Lost and Found!

One of the most important aspects of my job is meeting the people who actually use the Sizzix products on a daily basis. I want to hear what they like, what they need and what could we do better. I want to know how people are using the different products and what their favourite dies/folders are. Only by absorbing all the feedback can I do my job properly and create things that, hopefully will help to spark someone's creativity.

I have been attending trade and retail shows with Sizzix since 2001, and I always make notes while speaking to people to be filed away for later use. It's so nice to see familiar faces at the shows, most of them are people I only see once a year.

In February, I was in my usual spot at our UK trade show in Birmingham when one of those familiar faces appeared out of the sea of people. Sandra has been a Sizzix devotee since the very beginning, as such I always like to pick her brains and she in turn has a few questions of her own. Of course I always have answers, not necessarily the right ones!

Sandra told me that she was looking for a Christmas Bauble die which was sadly discontinued, she had checked all her local retailers and online sources but to no avail. She told me that she had lost the die and missed it tremendously. 

I remembered the die from her description and promised that I would search for it among my archives. As soon as I returned from the show a few days later, I had a good root around for the elusive die. I found the product code and checked our system, I even did an online search of my own but came up empty handed.

I kept Sandra's business card pinned to my cork board as a reminder, just in case one turned up out of the blue. About 3 months later I was teaching a workshop in Helsinki, Finland for Sinelli. I spent a little while roaming around their wonderful Aladdin's cave of a shop when I was stopped in my tracks; there in the Sizzix section was our missing die.

I couldn't wait to get back to the UK to give Sandra the good news, all I asked in return was a card and she duly obliged as you can see below.

I know that our wonderful customer service team spend a great deal of their time trying to solve similar problems for people on a daily basis, not just for our distributors and retailers but for individuals like Sandra. Happy Days!!

Mixed-media collage "Shop-window"


Hi All!

Daria is here. 

Some my posts earlier I showed you an art journal, that I made by myself. And today I would like to show you one of my page from this art journal.

Items used:

Big Shot Machine (657900)

Sizzix Bigz Die - Sewing Room (657186)

I cut mannequins and parts of dresses using Sewing Room die. 

I created background using acrylic paints and stamps. And then I glued mannequins and created dresses.

I outline the edges using PITT Artist Pen and permanent black pen. Also I added different cute things onto the dresses using stamps, doodling and rub-ons. And that's what I got in the end. Only one die helped me to create interesting page to my art journal.

Have a nice day!

Daria.

Всем привет!

Недавно я показывала вам свой арт-журнал, который сделала сама. А сейчас хочу показать одну из страничек, которую я сделала в этот журнал. 

Я вырезала манекены и верхние части платьев с использованием ножа Sewing Room. Затем я создала фон с помощью красок и штампов, приклеила манекены и одела на них платья. После этого я доработала коллаж, добавляя различные милые штучки на платья с помощью штампов, дудлинга и натирок. И вот что у меня получилось в итоге. Всего один нож для вырезания, и получилась целая страничка в арт-журнал.

Материалы:

Big Shot Machine (657900)

Sizzix Bigz Die - Sewing Room (657186)

Всем хорошего дня!

Дарья.

Gift bag

Hi everyone
Now it's Tuesday again and it's my turn to show you what I have made this time.
This Tuesday i will show you a gift bag using Bigz Sizzix dies Gulian and Abor.

