Balzer Designs

ScanNCut CanvasWorkspace: Saving & Exporting

CanvasWorkspace is so many things that it can be confusing. For example: CanvasWorkspace is a 100% free program that allows you to create and edit files for your ScanNCut. CanvasWorkspace is the gateway for many of the ScanNCut add-ons and upgrades, such as the Roll Feeder. CanvasWorkspace offers you dozens of 100% free project with instructions and cut files. CanvasWorkspace is where you can unlock additional cut files from Disney, Tattered Lace, and other designers, once you’ve purchased them. There’s no doubt that CanvasWorkspace is extremely useful and definitely worth your time getting to know how it works. Today I... Read more →

ScanNCut Club: New YouTube Membership for ScanNCut Fans

I've added something new for you ScanNCut fans: a YouTube Channel membership. I'm calling it "ScanNCut Club." Here's what you get for $19.99/month: Loyalty badges: There are six different badges, and each one highlights how long a viewer has been a member of the channel. Custom Emojis: These are exclusive custom emojis that can be posted in video comments or used during any of my live chats. Photos and status updates: There is a "community" tab on YouTube and every month I will share ScanNCut-related content that is only available to YouTube Channel Members. Members-only live stream: Each month there... Read more →

ScanNCut: Get the Look of Rhinestones with HTV

This is a technique that was suggested to me by a Balzer Designs Monthly Member and I think it's brilliant! Look at my gorgeous rhinestoned bat... ...but the secret is: I haven't used any rhinestones! Yes, that's right: You can quickly and easily get the look of rhinestones without ever using a rhinestone. Instead of crystals, you use holographic Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) and the results are stunning. You actually have to run your fingers over it to discover that there are no rhinestones there! These "flat rhinestones" created by cutting holographic HTV into small circles, are perfect for situations... Read more →

Offset Vehicle T-Shirt

At the moment, my son is 100% obsessed with vehicles. His happiest moments are when we stand on the sidewalk by a busy street and watch the traffic go by. He points at every single truck and car that passes and says, "caaah." It's adorable. To celebrate his deep love of all vehicles, I decided to make him a t-shirt. Here it is: I used some leftover scraps of colored Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) for the colored bits in this design. HTV can be a bit expensive, so I always try to minimize waste and I keep all of my... Read more →

Art Journal Every Day: Art Journal Cover Glam Up

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. Way back in June 2014, I made a wire bound junque journal using... Read more →

ScanNCut: Die Cut Inlay

Find your favorite lacy cut file and give this super cool technique a try! This is a fun and easy technique that uses both the positive and the negative of your cuts. For those of you out there who always look at your mat and wish you could use those extra little cut outs... ...now you can! Yay! Here's a closer look at each of those cards: Watch this short video for the very simple how to: Some tips to keep in mind: You'll note that I used my ScanNCut DX to cut the same design out of cardstock as... Read more →

Super Simple 4th of July Garland Banner

It's almost the Fourth of July! It's a holiday that basically demands red, white, and blue decorations for a backyard barbecue. As a crafty gal, I love to decorate for the holidays. However, I'm in a season of life in which my DIY decorations need to be quick and easy or they won't get done. I'm sure that as my son gets older, I'll be able to return to more elaborate DIYs, but I'm keeping it simple for this year's 4th of July festivities. As I'm sure you realize, simple can be outstandingly gorgeous. I cut my shapes out of... Read more →

4 Ways for Mixed Media Artists to Use the ScanNCut

As you know, I love my ScanNCut. But, I'm definitely not into using cookie cutter designs. That's part of the reason I love the ScanNCut so much: it allows me to express my own quirky style quickly and easily. There are so many ways to design custom files: Using the built-in editing functions in the stand-alone ScanNCut. Using the built-in scanner to scan my own original drawings or copyright free artwork from books or the internet. Using the free computer-based software, CanvasWorkspace. Using any third-party software that can output an SVG cut file. And the ScanNCut cuts a wide variety... Read more →

ScanNCut: Vinyl Auto Blade Kit

The ScanNCut Vinyl Auto Blade Kit is a great buy if you own a ScanNCut DX machine and like to cut vinyl -- adhesive-backed or heat-transfer. You can “just” use the Vinyl Auto Blade for cutting your intricate vinyl designs or you can take advantage of a number of exciting new possibilities that come with kit activation: New Vinyl Designs – There are 21 detailed designs for you to resize as you wish and cut out with your ScanNCut machine. With the Vinyl Auto Blade kit you can choose to make a design as small as a piece of paper... Read more →

Cut Custom Stencils With a ScanNCut

I have been using a ScanNCut since 2013. I have been designing stencils for The Crafter's Workshop since 2011. They're two things that I absolutely adore and have been doing for a long long time, so mashing them together seems like a total no-brainer. The exciting news is that there are many many ways to create stencils with your ScanNCut. Some of them are simple and based around scanning drawings. Some of them are complicated and involve spending a lot of time with a computer screen. But the good news is that you, yes YOU, can create awesome stencils with... Read more →