Hi, it's great to see you here!
I'm having a time in my creative life when I'd like to use a very limited color palette, focus more on the texture and free space than color. When it comes to texture - what can be better than layers of beautifully cut and ripped paper? Great, matching detail here and there makes a huge difference and it is great if you can decide what shape you want to use - and repeat this pattern many times too! This is one of the reasons why I like using Sizzix dies - I'm not limited with number of elements I want to use!
On the layout below I used just one cut-out element - but it is matching perfectly with the stencil, crochet doily and all the layers I put on the background. Simply perfect!
Here is the set I used for this project:
659010 - Thinlits die set - Christmas
You can see more on the close-ups:
All I needed here was a bit of watercolor - Distress Ink - some chalk paint and stamping - with my Vintage Vanity stamps from Prima. Finishing touches were done with soft pencil.
I wish you all a great, creative week!
best wishes
Finn
Hi,I hope you had a great week :)
I had - not often you have a chance to visit Sizzix headquarters meet your friends from the blog and have a peek into the heart of the company, right? How lucky I am! I love my job and this opportunity to travel and experience so much.
Talking about experience - today I have something I made inspired by my recent visit to Avoca Woolen Mills in County Wicklow, Ireland. This place is full of breathtaking colors, patterns, textures... just have a look!
You can read more about this place and my project idea in one of the posts on my blog - here. You will see there I got inspired by yarn, blanket pattern and color scheme - and echos of this fascination you can see on my layout below:
The color palette is based on 4 colors of Distress Inks: Broken China, Brushed Corduroy, Shabby Shutters and Picked Raspberry and the composition is a multi-layered, artsy project based on using white cardstcock, Prima Elementals Canvas Resist Sheet and lace leftovers from my table! The easiest ideas are usually the best!
You can see a lot of Sizzix cut-outs here too - it's a selection of my favorite Thinlits, Sizzlits and Bigz Dies:
- 658720 - Sizzix Bigz Die - Ornate Frame
- 658502 - Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Flower, Daisy
- 659117 - Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Springtime
All these elements together create eye-catching, fresh looking composition - great both on layout and greeting card. You simply can't go wrong! Finishing the layout with stamping and a bit of pencil doodling was fast and enjoyable. And...can you see this hot pink yarn? Mindblowing!
I wish you all a great creative week - see you soon!
Finn
Hi, it's Friday again - time for inspiration from me:)
I promised myself to work on my "small project" skills - I really prefer to create at bigger formats and cards, tags or ATC cards look always a bit too tight for me. There isn't simply enough of space to play with layers and texture - and that is what I love the most, right?
Here is one of my "tryings" - autumn greeting card I've made using my favorite supplies - Mechanicals, vintage papers, some Prima papers and flowers and finally some Sizzix Dies of course. I hope you will enjoy!
As you can see I did my best to put as many paper layers as possible - 2 of them are cut-out elements which I cut into halves to match my composition.
Here are the dies I've chosen for this project:
- Sizzix Bigz Die - Ornate Frame (658720)
- Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border (658947)
Layers of paper a bit of trim, a bit of lace cut into smaller pieces, some metal and paper flowers and trinkets - this is all what you need to create a card like this! How cool is this?
If you have a feeling you need a bit more "vintage touch" you can always spray the composition with some inks or stains!
I wish you all a great creative weekend!
Finn
Hi,It's me and my new project for you!
Last weeks were very busy for me - a lot of travelling and teaching, meeting people, gathering and sharing inspiration. Oh, how i love classes:)
During one of the weekends - at Stockholm ScrapClass event in Sweden - I've created the project showed below - based on mixed-media techniques and using lots, lots of Sizzix cut outs:
As you can see Sizzlits Decorative Strips were used not only for cutting out pieces for decoration but also masking the background. I love the effects you can achieve this way - perfect matching elements both on the paper and between the layers under the photo!
I couldn't help myself and found some space to add some doily cut-outs too - I simply love ripping them into pieces and adding to my project as extra texture!
Here you can find the links to the Sizzix Dies I used for this layout:
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Harlequin Border (657825)
- Sizzix Thinlits Die - Doily (659068)
All the other products are from Prima Marketing - mostly my Resist Canvas collection - Elementals, Vintage Vanity background stamps and papers from A4 Journaling Paper Pad.
