Double the Fun!

As I mentioned back in January, one of my goals for the year was to get a second laser. In February I went and saw one in person and placed my order. I patiently waited for a month for the new machine to arrive. And boy was it worth the wait!

This new machine is twice as big and twice as powerful as my old machine! In fact, the old machine will fit inside the new one!

I haven't had a chance to do anything new with the new machine, but I've been able to complete orders more quickly. I just finished an order of 200 wedding invitations and it was nice to have one machine solely dedicated to those invitations and I could still work on other orders with the small machine.

Eventually I'm hoping to make larger pieces and the new machine will cut thicker pieces as well, so I'll be experimenting with that too. I've uploaded a quick video I took with my cell phone. I apologize it's not the greatest, but it will give you an idea of how the machines run.

One Year With My Laser

One year ago today, my amazing, life-changing laser engraver was delivered! I can't believe it's really been a year, but after looking back at all the amazing things I've made I can see how wonderful of an investment this was! This little machine really made the dream of owning my own business and working full-time from home a real possibility! 2012 is my year to prove to myself that I can do this! My main goal for the year is to get all of our finances in line for me to run Memories for Life full-time!

I thought it would be fun to look back on the last year at some of the projects I made. Some made it to my shop, some were just for fun, some need more work and some are still to be added! Have fun watching my slideshow :)

What was your biggest event in 2011? What are your big plans/goals for 2012?

Wanna See My New Toy :)

I've been talking about my laser and my rotary attachment for quite some time now and I shared some new creations on Tuesday. Today I thought I'd show you what this thing actually looks like in action. I found a nice short video on YouTube that shows the rotary attachment. Mine is made by a different company, but it works in the same manner.

This thing is SO much fun! I've lasered a few more things with the rotary and I have more playing to come. Once I get a good amount of pieces I want to put in my shop, a good friend of mine is going to take photos for me! The perks of having a photographer friend :) I found that photographing glass is very hard!

What have you been playing with this week?

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Laser in Action

Not the greatest picture, hard to get a photo when it's moving so fast!

If you look close, you can see where it's lasering...looks like a mini fire :)

New Lasered Projects

I'm having so much fun with my laser I just don't know how I'm going to get everything done I want to! I want to laser anything and everything!!! I got quite a bit done yesterday and couldn't wait to show off my new projects :)

Glass etched picture frame

Wood engraved magnets Close up of a magnet...so cool!

Wood engraved pendants (and rings to come soon!!!) Live~Laugh~Love Engraved Tile Engraved Tile Coaster Wood Photo Plaque (These are still a work on progress.) Laserable Metal (Gold with Black backing!)

Etched cell phone cover Close up of etched design Etched glass stone (will most likely become a magnet) Glass etched Save the Date Wedding Favor tiles

Only the Beginning

I finally had my training on my new Epilog Laser Cutter yesterday!!! What an exciting day!!! I had 101 questions and played with the software and machine for about 3.5 hours while Crystal was here! And of course I played more after she left :)

Here are some of the projects we did yesterday:

Engraved Wood Plaque

Chipboard Letter for my Custom Name Albums

Chipboard Word

1" Etched Glass Tile

Etched Glass Cube

First we engraved on these Flip Flops and then we cut them!!!

And I've got 100s more ideas I want to play with today!!! Look for metal plaques, engraved scrapbook and photo album covers, leather journals and so, so much more!!! I'm willing to try anything requested :) I have a friend who wants me to engrave on his valve covers for his motor...LOL!

IT'S HEEEEEEEERE!!!

My laser cutter is officially HERE! I couldn't wait any longer to take it out of the box and get it on my new table! Though I can't use it until my training and ventilation system arrive next Friday, for now I'm happy to just look at it :)

Isn't she beautiful!

ANOTHER New Toy

By now I'm sure you've figured out how much I love scrapbooking toys :) There are just so many cool things you can do with new toys and so many new projects you can come up with!

I'm officially taking my toy collection to the next level! After the first of the year I'm buying a LASER CUTTER!!!!! The machine is called an Epilog and they came to demo it on Tuesday! Of course I was too busy playing and asking a billion questions to take any pics! But here is a photo from their site. It is sort of like an oversized printer or large microwave (in terms of size).

I originally started looking for a machine that would cut out my Custom Name Albums for me. My xacto knife gets the job done, but it sure is a lot of work...and time-consuming! Not only will this laser cutter cut out my albums...it will do SO much more!!! It will cut thin woods, acrylic, fabrics and rubber to name a few. And it will engrave on tile, marble, leather, wood, glass, etc. etc. The list just goes on and on!!!!!! And there is a rotary attachment for etching on round items like glasses and bottles!

This machine will make it possible for me to grow my inventory so I can do more shows. As well as shorten my turn-around time for custom orders. It will also allow me to expand my business in so many ways! My mind is working over time with all the ideas I want to use this machine for!

Don't tell Jesse, but I think I'm in love :)