Must haves!

When does want become need? when does 'I would like' become 'I must have.....NOW!' and no, I'm not talking about wine, chocolate or shoes but a couple of new Sizzix Bigz dies which cut the most divine 3D flowers ever.

I've used card for this piece but they are Bigz dies so they would be just as effective in textiles and a host of other other materials too.

The dies concerned are Bigz Flowers 3-D #3 and flowers 3-D #4. click on the links for a closer look.

I started with a blank wooden frame which was just crying out to be altered in some way, shape or form. I applied a little gesso (white acrylic paint will work too) to a craft sheet and rolled it out into a thin layer with a brayer before applying it to the frame.

I chose a text stamp from Tim Holtz' Stampers Anonymous range and used a mid brown Distress Ink to add the text in a random pattern onto the frame.

I used both dies to die-cut white paper to give you a better indication of what they are all about. Next, I went through my paper stash and pulled out some My Minds Eye papers from the fabulous Lost & Found ranges and die-cut the three different flowers.

I used Old Paper and Vintage Photo Distress Ink pads to add a little contrast to the edges of the petals and then I applied a little glue to the tab to create the 3-D effect, I also curled the petals back to create a more naturalistic effect.

I die-cut the long centre strip and used a pair of scissors to snip down the centre of the sticky-outy bits (technical jargon alert!!!). I inked the tips and rolled the strip using a pair of tweezers before bending the individual bits back to create the flowers centre. I repeated with the other two flowers and attached the centres accordingly.

I die-cut a selection of 3-D spiral flowers and inked the edges of the lighter ones before gently sanding the tips of the darker ones.

There are various theories as how best to create the 3-D flowers but I like to use a pair of tweezers and roll the shape keeping the tweezers facing the centre. Once the petals are rolled all the way simply add a blob of hot glue and allow the flower to slightly unravel as much or as little as required before the glue sets.

Use the tweezers to bend the tips of the petals over to create a natural looking bloom.

I added some natural twine to the top of the frame before arranging the flowers as shown. 

I'm sure that I will be returning to these dies again and again in the future.

Christmas Krafting (Part 2)

I'm back with part two of my kraft card/Sizzix Extravaganza. If you remember, I created two cards last week to add to my display at the Hobbycrafts show in Birmingham. In truth, I started with one card and another one quickly followed at which point I was having so much fun..... you know the story!!

To complete my little vignette I decided to design a couple of Christmas packaging ideas using dies from the new Tim Holtz Christmas range.

Here is a list of the dies that I used, all of which are designed by Tim, and you can see each set by clicking on the links.

• Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Holiday Greens
• Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 17PK - Holiday Words: Block
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Jumbo Tattered Pinecone
• Sizzix Bigz L Die - Stacked Snowflakes
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die - Pillow Box w/Labels
• Sizzix Framelits die Set 8PK - Tag Collection

I started by die-cutting a pillow box from craft card before using one of the Holiday Words dies to create the aperture cut. I applied a little acrylic gesso to my craft sheet before spreading with my brayer, it's important not to have too much gesso on the roller when you apply it to the gift box as we are looking for a random effect rather than a total white-out! Before assembling the boxI attached a rectangle of clear acetate film to the inside of the box behind the aperture word. At this point you can insert your gift (diamonds are always a safe bet in my experience!)

It's time to create our pine cone. I die- cut the pine cone together with some Christmas foliage from kraft card. the pine cone starts off as a spiral of card and the first thing I wanted to do was apply the gesso as above. I used a scrap piece of card as a mask and once complete I applied a little Walnut Stain Distress Ink to the edges. As I said last week, Walnut Stain is a very dark dye so be very careful!!

The next task is to flip the pine cone over and grip the edge between a pair of straight tweezers. Start to roll the tweezers towards the centre until you have gathered up all the separate 'petals' and secure with a glue gun 

Apply a little gesso to the foliage and ink the tips. Once they are dry you can gently curl the edges to add a little more dimension. Cut a strip of hessian/burlap and wrap it around the pillow box secured with a length of knotted raffia.
Use a glue gun to attach the foliage followed by the pine cone. For the finishing touches, add a couple of frosted berries and a raffia bow. The berries can be found in many good craft shops or garden centres this time of year. 

