Bon Voyage!

Last week, here at Sizzix Central, we bid farewell to the lovely Helen Young who has left to have a little baby and we all wish her well. As is the custom, I made a card signed by the crew to send her on her way.

I couldn't resist using the new Jillibean Soup and KI Memories for Hampton Art collection. A collection so good that it took the collective minds of three excellent companies to create.

I LOVE THIS COLLECTION!!! sorry to shout but I really do love it! it's so fresh and contemporary and I'm sure it will be equally well received by both card makers and their scrapbooking cousins.

I dipped into a few of the die/embossing folder sets to make the card which is easy because they work so harmoniously together. the sets I used are:

• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK w/Stamps - Hello (659464)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK  - I Heart This (659767)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 10PK - Be Thankful (659766)
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Butterfly & Garden Set  (659784)
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Smile & Plus Set  (659785)

I started by debossing the front of a square ivory base card whose corners I had rounded with a punch. I placed the folder at an angle so as to only partially emboss the card. Next, I gently applied Seedless Preserves and Crushed Olive Distress inks using foam blending tools over the debossed image. Not only are these two of my favourite colours, they also blend beautifully well together.

Next, I set about  die-cutting and embossing all the elements I want to use. I must tell you, at this point I haven't got a clue how this is all going to fit together which is all part of the fun with this style of card making.

I stamped the phrase using the Crushed Olive Distress Ink and die-cut it with the corresponding die before mounting it onto a die-cut speech balloon using 3-D foam pads. I die-cut the button and star from gold card which I then distressed with a sanding block. 

Next, I cut an asymmetric rectangle of ivory card and embossed it with the 'smile' folder before inking over the raised surface. I die-cut the mini banner and butterfly from the ivory card and inked the butterfly using the same two colours before threading the button with twine

Finally I was ready to assemble all the elements on the base card. I did this by placing them in position and moving them around until I found a pleasing composition. I used a combination of double sided tape and 3D foam pads to add a little dimension before adding a crystal gem in the centre of the star. I will be using these dies/folders quite a bit in the coming month as there is so much creative scope. They represent such great value as there are so many elements in each set. I hope you like them as much as I do?

Dearly Beloved

Whenever I have been naughty, my wife always starts by saying "You know what you've done don't you?" to which I almost always reply " What now my beloved?" in the vain hope that one little endearment will help to calm the waters.

I'm not that naughty really, just minor day-to-day irritants like forgetting to fill the water filter jug or forgetting to pick up milk or..... it's usually forgetting something or other!..... MEN!!!

 This week I'm going to make her birthday card (21 again!) and I thought I would use some of the new dies/folders from Lori Whitlock and Prima listed below.

• Sizzix Originals Die - Flourish, Beautiful by Lori Whitlock (659714)
• Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Sweet Dots & Florals Set by Lori Whitlock (659726)
• Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 11PK - Ornate Labels by Lori Whitlock (659711)
• Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Couquette by Prima Marketing (659701)

I started by cutting a 10 x 12 cm rectangle of ivory card and die-cutting a flourish from the same card. I used the flourish as a template and traced around the edge on the base of the rectangle with a pencil before trimming around the pencil line and rounding off the upper corners with a suitable punch.

I embossed the floral pattern onto the card and gently inked over the embossed image using the Weathered Wood Distress Ink pad applied with a blending tool followed by the Shabby Shutters ink pad. I also applied a little Mustard Seed ink which is a very strong yellow so use with caution, it adds a little freshness where needed. I used the same colours on the flourish.

 Remember the beginning of the blog? well this is where the 'Beloved' part comes in. I measured the tab die from the Ornate Labels set and created the word 'Beloved' on my PC before printing onto ivory card. Next I cropped the word with the die and die-cut the ornate label from gold card which I then distressed with a sanding pad. I also cut the label background onto which I matted the ornate label followed by the die-cut phrase. This is a seriously useful set of dies and I urge you to check them out. 

