Halloween cards

Hello everyone,
how are you? How did you spend your last weekend... my camera is dead and my internet connection is off, I'm posting using my iphone as a router... Iphone saves your life sometimes! LOL

Today I want to share with you some cards for Halloween!!! the secret is to play and enjoy creating as you were a child!

Materials you need:
Sizzix eclips holiday cartridge (656167)
Eclips machine
bella boulevard too spocky papers and embellishments.

The most wonderful thing using this amazing machine is that you can draw your own cards, and play with many shapes and many papers :)

Take a look here :)

What do you think about?

Envelope Book

Today I would like to share an idea that I did a few years ago. It is basically a card holder made with envelopes. The problem sometimes is to find envelopes that are different sizes in a diversity of colours that match up. Well, that is not a problem when you have the eclips with you as you can make envelopes is a huge variety of sizes and proportions.

I chose Card Fronts cartridge, but many cartridges have envelopes on them. I selected the C5 envelope as I like the shape and is a good large envelope.

One of the great things about the eclips is that it tells you what the sizes need to be for the C5 envelope but you can change those very easily by changing the height. So, it is extremly easy to make each envelope say 1inch smaller than the previous one.

Also, the eclips will score all the envelopes. As I was using Bo Bunny's double Dot paper, which is a thick paper, I tested it out to make sure that the scoring didn't cut through the paper, but it left enough indentation to fold nicely so I recommend always to do a test on the same type of paper before.

Once I had all the envelopes cut I glued them together, make the covers using chipboard and then binded them using the Bind it All.

I always leave the decorating for last. I am not sure if that is the correct way to go around making a project, but it works for me. I used my butterflies dies and stamps as well as the banner set.

And i just kept to those two sets to add a bit of pattern inside.

Each envelope will hold either cards from my friends and family or memorabilia. I am not sure just yet.

The little stickers are Basic Grey as is all the patterned paper from the Konnichiwa collection.

Each butterfly I stamped I tried to make it slightly different by using two coloured inks, both Memento.

Next time I will have to try with other sized envelopes, like a DL. Ideas, ideas...

Happiness is mini album

Hello Monday and hello everyone!!! How are you?
Fall is coming but yesterday I went to the beach and it was a lovely day spent there, a paradise, not too much people, breeze, sun, all was perfect! And You?

Today I want to show you the complete mini album I made using the eclips machine! It's amazing and very comfortable to create a mini album structure. Do you remember the cover?

Materials you need:
Eclips machine (656930)
albums, bags & boxes cartridge (656856)
big shot machine (655268)
sizzix textured Impressions  embossing folder Clocks & print block (657663)
Sizzix Bigz die - Tiny Tabs & Tag (657188)
bazzill kraft paper
yellow ribbon and lace
kraft masking tape
embellishments such as buttons, brads, doilies, stamps and what ever you like to complete a mini album
twine for the closer

Do you remember the cover I showed you some time ago?

Here the details of my mini album.  the inside pages are made with the same die used for the cover, just in a different size, smaller than the cover.

The photos are all 10x10 cm, squares and the album structure is very simple and clean. On one side the photo and on the other side the story :)

A simple and clean structure allows you to finish the album and to have fun with many little details!
Stay tuned on this blog because you will see a lovely iniziative soon!

Today starts the national cupcake weeks, take a look here , a lot of inspirations, ideas and downloads!
Enjoy your creative week!

Autumn Card

Happy Mondayyyyyy!!!! How are you guys? Hope you are well and have a good week start!
Unfortunately summer is finishing and autumn  is coming and so I have thought to a new card with the autumn colors and some tips to use :) So brown, green, yellow, orange.

Materials you need:

• Big shot machine ( 655268)
• Sizzix Sizzlits Die Set 3PK - Hello Set (657788)
• Sizzix Eclips Cartridge - Holiday (656167)
• Sizzix Eclips Machine (656930)
• Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Bricked & Woodgrain Set (656644)
• Sizzix Sizzlits Die Set 3Pk - Card Phrases Set (657522)
• Chalk ink brown
• cardstock white, yellow and orange from bazzill
• patterned papers from studio calico kits and bella boulevard thankful collection.
• 3d double side tape
• glue
• trimming by lawn fawn
• brad american crafts

This is the card....

How to make it:)

Step by step instructions:

1. Cut a stripe of bazzill white paper of 12x30,5 cm and fold it in half
2. On the front of the card use your embossing shape to create a background for your card, I use the woodgrain shape and it's very cool! Simply mark the shape dabbing it with a chalk ink, I used the brown.
3. Cut the leaves for your flower with the hello set and the flower with the eclips machine. It's the valentine flower and it's amazing! I have cut it two times in two different kinds of papers, cardstock and patterned to create a cool touch:) Add in its center the brad.
4. on the top of the card glue some little stripes of paper and stickers and above glue the flower with the 3d double side tape and the leaves.
5. Simply add the sentiment "Thinking of You" and the trim.

