Balzer Designs

ScanNCut: Curving Text

Several months ago, I created a video all about how to curve text in CanvasWorkspace for Mac. You may remember it. After I posted that video, I got one question over and over again: But how do I make the text on the bottom face the other way? Good news! It's easy to do and I show you exactly how to do it in this video: Here's the original project, where the date is upside down: And here is some text using the technique I share in today's video: You can see that all the text is "right-side-up." One quick... Read more →

Pom Pom Earring Tutorial

I finally put together the pom pom earring tutorial that I've been promising you! This video shares the basics of how to make a pom pom using the Clover pom pom maker: And then this video shares how to make the earrings: If you don't want to make pom poms, you can buy them pre-made. These are the little gold bars I used in the video. I think they really elevate the earrings and make them feel super polished. I'm off to try to find my needle nose pliers! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

ScanNCut: Custom Box File

There are new ScanNCut products from Brother! Yay! I'll be sharing some of them in two live events with Sewing Machines Plus tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. You can see the full schedule and register (for free) to watch the events HERE. I hope to see you online! In the meantime, you've been asking for some more advanced ScanNCut tutorials, so here it is! In this video I'm going to show you how to make your own custom box file using CanvasWorkspace for Mac. Watch the video for the how-to: As I mentioned, this is a project to tackle once you're... Read more →

Direct Cut Around a Stamped Sentiment

One of the most crazy cool features of the ScanNCut is its ability to cut around stamped images. However, the ScanNCut isn't able to distinguish between a word and a shape. So when you have a stamped sentiment like this one: The scanner wants to cut around each individual letter (aka shape)... ...instead of creating a block, like this: In this video I show you how to create that block: It's quick and easy to do and makes fussy cutting sentiments so very easy! Thanks for stopping by! --- P.S. I am a paid spokesperson for the Brother ScanNCut. It... Read more →

Two Bookbinding Tutorials

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, the concept is simple: It's a commitment to take ten minutes each day to do something in your art journal. No need to finish anything or even like it. It's about making the time to nourish your creativity every day! If you have the time to flip through your phone, you have the time to Art Journal Every Day. If you'd like to share what you make, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. You can find new Art Journal Every Day posts here on the blog... Read more →

ScanNCut: So Many Techniques to Try

I'm always thinking about how to help you get the most out of your ScanNCut. Today I'm sharing lots of videos with techniques for you to try. First up, a fabulous new feature that you've been asking for for years: the ability to curve text in CanvasWorkspace. This function has been added to CanvasWorkspace for PC and CanvasWorkspace for Mac. Find the instructions for CanvasWorkspace for Mac in this video: And here is the clear place card I shared in the video: I also like it with a line of acrylic paint across the back: And now, did you know... Read more →

ScanNCut: Cut File to Card Base

A happy early Mother's Day to you! Using the built-in editing functions of your ScanNCut, it's super easy to take almost any cut file -- symmetrical or not -- and turn it into a card base. I used a flower shape to create a super cute Mother's Day card. Watch the video for the how-to: Here are the basic steps: Choose your cut file. Resize it so that it's slightly wider than 6 inches. Increase the number of flowers to 2: Align the two flowers and then flip one of them. And last but not least, weld your design. As... Read more →

From the Archives: Sticky Back Canvas Book

I thought I would share one of my favorite tutorials from the Balzer Designs archives! It originally appeared January 15, 2010. Enjoy! This is a folded canvas book. I used mine to write some thoughts on the act of creating. Here's how it came together for me: Materials: Scor-it Board 12x12 Sticky Back Canvas from Ranger (I don't believe they make this product anymore, but you can do this project with a regular piece of canvas and add glue.) Acrylic Paint Book Page Scissors Gel Medium Paintbrush and Water Gesso Watercolor Paints (I used Koi by Sakura) Box Cutter Glass... Read more →

Fabric Face Mask with Filter Pocket

Like many people who sew, I made some cloth face masks. I used the template provided in the description of THIS video tutorial to make these particular masks: I used all kinds of fabric: hand painted, hand printed, hand dyed, sun printed, and commercial. The ones I made are for friends and family and I sent them out into the world with this video I made on how to use them -- proper fit is very important to functionality: This particular mask design calls for 6 pieces -- 2 outer, 2 lining, and 2 for the filter pocket. I cut... Read more →

Paper Window Eggs for Easter

You guys, I couldn't bring myself to dye eggs this year. It just seemed so wasteful with eggs being in short supply. I tried to give myself the pep talk: you still eat dyed Easter Eggs, etc, but hunting through the grocery store for white eggs just seemed like misplaced priorities. So instead, I bring you paper window eggs: This is easy to do and would work for people of all ages. I started with a leftover piece of deli paper that was already covered in paint. Then I used a paint marker to draw an egg on it with... Read more →