For the finishing touch I wanted to add a pretty little flower and who better to design such a set of dies but Prima. This is one of five different flowers in the same set and they are a die-cut essential in my opinion. I inked the edges of the petals using the same inks as before and set about applying a little texture and dimension to the petals using my trusty tool kit by Susan Tierney-Cockburn. I added a Crystal to the centre as the finishing touch and......

.....Here's the finished card.

I had so much fun I decided to make another one using the same elements but changing the colours slightly. I also used a different ornate label and flower, both from the same sets though.

And here they are together, now all I've got to do is choose which one I think she will like..... and then give her the other one as I'm bound to get it wrong!!!

Acetate embossed card

Hello and Happy belated New Year!

Today I am sharing another technique for texture impressions folders. This one is using acetate and texture paste.

I used the Sizzix Winter Leaves folder and the acetate of the XL Bigz dies packaging - yes, I am one of those crafters that keep everything!  

I trimmed the acetate to measure 5" x  10" and folded in half. Then I embossed it placing the folder in the middle.

Using a palette knife I put the paste - I used Decoart's Modelling Paste because it is very lightweight, something to consider for this technique. Cover the whole area and using the same palette knife remove as much excess as possible.

To create the insert, I cut two pieces of paper - I used Carte Postale by Basic Grey - one to measure 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and the darker one 4" x 4" . I glue the lighter one from the inside and then the darker one from the back. this way it hides away the adhesive.

Finally I added a sticker and button. I just love the shabby chic look! I hope you do too.

A little birdie told me...


Hi everyone! It's Rachel here with a card to share using the Sizzix Bow Strings Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 656975 and Darkroom Door stamps!

Here's how I made the card:

1. Emboss white cardstock using the Sizzix Bow Strings Embossing Folder.
2. Lightly sponge Archival Sepia ink over the top to highlight the texture.
3. Adhere to amber coloured card.
4. Stamp the birds branches from the Darkroom Door Love Birds DDRS057 stamp set onto white cardstock using Archival Sepia ink. Trim and adhere to the card.
5. Stamp the birds from the Darkroom Door Carved Birds Vol 2 stamp set DDRS118 onto white cardstock using Archival Saffron and Vermillion ink pads. Trim and adhere to the branches on the card.
6. Stamp the sentiment from the Darkroom Door Love Birds DDRS057 stamp set onto white cardstock using Archival Sepia ink. Mount onto amber cardstock and tear along the bottom just to give it a fluffy look :) Adhere to the card to complete!

I love this embossing folder - it almost looks like a willow tree!

Hope you've enjoyed today's inspiration!

Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!

Rachel

Butterfly Card !

Hello!

Today let me show you how to do a card which is simple & feminine with volume and texture.

Supply list:

Papers: Crate Paper

Label: Crate Paper

Stamp: Craft Origine

Ink: Black Versafine

Others: tracing paper, sewing thread

Dies:

658518 Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 2PK- Pom-poms and Roses Set

658334 Sizzix Sizzlits Die-Flights Of Fancy

With the “Flights of Fancy” die, cut out an XXL pretty butterfly. This die introduces you to softness and femininity, don’t you think?

I wanted to play with soft colours, pink and transparence. The butterfly is at first cut out of a Crate Paper paper scrap, then out of tracing paper. The two butterflies are then stapled together.

Then I used a “flowers” embossing folder with light pink paper. The papers are superimposed and stapled. Add a touch of texture with mustard sewing thread.

Add a “tab” sticker and a stamp “Home Made”.

The whole will be glued on a geometric pattern paper size 12x17cm.

See you next Thursday!

Karine

Bonjour !

Aujourd'hui je vous propose une carte toute simple, très féminine toute en volume et texture.

Matériel :

Papiers : Crate Paper

Etiquette : Crate Paper

Tampon : Craft Origine

Encre : Versafine noire

Divers : calque, fil couture

Dies utilisés :

658518 Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 2PK- Pom-poms and Roses Set

658334 Sizzix Sizzlits Die-Flights Of Fancy

Découpez un joli papillon format XXL dans le die "Flights of Fancy", une découpe qui invite à la douceur la féminité, vous ne trouvez pas ?

