbooker in Malaysia. Married to my very supportive husband, Eric for 9 years now. We have a beautiful baby girl, Katelynn & 2 feline fur-babies. I started off with digital & hybrid scrapbooking late 2007 and finally ventured into paper scrapbooking in the early of 2008. I am truly honoured to be a part of APOCD Digital Store.

Blog

www.jcchris.com

Instagram

http://instagram.com/jcchris

Our second beautiful and talented designer is the lovely Jodie Allan York from Polka Dot Creative. Jodie has found her love in 'brush scripting' and she surely is amazing at it!

Jodie is a multi-passionate creative. She owns the creative site Polka Dot Creative where she shares her love of Project Life, art journaling, stories about her life and that of her four babes. Jodie also as a passion for the written word and produces brush script artwork on posters and canvases which she makes in her quaint little cottage. Jodie sells these artworks in her on-line store and takes commission work on request. She is currently designing a new look for her website so keep an eye out for that. 

Website

 www.polkadotcreative.com.au

Instagram

http://instagram.com/polkadotcreative

I am sure it is obvious how excited I am about the changes at APOCD, I hope you are too. 

Keep watching the blog over the next few days for more Design Team and Store Announcements.

Raquel xxx