Here is the Cinch, a new binding machine like the Bind-it-All (BIA). This one looks more solid than the BIA, would takes more space on your table and costs almost $100. Also, it may be easier to operate. Take a look.
Tags: bind it all, The Cinch
I received some news from Craftwell through their newsletter that I want to pass to you. Also, I’m including more details of more information about the eCraft:
ABOUT THE SOFTWARE: The eCraft is going to use the eCraftshop and the eCraftshop Pro. All models of the eCraft are going to be compatible with both versions.
- The eCraftshop Basic ($69.99) is going to be included with the machine without extra cost for a limited time; this is like an introductory offer. Also, you will recieve the USB cable that would allow you to connect the machine with your computer. Remember that you don’t need a computer to make the eCraft cut the images from the SD cards. These are the Basic Features of the eCraftshop:
* Customize artwork from SD Image Cards that you’ve purchased in order to make it your own
* Using a virtual cutting grid, manipulate basic shapes from our palate and images from your library
* Shadow, weld, rotate, stretch, flip, nudge, kern, and more
* View the entire eCraft library of all the latest SD Image Cards before purchasing them
* Easily download images to your library from eCraftCentral to cut with the eCraft - The eCraftshop Pro ($159.99 – not yet available) which has all the same features as eCraftshop Basic, plus:
* Create new images on a virtual cutting grid using the Craftwell design tools
* Utilize all True Type Fonts on your computer
* Import SVG images from other design programs to cut with your eCraft (you’ll need the Pro if you want to import your SVG images or create your own)
The eCraftshop software will be available as an application for the iPhone, iTouch or iPad for $19.99.
Features:
- Create a new design or make changes to an existing one on the go
- Access eCraftcentral.com to purchase images from the eCraft library or sell your designs
eCraftcentral is a web-based community where you can purchase images and even upload and sell your own. I understand that the community will be able to rate the files, so you know which ones are the best for cutting.
ABOUT THE MACHINES: There are different models for the eCraft machines:
- The Basic (white/magenta/periwinkle) has a 2.8″ B&W screen and comes with 1 SD card. ($259)
- The Deluxe (black) has a 2.8″ Color screen and comes with 2 SD cards. The only difference with the Basic is the color screen and the additional SD card. ($349)
- The Professional (silver) has a 3.5″ B&W screen, 2 SD cards and an industrial motor. This motor is not going to have more power than the others, but it is intended for using the machine for long periods of time without overheating. ($399)
All the machines are going to be equipped with a heavy-duty motor, the roller and the paper tray.
The screen may be an important factor to consider since from it you are going to be able to select the image or images you want to cut, adjust the size, choose shadow and how many images you need to cut.
WHAT ABOUT THE ACCESORIES: Craftwell will bring many accessories to accompany the eCraft. Among them:
- Ball-point Pens (Black, Primary, Pastel, Glitter and White/Gold/Silver) that will come in packs of five from $9.99- $11.99. The eCraft can draw and/or cut.
- 12″ x 120″ rolls of paper ($16.99) and vinyl ($19.99)
- SD Cards with images. Currently they have 11 SD Cards, each with over 150 images. ($39.99 – $49.99)
- Replacement blades $17.99 10/PK $29.99 20/PK
- Paper/Vinyl Rolls, Travel Tote Bags, Travel Bag w/ Wheels, Image Card Caddy, Battery Pack (lasts up to 4 hours)
AVAILABILITY: The machines are not going to be available to retailers until March. Now, they are doing pre-orders only. About the warranty, they offer 1-year warranty for their machines.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
The eCraft is able to cut materials under 1mm of thickness. I will try many materials and confirm this. Also, they are going to include in the SD card a journaling type of font.
I hope this information is useful for you. If you have any comments, please let me know.
I like to customize my projects as much as possible.
Yes, I love ready-made products because they are beautiful, easy to use and many other reasons that you and I already tell ourselves when we are in a craft store and tempted to buy a product.
But, if you want to create your own rub-on of any thing, such as alphabets, clip art and even photographs, use this very easy method:
- Create or open a design using the software of your preference (even Word can be used.)
- If you are going to print text, make sure that you change to a Mirror image (that is an option for other types of images.)
- Set your printer to print using the setup for best quality.
- Instead of regular paper, use a page protector or transparency sheet, If using a transparency, print on the shiny side. Remember, you want the printing surface very slick, so the ink doesn’t get absorbed by it, but left on the surface.
- Print. Let dry. You can look at it but don’t touch it until well dried. It’s going to take 5 to 10 minutes.
- Now your rub-on is ready to use just like any store bought rub-on. Position the printed side on the desired surface and, using a stick, rub over the design.
- Wonderful! You did it by yourself without using any brain-damaging product or spending much money. And best of all, you can reuse the same page protector for another project.
I want to treat you, my blog reader, with some romantic images that I put together using Photoshop and scanning. I hope you like them. They are in JPEG and PDF format. I was going to put them as print and cut files, but I’m very busy adding products to www.enchantart.com. The new laces are beautiful, I have my favorites already.
By the way, you can cut these wonderful hearts and adhere them back to back to create a sturdier mini-book. These images are 300dpi (very high resolution) just in case you want to make them bigger. Any comment, please let me know. Take care.
Click here to get the PDF version.
Click here to get the JPG version.