J'ai eu envie de couleur tendre, de rose et de transparence. Le papillon est découpé une première fois dans une chute de papier Crate Paper, puis une seconde fois dans du calque. Les deux formes sont ensuite agrafées.

J'ai également embossé dans du papier rose clair une plaque fleurs. Les papiers sont ensuite superposés et agrafés. Ajoutez une touche de texture avec du fil couture couleur moutarde.

Complétez avec un stickers onglet et un tampon "Home Made".

L'ensemble sera collé sur un papier imprimé à motifs géométriques découpé au format 12x17cm.

A jeudi prochain !

Karine

Summer days!

Nothing evokes childhood memories of Summer days gone by like the sound of a distant ice cream van. The mad scramble when every kid in the street drops what they are doing and rushes indoors with a sense of acute  panic to beg their Mother for the few pennies (it was in my day anyway) needed to buy their favourite ice lolly, followed by the sense of shared relief when they all met back at the idling van, cash in hand.

It's a scene that is played out in every residential street in every town in the UK every Summer and long may it continue. I cued for 20 minutes with my daughter perched on my shoulders at a Summer fete last week to get my annual '99' and it was better than all the fancy overpriced ice cream/chocolate in the world, I don't think I need to explain why!

While waiting my turn I had the idea to make an ice cream card although we don't have any ice cream dies in any of our current collections which is fine because necessity is the mother of invention as the saying goes.

I must start by apologising to those of you living outside the UK who are unfamiliar with some of the brands which I refer to in the cards, I'm sure that you can do similar things with your own favourite lollies?

When I need to 'Get Creative' with die cutting my first port of call is to my beloved Framelits dies which are wonderfully versatile  because of, rather than despite their simplicity. The sets I used were:

• Hearts (567561)
• Circles, Scallop (657552)
• Banners, Pennant Plain (657579)
• Tags, Rounded (657568)

 FAB

I chose quality heavyweight plain cardstock and I die cut three of the rounded tags in the same size. I also cut a strip of the brown card to use as the lolly stick. Next, I trimmed the brown tag to size before embossing with a dotty folder, I used the one from the new Big Shot Starter Kit although their are dozens to choose from
I mounted the 3 tags together before attaching the stick with 3D foam pads. Next, I used my PC to print the legend 'Have a FAB Birthday' onto the front of a white A6 card blank and Finally, I attached my assembled lolly with 3D foam pads.

99

I chose quality heavyweight plain cardstock and I die cut the the hearts and pennant. I used a lattice work embossing folder to add texture to the ice cream cone and cut away part of the magenta heart using a scalloped circle die before attaching it in place it onto the white heart. I cut a strip of brown card and attached it to the assembled hearts to represent the chocolate flake, without which no '99' would be complete.Next, I attached the ice cream to it's embossed cone and used my PC to print the legend 'Tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999' onto the front of a white A6 card blank and Finally, I attached my assembled ice cream with 3D foam pads.

Sweetest


I chose quality heavyweight plain cardstock in cream and red and I die cut two rounded tags of the same size. Next, I used two scalloped circle dies to 'Chomp' a piece out of the top right hand corner of each and attached them together. I cut a strip of brown card for the stick and attached it to the rear. I used my PC to print the legend 'The Sweetest Thing' onto the front of a white A6 card blank and Finally, I attached my assembled lolly with 3D foam pads.

Zoom


I chose quality heavyweight plain cardstock in yellow, orange and red and I die cut three rounded tags in three different sizes before trimming each to size. After attaching the tags together with PVA glue I cut a strip of brown card to use as the stick. Next,  I used my PC to print the legend 'Zoom, just one look and then my heart went boom' onto the front of a white A6 card blank and Finally, I attached my assembled lolly with 3D foam pads.

For those amongst you racking your brains as to who sang the 'Zoom' song it was Fat Larry's Band, I don't know which one was Larry but if I saw a picture, I'm sure I could take an educated guess!

And here they are! Hang on! can I hear Greensleves?MUUUUUUUM........ 

All white on the Night!

I have just finished creating a series of cards for a magazine which used lots of different dies, papers, and techniques and my brain is a bit frazzled so I thought I'd strip it back to basics and just use white card for my blog this week.

