LONE STAR MINI QUILT: FINISHED!

Dies used: Diamonds, 2 1/2in (2 3/4in x 6 1/2in Unfinished)
                 Half-Square Triangles, 2 1/2in Finished Square
                 Square, 4in Finished (4 1/2in Unfinished)


Hello again!

There were only a couple of jobs left to do to finish my Lone Star mini quilt. So that it can be hung on the wall easily and lie flat against it, it needed a couple of pockets on the back to fit a baton in. I cut a couple of 4 1/2in squares on my Big Shot Plus, pressed them in half diagonally and basted them in the top two corners on the reverse of the quilt.

The binding was then sewn on and a baton cut to size and fitted into the back pockets.

And then all that was left was to hang it on the wall. It's finished size is approximately 27 1/2in square.

I love the 'rings' of diamonds that make up the star, it is such a striking shape and it really brightens up the room. I want to make a huge one now and cutting all of the diamonds out with my Big Shot will make it SO much easier!

Happy sewing, see you next time!

Creating Curves - part 3

HI, Trudi here from Quilting Prolifically, back from the excitement of Quilt Market in Houston.

So I finally got my quilt on with my quilt top.  I've named this one 'curves not curves'.

I started off with these dies:

659838 Bigz Square 4 1/2"
659832 Bigz Half Square Triangle 4 1/2" pieced
659853 Bigz L Isosceles & Right 4 1/2" H  
657611 Bigz Half Square Triangle 2 1/2" pieced


and a plan.

I made 2 different blocks, you can see them in this post.

I made my top completely from scraps, so the Sizzix Big Shot Plus was great for cutting the shapes.

The next dilemma was how to quilt it.  I always had a plan to quilt curves into the piecing to accentuate the curve and take your eye away from those straight lines of the piecing.

So I added curved lines in the orange peel section, extending them all the way to the half square triangles and filled the curves with feathers.

In the center curved square area I used curved cross hatching to highlight the curves even more.











I am really pleased with the overall effect the quilting has had on changing the straight lines into curves.

 Its funny what your eye will pick up and see, but choose to ignore.

I also extended the quilting out into the borders to continue the curved story of this quilt.  I think it worked well.


So next time you fancy doing a curved quilt, but don't fancy dealing with the curves, try piecing in straight lines, but quilting the curves in to create the curved effect.

 I hope you'll come back next month to see what inspiration has struck!

Easy Felt Flower

 Hi friends!

Today we will make a very easy  felt flower using circles cut with our Big Shot. Using larger or smaller circles we can make flowers of different sizes for all types of uses.

You need:

• your Big Shot
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Circles
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Leaves
• felt
• hot glue gun

1. Cut six circles. 
2. Bend 5 circles and 4 parts, glue the union for that not to be open. 
3. We get 5 quarter circle. 
4. Paste on the sixth circle 4 quarters, and the fifth in the space created above. 
5. Cut leaves. Paste one or more leaves below the flower. 

What do you think? Easy right? Until next week with a new tutorial!

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Ciao amici!

Oggi faremo dei semplici fiori in feltro usando dei cerchi tagliati con la nostra Big Shot. Usando circoli più o meno grandi possiamo fare fiori di diverse misure per ogni tipo di utilizzo.

Materiali

• la vostra Big Shot
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Circles
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Leaves
• feltro
• pistola di colla a caldo

Tagliare 6 cerchi
Piegarli in quattro, incollando l'unione per fare in modo che non si aprano, otterremo così 5 quarti di cerchio.
Incollare sul sesto cerchio quattro dei quarti, ed il quinto nello spazio che si crea sopra.
Tagliare una o più foglie e incollarle sotto il fiore

Fatto! Molto semplice vero? Ci vediamo il prossimo martedì con un altro tutorial!

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Hola amigos!

Hoy haremos unas flores de fieltro muy fáciles usando círculos cortados con nuestra Big Shot. Usando círculos más grandes o más pequeños podemos hacer flores de diferentes tamaños para todo tipo de usos.

Materiales

• vuestra Big Shot
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Circles
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Leaves
• fieltro
• pistola de pegamento termofusible

Cortar 6 círculos.
Doblar 5 círculos e 4 partes, pegando la unión para que no se abran. Obtendremos 5 cuartos.
Pegar sobre el sexto círculo cuatro de los cuartos, y el quinto en el espacio que se crea arriba.
Cortar hojas. Pegar una o más hojas por debajo de la flor

 Qué os parece? Muy fácil verdad? Hasta la semana pròxima con un nuevo tutorial!

Sizzix in Creativa Madrid

Hi everybody! Elena here. 

The past week was the Creativa craft fair in Madrid and I was there teaching some workshops for Carrotcake Scrap and Friends and demoing the Big Shot Plus for Manos Maravillosas.

Today I want to show you the dies I used in some of my projects, that everybody loved.

In my Hello Life Project I used the Big Shot Plus Starter Kit, the Friendship Words by Tim Holtz and the Block Talk XL Bigz Die.

 In my Technique Workshop I used thearts, the Big Butterfly punch by Tim Holtz and the Word Play Alphabet Die.