The end result is so effective and those berries set it off perfectly.

I wanted to add just one more thing to give a little visual balance once all the projects were placed together. The box I used has a 7.5 cm square base and is 15 cm tall. I started by wrapping it in parcel paper before adding a band of hessian followed by a length of knotted raffia. Next, I die-cut a small tag and aperture cut the word believe before following up with a little gesso.

I Die-cut three of the four snowflakes from the magnificent Stacked Snowflakes die before applying a little gesso and Walnut Stain ink to the tips of each die-cut. I layered the snowflakes together using adhesive foam pads before adding a sparky crystal to the centre.

I attached the tag with a length of raffia before adding the assembled snowflake with a glue gun.... Simple!!!

Here is the gang all together at last, I think I may use this style/theme for my own Christmas cards/gifts this year because it is a quick and easy style but is also very effective.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who stopped by the Sizzix workshop area at the Hobbycrafts show in Birmingham last week. The classes were very well attended and we had lots of fun getting messy using inks and gesso to bring the wonderful die-cuts and embossing folders to life. Everyone did a great job and even though  it was four days hard work it never seemed like a chore, I can't wait for the next one! In total, and including my own we made 297 cards and I'm sure I can say without fear of contradiction that they all turned out fabulous!

Below is a picture of me back at Sizzix Central with some of the 27 cards which I made.

Christmas Krafting!!

I know what your all thinking, "C'mon Pete, get your spell check sorted!" 

Actually, the spelling of 'Krafting' is deliberate as I am using kraft card pretty much exclusively to create these projects. Incidentally, where does the kraft in kraft card come from? someone was asking in the office the other day and I had no idea! (answers on a post card as they say)

As you are reading this I will be at the NEC in Birmingham teaching mini workshops at the Hobbycrafts show and I hope to see some of you there.

For the following projects I will be using dies from the Tim Holtz Alterations Christmas range, Follow the links below to view the products:

• Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 17PK - Holiday Words: Block
• Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 5PK - Paper Snowflakes
• Sizzix Bigz Die w/Texture Fades - Layered Snowflake

I also used plenty of kraft card and gesso!

I took a 9 x 9 cm square of kraft card and used two of the dies from the Holiday Words Framelits set to die-cut the legend 'Christmas Wishes'. Next, I die-cut a medium and a small snowflake (paper snowflakes set) from kraft card. I took a small blob of white acrylic gesso and spread it onto my crafting mat using a brayer. The trick is not to use too much gesso, as always, you can always add more. I then used my brayer to apply the gesso to the snowflakes after which there isn't much left on the roller which is a good time to apply some to my die-cut square in a random fashion.

I next die-cut a large snowflake from the same Thinlits set and inked the edges using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. This is a very strong colour so gently does it! At the same time I inked the tips of the other snowflakes and the edges of the square. I used adhesive foam pads to layer the snowflakes and attached a threaded wooden button to the centre which I lightly distressed by adding a little gesso with my fingertips.

After mounting the layered snowflakes onto the square I attached it to the centre of a 10 x 10 cm ivory base card. This is my favourite kind of card, maximum impact for minimum effort!

I enjoyed making this card so much that I created created another similar card so it wouldn't feel lonely. I die-cut the words around the edge of a 12 x 12 cm square of kraft card before die-cutting and embossing the layered snowflake (the embossing folder comes with the die).

 Next I applied the gesso and Distress Ink before attaching a wooden button threaded with twine which I twisted into a loop before adding a touch of gesso and attaching to the centre of the snowflake with a glue gun.

I cut a 7cm square of hessian (Burlap) and applied a little gesso and ink  before mounting everything onto a 13 x 13cm kraft base card.

I think they make a lovely couple, I hope you agree?

I wanted to have a bit more fun with the kraft card/gesso combination so I decided to create a couple more projects...... tune in next week for part 2!