 
Dies I have used:
Sizzix Bigz Die Gulian (658529)
Sizzix Bigz Die Abor(658523)
Doily & Doily Border (659058)
Bunch of Flowers(658602)
Supply list:
Paper bag brown 23x9 cm
Paper:Pion design- Silent Night- and -Almas sewing Room, Picture also from Pion design, off White and green cardstock
Ink:Distress ink -Vintage photo-
Brads and ribbon
How to make:
1. Cut a patterned paper 22,5x8,5 cm and glue to the center of the paper bag
2. Die cut the different sorts of sizzix dies
3. Ink the edges using Vintage Photo
4. Decorate the paper bag using the different sorts of flowers, brads and ribbon

I hope you enjoyed my project today, thanks for stopping by, see you next Tuesday

Wish you a great week

Pia

Hej alle
Så er det tirsdag igen og i dag vil jeg vise en gave pose som er dekoreret med Bigz Sizzix dies Gulian og Abor.
Dies jeg har brugt:
Sizzix Bigz Die Gulian (658529)
Sizzix Bigz Die Abor(658523)
Doily & Doily Border (659058)
Bunch of Flowers(658602)
Andre materialer
Papirs pose brun 23x9 cm
Papir:Pion design- Silent Night- and -Almas sewing Room, off White and green cardstock
Ink:Distress ink -Vintage photo-
Brads og bånd
How to make:
1. skær et  mønstret papir 22,5x8,5 cm og lim det til midten af pose
2. udstands de forskellige sizzix dies sizzix dies
3. Ink alle kanter med Vintage Photo
4. Dekorer papirs posen med de forskellige blomster, border, bånd og brads

  Jeg håber du blev inspireret, tak fordi du kiggede forbi, vi ses næste tirsdag

Ønsker dig en dejlig uge

Pia

Bloom....(Pop-Up Tag)

Hi everyone...hope you had a great week... today I have a Pop-Up Tag to show you.

Supply list:
657900 Sizzix Big Shot machine
658378 Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts XL Die - Card, Square w/Ornate Edge
658373 Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts Magnetic Insert Die - Label, Funky 3-D (Pop-Up)
658444 Sizzix Bigz Die - Leaves, Bouquet
658445 Sizzix Bigz Die - Phrase, Bloom & Plant Markers

Papers: Manila Kraft cardstock, Manila Tag #12, Watercolor paper.
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz collection
Inks: Distress Stain - Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn,
Distress ink Pad -  Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn, Archival Ink - Jet Black. Perfect Pearls - Heirloom Gold, Forever Green.
Other: Seam Binding Ribbon

How to make:

Distress Manila Kraft cardstock with Distress Stain - Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn and Perfect Pearls - Forever Green, die cut the green cardstock with 658373 Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts Magnetic Insert Die - Label, Funky 3-D (Pop-Up)
Distress Manila Tag #12 with Distress Stain - Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey and Perfect Pearls - Heirloom Gold and water. Let it dry and distress the rest of the tag with Distress ink Pad -  Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey.

You can see the result of the Perfect Pearls in the picture under here...it's like "Gold" :o))

Die cut flower, leaves, bloom and plant markers in watercolor paper. Distress the die cuts with Distress ink Pad -  Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn and some water. Stamp some text and motif on the tag and cardstock before you glue it together. Finished the tag with flowers, leaves etc.

Some close up pictures...

Small details...

Thanks for stopping by and wish you a great day!

Anne Kristine

Hei alle sammen...håper du har hatt en fin uke ...i dag har jeg laget en Pop-Up tag 

Materialer:

657900 Sizzix Big Shot machine
658378 Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts XL Die - Card, Square w/Ornate Edge
658373 Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts Magnetic Insert Die - Label, Funky 3-D (Pop-Up)
658444 Sizzix Bigz Die - Leaves, Bouquet
658445 Sizzix Bigz Die - Phrase, Bloom & Plant Markers

Papir: Manila Kraft kartong, Manila Tag #12, akvarell papir.
Stempler: Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz collection
Inks: Distress Stain - Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn,
Distress ink Pad -  Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn, Archival Ink - Jet Black. Perfect Pearls - Heirloom Gold, Forever Green.
Annet: Seam Binding bånd.