Photo by Manos Maravillosas

And here I am demoing the Big Shot Plus Starter Kit in Manos Maravillosas' Stand.

It was a lot of fun teaching and demoing Sizzix Products in Creativa Madrid. Next Stop Creativa Barcelona in two weeks. I hope to see you there!

Elena

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¡Hola a todos!

Esta pasada semana estuve en Madrid en la feria Creativa dando algunos talleres para Carrotcake Scrap & Friends y haciendo demos en el stand de Manos Maravillosas. Aquí os dejo algunos de los trabajos que estuve enseñando utilizando los estupendos troqueles y Big Shot Plus de Sizzix. En la última foto me podéis ver demostrando en el Stand de Manos Maravillosas.

En un par de semanas nos vemos en Creativa Barcelona!

Elena

Make a card with the envelope die by Paula Pascual

Hi! Today I would like to share a card that I made using the new Square Envelope Die for the Big Shot Plus.

For this project you will need:

Sizzix Big Shot Plus Machine Only - 660020

Sizzix Thinlits Plus Die Set 13PK - Envelope, Square - 660846

Card and adhesives

I die cut the envelope using hot pink card.

Using the scored lines as a guide, I trimmed two of the opposite triangles.

I folded the other two to make sure the scoring lines were properly marked. Then, I placed one of the detail Thinlit dies that come in the set. You get 5 different ones so there is plenty to choose from. I secured it with tape.

Because of the amount of detail, before lifting the die I always turn it around to make sure that I have cut it through. Usually with 2 passes it is perfectly cut, but it will depend on the card.

To remove all the small intricate die cuts, I used the Die release Brush and mat.

I then die cut the circle with the flower Thinlit in and the spiky one, all three dies included on the set. I die cut the spiky one out of light pink, but then preferred in white.

Finally I added a piece of lighter pink for contrast and then the seal.

This would make a lovely wedding invite, I would print the text in the light pink paper and make it double, like a card within a card.

And there it is finished. Very simple with gorgeous detail!

I hope you like it too!

Paula

Bat Treat Box

 Hi friends!

Today we use our Big Shot to make a simple box of sweets for Halloween.

You need:

• your Big Shot
• Box Die, I used the Thinlits Plus Die Set of Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit, you can also us the Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Block/Cube/Bank, 3-D
• black cardstock
• googly eyes
• bi-adhesive tape
• white paper

Cut the box with your box die and assemble using the bi-adhesive tape.

Use the box as a guide to draw bat wings from the right size, cut and stick it behind the box.

Cut two elongated triangles and paste it behind the box to make the horns. Cut two small triangles and paste inside of the lid of the box, in the front, to make the tusks. Stick the eyes.

This box is perfect with the Halloween garland two weeks ago I showed you, not you think?

What do you think? A quick and fun idea for Halloween. See you in the nex tutorial!

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Ciao amici!

Oggi useremo la nostra Big Shot per fare una scatolina semplice per le caramelle e i dolciumi di Halloween

Materiali

• la vostra Big Shot
• una fustella per scatoline, io ho usato il Thinlits Plus Die Set del Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit, potete usare anche la Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Block/Cube/Bank, 3-D
• cartoncino nero
• nastro biadesivo
• occhietti mobili
• carta bianca

Tagliare la scatolina nel cartoncino nero usando la fustella e assemblare usando il nastro. Usare la scatolina come guida per disegnare le ali del pipistrello alla dimensione giusta, tagliare ed incollare sul dietro della scatolina.

Tagliare due triangoli allungati ed incollare sul dietro per fare le orecchie.

Tagliare due triangoli bianchi piccoli ed incollare dal lato interno del coperchio della scatola, sul fronte, per fare le zanne. Incollare gli occhietti.

Che ne pensate? Un'idea veloce e divertente per Halloween!

Ci vediamo il prossimo martedì con un altro tutorial!

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Hola amigos!

Hola amigos! Hoy usaremos nuestra Big Shot para hacer una cajita sencilla para los dulces de Halloween.

Materiales

• vuestra Big Shot
• Un troquel de caja, yo usé el Thinlits Plus Die Set del Sizzix Big Shot Starter Kit, también podéis usar el Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Block/Cube/Bank, 3-D
• cartulina negra
• celo de dos caras
• ojitos móviles
• papel blanco

Cortar la caja con el troquel y armar usando el celo. Usar la caja como guía para dibujar las alas del murciélago del tamaño justo, recortar y pegar por detrás de la caja.

Cortar dos triángulos alargados y pegar por detrás de la caja para hacer los cuernos.

Cortar dos triángulos blancos pequeños y pegar del lado interno de la tapa de la caja, en el frente, para hacer los colmillos. Pegar los ojos móviles.

Qué os parece? Una idea rápida y divertida para Halloween, hasta el próximo tutorial!

One card, two looks

Hi everybody! Elena here. 

Today I want to show you one card design you can make two ways juts bu using the positive and the negative space of your dies.