Bente's shabby chic page




Hi there.
Today I have a shabby chic scrapbook page to share with you.
I primed my bautiful paper with gesso and a little mist using a stencil as well for added texture.

I cut two large circles using decorative scissors and stitched them to my paper. With a paintbrush I added gesso diluted with water to tone down the background music pattern. It could esily look very busy. I cut and embossed a smaller circle and used it as a mat for my two photos.

I made these gorgeous flowers in two sizes with the Tattered Florals die set that I love. It is just soo good for when you need some flowers to tone in with your papers.

I made my flower clusters tying in a swirly chipboard piece and also a light blue lace ribbon rosette.

I also fussy cut some pretty butterflies from a matching patterned paper using the Susan's Garden Tool Kit which has become one of my absolute favourites to use when I craft. All the tools in the kit are really very useeful!

Thanks for looking and I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your day!! :-)

I used these Sizzix products for my page:
Sizzix Big Shot starter kit (Powder Blue and Teal)
Sizzix Accessories Susan's Garden's Tool Kit
Sizzix Bigz Die, Tattered Florals
Life Made Simple, Sizzix thinlits basic set (I used the small heart)

Patterned papers: Inkido Beautiful Memories, Spring Time
Mini roses: Papirdesign
Lace: Papirdesign
Other flowers Prima, Petaloo
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Hejsan!
Idag har jag en shabby chic scrapbooking layout att visa er.
Jag preparerade det vackra papperet med gesso och lite mist och använde dessutom en stencil för att skapa lite mera tekstur.
Jag skar ut två större rundlar med mina dekorativa saxar och sydde dom fast på papperet med min symaskin.Jag spädde ut lite gesso med vatten och målade lite på musikpapperet för att göra mönstret lite mera diskret. Jag ville inte att mönstret ska ta för mycket uppmärksamhet. Jag skar ut en mindre cirkel som jag embossade och använde som matta för mina två foton.
Sedan gjorde jag dessa underbara blommor i två storlekar med Tattered Florals Bigz dies so jag ju är sååå förtjust i! Denna die är ju helt perfekt när du vill ha blommor som passar dina papper perfekt!
Jag skapade mina blomsterklungor och blandade in en fin chipboard swirl och en liten ljusblå spets rosett.
Dessutom klippte jag ut några fjärilar från ett matchande papper med saxen som ingår i Susan's Garden Tool kit. Detta kit har snabtbt blivit oumbärligt för mig och jag vill helst inte skapa något utan att ha mina favoritverktyg till hands!! Alla delarna är bara helt suveräna :-)

Tack för att ni tittar inom och ha det så fint under resten av eftermiddagen!!

Jag använde dessa Sizzix produkterna på min sida:
Sizzix Big Shot starter kit (Powder Blue and Teal)
Sizzix Accessories Susan's Garden's Tool Kit
Sizzix Bigz Die, Tattered Florals
Life Made Simple, Sizzix thinlits basic set (Jag använde det lilla hjärtat)

Mönstrade papper: Inkido Beautiful Memories, Spring Time
Mini rosor: Papirdesign
Spets: Papirdesign
Andra blommor: Prima, Petaloo

Tag team

I made some tags for the excellent Dutch magazine HobbyHandig  this week and I had forgotten what a fun format it is to work in. The large Movers & Shapers Tag & Bookplates by Tim Holtz is about 8 x16cm and the restricted size seems to stretch your creativity which is no bad thing if you ask me, and let's face it, Tim doesn't seem to struggle does he?

I thought I would play around with a few inks and acrylics on the bookplates which come with this most excellent die. I had so much fun that I may turn this into a mini-series so look out for 'Return of the Tag'.

This die is a Bigz L which means it cuts super thick materials like the mount board I have used today. It's a great investment and something you will return to time and again.

I started by die cutting the bookplate from a scrap of old mount board and painting it with gesso which for those of you who don't know is a super thick paint used to prime art canvases, it's also great for creating a variety of textured effects. 

