"Winter Wishes" Tag by Gerry van Gent

Hallo Sizzix friends!

Gerry's here today sharing a tag using one of the latest dies.

660515 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit

656938 Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die Tag & Bookplates

658261 Sizzix Bigz Die Tattered Poinsettia

660663 Sizzix Thinlits Die Winter Wishes & Snowflakes

660881 Sizzix Thinlits Die Proud Deer 

660878 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Decorative Trees

660220 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Mixed Media

*        *       *

Such yummy ingredients to create this tag!

I die cut twice the "winter wishes" using two different

colours cardstock. After that I exchanged the letters and

used one of them for my tag.

On my tag I added some Stickles...

and his is how it looks without any glitter.

The Tattered Poinsettia was die cut from vellum.

For the center I used tiny parels.

One of the Decorative Trees was used here as greenery and not as a tree.

Thank you so much for visiting us today!

Have a creative day!

Gerry

Up, Up and away!

The title comes from a 1967 song from a band called Fifth Dimension which was part of the soundtrack of my early childhood. The second half of that line is, of course.....'in my beautiful balloon' which is where we start today's post.

Why 'Beautiful' balloon? Well, it has been designed by none other than Brenda Walton and it is one of several beautiful Thinlits dies sets in her new collection. This set also comes with a set of gorgeous text stamps which compliment the dies perfectly.I will probably showcase some of the others in the coming weeks but for now we are looking at Framelits Die Set 9PK w/Stamps - Hot Air Balloon which will be in shops from the beginning of October.

I'm also using my old favourite Mixed Media die set which always comes in very handy for mixed media and shabby chic style projects.



I am using a lovely paper pad from Studio Light which is perfect for the style that I want together with the die/stamp set. Apart from a few Distress Ink pads and some white card, that's pretty much it!

I cut a rectangle of blue patterned card and applied a few shades of brown Distress Ink around the edges before distressing and scrunching the edges concentrating on the corners. I used a fine sanding pad over the creases to add further contrast. Next I added the stamped sentiment in dark brown ink.

 I used a couple of my Mixed Media die set to add detail, I don't know what happened to the exposure on the second photo but they are the same, honest!

Time to cut the separate parts of the balloon which I then inked before putting together.

For my cloud (one of two in the set) I wanted to give the impression of sunset so I applied some Distress Inks to the base of the die-cut shape.

I took the bunting die and cut half a dozen triangles before inking the edges and gently curling up the tips. I attached them to the assembled balloon following a gentle curve.


Using double sided tape, I applied some short lengths of cotton to join the main body of the balloon to the basket.

I attached the cloud and the balloon to the background using adhesive foam pads before mounting onto a white base card.

If you like this card, and I hope you do then I must give 90% of the credit to Brenda Walton for creating such a beautiful and well thought through set of dies.

Summer's gone!

Hi everybody!

A few days ago I was in Bouzigues (France) for a small farewell summer journey.

I love the sun light at the end of the summer, and the photos always are great in this season, so making a farewell summer Layout was required!

Here you can see some details of my layout, the white die cuts over a liquid watercolor background are always a great idea!!

This are the Sizzix products used in this project:

660515 Sizzix Big Shot PLUS Starter Kit (White and Gray)

660481 Sizzix Thinlits Die - Do what you love

660222 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Scribbles & Splat

660220 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Mixed Media

Be Happy!!

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¡Hola a todo el mundo!

Hace unos días estuve en Bouzigues (Francia) en un pequeño viaje de despedida del verano.

Me encanta la luz del sol al final del verano, y las fotos siempre quedan geniales en esta temporada, así que hacer era necesario hacer un layout de despedida del verano!

Arriba puedes ver algunos detalles de mi layout, los troquelados blancos sobre un fondo de acuarela líquida siempre son geniales!!

Estos son los productos Sizzix usados en este proyecto:

660515 Sizzix Big Shot PLUS Starter Kit (White and Gray)

660481 Sizzix Thinlits Die - Do what you love

660222 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Scribbles & Splat

660220 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Mixed Media

Sed muy felices!!

"Never Give Up" by Gerry van Gent

Happy Sunday friends!

Hope you are all doing well!

For my blog post today I am sharing a pillow box I created with 

a coordinating quote card. It's one of those small, hand-made things you

can give to a friend for encouragement and to show you care.

660515 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit

660844 Sizzix Thinlits Plus Die Set Box, Pillow

660094 Sizzix Thinlits Die Delicate Wings

656554 Sizzix Bigz Die Corners, Flourish #2

660500 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Intricate Tribal Florals 

660220 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Mixed Media

660159 Sizzix Paper Punch Large Butterfly

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After die cutting the Pillow Box I began decorating it by adding

 different embellishments including die-cut flowers and flourish.

The coordinating card was cut to sizes fitting the pillow itself.

I added a pearl in the centers of the die-cut Intricate flowers.