Supply list:

• 660020 Sizzix Big Shot Plus
• 660033 Sizzix Bigz Die - Prancing Deer
• Card: Kraft
• Pattern paper
• White and black gel pen
• Distress Glitter
• Distress Embossing powder Sticky
• Embossing Ink
• Sentiment Stamp
• Black Ink
• Adhesive pearls
• Adhesive

To make my first card I have die cut the reindeer and covered it with gold glitter using some sticky embossing powder and Distress Glitter. Then I have adhered it to some pattern paper and stamped my sentiment on top.

Then, I have realised that I could make the same card just by using the leftover piece of card that i had from die cutting the reindeer, so I made exactly the same card by gluing some pattern paper behind the card, so I had tho cards using the same design and supplies.

I hope you like this tip!

Elena

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¡Hola a todos!

Hoy os enseño un par de tarjetas hechas con el mismo diseño usando un troquel de dos maneras distintas.

Para hacer la primera tarjeta he troquelado el reno y lo he cubierto de  purpurina dorada con polvos de embossing pegajosos y Distress Glitter. Después lo he pegado sobre un poco de papel decorado y le he puesto el título de la tarjeta con un sello.

Después me he dado cuenta que podía hacer otra tarjeta igual simplemente utilizando el resto de cartulina de troquelar el reno, así que he hecho otra tarjeta pegando el papel decorado por detrás del espacio del reno, así que al final he tenido dos tarjetas utilizando exactamente los mismos materiales y diseño.

¡Espero que os guste este tip!

Elena

Lone Star Mini Quilt: Part 2

Dies used: Diamonds, 2 1/2in (2 3/4in x 6 1/2in Unfinished)
                 Half-Square Triangles, 2 1/2in Finished Square


Hello again!

The Lone Star mini quilt I've been making with diamonds and half-square triangles is progressing nicely. Picking up from last time, the next stage was to make 8 large half-square triangles with each star point and 3 background sections and then to join them in pairs to give 4 squares.

And then the squares were sewn together to give one large square mini quilt top.

Then it was time to start quilting. I drew out a geometric design on the lone star with water erasable pen and once it was completed I looked at the swirl effect created by the fabric in the centre of the star and decided that instead of the pattern I'd marked out, a spiral would be much better! So the pen lines were blotted out and the centre of a spiral drawn out instead.

To help the star stand out from the background only the star was quilted with the spiral and so once it got to the white background I stopped quilting a continual coil and instead did each of the star points one at a time working from side to side. Each of the background sections were quilted with straight lines to contrast with the curves on the star.

Progress has stalled now as I can't decide on a binding fabric but hopefully a decision will be made and it will be finished and hanging on the wall in time for my next post.

Happy sewing, see you next time!

My new handbag notebook

Hi Sizzix friends!!!

On Summer I showed you my handbag notebook, and today it's time to show you my new one, and of course I've inspired by the autumn.

I love the handmade notebooks!!!  Only playing with the Big Shot, Sizzix dies and beautiful scrapbooking papers we have a cute result.

I've only used three Sizzix dies, the 660822, the 657569 and the 660233.

Do you like colour blue in autumn? I like a lot !!! And I also like the neutral colours and orange for this season.

I like to create with paper and I use few decorative elements. In this case, I've only used the adhesive pearls and the ribbon.

To finish my notebook I've drawn a pencil border line around the cover and around the ticket die-cut.

I have used the following Sizzix products:

660020 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Machine Only (White & Gray)
656499 Sizzix Accessory - Standard Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies
660522 Sizzix Accessory - Cutting Pads, Standard, 1 Pair (Mint)
660233 Sizzix Bigz Die - Heartfelt
657569 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK - Tickets
660822 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - Back to Nature #2


I hope you liked my new notebook and that it has given you a bit of inspiration. Thank you for your visit!

Have a creative and a happy Friday!

Raquel

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¡Hola a todos!
En verano os enseñé mi  libreta para el bolso;  y hoy os enseño la que acabo de estrenar y claro, me he inspirado en el otoño.

Me gustan mucho las libretas personalizadas!!! Tan solo jugando con la Big Shot, los troqueles y unos bonitos papeles conseguimos bonito resultado. 

En esta ocasión he utilizado tres troqueles de Sizzix: el 660822, el 657569 y el 660233.

¿Os gusta el color azul para el otoño? A mí me encanta!!! Y también me gustan mucho los colores neutros y el naranja para esta estación.

Me gusta mucho trabajar con papel en mis proyectos y no suelo utilizar muchos elementos decorativos. En este caso tan solo he utilizado una cinta y las perlas adhesivas.

Para acabar la libreta he dibujado una línea a mano alzada en la portada y también en el tiquet troquelado.

He utilizado los siguientes productos Sizzix: 

660020 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Machine Only (White & Gray)
656499 Sizzix Accessory - Standard Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies
660522 Sizzix Accessory - Cutting Pads, Standard, 1 Pair (Mint)
660233 Sizzix Bigz Die - Heartfelt
657569 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK - Tickets
660822 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - Back to Nature #2

Espero que os haya gustado mi nueva libreta  y que os animéis con las vuestras. ¡Muchas gracias por la visita!

Feliz y creativo viernes
Raquel