Chocolate Baroque Teeny Weeny Meadow and Nestabilities - Mega Rectangles

I have another of my DT cards to show you today from the recently released Teeny Weeny Meadow stamp plate.  When I received my DT package from Glenda way back in January, I found so much I could do with them and also how well they combined with the Artylicious CD Esssence of Nature. 

Materials used:  6" x 6" card, blue & white cardstock

CB Stamps: Teeny Weeny Meadow (UA6GW0349)

EI Stamp: Sentiment - Essence of Nature (UA4SP0339)

Arytlicious CD Essence of Nature

Nestabilies: Grand Squares, Mega Rectangles

Distress inks, ribbon, dragonfly charm

  By cutting two or three of the mega rectangles it is possible to make a book embellishment. 

To make the pages curl - score 2 slightly apart lines down the centre of the cut, and fold  inwards, then  use an embossing stylus or similar to curl the edges backwards.  Use a ribbon to cover the centre lines in the manner of a bookmark.    The mini stamps were ideal for printing on the pages.

I was pleased with this effect and although unusual, I loved my blue trees!

Less is More and St Lukes Hospice Challenge

Another interesting challenge from LIM - A touch of RED......

The embossed lines were done with my Eazi Score board.

The dies are Nesties - I have both the large and small sets and although it lovely to have lots of shaped dies, it is so useful to have a full set of basic shapes for matting and layering.  I know you can make faux mats and if you need info on this check out the link on my sidebar called "mock layering" and also this link.

The stamp is from a set called Meadow Breeze by Inkylicious - since our hostesses at LIM also purchased these stamps you will no doubt be seeing more of them. I have discovered that instead of the ink, blot, plot to get the shadow I can stamp with a special formula clear black ink pad from Stampology and although it's black it stamps grey.   I rather pleased about this because I have two of these pads which I bought in America about 8 years ago thinking they were black and cheap and would be a good buy and have never used.  Wonder what else I have stashed away????

I'm doubling up this entry and sending my card to the
Charity Card Monthly Challenge for St.Lukes Hospice.  "Say it with flowers" is the theme and I'm pleased to be able to support such a worthy cause.

ikki

PS:
I forgot to add the sentiment stamp is from Hobby Art No.GR1831BB

Hi my friends, I send you all greetings and my very best wishes on this World Kindness Day!

A day to say thank you for the kindness you have shown in caring and thinking about Dave and myself over the last two months when life was painfull, and difficult.  Your kindness in sending messages from all over the world has been a great comform and very much appreciated by us both.  I hope on this day that life is well with you and yours and that kindness surrounds you.  There is a saying "little things mean a lot!" - how true we have found this to be!! 

It seems that I have not been posting a great deal of crafting or tutorials of  late.  One reason, although being on the EIDT is a fab experience and I'm enjoying the challenge, it is time consuming and because we are producing samples of new stamps I'm not able at the time to share them with you.  So, I was very excited to learn that the new Family Christmas stamps are being released soon and you will be able to visit the gallery and see what we have all been up to!?!?!?

In the meantime I thought you might like to see one of my Christmas cards made with EI stamps 

I have used 2 sizes of  mega rectangle dies - one larger stamped, coloured with distress inks and Promarkers and then triple embossed.  The smaller embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  The circle is another Spellbinder die stamped, coloured and guess what?  Yes, triple embossed.  Although these dies may have been about for a long time, they are still useful aids to crafting, and by combining different dies you can certainly make interesting cards!  Have you looked at your old dies recently?  Have you tried combining different shapes?  Have you any interesting examples to show me?  Would love to hear from you! 

Thanks for dropping by, kind regards, 

 

Nestabilities - Labels Small and Large - Change the shape!

Getting more mileage from my dies is a favourite pasttime of mine, and so here's another idea for you if you have the Labels Small and Large Rectangle dies.

                                                   

Yesterday I was playing about with this blue tag and Cosmic Shimmer Mists: Candy Pink and Angel Mist.   Having changed the colour and added a bit of shine, I used a Airondack Demin ink on stamps from Elusive Images and Rubber Stamped as a contrast.  I decided that the tag was too big, so I trimmed it down, but it was still not very inspiring.  After looking at several dies I was unable to find a die that fitted over the pattern, so.....

using one of the labels from the Rectangles Large and Small set,

 I taped the die across the top of the image and made a partial cut

then did the same to the other end

Again only cutting the edge.  Now using a ruler, trimmed the straight sides.

