Gift tag in vintage style



Happy Wednesday everyone,

When browsing through paper crafting blogs I have come across many gorgeous and outstanding gift tags with rich embellishing and carefully selected elements. For a 12” x 12” scrapbooker like me working on a small 8 cm x 15 cm gift tag feels sometimes a bit tricky. And I have to admit that I have not made too many gift tags even though that I’m a big fan of those talented gift tag makers. 

However, as my favourite quote by Tom Krause says: “If you only do what you know you can do - you never do very much.” I thought it was time to challenge myself a bit and make a gift tag in vintage style. This is what I came up with:

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Beatnik Bouquet Set, 657809
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK - Labels, Fancy #5, 657914
• White and brown cardstock
• Patterned papers: Basic Grey: Cappella – Bellini. Periphery: Olive
• Distress inks: Crushed Olive. Brushed Conduroy. Ink applicator or sponge
• Text stamp: Tim Holtz: Stampers Anynomous
• Cotton lace
• Velvet ribbon
• Small beads
• Paper flowers
• Small circle punch. Crop A Dile or other hole punch tool
• Two-sided tape, glue (Tacky glue, Glossy Accents)

How to make:

I started with cutting a tag shape from white cardstock. My measurements were 8 cm x 14 cm but sure the tag could be smaller or larger. I trimmed the upper edges, and embossed the upper part using Beatnik Bouquet embossing folder. I wanted to highlight the beautiful pattern so I wiped the embossed image gently with brown and olive green stamping ink.

Then I covered the bottom part with patterned paper (inked the edges before attaching to the tag) and wrapped a piece of brown velvet ribbon and a piece of cotton lace around the tag. I used thin two-sided tape for holding them in place and secured the ends on the backside of the tag.

The text was stamped on a white die-cut label (second largest die in the set) I cut in half and inked with brown Distress. I mat it on another label (largest die in the set) and glued on the tag. Before finishing the front side I covered the backside with patterned paper and inked the edges. I punched two small circles of brown cardstock, glued them on the top of the tag (front and back), and punched a hole in the middle.

As embellishments I used paper flowers and small beads I glued on the tag with Glossy Accents.  Leafs underneath the flowers are hand-cut from folded paper.

I had a lot of fun making this tag and I'm sure it will not be my last one. I hope this will inspire you to make one yourself!

Have a nice week.
Love,

Simple scrapbooking layout with embossed and die-cut elements



Happy New Year! 

Is there a better way to begin a new year than make a scrapbooking layout?

I hope you had a nice and relaxing Christmas and also had the opportunity to take a lot of pictures to scrap. I had my camera in my hand almost all the time during holidays and was lucky to get some nice pictures of my kids. In this layout I used one of them. I wanted to highlight the photo so I decided to leave the page quite simple. Title ‘Aika’ means ‘Time’ so therefore I decorated the layout with embossed clock images.
 

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Clocks & Print Blocks Set, 657663
• Sizzix Bigz XL Alphabet Die - Word Play, 657837
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Borders & Hydrangeas, 657721
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 2PK - Heart & Wing Set, 657793
• Patterned papers: Studio Calico: Sweet Day – Lovely Chevron. My Mind’s Eye: Penny Lane collection
• White and dark brown cardstock
• Corrugated cardboard, white
• Glimmer Glaze: Purple Passion
• Distress ink (Seedless preserves); Ink applicator or sponge
• Button
• Two-sided tape, glue

 Here's is how I made it:

First I cut the cream coloured patterned paper to size 25 cm x 25 cm, inked the edges, and attached it on the patterned paper with printed words. Then I prepared the background for the photo: Using Textured Impressions Embossing folder ‘Clocks’ I embossed clock images on white cardstock. I highlighted the embossed pattern by rubbing purple stamping ink on the embossed image. I adhered the embossed panel, photo and some pieces of patterned papers on the background. Before gluing down the purple rectangle piece of patterned paper I die-cut a piece of scalloped-edge border, and attached it under the purple paper.

The title is die-cut from thin corrugated cardstock. I covered the letters with purple Glimmer Glaze and glued on the page. Also the heart's wings are cut from corrugated cardstock – printing paper boxes are a perfect material for scrapbooking! I painted the inner heart with Glimmer Glaze before gluing on the top of the page.

I embellished the layout with a die-cut hydrangea and a piece of die-cut zig zag border. After writing a short journaling text the page was finished!

I wish you all the best for year 2013. I hope the days will be filled with inspiration!

Love,

New Year Greeting Card



Merry Boxing Day to You all,
I hope you have had a nice and relaxing Christmas. After couple of days of lying on the sofa, watching TV, eating, and reading, it is nice to grab again your paper crafting supplies and get creative, right?