Do you like it?
Have a wonderful week
Love, Lory

Honey Moon Album: Adventure Layout

Hi everyone!
How are you? I'm quite well,  the last week end I had programmed to go the beach and relax my self but sometimes life is crazy and many accidents can happen.
My brother was at the hospital and I spent the last two days there, fortunately he is at home right now and I feel better.
 I feel better thank sizzix and the passion for creating something and playing with papers, their smell, their colors and the infinite ways to use the sizzix dies that allowed me to forget this bad weekend! I am so grateful for this! Thank you Sizzix Family! I am grateful to be part of this amazing family!

Here the page that I have created for this monday :)

Materials I have used:

Eclips machine (656930)
Sizzix Eclips cartridge Wander Shapes & Alphabet  (657541)
echo parck and october afternoon papers
journaling card elle's studio
bazzill cardstock grey and green
embellishments from october afternoon, american crafts, studio calico
stamps studio calico

Tips:
For this page I enjoyed using my Eclips Machine, I love it so much! It allows me to play with many shapes to create my own embellishments! Amazing! I have create the Star circle in grey card stock

and the layout title "adventure" in green card stock.

Believe me you will create anything you like and in any size you want!
Do you like it?


Have a wonderful week
Love, Lory

Happy Easter

 By Loredana Bucaria

Hello everyone!

Happy Easter! We all from the Sizzix staff wish you a very wonderful day, a day spent with family or friends, outside, walking, smiling, wish you all a very happy Easter!

For today I wish you a Happy Easter with a special project:)

If you still have to create something to donate for Easter this is the project just for you! Very simple, very adorable and so funny to make!!

Materials you need:

• eclips machine... you know I love it completely!
• eclips cartridge holiday (item code 656167)
• eclips cartridge albums, bags & boxes (item code 656856)
• lilla, pink, white and grey card stocks
• Bella Boulevard spring& easter things alpha+bits
• Bella boulevard chipboards sophisticates cloud and borders
• watercolor pencils
• brush
• water
• some little strass
• ribbons
• glue or double side tape
• sewing machine if you like

I love so much to use the eclips machine especially when I want to create something completely handmade! The cartridges I've mentioned above are amazing, really!

From the album , bags and boxes I have selected the basket, you can choose the size you prefer and the machine will create the bag for you :) Very simple, very quick, very funny!!!

I simply built it with glue and I have decorated it with some little details: ribbons, stickers, borders and a little rabbit, that is really cute!!!

The rabbit is from the second cartridge I mentioned above, for this you can choose the size and the shape, solid, shadow, pieces, this allows you to create your own design and play with a lot of different details, to color or to put together using different colors of card stock! A lot of fun! 

I have cut two rabbits, one shadow and the other normal. I've used watercolor pencils to give to the rabbit a more cool touch :) I love the pink of the legs and  ears. 

Simply adhere with glue or double side tape your favorite stickers and embellishments and add some ribbons.

Take a look :)

For the card I have made the same:) I used eclips machine for the rabbit... I love it, it's so cute! and for the greetings:) Shadow and normal shapes together for a very cool result! I added some borders and just do it!!!! use watercolor pencils to color your rabbit with soft touches:) You just need of a tiny brush:)

Happy Easter everyone! I wish you a wonderful day full of peace and serenity!

The Magic of ecal (part 2)

 by Pete Hughes

Sorry, Couldn't help myself! I am enjoying using the ecal software so much that I felt I had to share some more. as I mentioned last time, with ecal, you can use any true type fonts, this includes Dingbat fonts of which there are literally hundreds free to download.

Dingbat fonts can be simple shapes, floral borders, butterflies, famous logo's, seasonal pictures in fact the list is pretty endless. The best way to find what is about is to pop the phrase free fonts into your computers search engine and see where it leads you. It is very easy to download free fonts and of course, they're FREE!!! 

A really cute dingbat font is creatures which comprises of a number of little monsters, perfect for perking up kid's birthday cards or invites. I used one such creature to create the card below and here is how i did it (If you look back at the last blog post it will give you a more in depth explanation of how to use ecal)

1. Firstly, I selected my 'creature' and brought it to the size that I needed. Next, I selected the object menu at the top left of the ecal screen and scrolled down to break apart which allows me to select individual areas of the artwork so that I can drag them to separate areas of my mat prior to cutting. You can see that I have separated the image into outline (top left) block colour (top right) and below that, the teeth, tongue and eye balls.
To create the little monster phrase I chose the fonts Cinnamon Cake for the word 'little' and Samdan for the word 'monster'. I welded the letters together but before welding the words together I copied and pasted the word monster so that I could cut it in a different colour (green). after welding the two words together I rotated them so that they would fit onto the blue paper.
2. Once everything was where I wanted it on screen it was time to lay my chosen papers on the cutting mat. One of the great things about working on ecal is that the computer screen represents the cutting mat in your eclips so you know exactly where everything is going to be when cut which takes away the guess work when your laying down your papers.
3. simply press the cut button and let the eclips do the work. remove all the waste paper and you are ready to assemble your card.