Once I had applied a nice thick layer I dabbed it with my brush to add random texture, I'm going for the flaky plaster look. Once the gesso is dry, (you can use a heat tool to speed this up) I painted a thin layer of  pale blue acrylic onto the surface before removing most of it with some cotton wool. This will give you a lovely subtle distressed look.

Next, I die cut two sizes of flower and a couple of leaves using the Tattered Garland Decorative Strip Die by Tim Holtz to create a couple of 3D roses. I didn't post the step by step instructions for this as I covered this a few months back (New Blooms part 1, January 8th) using the Tattered Florals flowers, obviously this is done on a much smaller scale.

 I then added a layer of the gesso don't worry if it is a bit gloopy, it all adds to the effect. once the gesso was dry I applied the pale blue paint using a dry brush effect. I used the same techniques to distress an angel made from resin which is part of a set from those clever people at Prima Marketing

It's time to cut my tags, I cut one with a subtle damask pattern and one from wood grain paper both from My Mind's Eye collections. I trimmed away part of the base of the damask tag and applied distress inks to the edges of both in a very subtle fashion. Next, I used a paper distressing tool to rough up the edges of the damask tag a little and scrunched up the bottom. I'm going for a tattered, peeling wallpaper look! Finally, I attached the two tags together.

And here is the finished Tag, the bookplate has a piece of inked card behind it with a couple of word stickers from the Chitchat idea-ology pad by Tim Holtz added. I mounted the bookplate with a length of pale blue organza ribbon before attaching the matching cherub and roses. Finally, I threaded some stained lace and organza ribbon through the hole at the top of the tag.

I hope you can tell from the photo but the resemblance to plaster is quite uncanny, Maybe we'll go for rusty metal next week?

Notebook


Hi Everyone!

Daria is here. And today I would like to show you a notebook which I made using Sizzix dies.

Items used:
Big Shot Machine (657900)
Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Frame, Renaissance (657736)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Banners, Fancy (658601)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Alphabet Die - Inside Out (657827)

I used beautiful Renaissance Frame and Banners dies to make a base more layered. Also I used canvas, gesso and different mists to make the cover of my notebook more interesting.

I used Inside Out alphabet die to make the title.

Have a nice day!

Daria.


Всем привет!

Сегодня я с блокнотиком. Его формат А6, он не большой, но очень милый. Я сделала его с использованием холста, гессо, спреев. И конечно использовала чудесные ножи от Sizzix, чтобы сделать фон более интересным, а так же чтобы создать надпись на блокнотике.

Материалы:

Big Shot Machine (657900)
Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Frame, Renaissance (657736)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK - Banners, Fancy (658601)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Alphabet Die - Inside Out (657827)

Дарья.

Mixed-Media Cover For Album


Hi All!

Daria is here. 

Today I would like to share a mixed-media cover for my new album. I started create album about me and I needed a cover. I used different cute things that I found at home (such as washers, bottle caps, parts of old clocks and etc.) and of course different dies.

I used Lace die to create more layers. I used Flowers dies to create beautiful flowers. And I used Gear die to create chipboard gear.

Also I used sprays, gesso, textured paste, alcohol inks, felt ribbon, resist canvas and etc.

Items used:
Big Shot Machine (657900)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Flower Garden w/Scallops (657708)
Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Flower, Rose 3-D (658504)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - Flowering Quince (658410)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Gadget Gears (656636)

Have a nice day!

Daria.


Всем привет!

Сегодня я с обложкой для моего нового альбома. Альбом будет обо мне. И для кого как не для себя можно постараться и сделать что-то эдакое. Поэтому я решила сделать обложку в стиле микс-медиа, с использованием всяких штучек, что нашла дома и в строительном магазине (такие как шайбы, пластины, детали старых часов, крышки от бутылок и т.д.). Ну  и конечно не обошлось без ножей Sizzix.

Так же я использовала спреи, гессо, текстурную пасту, фетровую ленту, холст, пуговицы и т.д. В общем творила от души! :)

Материалы Sizzix:
Big Shot Machine (657900)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Flower Garden w/Scallops (657708)
Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Flower, Rose 3-D (658504)
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - Flowering Quince (658410)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Gadget Gears (656636)

Дарья.