I’m sure many of you are visiting your friends on New Year’s evening. I’m also sure your friends would love to get a hand-made greeting card with your hand written new year’s wishes. This one is quick and easy to make – just follow these simple steps:

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Clocks & Print Blocks Set, 657663
• Sizzix Bigz XL Alphabet Die - Word Play, 657837
• White card blank, folded (14.5 cm x 11 cm)
• Dark blue textured paper (Wausau Paper: Crinkles Cardstock – Dusk)
• White cardstock
• Small piece of white chipboard or other thick cardstock
• Glimmer Glaze: Sassy Silver
• Distress ink (Faded jeans), Ink applicator or sponge
• White or silver satin ribbon
• Two-sided tape, glue

How to make:

1. Emboss clock images on white cardstock using Textured Impressions Embossing folder ‘Clocks’. Using circular motion rub blue stamping ink on the embossed image highlighting the embossed pattern.
2. Mat the embossed image on dark blue texture paper leaving a thin border around the edges. Attach to card front.
3. Die-cut numbers 0, 1, 2 and 3 from white chipboard. Cover them with silver Glimmer Glaze. Let dry.
4. Cut a rectangle panel sized 4 cm x 10.5 cm from dark blue paper. Glue numbers on the panel.
5. Using two-sided tape attach two pieces of satin ribbon under the rectangle panel. Adhere to card front.
   

Enjoy the festive season!

Love,

 

Christmas Wall Art



Happy Wednesday everyone,

This week I wanted to show you a home décor item, a 20cm x 20 cm canvas, I created for the festive season. It is a short reminder for myself in the middle of hectic Christmas preparations, stating what Christmas is all about.

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Poinsettia, 658261
• Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Festive Greenery, 657467
• Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Mini Snowflake Rosettes (2 Sizes), 658255
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 2PK - Mini Hearts Set, 657212
• Christmas wrapping paper
• Old book paper
• Framed canvas, 20 cm x 20 cm
• Little pieces of dark brown cardstock. White cardstock
• 3 manila tags
• White gesso. White acrylic paint
• Brown stamping ink (Distress - Brushed Corduroy). Ink applicator or sponge
• Purple stamping ink (Stampin’ Up! Rich Razzleberry). Ink applicator or sponge
• Buttons
• Light brown ribbon
• Lace
• Two-sided tape, glue

How to make:

1. Tear strips of Christmas wrapping paper.
2. Cover canvas front with a layer of white gesso/white acrylic paint. Press the wrapping paper strips on the wet paint. Add more gesso/acrylic paint if necessary. Let dry.
3. ‘White wash’ the canvas front by brushing a thin layer of white gesso/acrylic paint over the paper strips. Wipe the excess paint with a wet baby towel. Let dry.
4. Mix white acrylic paint with a drop of water. Dab white paint on the top edge of the canvas and tilt the canvas vertically. This will create a paint dripping effect on the background. Let dry.
5. Print a Christmas sentiment on ribbon:
   First print the text on standard printing paper. Then use two-sided tape to attach pieces of ribbon on top of the printed text lines. Re-run the same paper through the printer and the text will be printed on the ribbon.
6. Ink the edges of three manila tags and adhere to canvas. Tape the printed ribbons on top of the tags.
7. Die cut swirls and branches using the ‘Festive Greenery’ Decorative Strip Die. Glue to canvas.
8. Die cut two hearts of old book paper. Ink with purple stamping ink and glue to canvas.
9. Die cut a poinsettia flower from Christmas wrapping paper. Clue to right upper corner.
10. Die cut a Mini Snowflake Rosette strip from white cardstock. Fold and glue it on the bottom of the canvas.
11. Finish by decorating with lace and buttons.
    
    
    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    
    

    
    

I wish you all a very merry Christmas. I hope your’s will be as beautiful and white as ours in Finland!

Love,

 

Last minute Christmas cards



Happy Wednesday everyone,

Today I wanted to show you Christmas card designs that are really quick and easy to make. I'm sure you will be able to make a pile of these just in one evening! And I'm quite convinced that you have all the material needed at home - we'll upcycle pieces of Christmas wrapping paper, so there's no need to shop any special patterned papers!

Silver Christmas Wreath

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Holiday Wreath, 658264
• Christmas wrapping paper
• Light blue square card base (13 cm x 13 cm)
• Dark blue cardstock
• Strip of light blue canvas or other (cotton) fabric
• Small piece of white felt
• Button
• Clear beads
• Two-sided tape, glue

How to make:

1. Cut a 12 cm x 12 cm square of dark blue cardstock. Adhere to card front leaving a thin border around the edges.
2. Cut a piece of Christmas wrapping paper. If the paper is very thin, glue or tape it on a piece of scrap paper. Die cut a Christmas wreath and glue it on the card front.
3. Die cut a snowflake of white felt.
4. Cut a 1.5 cm wide strip of light blue canvas. Tie a bow in the middle and trim the strip ends. Glue the bow on the top of the wreath.
5. Glue the felt snowflake and button on the bow. Blue six small clear beads on the bottom of the card front. 