4. Mount the outline onto the patterned block colour cut-out.

5. Add the cut-out detail i.e. teeth, tongue, eyeballs.

6. Use distress inks to tint the bottom of the word and a sanding block to distress the top before attaching to the 'Little Monsters' phrase in a slight offset to create a shadow effect.

7. Assemble the parts of the card.

8. Mount the check pattern onto the base card and attach the 'Monster' using 3D foam pads before adding the phrase.

The Magic of ecal

 by Pete Hughes

Just back from Paris where I was demonstrating all things 'Sizzix' at the SMAC trade show. I think I was the only Welshman in France on Saturday as Wales beat the French rugby team in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam....Hurray! I didn't make a fuss but I did have a smug grin for a few days after.

So 'What's this ecal business' I hear you cry. Well, it's the new software package which turns the Sizzix eclips electronic cutter into the most awesome creative craft tool on the planet. using ecal software your eclips can use any true type font on your PC including wingdings and dingbat fonts as well as allowing you to create and cut your own artwork.

Those amongst you who read my blog regularly will know that I am no great fan of technology so for me to fall in love with something like ecal is nothing short of a minor miracle, and at the same time, testament to how easy it is to get to grips with.

This is a project which I created in a little over 15 minutes, Using the keyboard I typed the 3 words needed in different fonts (screen 1), 'Happy' (creampuff font), 'Birthday' (Rustler font) and 'Sophie' (Channel font) then with the click of a button I welded the letters together. In screen 2 I adjusted the size of each word and overlapped them slightly. In screen 3 I selected all of the words and once again, welded them together.

In screen 4 I used one of the basic shapes included in the software, namely and oval to create a border frame. Once you draw the oval it's so easy to change the size and proportions to fit the artwork. In screen 5 I placed the oval around my text, carefully re-sized it and welded them together, again, with the simple click of a button. In screen 6 I added some flowers taken from the basic shapes menu and added them to my Text/frame.

In screen 7  I welded all of the elements together. once I was happy with the artwork I shrank it to fit my base card and clicked on the shadow feature which creates a shadow as a separate artwork (Screen 8) before moving the two elements into position, the screen shows a virtual cutting mat and represents where the shapes will cut on the real cutting mat in your eclips machine.

The first image below shows the paper that I have chosen trimmed to size and loaded onto my mat ready to be cut the second image shows the shapes after they have been cut on the eclips and the waste paper removed. All that is left to do is mount the artwork onto it's shadow and attach it all to the base card before adding a few adhesive gems

It really couldn't be any easier and the software is so simple to use, just by playing around for a while you can get some truly staggering results. The key to ecal is freedom; the freedom to use original bespoke designs, the freedom to use any true type font, but most of all the freedom to create your own little world.

Create a Cover Album

 By Loredana Bucaria


Hellooooo from Italy, how are you today?
It's time to show you a quick and very cool idea for a COVER ALBUM!! Ohh yes!


Materials you need:

• Eclips machine
• albums, bags & boxes cartridge  (code 656856)
• any heart shaped dies
• a patterned paper double side ( I used American Crafts hello sunshine)
• lace and ribbon by glitz design
• stamp and embellishments you prefer
• sewing machine 
• glue
• kraft masking tape for the Sizzix Textured 

  Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Clocks & Print Blocks Set (code 657663)

• Big shot machine (code 655268)

Sometimes we try to create so difficult covers for our albums, believing to do something cooler instead I think is very useful to create a simple cover for our minis, our treasures! I am completely crazy for mini albums. The eclips cartridge albums, bags & boxes is amazing!!! If you don't have it buy  it immediately!!! A lot of wonderful shapes to create!!!

Steps:

• CHOOSE THE ALBUM SIZE: choose a 12x12 inches paper ( i used a double side paper with a patterned on one side and a kraft color on the other one) and cut the album cover shape you like, I have chosen the square album in size 10.8 x 4.80 inches.

• Set the quantity of 2 (two rectangles)  in this way if the paper is thin you will have a more resistant cover. At this point you will simply have the cover of your mini! Very easy and funny!

• EMBOSS THE FRONT COVER: on the front cover use the embossing die to create a very cool effect:) I used the letters, so lovely!

• BUILD THE COVER: stick together the rectangles. Use the kraft masking tape for the back of the mini book.

• Use your favorite embellishments and stamps to complete the cover album.

A detail.....

I hope to have inspired you!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Lory