Wednesday 31 October 2012

Cardmaking: Trifold card in red and blue





Happy Wednesday everyone,

I love colours. Especially during dark and rainy autumn days I like to work with patterned papers with rich and vivid colours. I enjoy challenging myself to use colour combinations out of my own comfort zone, and experimenting with different tints, shades and tones is always a lot of fun. However, strong basic colours are also a great source of inspiration. Primary colours, blue and red, inspired me to make these simple trifold cards:




Here’s a list of materials I used:

These cards are really quick and easy to make:

First I cut a rectangle sized 15 cm x 30 cm from white cardstock, and scored, cut and folded it (see template below).


 
 

 Then I cut 13 rectangle panels of blue and red cardstock: For each card you need 3 large panels (9,5 cm x 6,5 cm), 2 mid-sized panels (3,5 cm x 9,5 cm) and 8 small panels (4,5 cm x 3,5 cm).  Then I took one of the small folders in Peacock vine set and embossed 10 pieces of white cardstock with it. Using an ink applicator I inked the embossed images and cut them to a size slightly smaller than the red and blue panels. I attached the rectangle shaped inked images to the red and blue rectangles and adhere to the card base panels with two-sided tape.





The banners I stamped on white cardstock and then die-cut with the matching die. I punched small holes in the banner corners and pulled a piece of embroidery yarn through the corners. Before attaching the banners to the card with 3D foam stickers I made tiny knots to the yarn ends. I fixed the knots with a tiny drop of glue.




For the middle banner I printed the sentiment text on white cardstock and die-cut the image with my BigShot. After the middle banner was adhered to the card base my trifold card was finished!









Which basic colours will inspire you this week?

I wish you a nice week.
Love,

Tuesday 30 October 2012

It's all about the circles!




Hey there!

Christmas is just around the corner : have you get started on making your Christmas decorations? Are you doing December Daily?! I am and I will share lots of DD inspiration on the Sizzix blog!

Today, it's GEOMETRY day! :D CIRCLES are trendy and have been loving using those lately.

I would like to show you a layout today, on which I used 2 Framelits dies (Framelits : Stars (657567) and Circles (657551) )- with my Big Shot Pro.

This is what you'll need for this layout :





The AWESOME thing on a Big Shot Pro is that you can cut EVERYWHERE on a PAGE! Here, I used my Circles Framelits dies and cut into vellum!

The Big Shot Pro is perfect for the crafter who wants it all comes the pro-strength machine that does it all. From our smallest dies to our biggest 12" wide plastic-backed treasures and embossing tools, the Big Shot Pro Machine works with every Sizzix and Ellison design ever made.

Mount a patterned paper behind the vellum and sew them together. Add some embellishments behind the vellum as well.





Add some Stars here and there to bring interest to your page.


Enjoy!
Take care!
CĂ©line

Monday 29 October 2012

Life is sweet mini album



Hi everyone!
How are you?
Winter is coming and halloween is really closed but I want to show you the last project I made for a scrapbooking event where I taught:)
I made this mini album entirely handmade and sizzix products are amazing for this! They allow you to create pieces of art by yourself, and nothing is better than this! Don't you think?

Last monday I showed you the cover of this mini album now I want to share other pages inside :)

Materials you need:
Big shot machine (655268)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Stripe Die - mini paper rosettes (657177)
Sizzix Eclips machine and Ecal
Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 2PK Scroll Frame & succulent set (657716)
stamps from studio calico
journaling tabs and cards chic tags
washi tapes bella boulevard
sewing machine
vellum
papers from studio calico, dear lizzy neapolitan american crafts,october afternoon.

Here is the video...




Let me know what do you think:)

For the page Sisters I have created a sort of shaker box using white cardstock from bazzill , embossing it with the succulent die, I have used my distress to mark the draw and after I have left a window for the photo in the vellum, the vellum was the part of the shaker box :) inside circles, flowers and whatever you like :)

Have a lovely week




Saturday 27 October 2012

Halloween Treats



Here are a couple of quick and fun decorating ideas for your Halloween holiday table! Can you guess what I used to make the little ghosts? Leave your guesses in the comments...

The ScoreBoard Candy Cup was cut from orange matboard and stamped with a 
spider web and black bird...
I used the ScoreBoard Cupcake Stand to make the base. I covered matboard with spray adhesive  and silver glitter wrapping paper.