Heart Shaped Christmas Ornaments

Rectangle shaped card

Square window card

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Christmas Cardinal, 658260
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die Set 2PK - Mini Hearts Set, 657212
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Tags, Rounded, 657568 (for rectangle shaped card)     or
  Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK – Rectangles, 657908 (for square window card)
• Christmas wrapping paper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Old book pages
• Cream square card base (13.5 cm x 13.5 cm) (for square window card)     or
  Cream rectangle card base (12.5 cm x 17.5 cm) (for rectangle shaped card)
• Purple stamping ink (Stampin’ Up! Rich Razzleberry). Ink applicator or sponge
• Purple embroidery yarn
• Two-sided tape, glue
• 3-D foam stickers (for rectangle shaped card)

How to make:

1. Square window card:
   Cut a border for the card window using two nested Framelits rectangle dies. If the Christmas wrapping paper is very thin, glue or tape it on a piece of scrap paper before die cutting.
   Die cut a window on the card front using a rectangle Framelits die.
   Rectangle shaped card:
   Take a piece of Christmas wrapping paper and die cut a rounded tag shape in the middle. If the wrapping paper is very thin, glue or tape it on a piece of scrap paper before die cutting.
   Mat the die cut Christmas wrapping paper panel on the card front leaving a thin border around the edges.
2. Die cut hearts from old book pages. Ink with purple stamping ink.
3. Square window card:
   Glue two inked hearts together. Before pressing the hearts together place a piece of purple embroidery yarn between the die cut shapes.
   Glue the lower end of the yarn on the back of the window frame. Glue the frame around the window.
   Rectangle shaped card:
   Cut a piece of embroidery yarn and attach one end on the back of the die cut heart. Attach the die cut heart on the card front using 3 D foam stickers. Tie a small bow of embroidery yarn and glue on the heart.
4. Die cut a branch of corrugated cardboard. Wrap the other end of the purple yarn a few times around the branch. Glue the branch on the top of the card.
5. Tie a small bow of embroidery yarn and glue on the branch.

I wish you all a great and inspiring week!
Love,

Cute Snowman Card



Happy Wednesday everyone,

Are you all getting busy with making Christmas cards? This week I wanted to show you a simple card I made using the cute ‘Snowman’ Framelits die set with stamps. With this kit you can make great cards simply and easily!

Here’s a list of materials I used:

• Big Shot Machine (655268)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps - Snowman #2  (658278)
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Borders & Hydrangeas (657721)
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folder w/Stamp - Snowflake Background Set (658283)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK – Circles (657551)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 3PK w/Stamps – Tags (658279)
• Dark blue square base cardstock
• Blue cardstock, small piece of white and red cardstock
• Stamping ink (blue ink, clear embossing ink). Ink applicator or sponge
• Markers (yellow, green, red)
• Piece of light blue canvas or other cotton fabric
• 3 D foam Stickers
• Blue embossing poweder, heat gun
• Red embroidery yarn
• 3 small clear beads
• Blue ribbon
• Blue, two-sided tape

Using the Framelits die set is easy: First I stamped the images on standard white cardstock. Then I placed the dies on the stamped images and run through BigShot. Snowman pieces perfectly cut in no time at all!

The only task left was to assemble the snowman: I took a small rectangle piece of white cardstock and glued down the snowman body and arms. Then I decorated the hat with red embroidery yarn and colored the hat embellishment. I wanted to add some dimension to my figure so I attached the hat and scarf (die-cut from red cardstock) with 3D foam stickers. I finished the front panel with adhering it on dark blue cardstock, leaving a thin border around the edges.

The background was embossed using the Snowflake embossing folder. I highlighted the embossed image by gently rubbing the surface with blue ink and then glued it on the blank cardstock. I adhered the background on card base leaving a thin border around the edges

The sentiment was stamped with embossing ink on white cardstock and finished with embossing powder melted on the tag. I did not use the matching die as I thought the image was too big for this card. Instead I placed a simple round die on the sentiment and die-cut it with Big Shot. Yes, mixing the elements of different sets is allowed!

I finished the card with die-cutting a decorative frame of light blue canvas and attaching it under the snowman front panel. I glued down the snowman panel, embellished with blue ribbon and attached the round sentiment label on the card with 3D foam stickers. I thought the card was still missing something so I glued three small beads on the card front. Done!

I hope you all enjoy this festive paper crafting high-season as much as I do :)

Have a nice week!
Love,

 

Corrugated cardboard and Christmas wrapping paper: December Daily album covers!



Happy Wednesday everyone,

Can you imagine that we are already reaching December at the end of this week?!? Time really flies, doesn’t it.

