On the tiles!

I feel I should begin with the genesis of this weeks blog. About three years ago my good friend (and incredibly talented designer) Paula Pascual made the most wonderful tiles and coasters using an assortment of techniques featuring different inks, paints and the humble embossing folder. A year later I was teaching in the beautiful city of Porto where many of the old buildings are decorated with blue and white tiles and the entrance to the central railway station is just stunning as you can see below.

I used the photographs that I took in Porto as inspiration for a blog at the time and I always meant to revisit and develop the idea when I stumbled across a mosaic picture frame in a junk shop last week and...... here we are!

I used the following folders to create this blog but there are many others that would work just as well... check your stash!!

• Rose Vines & Trellis Set - 658356
• Garden Set - 658485
• Botany Decoration - 660488

I started by measuring my chosen frame which is flat and unadorned. Next, I created a random tile pattern which I then numbered. I also filled the individual rectangles with shades of blue to help with my composition.

I Printed out the sketch and attached it to a piece of white mount board using spray adhesive. It is quite important to use a thick material like mount board because it doesn't warp when the glaze is applied later. I then cut the board into individual tiles with the numbers on the rear.

Before starting, I separated the tiles into four piles according to the colour chart that I had created. Next,I chose a selection of Distress inks in various shades of blue namely Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Faded Jeans and Stormy Sky. Starting with the lightest shade (Tumbled glass) I applied the ink pad directly to the inside of the folder on the positive side only. This will now act as a printing plate while embossing through the Big Shot.

Here are the results alongside another set of tiles printed/embossed with Faded Jeans Distress ink.

For the glaze I applied both Glossy Accents and Crackle Accents to get some variety, it looks a bit milky to begin with but it dries perfectly clear. Here's a little tip; put your pot of glossy or crackle accents into a cup of hot water for about 30 seconds, this will help it flow smoother from the bottle.

The tiles are best left until the next day before using. I started to attach them using the same glossy accents which also makes the most fantastic glue!

The next step was to mix some texture paste (or Modelling Paste) with a little Tea Dye Distress ink just to kill the bright white finish. I then applied the paste in the gaps between the tiles with my fingertips while wiping away any excess from the tiles using a damp cloth. 

Believe me, it's much more fun than grouting the bathroom!

Here is the finished frame complete with  a picture of a little lady who is far more photogenic than her Daddy! I love the random imperfect nature of the inking technique it makes the final piece all the more authentic. The grout between the tiles has started to shrink and crack which only adds adds to the effect.

Below are a few close-ups of the tiles....enjoy!

English Paper Piecing Hexagons: Using the Sizzix

Hi Sizzix friends. If you read my blog or follow my work or even shop with me at Sew and Quilt you know I am crazy about English Paper Piecing! I can't get enough of it. So it will be no surprise to you that my first die-cut I bought for my Sizzix machine many moons ago, was the 1-1/4" Hexagon to use with my 1" Hexagons for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. At the moment I'm knee-deep in preparations for this years Festival of Quilts so I have been making and organising lots of samples and kits to display and sell at my booth. So my Sizzix machine has been coming in very handy when I've been working on hexagon projects lately!

Products used:
1-1/4" Hexagon #658138
Strips, 2-1/2" wide #658328

Here's how I like to cut my hexagons using the Sizzix Plus machine.

First off I like to use the 2-1/2" strip dies to cut lengths of fabric. I know for each flower block I need two WOF strips of solid (for the outer ring), and one WOF strip in print (for the inner ring).

I then place my fabric strips on the 1-1/4" hexagon die cut and create folds to cut multiple layers.

I then roll it through the Sizzix machine twice, as I like a nice clean cut and with so many layers it's sometimes useful to do this. And voila, you have more than a dozen hexagons ready to be basted for your EPP project. There's absolutely no waste this way too, always a bonus.

