A Gear necklace made with mountboard

This week I have been inspired by the Prima dies that just been released this month.
I love Gears, I do think they are great as less feminine flowers, a perfect add on to cards and layouts, but the also make lovely jewelry.

I made a similar one using the old Tim Holtz gear dies a few years a go. But as it is made out of mount board - or passepartout as it is called in some areas, the stuff used to mount art piece on frames - it tends to age fast if worn a lot.

So I decided to make a new version using the new Prima die Sizzix Bigz Die - Love Gears 659709.



I die cut several gears out of mount board. At the end I only used two designs out of the four included on the die. I attached them together with strong wet glue and I let them dry completely.

Then I used Liquid Leaf which is a high shine metallic medium and painted all over it. To distress it a bit, I added some other metallic tints using a wax from the same manufacturer.

Finally I added a chain using a jump ring and the own circle hole of each gear to unite it.

It is an statement piece, but I think it is perfect as they are all the rage now!

Owl Mash Up!!

A'mash up' started as a musical term which describes the blending of two songs very often in very different styles/genres, think ABBA and Black Sabbath...... you get the idea!

This month we are releasing three new collections from Tim Holtz, Prima and Lori Whitlock. I love them all and I want to share as much as I can but time is against us my friends, so I got thinking and.......

Here is a gift box made using the Bigz XL owl bag. It's a really lovely die perfect for party favours and the like and I'm sure you will be seeing it in many magazine projects and in many different colour combinations and materials.

This is a fabulous and super-useful die and as I said above, you will see oodles of pretty owl boxes so I wanted to shake it up a bit and throw in a die from the Prima (Flora Grande) collection. When I say die I am actually referring to a set of dies (nine to be exact) named Rondeaux which are basically, gears with hearts between the spokes in various sizes (I LOVE!!!!!).

I also want to use only one colour, (What!!!) and that colour is black, (Gasp!!!) so I will need a little help from my silver gilding wax (Phew!!!)

I started by die-cutting the four parts to make up the main body of the box from graphite sparkle which is a black heavy weight card with holes drilled through it and is made by Inspire Me Papers, check out the link above. Next, I set about putting the box together which is surprisingly simple as these things can often be quite fiddly! Once it was ready I gently rubbed the edge using the gilding wax, the one I used is called Treasure Pewter you can use a soft cloth but I prefer to use my finger tips which gives you more control but mainly because it smells like boot polish Mmmmmm! 

I Die-cut all the elements to finish the owl and embossed the main body using the Sweet Dots folder from the new Lori Whitlock collection. Next I strategically applied the wax to all the die-cuts except the eyes. and gently curled the three rows of feathers before assembling the owl.

There was still one bit missing, this is where the gears come in. I die-cut two sets to create the eyes and gave them the pewter treatment.

And here is the finished 'Steampunk' owl. For the finishing touches I used screw head brads in the centre of the eyes and mounted both sets of gears with 3D foam pads. I embossed the owls nose using the folder from the new Big Shot starter kit, don't worry if you don't have it there are plenty that will do the job just as well.

Just a reminder, if you want to see a little more of the Prima dies I featured as a guest designer on their blog last week and here is the link. the image below is one of two projects featured.

Prima Blog Switch - The Final Day!

Hello!

Thanks for joining me on the final day of our blog switch! It's been a great week!

We've had some EXCITING news recently! My son, Billy, recently got engaged so I wanted to create a little journal for him, and his sweetheart, Bethany!

I started by painting one of Prima's fun journals with white paint, then spritzed a bit of Gold Foil Color Bloom spray on top for a soft, shimmery effect. Once it dried I added layers created with the Enchanted Framelit dies from the Flora Grande set.

Tip: Use the framelits for your photo too. Everything will nestle together perfectly, making the photo the star of the project. Top your framed photo with beautiful Prima flowers, and a few glistening butterflies cut with the Winged Beauty Thinlet Die and gold vellum!

Thank you, Sizzix, for letting me play with the new dies! They are absolutely marvelous and so versatile no matter what type of project you want to create with them!

Sharon Laakkonen (You can see more of my projects, and photos of my family, on my blog!)