As usual, I punched the butterfly multiple times and adhered

on top of one another in order to give more dimension.

Thank you for visiting us today!

Have a creative week ahead!

Gerry

"Carefree Holidays" Layout by gerry van gent

Happy Sunday Sizzix friends!

Hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend with your loved ones. 

For my post today I prepared a layout where I am combining

fussy cut flowers with gorgeous Sizzix dies.

660515 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit

660159 Sizzix Paper Punch Large Butterfly

660500 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Intricate Tribal Florals

660220 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Mixed Media

659573 Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die Spring Greenery

*          *          * 

Two of the butterflies have 4 layers of punched butterflies.

Instead of masking I used one of the Mixed Media dies to decorate the background.

I simply die cut it 4 times and adhered pieces behind the photos.

One small piece was used in the middle of the stamped circle.

OTHER PRODUCTS I USED:

Graphic 45 pattern papers

KaiserCraft pattern papers

The Scrapbook Diaries clear stamps

Glitz Design Giant rhinestone 

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Thank you for visiting us today!

Have a creative Sunday!

Gerry 

upstencilling!

I know it's not a real word but I'm a busy man and I have got time to go around talking about upcycling using die-cut stencils!

Last week we looked at using shop bought stencils and I thought 'Why not make your own Pete, after all, we do have some dies just crying out to be used in this way'.

I decided to take my own advice for once, especially as I have a cool idea for a house warming gift. On Saturday morning I shall be helping my good friend Wayne move house which is going to be a gradual process for Wayne and his family so on Saturday we are tackling the big stuff! 

Some of the dies I have used today are among the most popular releases this year alongside some timeless classics....

• Bigz XL Alphabet Die - Word Play by Tim Holtz (657837)
• Bigz Die w/Texture Fades - Butterfly Duo by Tim Holtz (660236)
• Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Spring Greenery by Tim Holtz (659573)
• Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Scribbles & Splat by Tim Holtz (660222)
• Thinlits Die Set 4PK - Mixed Media by Tim Holtz (660220)
• Sizzix Paper Punch - Butterfly, Large (660159)

I have also used an assortment of Stampers Anonymous stamps and three different Americana acrylic paints...let the fun begin!

Whilst on holiday recently I was trawling the shops for items which might benefit from a bit of Sizzix bling when I came across these lovely sentiments screen printed onto wooden backgrounds, they were a bargain at £3 each so I bought four of them. Next, I took a sanding pad and removed the sentiment giving me a blank canvas to work on.

I used the Word Play die to die-cut the legend 'august 2015' from thin kraft card and applied them to the wood using a thin layer of spray adhesive, just enough to hold them in place but easy to remove afterwards.

Next, I cut apertures in some thin kraft card to use as stencils. The reason I use kraft card is because it is not as absorbent as normal card making it ideal for disposable stencils. Time to choose my colours and I've decided to use Americana acrylics by Decoart.  My base colour will be Pistachio Mint and I will use Bahamas Blue and Taffy Cream to add detail.

I am applying the paint using a round sponge applicator, it's more controllable than a stencil brush and it's both quick and easy to wash up after. I worked over the die-cut letters in applying the main body of the paint.

Now it's time to add the detail around the edges using my home made die-cut stencils

I lightened the green colour with some white chalky paint to add a little contrast, I then rolled out the paint with a brayer and applied it using various stamps it gives a wicked effect.

Now it's time to add the blue and cream, it's important to get a nice balance so think carefully before adding new elements, believe me I've learnt this through experience!

Add a little more stamped detail with the blue and cream acrylic before removing the die-cut letters using the tip of a craft knife.

And here is the finished piece, pretty cool and super easy to do, in fact, it's hard to go wrong using this technique as long as you are careful with your initial colour selection. I think I will try to give stencilling a rest for a little while but it's just so much fun!!!

An Easter Card with Free Paper Downloads

Happy Sunday Sizzix friends!

Today I have another Easter card to share with you.
This card was also created by using the gorgeous
free to download Easter papers which are available ------> HERE

NEW 660515 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Starter Kit

660804 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Happiness Phrases

660220 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Mixed Media

660222 Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Scribbles & Splat

658554 Sizzix Sizzlits Dec. Strip Alphabet Die Wanted 

NEW FREE EASTER PAPER DOWNLOADS

*     *     *    

I began creating the card by stamping an egg pattern on 4

different coloured scraps from FREE EASTER PAPER DOWNLOADS.

I needed 5 eggs because of the word "happy" 

so I added a white egg in the middle....

When my stamped eggs were ready I adhered them on front of the card.

After that I added the letters H-A-P-P-Y on top of each egg.

I die cut the splats and honeycomb from white cardstock

and distressed them just a bit with yellow ink to match the title.

OTHER PRODUCTS I USED:

clear stamp egg - brand unknown

papers "Easter" title - "Webster's Pages"

white cardstock; yellow ink

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Thank you for your visit!

Have a creative Sunday!

Gerry