If you wanted to know how to make a Grandmother's Flower garden block I have step by step information on how to make one as well as tons of other helpful tips and information on English Paper Piecing, on my blog. As well if you're heading to Festival Of Quilts next month, be sure to stop by and see me at my Sew and Quilt booth on stand F5. Sizzix will be demonstrating at the show too, so you won't want to miss out. 

The most trendy pineapple

Hi everybody!

We can't deny pineapples are trendy; We can found on stamps, cardstocks, clothes and much more.

But also pineapples are perfect fruits for summer, very cold quench the thirst and are sweet and healthy.

What about give a pineapple to our friends? Sure they appreciate very much and love us a lot! And if we put a label as beautiful as this ... sure we will win many kisses!

Here you have some details of the most trendy pineapple:

This are the Sizzix products used in this project

660515 Sizzix Big Shot PLUS Starter Kit (White & Gray)
656212 Sizzix Bigz Die - Branch w/Leaves
656545 Sizzix Bigz Die - Flowers, 3-D

Be Happy!!

------------------

Hola a todo el mundo!


No podemos negar que las piñas están de moda; Podemos encontrarlas en sellos, cartulinas, ropa y mucho más.

Pero también las piñas son frutas perfectas para el verano, muy frías sacian la sed y son algo dulce y saludable.

¿Qué os parece regalar una piña a nuestros amigos? Seguro que lo aprecian mucho y nos quieren un montón! Y si ponemos una etiqueta tan hermosa como esta ... seguro que vamos a conseguir muchos besos!

Aquí arriba tienes algunos detalles de la piña más fashion!

Los productos Sizzix usados en este proyecto son:
660515 Sizzix Big Shot PLUS Starter Kit (White & Gray)
656212 Sizzix Bigz Die - Branch w/Leaves
656545 Sizzix Bigz Die - Flowers, 3-D

Sed muy felices!!

Summer Sunshine Tag

Hi Sizzix fans! 

Summer has finally arrived in my country. In order to celebrate the sunny season, I created a summer-inspired tag for your inspiration. 

Sizzix Supplies:

Bigz Petal Power Die

Movers & Shapers Tag & Bookplates Die

Thinlits Happiness Phrases Dies

My tag was made with the beautiful Movers & Shapers Tag & Bookplates Die. I cut out two tags with this die and cut small edges from the pink tag to make it a bit smaller. 

The flowers on my tag were made with the gorgeous Bigz Petal Power Die. I cut out four flowers with this die and attached two of them with tissue tape and two with foamtape onto my tag. Finally, I also added the title Sunshine to my tag, which I made with the wonderful Thinlits Happiness Phrases Dies.

I hope you enjoyed my sunny tag. 

Have a wonderful week!

In Dutch:

Hi Sizzix fans! 

Het is eindelijk zomer in Nederland. Om dit zonnige seizoen te vieren heb ik een zomerse tag gemaakt ter inspiratie.

Sizzix Supplies:

Bigz Petal Power Die

Movers & Shapers Tag & Bookplates Die

Thinlits Happiness Phrases Dies

Mijn tag is gemaakt met de mooie Movers & Shapers Tag & Bookplates Die. Ik heb met deze stans twee tags uitgestanst en heb van de roze tag smalle randjes afgesneden om hem iets kleiner te maken. 

De bloemen op mijn tag zijn gemaakt met de schitterende Bigz Petal Power Die. Ik heb vier bloemen uitgestanst met deze stans en heb daarvan twee bloemen met dubbelzijdige tape en twee met foamtape op mijn tag bevestigd. Tenslotte heb ik nog de titel Sunshine toegevoegd, die is gemaakt met de mooie Thinlits Happiness Phrases Dies.

Ik hoop dat jullie mijn zonnige tag leuk vonden.

Fijne week!

Earrings

Hi everybody!

Today, I suggest you create your own jewels.

For that purpose, you just have to cut the die of your choice using 

the big shot. It can be a flower, a heart, a butterfly… 

Personally, I chose the magnificent flower of the Big shot Plus 

starter kit

You can use paper, plastic, fabric… everything is possible.