Prima Products:

Princess Flowers 574406, Shabby Chic Treasures Metal Nameplate 892319, Something Blue Flowers 575274, Fairy Rhymes Journal 950644, Gold Foil Color Bloom Spray 573805, Wood ATCs 572921, Annalee Paper 841812

Sizzix Products:

Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Winged Beauties (659707)

Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Enchanted (659702)

Don't miss your chance to win a Big Shot machine plus 3 of the dies from our new collection. Simply comment here and you could win! Closing date for comments : Friday 18th July at 10am GMT. Good luck!

Prima Blog Switch - Day 5

Hello!

These tags were so fun to create using the new Winged Beauties butterfly dies and Prima's Free Spirit collection. The fun color palette and sweet butterflies go perfectly together, for one of kind projects. The delicate butterfly images add dimension and whimsy within the flower clusters or all on their own. Plus, they make a wonderful embellishment on just about any project you want to create. The versatility of these dies make them a must have for your Sizzix die collection. 

Product List:

659707-Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Winged Beauties

574208-Free Spirit-Beatniks

846695-Free Spirit 12x12 Collection Kit

573645-Free Spirit Chipboard

572983-Free Spirit Metal Clips

573232-Free Spirit Tags and Tickets

573379-Trim

572266-Lace Sticker

569532-Flair

910686-Tag Pad

Ribbon

Twine

Don't forget about your chance to win! Simply comment on one of the Sizzix blog switch posts and you could win a Big Shot and selection of Prima designed dies! Closing date: Friday 18th July at 10am GMT. Good luck!

Prima Blog Switch - Day 4!

Hello everyone,

I'm delighted to be part of the 2014 blog switch to launch the fantastic new collection of Flora Grande designs by Prima Marketing. 

To celebrate, don't miss your chance to win with Sizzix! Simply comment on one of the Sizzix blog switch posts such as this one, and be in with a chance of winning! Closing date Friday 18th July at 10am GMT. Good luck!

Let's get started with my projects...

The card:

Since the Love Gears Bigz Dies is made for cutting through different materials I chose to cut into a pair of old jeans. Perfect for a more masculine card. I have also used different shapes from the Enchanted die set. It is fun to have cards in different shapes. The papers and flowers I have used are from the Prima Cartographer collection.

Prima Product list: 

990077 Cartographer paper Marveilleux, fluid chalk ink - Knotted Wood, 574482 Cartographer flowers - Roamer, 574543 Cartographer flowers - Globetrotter

Sizzix Product list: 

659709 Sizzix Bigz Die - Love Gears

659702 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Enchanted

Other: white cardstock, jeans, leaves, pearls, title sticker

The layout:

In my layout I have created my background by using masks, colour blooms and stamps from Prima. The flowers frames the photo in a soft and delicate way. Then I cut out the Sizzix dies in black to contrast the softness which makes them really pop. The frame makes a perfect photo mat. The gears and the butterflies are so beautiful together with the flowers. The small hearts are cut-outs from the gears.

Prima Product list: 
813444 Something Blue paper Wedding Planner, 813475 Something Blue Goin' to the Chapel, 813482 Something Blue paper Just Married, 563134 Lady Bird - Clear Stamp, 570514 Cling Stamp, 575311 Something Blue Flowers - First Dance, 573836 Color Bloom Vintage Metal: Tea Stain, 573737 Color Bloom Sparkling Pastels: Cotton Candy, 562939 Engraver Alphabet Stickers, mask

Sizzix Product List: 
659702 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Enchanted
659706 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 9PK - Rondeaux
659707 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Winged Beauties

Other: cheese cloth, texture paste

Layout "Remembering"


Hi All!

Daria is here.

Today I would like to show you a layout about me and my daughter.

Items used:
Big Shot Machine (657900)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK w/Stamps - Banners #2 (658696)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 6PK - For the Record (659108)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 9PK - Doilies, Lovely (658605)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Weathered Clock (657190)

Have a nice day!

Daria.


Всем привет!

Сегодня я со страничкой обо мне и моей дочке. Я использовала разные ножи, чтобы сделать страничку более объемной и интересной.