Beskrivelse:
Distress Manila Kraft kartong med Distress Stain - Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn og Perfect Pearls - Forever Green, stans ut den grønne kartongen med 658373 Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts Magnetic Insert Die - Label, Funky 3-D (Pop-Up)
Distress Manila Tag #12 med Distress Stain - Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey and Perfect Pearls - Heirloom Gold og vann. La det tørke og distress resten av tag'en med Distress ink Pad -  Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey.
Stans ut blomster, blader, "bloom" and skilt i akvarell papir. Distress dette med Distress ink Pad -  Spiced Marmelade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Moved Lawn og vann. Stemple tekst og motiver på tag og kartongen før det limes sammen. Lim til sist blomster og pynt på innsiden og utsiden av tag'en.

Takk for at du stikker innom her...ønsker deg en herlig dag!

Anne Kristine

Home, sweet home

Hi everybody! Elena here. Did you see the amazing Love Home Decor that talented Paula Pascual posted on Saturday? It is so beautiful! I  did something similar but with a very different look with the Noel Bigz Die but It is still a secret (Don't tell anybody!!) These Bigz Dies are amazing for those type of pieces!! Anyway, I got inspired by Paula and wanted to create something beautiful for my home using one of them. After a little thinking I made a very modern but cute home decor frame, and I love it!

Supply list:

• 657900 Sizzix Big Shot machine
• 658626 Sizzix Bigz Die - Phrase, Home

• Cardstock: Brown, Pink
• Distress Ink
• Paper: Hello Pastel, Prima
• Chipboard
• Frame: Ikea

As you can see it is very easy to make but the result is a very eyecatching piece. Just die cut the Home die out of chipboard and a pretty paper and glue together. Then ink the edges with Distress ink and frame it with brown and pink cardstock. And, voilà! My new home decor frame is on my inspirational shelf. 

Happy Monday!

.................

Hola a todos! ¿Visteis el adorno tan chulo que hizo la talentosa Paula Pascual el sábado utilizando el Bigz Die Love? ¡Es súper bonito! Yo he hecho algo parecido pero con un resultado muy diferente con el Bigz Die Noel pero todavía es un secreto (No se lo digáis a nadie, ¿eh?) De todas maneras Paula me ha inspirado para hacer algo bonito para mi casa con estos troqueles, así que después de pensar un poquito he hecho este marco de aire moderno pero muy mono ¡Y me encanta!

Materiales:

• 657900 Sizzix Big Shot machine
• 658626 Sizzix Bigz Die - Phrase, Home

• Cartulina: marrón, rosa
• Distress Ink
• Papel: Hello Pastel, Prima
• Cartón
• Marco: Ikea

Como podéis ver es muy sencillo de hacer pero el resultado es una pieza muy llamativa. Troquela el Home con cartón y papel decorado y pégalo todo junto. Después entinta los bordes con tinta Distress y crea un marco doble con cartulina marrón y rosa. ¡Y listo! mi nuevo marco está ya en mi pequeña estantería de inspiración.

¡Feliz lunes!

do you have any questions?


I thought it might be a nice idea to have a Q&A session for any of you that are curious about using a Big Shot in your quilting projects. Maybe you already have one and want to try some of the quilting dies and would like to know which dies I find the most useful?
I get quite a few emails, messages via twitter and instagram, asking my advice about dies, the machines and what I would recommend to buy so there must be some of you out there that have burning questions to ask.

Leave a comment on this post and next Monday I'll answer your questions.

The picture that accompanies today's post is a project I made earlier in the year using the hexagons dies. I was really sad to see this cushion go off to Sizzix UK HQ (I really hope one day it'll come back home). I used fabrics by Sarah Fielke that were only available in Australia and I think it's probably one my favourite projects ever. It's simple but, oh my gosh, I love it.

Love Home Decor

As my first Christmas collection for Sizzix is hitting the stores, I can finally share one of the projects using one of my favourite dies that I have designed, Love, Phrase 658625.

I started by die cutting with my Big Shot between 8 and 10 Love Phrases, one layer at a time, using chipboard or mount board. Then, I glued each layer together, I like to use wet glue and apply it all over the die cut.

