Since my last post, I finished my degree, started graduate classes, got a divorce I never wanted, and moved. Kayla graduated high school and Brody continues to act. These last five years have been a continuous roller coaster of ups and downs. I would not have ever survived these last few years had I not had my faith in God and a loving family who endured it all with me.
One thing that never changed through these years was my love for crafting. I can count on crafting to take my mind off of what is going on. I love the feeling of instant gratification, like taking a monogram off my embroidery hoop or putting together a catapult with Brody for a science project.
In the spring of 2019, I went to "All things Silhouette" in Peachtree City, GA. I was working at the Sparkleberry Booth with my friend Mandy. Right across from the booth from us were the sublimation machines. I think after a while I started creeping the people at that booth because all I could do was stare at that machine. I was amazed at what all the printer could do. There was another booth full of sublimation blanks and I would go back and forth dreaming in my head what all I could do! That weekend I asked a thousand questions about the printer and decided on buying one. By the end of the conference, I had talked myself out of buying a printer. I was bummed, but I kept myself crafting with my embroidery machine and silhouette cameo.
A couple of months passed by and we were at Christmas. I started thinking about the printer again. This time I thought maybe I would wait and look for a used printer after Christmas, maybe someone would upgrade. Well, I was right, and it didn't take long to find one for sale. I looked thru an app and found a lady not too far from me who said she had upgraded to a bigger printer and was selling hers. I was overjoyed!! We talked for a couple of days and agreed on a price, she even said she would throw in some extras. I could not wait!! My mom and I met this lady and her friend at a gas station and I loaded the printer in my car. When I got home, plugged it in, and started to do a test print. I had watched all the videos I could on this printer so I was ready. Nothing happened??? No, this had to be a mistake. I did notice there was a red light blinking on the front, but that had to be normal, right? I first texted the lady and she didn't text back. Next, I went online and started troubleshooting what could be the problem. I contacted the printer company and they tried to help, but to no avail, they couldn't help me. I kept sending the lady texts but she never answered. I had been scammed. Eventually, I ended up buying a printer and I love it!!
Now fast forward to March. My kids were had moved to virtual school and I had started working full-time from home. I began seeing more and more posts on Facebook about a glowforge laser machine. I was intrigued! I thought the machine sounded familiar. I decided to do some searching thru my email and found an email I had sent my supervisor five years prior about wanting a glowforge for our office when it was just on kickstarter. She laughed and said a firm NO. It has been one of the best investments I have ever made and at almost a year later, I am still in love with my glowforge.
The glowforge has been so much fun. For Kayla's graduation, I engraved all the student's names on wooden hangers for their graduation gown. It is so simple to use.
I love that I can use these tools together. I can use the glowforge to cut out wood and acrylic designs and then layer them with vinyl cut from my silhouette. Two of my favorite sites I love to buy designs from is Design Bundles and Font Bundles. You can get files for laser cuts, sublimation, vinyl, print, and more. They literally have everything you need for just about every kind of craft you enjoy! They also offer free designs and have amazing sales.
More pictures to come soon!