Материалы:
Big Shot Machine (657900)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK w/Stamps - Banners #2 (658696)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 6PK - For the Record (659108)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 9PK - Doilies, Lovely (658605)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Weathered Clock (657190)

Всем хорошего дня!

Дарья.

Winter is Coming... - Winter Gift Bag - with Thinlits!

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

Flower & Summer Birthday Card

Hi Everyone! This is Anna.

Today I am going to share a card featuring lots of the lovely Sizzix products!
I wanted to make a birthday card that was simple, pretty, and in keeping with the season. I created this card and the package with bright summer colors: how pretty are these colours!
I’ve been itching to use the flowers from the Sizzix collection by Prima Marketing Inc. I'm really pleased with how this one turned out.

For the flower card: Cut a Gulian flower from felt fuchsia and glue above two Flora flowers. Add a little flower in the center of the yellow flower and apply a strip with the sentiment.

For the package: Apply the doily (cut out with Thinlits) and make a heart embellishment with the dies of  Starter kit, as I had explained here. Glue the heart adding a little colored wool pom pom.

Gotta love those quick cards! Thanks for stopping by today!
Hugs

Items used:

Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit (658300) machine+dies
Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Card, Scallop #4 (657372)
Sizzix Bigz L Die - Flora by Prima Marketing Inc. (658528)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Gulian by Prima Marketing Inc. (658529)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border #2 (659058)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps – Banners (658289)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Artist Trading Card (656332)
cardstock
patterned paper
scraps of glitter papers
felt, fabric
gold acrylic paint
little flower
wool pom pom



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

Felice Estate!
Ecco un nuovo appuntamento con Anna.
Oggi ho intenzione di condividere con voi una card dove ho utilizzato con un sacco di prodotti belli belli.
Volevo fare un biglietto di auguri semplice, carino e in linea con la stagione. Ho creato così questa card e il pacchetto con i colori estivi: quanto sono allegri questi colori!
Ero anche impaziente di utilizzare i fiori della collezione Sizzix disegnata Prima Marketing Inc. Sono davvero contenta del risultato.
Bando alle ciance, ecco come ho fatto:

Materiali:

Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit (658300) machine+dies
Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Card, Scallop #4 (657372)
Sizzix Bigz L Die - Flora by Prima Marketing Inc. (658528)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Gulian by Prima Marketing Inc. (658529)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Doily & Doily Border #2 (659058)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps – Banners (658289)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Artist Trading Card (656332)

cartoncino azzurro, bianco, bianco naturale
carte fantasia
feltro e stoffa
colore acrilico oro
fiorellino in tono
spilla da balia
lana pom pom

Procedimento:

Per la card:

1- Usare la fustella card scallop per fare la base azzurra del biglietto.
2- Tagliare un rettangolo fantasia, un po' più piccolo e incollarlo sul davanti della card.
3- Spennellare i bordi della carta fantasia con acrilico color oro.
4- Tagliare un rettangolo con angoli arrotondati ed incollarlo al centro. Tagliare una bandierina con i framelits e incollare. Tagliare un fiore Gulian dal feltro fucsia e incollarvi sopra due fiori in stoffa tagliati con la fustella Flora.
5- Aggiungere un fiorellino al centro del fiore e terminare con una striscia con l'augurio.

Per il pacchetto:

1- Avvolgere il pacchetto con carte colorate a piacere. Incollare al centro un centrino ritagliato con la fustella del set Thinlits.
2- Incollare in alto un pezzo di carta avanzata dal ritaglio della bandierina della card.
3- Realizzare una abbellimento cuore con le fustelle dello Starter kit, così come vi avevo spiegato qui. Incollare il cuore aggiungendo un filo di lana pom pom colorato.

Spero che queste idee vi possano dare delle ispirazioni per creare nuove card e pacchetti regalo.

Buon divertimento con la vostra Big Shot!

Label & Card: Homemade Cherry Jam

Happy Friday everyone! This is Anna.

I'm so excited to share my new project with you today! I decided to create a little gift set with some homemade cherry jam.  I love creating homemade jams every year and my family loves enjoying them all year long.  Homemade jam also makes for a quick and easy gift when you need something fast.