Black and orange crepe paper was gathered and formed into a nest in the Cupcake Ruffle die for the ghost. I left some of it sticking up to soften the edge.
Signs were made by cutting out pennants from the Cupcake Stand die and wrapping
them around a silver pipe cleaner.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Eileen

Friday 26 October 2012

Spooky or Sweet? - Halloween layout


Hi again Sizzix fans!
Halloween is almost here with all its ghosts, monsters, witches and other spooky characters. Although this tradition is not very popular in Poland we do love dressing up too and throw some nice parties on this time :) My today's creation is based on one of the "Halloween" photos - when for the crazy photo session I made with my friends I was dressed up like a character froma Mexican celebration called "Dia De Los Muertos" - and we really had some crazy fun then! (Actually, you can see my husband's face on this photo - I can't decide was he amused or thought we were totally crazy :))




Supply list for this project:
- 658289 - Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps - Banners
- 658294 - Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK w/Stamps - Labels, Old
- 657007Sizzix Movers & Shapers Accessory - Base Tray, L
- 657841Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 11PK - Cargo Stencil Number Set
- 657458Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 2PK - Mini Bat & Skull Set 
others:
- Ranger: Distress Walnut Stain Ink, Archival Jet Black Ink
- Tim Holtz: Tissue tape, alphabets, metal frame (idea-ology)
- 7 Dots Studio: Advert Collage Sheet
- Pink Paislee - spay resist papers
- masking tape, colorful sprays, 3D foam, thread, sewing machine, tea stain.


As you can see the whole layout is build on pany layers - tapes, papers, paint - all toghether is a background for a quite freestyle composition, where one of the most inportant elements are little labels and banners mounted on 3D foam - Framelits from Paula Pascual collections.
I colored the background and patterned papers by myslef - using colorful sprays.



Again I couldn't resist and I added some Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers stamping in the up-left corner too - Archival Ink worked great for that!



A little final touch was  a skull (Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers) which together with some gems was placed on the photo - and colored it... pink. Seriously - is there a better detail to finish tis page? ;) 



I hoped you liked my not very serious and traditional take on Halloween layout - I had great fun creating it for sure - and I wish you the same fun in the whole coming week!
See you soon!
Finn

Thursday 25 October 2012

Autumn Leaves


Driving to work and back is not the most fun aspect of my job at the best of times as I'm sure many of you will heartily agree, although when the sun* is low in the sky it really shows of the riot of colour that is Autumn.

With that in mind I want to share a wreath I made recently using the Bigz Tattered Leaves Die(656927) and Bigz Tattered Pinecone (657492)

I started with a base made from mountboard using two plates to draw the circles. I next die cut the leaves out of plain card and used inks to bring out the detail. Once the leaves were all attached with a glue gun I made my tattered pine cones, this is a great die which can also be used to make beautiful flowers too. I also added bows made from plaid ribbon. When it was all complete I went to work with my trusty Perfect Pearls Mists Spray (Sunflower Sparkle) to add the finishing touch.

*(for those of you reading this in the UK the sun is that hot, yellow, shiny thing that we sometimes see in the sky around June/July!)

Ideas from a holiday



Hello again.
I could ask if you've missed me but I scheduled blogs to post while I was away so you didn't know.
I have been on holiday visiting family in Uganda and of course looking for patchwork ideas and projects. Yes I did take a sewing machine - as a handbag in hand luggage!!
 
 
 
This was the first, and indeed only real patchwork find - in my daughters kitchen - what a great idea for using up some of your scrap pile and make something useful - you could make several for Christmas presents. Using one of Sizzix square dies - probably 657609 ( 4" finished) - cut co-ordinating or contrasting fabrics - you could either purchase fat quarters or raid your scrap basket.
Join the squares together to make rows wide enough for the apron front, make enough rows to make the length you need - make a smaller block of squares for the bib top. For the backing use calico or toning fabric - cut out to match the apron front, pin together and then bind.
Make a pocket from a few more squares and attach to apron. To finish cut 2 strips of fabric to make the ties and attach to the apron.
We visited Lake Victoria and I couldn't resist taking a photo of this path -one of my favourite designs - apple core - which made a very smooth walkway.
Shopping at one of the markets I found these earrings - made using circles of fabric to create Suffolk puffs - now these are actually too big for me to wear - but could be made smaller - using die  657604 -( 4" circles)
These earrings were made with 2 circles for each earring each gathered and then the 2 pieces put smooth sides together and slip stitched together, a bead was then attached to the circle and an earring wire attached.
These are so quick to make and could be made in all sorts of crazy colours just for Christmas. Or you could create a Christmas tree design by making several and arranging them in a pyramid - obviously that would be for a decoration or a cushion - not for earrings unless you have a very long neck!!
 
Now I want to apologise for the final photo - I don't usually put photos of myself on my blog - but I just want you all to know that really I was hard at work sewing my hexagons together .
 
 
 
 
Well it is a hard life - Abi one of my granddaughters was impressed.
That's all for this week.
Have fun with all you sewing projects.
Angela

New cards by Karine



Hello!

Today we’ll create two sweet cards using one of my favorite techniques: embossing!

I used the two folders below:

Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Bohemian Lace Set (657811)

Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Psychedelic Dreams Set (657820)




The first one "Life is good" will be destined to cheer someone up. Its size is 20x10cms. It is cut out of white cardstock and folded in half.

Another white paper is embossed with the help of the Big Shot machine then glued above the first paper. Then I added printed masking tape and small hearts. The big heart is from a Hero Arts stamp and the smallest ones are punchies.
All four are stamped with Viridian Archival ink.