After I attach each and every layer, I make sure that it is well attached everywhere and that it is flushed to the bottom. Once that I glued all of the layers I make sure that it sits on its own, if not, you can sand the bottom to make it more smooth and/or add more layers.

This step is completely optional. As a bit of a perfectionist I like to smooth all the edges to create a more solid effect. So I apply a thin layer of Grunge paste and flatten it out around all the more visible edges. After all the paste has dried, I sand it a bit to make it completely smooth.

I like to use acrylic paints to cover the whole phrase. For this particular project I decided to give it a bit of shabby chic look, so I use white paint to give it a bit of a white wash look, and then I used  Treasure Platinum rubbing gently all over the front.

And here it is, in my front room. I love it!

--------

Como mi primera colección de Navidad para Sizzix está llegando a las tiendas, por fin puedo compartir un proyecto usando uno de mis troqueles favoritos, Love, Phrase 658625.

Comencé troquelando con mi Big Shot entre 8 y 10 LOVE, utilizando aglomerado de carton o tablero de montaje de uno en uno. A continuación, pegué cada capa a la anterior, me gusta usar pegamento tipo Tacky glue y aplicarlo por todo el troquelado.

Después de pegar cada capa, me aseguro de que estén bien conectadas en todas partes y que estén niveladas por abajo. Una vez que todas las capas están pegadas me aseguro de que se sostiene por sí mismo, si no, se puede lijar la parte inferior para que sea más suave y / o añadir más capas.

El siguiente paso es completamente opcional. Como soy un poco perfeccionista me gusta suavizar todos los bordes para crear un efecto más sólido. Así que aplico una capa de pasta de Grunge - o cualquier pasta de textura - y utilizo un espátula para alisar todos los bordes que sean más visibles. Después de todo la pasta se haya secado, la lijo un poco para que sea completamente lisa.

Me gusta usar pinturas acrílicas para cubrir toda la frase. Para este proyecto en particular, decidí darle un look Shabby Chic, así que utilicé pintura blanca para darle una pasada no uniforme y luego usé Treasure Platinum Rub utilizando mis dedos como pinceles aplicándolo muy suavemente por todo el frente.

Y aquí está, en mi sala de estar. ¡Me encanta!

Baroque Bold Blossoms Card

Hi there! It's Rachel here with a card idea using the Sizzix Baroque Die & Pillow Box with Labels Die with Darkroom Door stamps.

Here's how I made the card:
1. Create a green card base by trimming the cardstock to 240mm x 150mm and fold in half.
2. Ink the Darkroom Door French Script Background stamp using Venetian Orange Archival ink and stamp onto the top left and bottom right corners. Ink the Darkroom Door Flourish Background Stamp using the same ink pad and stamp onto the bottom left and top right corners. Sponge around the edge of the card using Peeled Paint Distress Ink.
3. Use white cardstock to cut one piece from the Sizzix Baroque die 656633. Ink the flower from Darkroom Door 'Bold Blossoms' stamp set using Distress Markers (Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Barn Door) and stamp onto the die cut cardstock. Squeeze some Viva Decor Transparent Gloss Gel onto the petals and allow to dry.
4. Sponge the edges of the die cut cardstock using Crushed Olive Distress Ink. Wrap bakers twine around the base of the cardstock and tie at the front. Adhere to card using foam adhesive.

5. Create some labels using the Sizzix Pillow Box with Labels die 658268. This die has three different sized labels on it so you can choose the one that suits your sentiment!
6. Sponge around the edges of the die cut label using Crushed Olive Distress Ink. Stamp the sentiment from Darkroom Door 'Orchids' stamp set using Archival Jet Black ink. Adhere to card using foam adhesive.

Hope you have enjoyed today's idea! Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great weekend!