Tags: free images, jpg, pdf, romantic images
Here is a new video for the eCraft. It was made during the CHA Winter, so it’s pretty new and accurate. I want to point out that they mention the new software which gives you the ability to create your own images. Also, I couldn’t see the chads in the image. Take a look and judge by yourself.
By the way, this is the periwinkle model.
Tags: ecraft craftwell, ecraft video
I was waiting “patiently” for more information about the eCraft since everything was very secretive until the CHA. Today is the last day of the Convention and I have some news for all of you:
- The eCraft can cut grungeboard and chipboard, being tested only with 1mm-thick chipboard. I will be testing it with thicker chipboard as soon as I get it.
- The machine doesn’t use a mat. There are several consequences of not using a mat:
- It leaves tabs/chads to hold the cut piece to the paper. You have to punch your design out by hand. Many people say that the tabs are easy to remove. And you can adjust the size of these tabs, which can make a big difference if you are cutting vinyl.
- That leads to the matter of cutting vinyl, because the eCraft cuts all the way and does not leave the vinyl backing in place, making the reposition of the cut material a little bit harder if your design has words with specific spacing in between.
- The eCraft is going to have 2 different software programs available for purchase— the Basic version and the Pro version.
- The Basic version allows you to open the images that you buy from Craftwell on their SD cards.
- According to Craftwell, the Pro version of the software enables you to create new designs or import SVG images and then set the draw and cut lines.
- The Pro version also allows you to unlock all their 1,000 images and bring them directly into the software, without having to purchase those images.
- Right now, the Pro version software is pricey in my opinion ($300). Craftwell is talking about a middle option, where you can create your own designs without the option of unlocking their designs (which I definetly prefer since I like to create my own designs).
- All iPhone and iTouch applications will be available to use with the eCraft.
I’ll keep you posted with the latest news. If you are planning to buy the eCraft, I suggest waiting for more information.
Tags: ecraft craftwell
I’ve received a question on how to add your own files to My Library in Robo Master. This is a little controversial because when you add too many files to My Library, this is going to run more slowly. Plus, you can access all your non-Silhouette store files through File, Thumbnail Browser. However, I want to answer the question:
- Create or download a .gsd file. If you want to see the thumbnail of the image and not just the name, you need to have a .gif version of the file, making sure the picture is very small (like 100 x 100 pixels)
- Create a copy of the file if you want to keep the original .GSD.
- Right-click on the second file and Rename it with an extension .GST. Right click again on the file and choose Cut.
- Go to C: Program Files, ROBO Master, Templates, right-click in the window and choose Paste. You will see the new file with the extension .GST
- Go to C: Program Files, ROBO Master, QK View, Thumbnail and save the thumbnail version of your image there. Remember, the thumbnail has to be very small.
- Open your ROBO Master, select New file and click on My Library. Your thumbnail should show there.
This is an option that you may like to experiment with. I have all my non-Silhouette store files in a separate location, a Cutting Files folder, where I created sub-folders with all the categories that are significant for me. Even those have sub-folders, in order to keep my files more organized. I hope this helps.
Tags: Adding files to My library in the silhouette, how to put my files in the Library
I hope you enjoy cutting or printing this word book.
Add your own phrases or write a poem.
Tie some ribbons and just let somebody know how important he/she is in your life.
I cut the letters twice. The first time around, I just cut it normally. And the second time, I use the Mirror feature from ROBO Master (right-click on the letter and choose Mirror) and glue the two pieces to make my mini-word book sturdier.
I created this file using Inkscape. Then, I converted it to a GSD file, and I also made it into a PDF just in case you don’t have a digital cutter machine. I made 3 different versions of letter “O” so you can choose the one that you like.
- To download the SVG file, click HERE.
- To download the GSD file, click HERE.
- To get the PDF file, click HERE.
Tags: Free gsd svg file, free pdf, love book
The suspense is killing everybody. We all want to know how much the eCraft will cost. Here are the MSRP prices for the different models of the eCraft. Consider that these are the prices for the 12″x unlimited length of paper. Craftwell is coming out with the 30″ wide machine; the price for that model is not determined but soon we will know.
- eCraft basic (colored) model: MSRP $259 includes 1 SD Image card
- eCraft Deluxe (black) model: MSRP $349 includes 2 SD Image cards
- eCraft Professional (silver) model: MSRP $399 includes 2 SD Image cards
The software for the eCraft is the eCraftshop design software. This will be sold separately. The software will be released by spring and we still don’t know the price for it. The SD cards are going to be loaded with hundreds of images that you can re-size and cut using different materials.
Here are the colors, choose one…
Tags: ecraft craftwell
We are all anxious to touch and try out the new eCraft machine. It will be soon when I can give you details about whether it works with almost anything. All the questions will be answered. Will it cut chipboard? What about fabric? I don’t know yet; I have to try it myself. But I know some very interesting facts:
- The machine will be loaded with a built-in roller. This roller will allow you to print/cut any design 12″ wide to any length of paper. How cool is that???
- They are working on amazing colors for the eCraft machine itself. You can choose from many according to your decoration. You know which is the new color…..periwinkle!!! Periwinkle will replace the green color. I like the green too.
- I’ve heard that Craftwell is coming out with another version of the eCraft that will cut 30″ wide and of course any length. Interesting, very interesting.
Anyways, stay tuned until I come back with more about the eCraft.
Tags: craftwell, digital cutting machine, eCraft
