Balzer Designs

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 →

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 →

Memory Ornaments

Here's a super fun holiday craft tradition that you can start any time: memory ornaments. The front of each ornament features the year and a "title" and the back features a bit more detail about that particular Christmas. I used vinyl, which I cut with my new **Maui** ScanNCut SDX85M, for the front of each ornament. ...and transfer paper for the text on the back. This is a simple and elegant way to personalize your Christmas decorations! The new ScanNCut SDX85M is a great machine. Here are five features I appreciate: It has the AutoBlade – a total game changer... Read more →

Sparkly Watercolor Christmas Ornaments

I made some super fun Christmas ornaments using black watercolor paper and interference watercolors. These are super easy to make: STEP ONE: Cut 3-5 identical symmetrical shapes, like a circle. You'll note that my circles have a perforation down the middle, but they don't have to. STEP TWO: Color the shapes with sparkly watercolors. STEP THREE: After they've dried, fold the shapes in half. STEP FOUR: Glue the shapes back-to-back (unpainted side) to each other and put a string through the middle before you glue the last piece in. You can add a tassel or some beads to the bottom... 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 →

Lantern Houses Class Updated!

I updated my Lantern Houses Online Class with a new style of house: It's square instead of rectangle and has a sturdier roof so that it can more easily be used as an ornament. This is the original style, which I still love: Students who are already enrolled in the Lantern Houses class can login and access the update for FREE. A printable pdf (and instructions on hand cutting) are available to those who wish to cut their houses by hand. An .svg cutting file is available to those with electronic cutters. And, of course, if you purchase the class... Read more →

Cut Paper Leaf Votives

Today I'm going to light up your world. Or at least show you a fun way to light up your world. I used my ScanNCut to create these very simple (but highly effective) cut paper leaf votives. I used painted plastic to cover the cut areas, but you can also leave (pun intended) them completely open if you wish, as in this example below: To be super safe, be sure to use battery operated LED votive candles inside, instead of real candles. If you're interested in making a project like this one, here are some helpful resources for you: Watch... 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 →

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 →

Coming Friday: New Online Class (+ Live Online Class)

Hooray! I'm just wrapping up the filming and editing of my epic online class all about designing and cutting custom stencils with a ScanNCut. I filmed the final video yesterday afternoon and I'm planning to have the online classroom all spiffed up and ready for students on Friday. This class is epic because it has taken me the entirety of the pandemic to film and edit it. I recorded every tutorial twice -- once on a ScanNCut 2 and once on a ScanNCut DX. Hopefully this will allow all ScanNCut users to easily understand the lessons and translate them to... Read more →