Rachel

Freestyle layout with Sizzix Thinlits and framelits

Hi, how are you doing these days? I'm travelling and teaching now - and attending the CHA show in Las Vegas, so if you are around... ;)
Today I'm sharing a layout - another simple mixed-media project based on the idea of layering element and splashing the paint and stain. I wanted it messy, grungy, but light... so here it is!

And some close-ups - I really love the idea of the "Instant frame" - it attracts the eye and focuses  it on the photo :)

To create a project similar to this you will need 2 different Sizzix dies:
- 658608 - Sizzix Framelits Die Set 4PK - Frames, Instant
- 658947 - Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border

All the papers, stamps and metal embellishments are releases of my products with Prima Marketing -  Vintage Vanity A4 Journaling pad, Vintage Vanity Clear Stamps, Sunrise-Sunset Collection and Mechanicals.  Layout was finished using a bit of Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink, tea stain and spray paint. For stricking the elements and dimension I used products from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: 3D Foam Squares and Crafty Power Tape.

I hope you are ready to create something messy now :) Any ideas coming to you? Get a longer look at your dies - and have a great creative day!
xoxxo
Finn

Making a Travel Journal

Hi Sizzix fans! It's Anna posting today. I hope you had a great, creative week!

Once again I had fun with my Big Shot! Here is a mini album I realized specially for one of my online classes. I completed my mini using my favourite dies of the moment. I really like using Sizzix dies as embellishments in my mini albums!
The theme of this mini book is a travel to Morocco. I created a mixed paper journal that holds all of my pictures, tickets, brochures, and other mementos...

Items used:

Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit (658300) machine + dies
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border #2 (659058)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Estate by Prima Marketing Inc. (658527)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Tiny Tabs & Tags (657188)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Circles, Scallop (657552)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps – Banners (658289)

Sizzix Bigz Die - Elisse by Prima Marketing Inc. (658526)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Stars (656339)
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die - Tag & Tie (657859)

cardboard
white acrylic paint
cardstock
patterned paper
tissue paper
scraps of glitter paper, felt
paper doily
washi tape
buttons
twine
journaling tag
stamps
sewing machine, yarn

How to make:

Collect tickets, brochure, postcards, other paper along the way.
Document your trip on a variety of mixed papers.
Combine your travel ephemera, mixed papers, envelopes and pictures. To make sure your holes are evenly spaced out, just use a ruler and a pencil to mark where you should punch. Now just slide your book rings through the holes. Since the book rings are super easy to remove, you can add as little or as much stuff as you want.

For the cover I used two piece of cardboard 15x10 cm. I painted the cardboard with white acrylic paint and I used a doily, some banner, tag, flower and heart that I had cut out with my Big Shot Machine.

Cut the labels with die 657188 to divide each section, sticking out from the mini album.

You're done!

I hope you liked it!

So I'll say goodbye for this week and show you something else next week!

**************************************
Per le amiche italiane! :)

Buongiorno! Ecco un nuovo appuntamento con Anna per una pausa caffè creativa! Oggi è anche il mio onomastico, che bello :)

Come potete immaginare, anche questa settimana mi sono divertita con la mia Big Shot!

Ecco un mini album facile facile per documentare una vacanza o una gita. 

Il tema di questo mio mini è un viaggio in Marocco di qualche anno fa. Ho creato una sorta di diario di viaggio che contiene tutte le mie foto, biglietti, brochure e altri ricordi. Io ho preferito assemblare il mio mini in ordine cronologico, ma voi siete libere di scegliere come impostarlo.
Ho così finalmente completato il mio travel journal usando le mie fustelle preferite del momento. Mi piace molto usare forme fustellate come abbellimenti... non so se si era capito! ;)

Materiali:

Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit (658300) machine + dies
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border #2 (659058)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Estate by Prima Marketing Inc. (658527)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Tiny Tabs & Tags (657188)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Circles, Scallop (657552)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps – Banners (658289)