Sending you best wishes - see you soon!
Finn
Hi, I hope you have a great day!
Well, it's me again and I'm here today to continue the series of winter-inspired projects. You could see my winter gift bag few weeks ago - and today I'm back with multi-layered, dimensional winter card:) I hope you are ready for a bit of snow and frost!
As you can see there are many layers - as on most of my projects. I might be slightly obsessed with details and layers, but on the other hand - why fight with my nature?
I had good time composing layers of paper, lace pieces, Sizzix cut-ut elements and Prima Mechanicals - and I'm quite happy about this effect!
As you can see there is tour of gesso and Rock Candy Stickles by Tim Holtz and Liquid Pearls on it too - it was my plan to get this "frosted" cold look - and I hope I suceed!
There are 3 Sizzix Sizzlits dies used for this project:
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Medallions (658339)
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Winter Florals (658735)
- Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Vintage Doily (658506)
The pieces of Winter Florals Decorative Strip Die were used in 3 different places: 2 pieces as "leaves" under the main composition and one of the bigger flowers with some leaves under the paper rosette. I love cutting elements into smaller parts and constructing new shapes, layers - get unique, interesting look!
I'm happy to see my paper collection - 9th Wave from 7 Dots Studio is versatile enough that it can be used also for winter projects too! I hope you like the final effect too!
Sending best wishes - see you soon!
Finn
Hi, it's great to see you here again!
Last weekend I was really busy teaching classes - this time visiting beautiful, old city of Glasgow... but before that I had a pleasure to teach classes in France, Tours - and I've got a project to share with you - dimensional layout made during "Space-Media-Dimension" class in Tours. I hope you will enjoy!
As you can see I went a bit crazy with layers here - there are many pieces of patterned papers and many cut-out elements - I used 4 different Sizzix dies to cut white cardstock and get my elements for the layout.
Here they are (starting rom the top layers):
- Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Flower, Daisy (658502)
- Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Vintage Doily (658506)
- Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border (658947)
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Interlocking Circles (658001)
Papers I used for this projects are from 7 Dots Studio: Canvas Resist elements and Mechanicals from Prima Marketing too - and the background is sprayed with Primary Elements (Luminarte) and painted with gesso. Both stencils are from Prima Marketing too!
All the student were so busy gluing, cutting, addling layers - I managed to take a photo or 2 of them, concentrated on their projects :)
We had great, creative time and all the students created wonderful, dimensional projects which made me proud and happy. Here is the final, group photo of us all taken just after the class:
See you soon - next weekend I'm in Sweden, Stockholm :)
hugs
Finn
Hi, it's me again!
Not so long ago I was posting some pages done in my "Odyssey" journal - altered book which I fill with new pages from time to time. All of them are dedicated to my family - parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. All of the pages are media based but when I add elements I simply can't resist and I HAVE TO add something special, dimensional and intricate....and that's why I love Sizzix Thinlits so much!
The page below is no differetn - there are beautiful elements cut out from white cardstock with a set of Echo Park Paper Sizzix dies. The photo shows my uncle, Bogdan during one of the important family gatherings. I think he could be around 20 in this time...
Here you can see some more of the details - I used Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - For the Record 2, Documented (659109) and a lot of paper scraps, canvas scraps and metal embellishments from Prima (Vintage Vanity A4 journaling pad, Vintage Vanity Stamps, Elementals - Canvas resist Sheets, Sunrise-Sunset Stencil, Mechanicals).
I love how the cut outs correspond with the shapes of the metal trinkets and how they add the great depth to the project. It is so simple yet spectacular...
I hope you will have a great, creative week!
See you soon!
Finn
Hi, it's my turn to take over the blog again!
As people say, Winter is Coming...
Although I'm not a huge fan of preparing for Christmas so early or creating in "traditional Christmas colours" I'm ready to take a challenge and create something in a bit Winter mood... Ready?
