Oops, I forgot one

I forgot one of my favorites. I have not made this into a tag, but do have a 300DPI PNG and a MTC cutting file in the zip file.




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Don't Pay the Ransom...I Escaped

I've been so busy I haven't posted anything since we came back from Ecuador, but for the life of me I can't tell you what I have been so busy doing. Just that I seem to be meeting myself coming back. Oh, well.

I have been creating some Christmas tag graphics and converting them into cut files for my Black Cat Cougar. These I would like to share. I have everything necessary to create the tag loaded into zip files. At least, I hope I didn't forget anything. If you decide to try some and I missed something just let me know and I will get it fixed.

One of my favorite things to do with my digital cutter is contour printing, also called print and cut or PnC for short.

I use Xara Designer Pro X, and occasionally Inkscape, to design the graphics and Make-the-Cut software to turn them into cuttable files.  More years ago than I intend to say, I was a computer programmer. Writing, maintaining, customizing and evaluating software was my job. I have purchased other cutter software as a back-up if I ever need one, but, for me, MTC is still the best, affordable, feature-rich software available for my purpose, bar none.

The files are PNG or SVG, so that any cutter or software can be used. I have also included a Make-the-Cut cut file in the zip file for those that use it. I've also added extra undecorated elements where I could so that you can add your own embellishments. IE: If you want a Monkey but not with a collar and tie, he's there.

This box is the only file that is not a PnC.  I designed it to hold one single piece of candy and the file cuts two on a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock. It can be easily enlarged to cut a bigger box.

  

Download the Zip File

I made this tag for my husband. It is self-explanatory.



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There is no real rhyme or reason to the theme of the tags except for the Monkey and Horse. They are my granddaughters favorite animals. But, by the time I stopped, I had almost a full barnyard.



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These are double-sided tags. Some fold at the side and some at the top. Once folded, I punched a hole in the connector and threaded gold cord through it to create the tie.






Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File

I used Pop Dots to layer the elements on some of the tags.



Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File

This file does not have to be PnC. I did make an optional decor layer that can be printed for a "glitter guide", which I did here, or for foiling.



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I orginally made the mouse holding, what I thought was, a chocoloate chip cookie. My husband says it looks more like a sponge. So, I made another.

Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File



Download the Zip File

I hope you can find something you can use. Enjoy!!

 

 

The Last Mornings

As usual, the first thing I did in the morning was step out onto the balcony. This was what greated me the last day in Cuenca.



And this was the last morning in Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador from my hotel window.

My Favorite Park

My favorite of the parks that we had time to visit was San Sabastian. I don't think it was as pretty as Parque Calderon, but it was further out from the city center thus much quieter and more peaceful.

The blue skys in Ecuador were beautiful.


There are a lot of stray dogs everywhere, but most still look well cared for and healthy. But, because there are so many, you do have to watch where you walk.




A young women and children playing. The children were adorable.


It appears pigeons gather everywhere.


My husband liked all the different palm/palm-like trees that grew there. The building behind the tree was typical. The top story on the right side was a home, the bottom story was an art gallery and on the left was a restaurant...San Sebas. It is owned by a young lady from the US.


Relaxing at the park.

         

Handicrafts

In addition to the beautiful Panama Hats that are original to Ecuador, the artisans also weave beautiful wool fabric from alpaca, angora, and other hair and fur then make beautiful scarves, shawls, blankets, clothing etc.

The artisans in Chordeleg are well known for their filigree. The delicate ornamental items of fine silver, gold, or other metal wires are a delight to behold.

Some of my Favorite Things

The amount of fresh fruit and vegetables that was available and cheap at the indigenous mercados was absolutely amazing. The produce was truly vine-ripe straight from the farms. It wasn't produce that had been picked before its time so that it could be shipped to grocery stores before it rotted. The mercados were similar to the farmer's markets that can be found here if you are lucky enough to live close to one. The difference is they were prolific. You didn't have to walk more than a few blocks to find one anywhere in the city. There were several really large ones scattered around the city as well. In the outlying towns, they would fill the entire town square on Wednesdays and Sundays.

On Wednesday, they fly in fresh fish from the coast. If you are there when it arrives, you can get several types of fish, shrimp, and tuna almost as fresh as if you had caught it yourself.  Otherwise, I am told, it is wise to forget it.

Orquideas

We took a drive to a couple of small towns outside of the city. We stopped at a commercial orchid grower's facitily and took a tour.

The growers seal the seed pods inside these glass bottles with only the air that exists in the bottle. They create their own micro-climate. There are 100's of orchids growing inside each bottle. When they reach a certain size, they transfer them to pots. It takes several years to complete the process.







Monkey-faced orchid.