I’m sure many of you are planning to make a ‘December Daily’ – a mini album for storing precious Christmas memories. This year I decided to create one for my family, too. However, I’m not even aiming to document each day of December, but to make a few scrapbook pages of some of our Christmas preparation traditions.

The covers for my album I made myself from corrugated cardboard. For covering the front and back I upcycled some Christmas wrapping paper – isn’t this a nice way of using your last season leftover papers?

I have to say that I’m quite happy of how this project turned out, and I’m sure these covers will keep on inspiring me to fill the album with holiday season memories!

Front

Back

Items used:

• Big Shot Starter Kit, 657000
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Christmas Cardinal, 658260
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK - Labels, Fancy #5, 657914
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 3PK - Frame, Ironwork, 657556
• Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Alphabet Die - Inside Out, 657827
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK w/Stamps - Merry Christmas Tree, 658276
• Christmas wrapping paper (any color or patter will do)
• Corrugated cardboard
• Old book paper
• Little pieces of dark brown and cream cardstock
• White gesso or white acrylic paint
• Purple stamping ink (Stampin’ Up! Rich Razzleberry). Ink applicator or sponge
• Black stamping ink
• Two white book rings
• Grop-A-Dile or other hole punching tool
• White gel pen
• Two-sided tape, glue

How to make:

1. Cut two rectangles (15 cm x 20 cm) of corrugated cardboard
2. Cut 3 cm wide strips of Christmas wrapping paper. Fold in half.
3. Using Christmas wrapping paper strips weave two 15 cm x 20 cm sheets; one for front cover and one for back. Sew around the woven edges with zigzag for securing the strip ends. Glue the woven sheets on the corrugated cardstock pieces. Trim the edges.
4. Paint both sides of the back and front covers with white gesso or acrylic paint. Let dry.
5. Die cut a large Fancy Label of scrap paper. Ink the edges of the album covers (front and back) using the die cut image as mask. Decorate the corners with stamped snowflakes (Merry Christmas Tree stamp set).
6. Tape or glue a piece of Christmas wrapping paper on scrap paper. Die cut a title panel with ‘Ironwork’ Framelits die. Glue to the bottom of front cover.
7. Die cut title with Decorative Strip Alphabet Die using old book pages and dark brown cardstock. Assemble the letters and glue to Christmas wrapping paper panel.
8. Die cut a large 'Fancy Label' from cream cardstock. Ink the edges with purple stamping ink and doodle with white gel pen. Glue to album cover.
9. Die cut a Christmas Cardinal image twice; once from old book paper and once from dark brown cardstock. The bird will have the book page pattern and the branch will be of dark brown cardstock.
   Ink the bird with purple stamping ink. Glue the bird on top of the branch. Glue on the Fancy Label.
10. Punch the holes for book rings to the front and back covers and the album pages in between.

Have a nice and inspiring week.
Love,

Simple embossed gift box



Happy Wednesday everyone,

This week I wanted to share with you an easy gift box you will make very quickly. We are now entering the ‘gift giving season’ so you may even want to have some boxes in stock :)

Even though there are a lot of gift box templates available in web I decided draw my own pattern. I wanted to embellish the box with embossed images so the rectangle part in the middle has the height of an embossing folder. The curved top and bottom I draw using a dessert plate as my template. Simple and easy!

 Here’s a list of materials I used:

• Big Shot Machine (655268
• Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Bohemian Lace Set  (657811)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK - Frames, Decorative #2 (657938)
• Black, grey and white cardstock. Small piece of yellow
• Sentiment stamp. White stamping ink
• Light grey and purple ink. Ink applicator or sponge
• Circle punch, scissors (for the spiral paper flower)
• Bone folder and stylus
• Glue (Tacky Glue)
• Satin ribbon, narrow two-sided  tape

For the black box I used a 20.5 cm x 26 cm rectangle piece of basic black cardstock. I scored and folded the sides (at 2 cm and 14 cm), and trimmed the curved top and bottom edges using my pre-cut box template as cutting pattern. Then I used a stylus for scoring the curved lid folds – a round dessert plate was a prefect template for the curved line.

 

For the box front and back I cut two rectangles from white cardstock, sized slightly smaller than the box width. I die-cut an opening on one of the rectangles and embossed them with Bohemian Lace embossing folder. I inked the white embossed panels with purple stamping ink and glued down on the box front and back. I finished the box with stamping a sentiment text with white ink and decorated it with a paper flower and folded leafs.

For the grey gift box I used the same box template, but instead of embellishing it with an embossed panel I placed the box inside an embossing folder and run through my Big Shot. I wanted to highlight the embossed images a bit, so I inked them gently with light stamping ink. As final step I attached two strips of red satin ribbon on top and bottom of the embossed image. Done!

 

 

 



I hope this will inspire you to make your own gift box variations of this simple pattern.

Have a nice week!

Love,