I made some cards featuring free down loadable papers which are on our website as we speak, check out this link

I liked one of the cards in particular so I thought I would reproduce it in white which always yields elegant results, ideal for wedding cards.

I used the following Sizzix products:

• Sizzix Framelits Dies - Bunch of Flowers by Paula Pascual (658602)
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing folder - Doily & Roses Set by Scrappy Cat (658517)

I started by embossing the rectangle of white card and attaching it to the base card about 10mm from the top left hand corner. Next I cut all of the elements to create the bouquet from the same white cardstock.

Next, I tied a length of satin ribbon around the base of the flower stems and decorated it with two pearl tipped pins. To add dimension to the flowers I used a ball end stylus and foam shaping mat to add a gentle curl to the petals. I mounted the assembled flowers onto the card using 3D foam pads. When you are working in a single colour like white, texture and dimension become very important because light and shadow create the contrast.

Finally, decorate the flowers with pearl gems and there you have it. Really simple and elegant. Here it is next to the original, hope you like it?

Springlike origami box and card from Janna Werner.

Hello everyone, this is Janna. Today I am here to show you a card and Origami box that I decorated with some of my favorite Sizzix dies.

supply list:

655268 Sizzix Big Shot machine

657846 Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders - Bubble & Honey Comb

658284 Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Chevrons & Flourishes

657691 Sizzix Bigz Die - Heart, Stem & Leaves

658289 Sizzix Framelits Die Set/Stamps - Banners

656938 Sizzix Movers /Shapers L Die - Tag & Bookplates

paper: Stampin Up

cardstock: American Crafts, Stampin Up

stamps: Sizzix, Stampin Up

color/ink: Ranger Ink, Stampin Up

rhinestones: Kaisercraft

other: white and silver thread, glue

I am a huge fan of creating Origami boxes and I like to create matching cards as well - the perfect gift wrapping. I wanted this set to be in happy and vibrant colors - springlike, so I chose a white/yellow/green/blue/neutral color scheme.

I used the Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders - Honey Comb (see supply list) to add more texture and depth to the card and the box as well. The chevron pattern on the heart is an embossing folder as well: Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Chevrons & Flourishes - I can never get enough of chevron ;) The banners come with matching stamps - you stamp the image onto a piece of paper and use the die to cut them out - easy, clean and beautiful.

Have a great and crafty day, everyone!
Janna

*****

Hallo ihr Lieben, hier ist Janna. Heute zeige ich euch eine Karte und Origami-Box, die ich mit einigen meiner liebsten Sizzix Dies hergestellt habe.

Materialliste:

655268 Sizzix Big Shot machine

657846 Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders - Bubble & Honey Comb

658284 Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Chevrons & Flourishes

657691 Sizzix Bigz Die - Heart, Stem & Leaves

658289 Sizzix Framelits Die Set/Stamps - Banners

656938 Sizzix Movers /Shapers L Die - Tag & Bookplates

Papier: Stampin Up

Cardstock: American Crafts, Stampin Up

Stamps: Sizzix, Stampin Up

Farbe/Tinte: Ranger Ink, Stampin Up

Glitzersteine: Kaisercraft

anderes: weißer und silberner Faden, Kleber

Ich bin ein großer Fan vom Herstellen von Origami-Boxen samt passender Karte - das ist einfach eine perfekete Geschenkverpackung. Dieses Set sollte frühlingshaft werden, in fröhlichen und vibrierenden Farben. Daher habe ich mich für ein Farbschema in weiß/gelb/grün/blau/neutral entschieden.

Um der Karte und Box mehr Struktur zu verleihen habe ich die Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders - Honey Comb (siehe Material-Liste) verwendet. Das Chevron-Muster auf dem Herzen ist ebenfalls ein Embossing Folder: Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Chevrons & Flourishes - von Chevron kann ich nie genug bekommen ;) Die Banner kommen mit passenden Stempeln daher - einfach auf ein Stück Papier stempeln und mit der Die ausschneiden - einfach, sauber und wunderschön.

Habt einen schönen Tag!
Janna