I have to say my favorite thing about this project is the jar of cherry jam! Aren’t the dies Wrappers Fancy from the set just so cute? All alone-perfect!  I'm totally loving these possibilities for this set. A theme like this is a great way to show some of the different ways that dies set can be used.
I cut a piece of fabric. Then, I tied a piece of red ribbon around the top.  I added a butterfly and a little tag that I had created with Prima die. I used a Framelits die  to cut out a circle scallop and placed it on the jar lid.

After decorating my jar of cherry jam, I created a coordinating card. It's quick and easy!!
I used red buttons for the cherries and the Arbor die for the leaves. I cut out the sentiment with Banners, Fancy.

Slipping these two little items in a small basket makes the perfect small thank you gift!

Well, I hope you enjoyed it!!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Items used:

Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit (Powder Blue & Teal) (658300) (machine + butterfly and heart die)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Circles, Scallop (657552)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Wrappers, Fancy (658614)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Arbor by Prima Marketing Inc. (658523)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Banners, Fancy (658601)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Elisse by Prima Marketing Inc. (658526)
white cardstock
patterned paper (Ikea, Prima, American Crafts)
paper doily
scraps of pink felt, natural fabric, cardboard, gold paper
washi tape
red buttons
rustic twine, yarn
bakery twine red and white
red ribbon

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

Buon Venerdì a tutti! Ecco un nuovo appuntamento con Anna.

Vi mostro il mio progettino della settimana realizzato con la Big Shot: ho creato un piccolo set da regalare, composto da un vasetto di marmellata di ciliegie fatta in casa e una simpatica card in tema.

Mi piace fare le marmellate con la frutta di stagione, in modo da poter gustare il sapore durante tutto l'anno. Inoltre, le confetture fatte in casa sono anche un regalo perfetto, quando ho bisogno di un pensierino dell'ultimo minuto. ;)

Devo dire che la cosa che preferisco di questo progetto è il barattolo di marmellata di ciliegie! Non sono troppo carine le etichette tagliate con le fustelle Wrappers Fancy?!  Dopo aver tagliato dunque le etichette, le ho fermate dietro al barattolo con un po' di washi tape. Ho tagliato con la forbice un pezzo di stoffa, per fare un cerchio approssimativo, che ho appoggiato sopra il tappo del barattolo. Poi, ho annodato un nastro rosso intorno ed ho aggiunto una Tag che avevo creato con le nuove fustelle disegnate da Prima. Quindi con la colla a caldo ho aggiunto una farfalla di feltro tagliata con la fustella Bigz dello Starter Kit. Ho usato anche un Framelits per tagliare un cerchio scallop, che ho posato sul coperchio del barattolo.

Dopo aver finito di decorare il mio vasetto di confettura di ciliegie, ho creato una card coordinata. E' facile e veloce da fare e non ha bisogno di molte spiegazioni.
Ho usato due bottoni rossi e un po' di spago per creare le ciliegie e la fustella Arbor per le foglie, che ho scelto di fare color oro per un tocco più prezioso ;) Ho tagliato la scritta (stampata al computer) con una fustella del set Banners Fancy. Un po' di carte dai colori allegri hanno fatto il resto. Tutto qui!

Se volete potete infilare vasetto e biglietto in un cestino: avrete così un piccolo dolce regalo, perfetto per una visita ad un'amica! Spero che la mia idea vi sia piaciuta!

Grazie per essere passati di qui e vi auguro di trascorrere un meraviglioso fine settimana!
Ci vediamo venerdì prossimo!

Materiali:

Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit (Powder Blue & Teal) (658300) (macchina + fustelle farfalla e cuore)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Circles, Scallop (657552)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Wrappers, Fancy (658614)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Arbor by Prima Marketing Inc. (658523)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Banners, Fancy (658601)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Elisse by Prima Marketing Inc. (658526)
cartoncino bianco
carta patterned rossa (Ikea), turchese (Prima), con ciliegie (American Crafts)
carta dorata
centrino di carta
ritagli di feltro rosa, di tessuto naturale, cartone
washi tape
bottoni rossi
spago, filo
cordoncino bicolore rosso e bianco
nastro rosso