You will not be able to emboss this new shape with the tan mat, but.....

with a bit of patience you can do it with an embossing tool!

If you have not seen this post....check out the method  here.

Using another of the larger dies I have cut a mat slightly larger than my image in exactly the same way.

so I now have a new longer shape made from two much smaller dies.

I have not quite finished my card and will have to show you another time, but for now I have to abandon my craft desk for another matter.  Shame, I was enjoying myself, still it will be nice to have something to come back to!

Tippy Thursday - Making borders

Tippy Thursday again, and today I'm looking at using those little dies that tend to get overlooked!

This die is my most recent purchase.

It's from the Marianne Creatables range and consists of 3 dies.  The fancy scalloped rectangle and 2 leaves.  Stating the obvious - the leaves can be used as leaves, but is there something else you can do with them?

How about making a border......

I make my own cards and have lots of strips of card left over like this...

Using the Bug sandwich:  A  /  B  / card  /  die cut down  /  C

(All of the die cutting tips I give can be adapted to your own machine, but because I only have experience of  the Bug, and feel I don't need tell you what recipe to use, because you will know!  BUT, if you do need help - just ask).

 

From a peice of card 6" x 2" you will have 4 leaves and the die cut strip...now

I have added two scored lines to the top and bottom of the strip, then when placed over a decorative paper...you have a nice little border, which can be adjusted in length to suit your project.

 AND, you still have 4 leaves to use!

Time restraints have not allowed me to finish my card....hopefully later I will be able to get it finished!! 

Hope you like this idea of using your smaller dies....don't leave them at the back of the Cupboard....get them out and make full use of your of all your dies!

                                                                         

Marianne Creatables

Hi, and a very warm welcome to my blog.  Today is what my husband calls "Manic Monday" - yes, he often finds me surrounded by bit of this and bobs of that - in a "shall I" or "shall I not" mood.  Today was no exception...but I finally made up my mind and so.....

this is the Marianne Creatables frame that I showed you last week.    After printing a PC generated greeting on white card, I offset the frame and ran through the Bug. 

                                                   

In case you are having difficulties with intricate dies sticking to the frame, this is a photo of what remained after cutting, and tapping the frame against my metal waste bin. This serves two purposes, removes the bits and saved hoovering!   No problems whatsoever after I'd rubbed a wax candle over the die and buffed it up.  Not sure how long the wax coating will last...but for the time being...it cutting fine!

Off setting the sentiment allows space for a flower decoration.

The base card is embossed with a Daisy folder from Joy Too You , and the lovely paper is from Artylicious Echoes of Italy. If you like decorative papers, there is a special offer of papers this week of buy one A4 pack (£4.99) and get one 6 x 6 pack for £1 (usually £3.99) - enter promotional code ARTYPPACK at checkout. Unfortunately, the photo is......bad to say the least....and in no way shows up the paper, so it's back to the camera.   As I said  "Manic Monday"  reigns!

Back later with another photo!  PS: a bit better!

Tippy Thursday

Over the last few weeks there has been news about  Spellbinders Nestabilies new dies - BIG dies as well as more labels!

For the big dies you are going to need  (would you believe it!) a new machine called the Grand Calibur
due for release in September. There are a few video available to view and you will find details on Spellbinders. I have to admit to an interest in this as it takes card and paper up to 8.1/2" x 11", but what a pity not 12".  Wonder if Provocraft will be going this way too?  I'm thinking it would be good to be able to make one's own shaped cards in a larger size but on the other hand - an expensive purchase!  Just where do you stop???

As for news on the Spellbinder dies, Create and Craft have a Spellbinder's Pick of the Week on Friday, their prices are often on the high side, but it might be worth a look!  My supplier Liz, (link on the side bar) will no doubt be cheaper and also worth checking out.

My new die this week is again from Marianne Creatables......

Isn't this pretty!

Well back to my craft desk......lots going on that I will be able to show you soon.  If you live in Northumbria,  Friday and Saturday are open days at Graphicus - what  an interesting visit that would be, if not you'll just have to pop in on the Cupboard  to see what is going on because I'll be keeping you informed!  Since it's Friday the 13th....anything could happen!?!?!? 