Sizzix Bigz Die - Elisse by Prima Marketing Inc. (658526)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Stars (656339)
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die - Tag & Tie (657859)

cartone (per copertina e abbellimenti)
vernice acrilica bianca
cartoncini tinta unita
carte fantasia varie
carta velina
ritagli di carta glitter, feltro
centrino di carta
washi tape
bottoni
cordoncini vari
journaling tag
timbri
macchina da cucire, filo

Procedimento:

Nemmeno ve lo dovrei dire, perchè so che lo fate già: durante il vostro viaggio dovrete raccogliere ticket, brochure, cartoline e altri piccoli souvenirs, come mappe, tovaglioli o biglietti da visita dei bar o ristoranti... Tutto fa brodo! ;)
Al vostro ritorno potrete così documentare perfettamente il viaggio combinando i memorabilia con foto e diario, per creare il vostro personale mini album. 

Se volete, potete anche prepararvi prima la struttura del mini album, così da portarlo con voi in viaggio. Lo userete come un diario da completare giorno per giorno. In questo modo sarete a metà dell'opera: una volta tornate a casa dovrete solo aggiungere le foto e fare i fori ad alcuni souvenirs, semplice, no?!

Per la copertina:
Io ho usato due pezzi di cartone 15x10 cm. Ho dipinto il cartone con vernice acrilica bianca e per abbellire ho usato un centrino, alcuni banner, tag, fiore e cuore, che avevo ritagliato precedentemente con la mia preziosa Big Shot e le fustelle Sizzix.

Per l'interno del mini album:
Ritagliare alcuni cartoncini tinta unita e fantasia sempre della misura 10x15, per creare le vostre pagine, dove incollerete le foto e scriverete il journaling.
Se durante il vostro viaggio avete visitato diverse località, potrete fare delle pagine divisorie con i nomi dei luoghi. In questo caso tagliare le etichette con la fustella Sizzix Tiny Tabs & Tags per dividere ogni sezione; le etichette le farete  spuntare dal mini album per ritrovare facilmente il luogo che vi interessa rivedere.
Potete mescolare pagine 10x15 con buste di varie dimensioni, tag, bustine trasparenti, cartoline, mappe, brochure... basterà praticare due fori, dove inserirete gli anelli metallici apribili, che terranno assieme tutti i ricordi e il materiale documentato.
Per assicurarvi che i fori siano distribuiti uniformemente, basta usare un righello e una matita per segnare dove forare. Dal momento che gli anelli sono super facili da rimuovere, è possibile aggiungere pagine e documentazione a proprio piacimento... e il gioco è fatto!

Spero proprio di avervi aiutato per realizzare il vostro prossimo album delle vacanze!

Ciaoooo! Ci vediamo venerdì prossimo!

Not extinct after all!!!



 

 

This is one of our newest dies - from the Cuddly Creatures range. Look them up on our web site - Sizzix.co.uk.

I decided to make put the dinosaur on a canvas frame to decorate a little boy's room, and it is such a quick project - choose two fabrics about 8" x 6" and iron fusible web to the wrong side of each piece.

Using Sizzix Bigz Die 658637 place one fabric over the dinosaur body and the other over the legs and arms ( cut 2 complete dinosaurs at once), and roll through the Big Shot machine to cut the fabric, 

Remove any paper backing from the shapes and position on the background fabric - make sure to place one leg and arm behind the body.

Iron the pieces in place and zig-zag stitch in place.

I then created the eye with 2 bullion stitches, because I couldn't find a button that I liked.

I then stretched the fabric over the canvas, stapling the fabric to the back of the frame.

I then glued a piece of felt over the back and it's ready to hand on a wall or stand on a little easel.

This only took about an hour to make so it's an ideal gift for a new baby or a quick birthday gift for a toddler.

I hope you like it, and of course you could do the same with any of the Cuddly Creatures range - so have fun sewing.

It's now only 2 weeks until Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, and I hope that many of you will call by and see me on C43 where I will be running short workshops each day of the show.

See you soon.

Angela