So, having Winter on my mind - let me start with delicate, faded colours - cold greens, blues, snowflake cut-outs (great Sizzix Thinlits - Christmas (659010)), big Prima flower and metal embellishments (ok, I know I'm addicted!) to finish with a bit of veil, some crystals, vintage buttons and pins and a piece of natural canvas. I was really having great time constructing this multi-layered composition on the top of this little paper gift bag!
All the papers I've used are from my new A4 Vintage Vanity Journaling Pad from Prima and all the metal elements are "Mechanicals" - my trinkets and caps from Prima. To get extra dimension I used some 3D Foam Squares from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.
And here are the links to the Sizzix Dies I used for this project - with white cardstock and Prima for cutting out the elements:
- Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 6PK - Christmas (659010)
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Medallions (658339)
I hope you are keeping yourself warm in this cold season - and find some time for creativity!
See you soon!
Finn
Hi, I hope you had a great creative week!
Today I'm here to share a dimensional card which is an interesting mix of grunge and elegance - perfect for any occasion including weddings, birthdays or just simple winter greetings. I hope you will like it!
As you can see the card is really dimensional - it is all thanks to the large amount of 3D Foam Squares and the Brenda Walton's Medallions - which I really love to use. This time I combined the look of 2 doily elements, 1 bigger rosette, 1 Gift Tag and metal trinkets - Mechanicals from my Prima collection... and I really love that look!
Here is the list of Sizzix products used for this project:
- Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Vintage Doily ( 658506)
- Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Springtime (659117)
- Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Medallions (658339)
- Sizzix Bigz Die - Gift Tags (658730)
All the papers and canvas are new releases of my products with Prima Marketing - Vintage Vanity (A4 Journaling Paper Pad). Metal embellishments are from my last collection - Mechanicals. The project was finished using a bit of Ranger Liquid Pearls. For sticking the elements and dimension I used products from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: 3D Foam Squares and Crafty Power Tape.
See you soon!
Finn
Hi, it's me again!
Last week I posted a page from my ongoing project - "Odyssey" vintage book which I keep filling with pages inspired by my old family photos. Well, the problem is I got so inspired after last time that I simply couldn't stop! so today I've got another journal page - this time dedicated to my beloved grandpa - Edward - who passed away way too early in 1993.
This time I also focused on Echo Park Paper skeleton flower die (aren't these shapes just amazing?) - Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Springtime (659117) - and vintage papers and tickets from my home collection. I had so much fun creating it. Here you can see more details!
Again- all the colours come from homemade tea stain, Vintaj Patina and sprays (Luminarte Primary Elements with water), there is a bit of gesso and some 3D Foams by Scrapbook Adhesives used as embellishments too ;) As finishing touches I used some metal elements such as paper clips, an iron plate I found on the street, piece of wire I got from one of my students, buttons and staples. The checked fabric is one of the Canvas Resist Sheets (my Elementals by Prima) and stamps are a choice of background patterns from my Prima Vintage Vanity collection.
See you soon - have a great week!
Finn
Hi, I hope you had a great week!
Today I'm sharing one on the journal pages which is a part of my creative project inspired by my old family photos. From time to time I open the book I bought in the charity shop and add one or 2 pages inside... and because I use the photos of my beloved ones the book turns into a precious keepsake that I'd love to keep on my shelf forever.
The pages below are about my dad, Chris - I think he was about 30 when this photo was taken.
The pages are mostly created from leftovers and found papers - I love to create this way, including pieces I have somewhere in my stash. One of the most important parts of the composition was the Echo Park Paper skeleton flower cut-out from the white cardstock: Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Springtime (659117).
I love the beautiful pattern it made, I was so inspired by it I started co color the inside of the cut-out with a pencil to make it even more visible!
Of course - The color comes from homemade tea stain and sprays (Luminarte Primary Elements with water), there is a bit of gesso and some 3D Foams by Scrapbook Adhesives - this time used as embellishments ;) As finishing touches I used some metal elements including two of the Vintage Centers (my Mechanicals by Prima), paper clips, buttons and staples. The checked fabric is one of the Canvas Resist Sheets (my Elementals by Prima) and stamps are a choice of background patterns from my Prima Vintage Vanity collection.
Huge hugs from the Emerald Island and see you soon!
Finn