Message:  Nessie - I have replied on your blog re your problems of getting the Marianne dies cut out of the die.  To anyone experiencing this problem this link may  :  help

Cuttlebug Cupboard - Spellbinder Mega Rectangles

Today's tutorial is based on the Spellbinder's Mega Rectangles,  I actually did this way back in January, and somehow forgot to post it!  But, better later than never.

As with all the label dies, the difference between the sizes means that layering is more difficult.  If you like wide borders, you are okay - but what if you like to have narrow borders?  My friend, Andrea explained this to me, but it was only by playing that I cottoned on.   Cool Andrea! This is how you do it.

With the same die, cut 2 shapes  The die-cut with the image is then embossed.  You can use the TAN mat or an embossing tool to run round the edge whilst the die-cut in still in the die.   Following the line of the embossing, cut off the embossing.

and when fixed together.....you have a narrow border!  An alternative way would be to cut and emboss round the image as usual, then draw round the die and cut with scissors.  I have tried both ways and found that by cutting the edge off of the inner shape it was less noticeable if the cut was not exact! 

The next part of my card was to cut another die-cut - this time I used a border from the Joy Crafts range. These dies are smaller than the Spellbinders, but have their uses in your craft box.  Having cut the die, I inked and dusted with Metallic Perfect Pearls which is perfect for a grunge look!

Next some simple matting and layering, which I actually find not so simple to get square!

and my finished card......

The image is a digital download from Sketching Stamper which I love!  It's big and bold and beautiful!!

Hope you like this idea and will find a use for it in your crafting.  Thanks Andrea for your help.

Cuttlebug Tutorial for making a 14cm x 14cm card

I'm unable to post today, but thought that some new Cuttlers might be interested in this post from last February 2009, which is really useful for a larger card. 

Hi Cuttlers, hope you have had a good week and are ready to come a cuttling with me.
This week I'm concentrating on making a 14cm x 14cm square card using the Swiss Dots folder. I have been using this technique for some time and I have seen others using similar methods with which some of you might be familiar, but this is the way I discovered while messing around with my buggy pal. It works for me and I hope will work for you - it is a basic card, but even basic can look stunning by a few bits and pieces from your stash - as I hope you'll agree when you reach my card!

You will need

A4 cardstock
Scoreboard and pen
Swiss Dots folder



Cut your card to make a 14cm x 14cm card and score centre fold

(or 5.3/4" x 5.3/4" if you are working in inches)








Now position your folder right up to the centre fold and emboss
You will notice that I do not wrap the card round the folder - I feed it through open.
This way you will be able to position the folder better.





The next step is to reposition the folder carefully matching
the pattern. You will find that in order to match the pattern on
the folder some of the dots from the first emboss will be overlapped.
No problem. Emboss again.




This is what will happen

Your will have a row of missing dots. No problem.





Turn the card to the back and with your pen push the row of dots through to the front.





You will see that the pattern has reappeared! This will be your finished card.









To complete your card the possibilities are endless, but this is what I used next.

Scoreboard, Round edge punch, Nesties labels, Harmony Alphabet, ribbon and gems, and Dufex decoupage.










I scored two lines across the bottom of the card and rounded the
corners of the card







Cut two Nesties labels and letters.

Made an decoupage embellishment, added ribbon and gems








My finished card




From a basic card I now have a pretty and elegant card. Hope you like it!





If you have any messages, or problems, please leave a comment. In the meantime, wishing you happy cuttling. See you next week.

Nellie Snellen - Extending a rectangle die

I have received a query about my post yesterday and so to make my instructions more precise I have a few photos for you.

Emboss your strip of card

Position die

Run through the Bug to this point and then run back again 

so far....so good....you have your first cut

Place your die at the other end of the strip - part of the first cut will need to overlap the new cut and at this point it is important that they line up exactly

make your second cut

to this point - then run back again

your extended rectangle!

Sorry if I confused anyone with me brief instructions, hope these pictures will help you.

AND, thanks for letting me know - I would rather you tell me if I have made the instructions to brief, then I can put it right.  Sometimes I do something automatically and forget that I have been doing it for a long time and that others may not have!  Have a good day....