The smallest hearts are glued with 3D adhesives.

In the end, I stamped the title "Life is good" with black Versafine ink.

The second card’s size is 10.5x17cms. I embossed another cardstock (9x13.5cms) that I glued and decorated.
I created a banderole with Divine Twine thread and colourful masking tape, and I knotted it around my card.

Then I scooped out a circle with a punch. I shaded it with Adirondack Clover ink and glued it on my card. A wooden accent completes the whole. The words „thank you“ are printed in black and cut in strips.





See you next week!

Karine

Supply list:

Cardstock: American Crafts
Masking Tape
Stamps: Hero Arts, Technique Tuesday, Craft Origine
Wooden accent: Studio Calico
Inks: Archival Viridian, black Versafine, Adirondack Clover



Bonjour !

Pour aujourd'hui deux petites cartes toutes douces pour faire plaisir à partir de ma technique préférée l'embossage à sec !

J'ai utilisé ici deux plaques donc voici les références :

Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Bohemian Lace Set (657811)


Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Psychedelic Dreams Set (657820)

La première destinée à remonter le moral "Life is good" est au format 20x10cm. Elle est découpée dans du cardstock blanc puis pliée en deux.

Un nouveau papier blanc est embossé à la Big Shot et collé par dessus. J'ai ensuité complété ma carte verticale avec du scotch de masquage imprimé et des petits coeurs. Le grand coeur est un tampon Hero Arts et les petits sont des perforatrices.
Tous les quatres sont tamponnés avec de l'encre Archival couleur Viridian.

Les plus petits coeurs sont montés en 3D.

Le titre "Life is good" est tamponné à la fin à l'encre Versafine noire.

La seconde carte est quant à elle au format 10,5x17cm. J'ai également embossé un autre cardstock au format 9x13,5cm que j'ai collé et décoré.
J'ai fabriqué une petite banderole à partir de cordelette Divine Twine et de masking tape coloré que j'ai noué autour de ma carte.

J'ai ensuite évidé un rond à la perforatrice que j'ai ensuite ombré à l'encre Adirondack Clover puis recollé sur ma carte. Une décoration en bois vient compléter l'ensemble. Le mot "Merci" est imprimé en noir et découpé en bandelette.

A la semaine prochaine !

Karine

Matériel :

Cardstock : American Crafts
Masking Tape
Tampons : Hero Arts, Technique Tuesday, Craft Origine
DĂ©coration bois : Studio Calico
Encres : Archival Viridian, Versafine noire, Adirondack Clover

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Layout: Up! with embossed background image

 
Happy Wednesday everyone,
 

I’m a big fan of scrapbooking and cardmaking sketches. Very often I start working on a scrapbooking layout by browsing through sketches on the internet. Sometimes I follow the sketch very closely and sometimes I just pick up pieces here and there. And quite often it happens that the outcome does not resemble the sketch at all. I just used it to get myself in the creative mood  :).

This layout was made using a sketch I found at Basic Grey blog.




On my layout I placed the vertical centerpiece a bit lower, put the photo on the left side and removed the journaling tags. Also title positioning was a bit different. But you can still recognize this sketch when looking at my layout, right? 




 

Here’s a list of materials I used:

Using both folders in the Textured Impressions set I started by embossing the flower images on white cardstock. I inked the large flower images with green and blue Distress inks and embellished them with blue flower-shaped brads. The other embossed flower images were inked and then cut into 2 cm wide strips. Those were going to be used for the vertical picture panel background.




The background paper needed a bit darker tone so I sprayed it with green mist. When the mist was dry I mixed white acrylic paint with water, put dots of wet paint on the background edge and tilted the paper vertically. This created a nice paint dripping effect on the background.  When the paint was dry I added some more white paint on the background with a paint dabber. And white acrylic paint was also used for the background bubbles; I used a mist bottle cap for stamping the tiny circles. 




I like cutting embellishments out of patterned paper and the chevron pattern was just perfect for this purpose. The same pattern was used for the center piece and for the dragonfly. This patterned paper is really versatile, don’t you think!





For the dragonfly I cut a diamond shape out of green cardstock and then a slightly smaller diamond of light blue canvas. Those two were attached together by machine sewing with a straight stitch. Before adhering the dragonfly (with 3D foam stickers) I wrapped a piece of twine around the spool and glued the rest of the ribbon on the background. Gluing a ribbon on cardstock is done easiest by first drawing the path on the cardstock with liquid glue and then placing the ribbon on the glue. When working with glue and a ribbon try to keep your fingers clean, as the ribbon will very easily stick to the glue on your fingers and attaching the ribbon on the cardstock will get tricky!






The background patterned paper was a bit thin so I decided to attach it on a sheet of white cardstock. Before adhering I trimmed the edges a bit for creating a 0,5 cm white border around the page.  When the layout was finished I was very happy about the outcome. The embossed and inked flower panel gives a nice touch to the page, don’t you think? 


I wish you a nice week. 

Love,