Balzer Designs

30-Second Tutorial: T-Shirt Headband

Have you got 30 seconds? Then watch this video to see how to turn any t-shirt into a super cute headband -- no sewing or glue required: In essentials, cut your t-shirt... ...and then fold it up! This example is super basic, but you can get fancy by painting/dyeing the fabric. I did that with this one: It's sun printed! So, grab a t-shirt that you don't want anymore and turn it into some super cute headbands! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

ScanNCut: Rhinestone Design Collection

Every year Brother comes out with new pattern collections. I don't generally like to use other people's patterns -- it's one of the reasons I particularly love the ScanNCut. It's so easy to scan in your own designs! However, I fell in love with the rhinestone design collection because it combines rhinestones with shapes to cut from HTV or fabric with fusible. In the video I walk you step-by-step through the process of cutting and creating with the cactus image from this collection: And here is the t-shirt that I made: It turned out super cute! Because I used fabric... Read more →

I Made Christmas Cookies! And You Can Make Christmas Crack.

These wreath cookies have got to be some of the simplest and cutest cookies I've ever made. I didn't have a large circle cookie cutter, so I used a drinking glass. Necessity is the mother of invention! If you're interested in doing some baking, but don't want to get out the piping bags, Christmas Crack is one of my favorite things on earth to make. And it's easy. Here's the deal: You will need: crackers - saltines, graham crackers, club crackers, etc. 1 cup of packed brown sugar 2 sticks of butter 16 oz chocolate chips You can add: pretzels,... Read more →

Last Minute Gift Card Holder/Envelope

I am a procrastinator. About everything. Including gift giving. So, one of my favorite last minute gifts to give is a gift certificate (handmade or otherwise). This little card/envelope has a "pop-up" segment for a gift card: If you want to shop local/shop small or give a personal gift (like doing the dishes for a week) you don't need to include a commercial gift card. You can make a little gift card! PSA: You can purchase a gift certificate for Balzer Designs online classes at any time! Just send me an email and I'll get you set up. You can... Read more →

Pop-Up Bouquet of Flowers

My Mom's birthday was last week and I made her a pop-up card! I made several drafts of this card, including one with a terrible misspelling that I tried to fix to no avail: The card turned out so cute that I decided to give the design to Maker and Super Learner Members this month. I also put together a how-to video for everyone to enjoy: As I mentioned in the video, you can: Make your own flower -- it just needs 8 petals with one missing. Buy the file (comes bundled as an SVG for cutting machines and a... Read more →

Holiday Cards 2020: Watercolor Ornaments

Today's card is about being lazy and reimagining an existing stamp instead of carving a new one. ;) I carved this "flower" stamp several years ago. But over the weekend I decided I could turn it upside down for a Christmas Ball Celebration! Watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: watercolor paper Pigma Micron PN black ink hand carved stamp craft foam scrap paper optional: clear ruler QoR watercolors paintbrush gold paint pen tape runner blank black card I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I hope you enjoyed this whole week of card tutorials! I had a great time putting... Read more →

Holiday Cards 2020: Double Stenciled Stars

Stenciling once is fine. But stenciling twice is super cool! These cards feature a mixture of hand cut masks and stencil, along with a Crafter's Workshop stencil I designed several years ago. Watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: white cardstock transfer tape Identi-Pen craft knife & cutting mat Distress Ink Ink Blending Tools scrap of paper for extra masking optional: release paper The stencil is called "Christmas Words." Sadly, it's discontinued, but you might like THIS or THIS. painter's tape tape runner paper trimmer blank black card I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. This is a technique that you... Read more →

Holiday Cards 2020: Hand Stamped Trees

This is such a simple idea and super duper addictive. Once I started making these trees, I just did not want to stop! In essentials, I just stamped a whole bunch of hand carved stamps on top of each other. Watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: white cardstock tissue tape stamping ink hand carved stamps craft foam scrap paper for masking tape runner paper trimmer gold cardstock optional: paper punch and wet adhesive I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you're interested in learning more about carving and printing your own stamps, I offer several online classes. I'm currently... Read more →

Holiday Cards 2020: Paper Strips

You guys, it's not too late to make holiday cards to send out to friends and family! Especially when everyone is housebound, I think mailing a little handmade something sounds extra lovely. Therefore, every day this week I'm going to be sharing a tutorial for artsy holiday cards you can make and mail! Here we go: Today's cards are a great way to use up all of the hand painted paper scraps you have sitting around. I used gelatin prints, but you could use any painted/printed/doodled paper bits. Watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: paper scraps tape runner scrap... Read more →

ScanNCut Leather & Cork Earrings

Check out these super cool earrings... ...that are super duper easy to make. You can watch the video tutorial below: Every time I've worn them, and I've worn them a lot, I get tons and tons of compliments from strangers. They look okay on the stands... ...but they simply sing when you put them on! They're lightweight and unique and I love them. I hope you'll make some for yourself! Thanks for stopping by! --- P.S. I am a paid spokesperson for the Brother ScanNCut. It is a machine that I love and use. All projects and opinions are my... Read more →