 I chose a grey foam, then added a clasp using a small clamp

And as the result was stunning, I made another pair of earrings 

with the same pattern but this time cut into extra thin cork

What do you think of it?

Items used:

660020: Sizzix Big Shot Plus Machine

Have a good day and see you soon 

Isalilou

*************

 Boucles d'oreille

Aujourd'hui, je vous propose de créer vous même vos propres bijoux

Pour cela, il suffit de faire une découpe grâce à la big shot, du die de votre choix, cela peut être une fleur, un coeur, un papillon… moi j'ai choisi la superbe fleur du kit de démarrage de la Big shot plus.

Vous pouvez utiliser du papier, du plastique, du tissu… tout est possible

J'ai choisi de la mousse de couleur grise, à cela il suffit d'ajouter le fermoir à l'aide d'une petite pince:

Et comme le résultat était épatant, j'ai choisi de refaire une autre paire de boucle avec le même motif découpé cette fois dans du liège très fin:

Alors qu'en pensez-vous?

Isalilou

Crafts for children: Bee ornament for plants.

Hi everybody! Elena here. 

Summer break is already here and sometimes it is difficult to entertain our kids. One of the things i like to do with them is some easy and funny crafts, like this bee ornament for a plant.

 Supply list:

• 660020 Sizzix Big Shot Plus
• 658692 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 11PK - Flower Layers & Leaf
• 657564 Sizzix Framelit Framelits Die Set 4PK - Ovals, Scallop
• Card: Yellow, Black
• Vellum
• Wooden Skewers
• Double side tape
• Foam Squares

To create this bee you just need some basic shapes from the Essentials Range. These dies are perfect to have in you basic supplies, as they can be used in lots of different ways.

Die cut every shape twice and attach everything with the wooden skewer in the middle. Then, add some details with black card, the stripes and the mouth and draw the eye.

You will have your children well entertained and doing something summery and creative :)

Happy Monday!

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

Hola a todos!

Con las vacaciones de verano recién empezadas, hay que mantener a los niños de la casa ocupados, y una de las cosas que más me gusta a mí es que hagan algún tipo de manualidad.

Hoy os comparto una abeja para adornar una planta que podéis hacer con ellos de una manera muy sencilla.

La abeja está hecha con troqueles de la línea esencial de Sizzix, que siempre vienen bien como fondo de armario y que sirven para un montón de cosas.

Troquelad dos veces cada forma y pegadlas juntas con el pincho de madera en medio. después añadir los adornos de cartulina negra, como las rallas y las antenas y pintad el ojo. Les encantará!

Feliz lunes!

Bright and Cheerful Photo display

I love bright and cheerful colours, but sometimes I stay away from them because they can overwhelm a page. But for a photo display? What better than to use hot pink, bright warm yellow and refreshing turquoise for the summer?

This is what I made today!

I used just one set of dies, one of the brand new Thinlits Plus called Cupcake Box 660842!

I am a hoarder so I keep absolutely everything that I think is usable, like all sort of glass bottles and their tops. Those three cork tops? Balsamic Vinegar ones. (I have about 12 of their bottles waiting to be used!) I selected my colours given by a set of Paperarsty Fresco Acrylic paints.

Once painted, I placed a Tim Holtz Memo Pin in each one. Although the bottom part of the bottle top is wood and heavy the top part is cork so perfect as a base of a photo display.

What I love about this set is that aside from the box elements, you get a lot of little ones that you can use for so many things, like apertures on a card and little cupcake flags. You will see more ideas from me soon.

I die cut all the small elements out of paper and card of similar colours to those of the acrylic paints.

I assembled the basic elements.

I used the oval Framelit to die cut my photos.

And finally, I added ribbon to the base.

And there you are, some of my favourite people (and cat, don't forget the cat!) are brightly and cheerfully by my side!