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!!!

Pretty Easter egg box

Hi everyone,
Easter is coming soon and today I'm sharing with you how to customize an egg carton!

Items used:

Sizzix Big shot machine (655268)
Sizzix Originals Die - Circles #4 (657020)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Florals (656640)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Tattered Flower Garland (657824)
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die – Ornamental (656641)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 7PK w/Stamps - Flowers, Lovely (658291)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Circles, Scallop (657552)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps – Banners (658289)

egg box
acrylic paint, lilac
cardstock: white, aqua, lilac
scrap of patterned papers
scrap of yellow fabric
I Top or similar
tag “Happy Easter” (by kidlark)
garden wire
strass
sequins
twine
wooden skewer
paper doilies

How to make:

1- Take an egg carton. Remove the closure and the cups attached on the lid (if present). Paint the box with acrylic paint.
2- Use Sizzix machine to cut out a little circle from fabric (die 657020) for making the fabric covered button with I Top or other tool.
3- Use the Bigz die (656640) to cut out two flowers from white cardstock and one similar flower with Decorative Strip Die. Start with the smallest and work backwards. Insert the button and the garden wire. Shape the petals.
4- Now decorate the box. Use a piece of patterned paper to cover the box lid.
5- Cut a tag Ornamental (die 656641) and cut away the central part. Adhere the two parts in the center of the lid.
6- Cut two stripes of different papers and apply them in the center. Create a rosette (656931) and glue it to the center of the box lid.  With Framelits Flowers Lovely cut out the little flower. Adhere the flower and the strass. Use some sequins and glue them.
7- Inside box: Use a piece of lilac paper to cover the box lid. Cut out three banners with Framelits. Adhere them to the twine. Insert the twine in the box lid.
8- Print or stamp the Easter greetings. Cut out with Framelits Circles Scallop to create the topper. Insert the flower into an egg groove.
9- Fill each compartment with paper doilies before adding chocolate eggs.

A quick and easy gift for Easter!
Thanks for stopping

**************************************
Per le amiche italiane! :)

Ciao!
Come sapete, si sta avvicinando la Pasqua, così oggi voglio condividere con voi un progetto per personalizzare una scatola delle uova, un oggetto semplice e facilmente reperibile.

Materiali:

Sizzix Big shot machine (655268)
Sizzix Originals Die - Circles #4 (657020)
Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Florals (656640)
Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Tattered Flower Garland (657824)
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die – Ornamental (656641)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 7PK w/Stamps - Flowers, Lovely (658291)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK - Circles, Scallop (657552)
Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps – Banners (658289)

scatola delle uova
colore acrilico lilla
cartoncino: bianco, verde acqua e lilla
ritagli di carte pattenerd
un pezzo di tessuto giallo
I Top o altro attrezzo per fare i bottoni di stoffa
tag "Happy Easter" (fonte: kidlark)
filo metallico da giardinaggio
strass
paillettes
cordoncino e spago
spiedino di legno
centrini di carta
colla ecc.

Procedimento:

1 - Prendere una scatola delle uova. Rimuovere la chiusura e i divisori del coperchio. Dipingere la scatola con vernice acrilica.
2 - Utilizzare la macchina Sizzix per tagliare un piccolo cerchio in tessuto (fustella 657020) per creare il bottone di stoffa, usando l'I Top o un altro tipo di attrezzo.
3 - Utilizzare la fustella con i fiori (656640) per tagliare due fiori multi petali dal cartoncino bianco. Tagliare un fiore simile con la striscia decorativa coordinata. Sovrapporre i fiori iniziando con il più piccolo, lavorando a ritroso. Forare e inserire  al centro il bottone di stoffa. Inserire dietro il filo di ferro da giardinaggio, arrotolando l'estremità per creare un piedistallo per il fiore. Modellare i petali per creare la margherita.
4 - Ora possiamo decorare la scatola. Ricalcare il coperchio per creare un modello da tagliare su di un pezzo di carta fantasia e ricoprire.
5 - Tagliare la tag Ornamental usando la fustella 656641 e tagliare via la parte centrale, per adattarsi alla misura della scatola. Incollare le due parti della tag unite al centro del coperchio.
6 - Tagliate due strisce di carte diverse, creare il becco da cicogna e applicare anch'esse al centro della scatola. Creare una “rosette” (656931) e incollarla al centro del coperchio della scatola. Tagliare un fiorellino con i Framelits, applicare uno strass. Dare dei punti di luce con piccole paillettes.
7 - Per l'interno: ricoprire il coperchio interno con carta tinta unita, così come avete fatto per l'esterno. Tagliare tre bandierine con i Framelits. Incollarle ad un cordoncino bianco. Inserire il cordoncino nel coperchio della scatola, praticando due fori e annodare. Fare anche un fiocco con più fili di spago grezzo, inseriti nei fori naturali della chiusura della scatola.
8 - Stampare (o timbrare) l'augurio pasquale. Tagliare con i Framelits dei cerchi scallop per creare il topper. Inserire il fiore in uno scomparto della scatola.
9 - Riempire ogni vano con centrini di carta, prima di aggiungere le uova di cioccolato.

Quando si regala, avvolgere con carta velina e un nastro per chiudere, in modo da nascondere la sorpresa!

Ecco un semplice e veloce regalo per Pasqua!
Grazie per essere passati di qui :)

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,

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,

Upcycling packing material: Mini album!


Happy Wednesday everyone,

Mini albums are a great way of documenting special events or travel stories. The paper craft stores are filled with different blank mini albums, and they come in various shapes, sizes and materials.
This time I wanted to create my own blank mini album. Materials were super cheap: The pages of this mini album are upcycled plastic packing material.

Here’s a list of materials I used:

• Big Shot Machine (655268
• Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Card Fronts, Bracket & Ticket (657529)
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps - Leaves (657917)
• Clear packing material (e.g. from Sizzix Framelits dies)
• Small photos
• Patterned paper (Basic Grey: Curio. 6x6 paper pad)
• Cream cardstock (for journaling)
• Alpha stickers (the girl’s paperie: tinsel & twig)
• Rub-ons (Basic Grey: Ambrosia)
• Pattern stamp (Stampendous)
• Black ink (StazOn)
• Buttons, washi tape, lace
• Glue (Tacky Glue)
• Hole punch
• Two-sided tape
• Three book rings

My mini album has five pages. Four of them I cut with Bigz die ‘Card Fronts, Bracket ‘ and for the back cover I simply cut a 16.5 cm x 11.5 cm rectangle. I piled the book pages in such way that the width of the pages varied revealing nicely the bracket pattern of each page.

I did not want to cover the pages completely with patterned papers but left clear areas on each page. The nice thing about acrylic albums is the fact that the elements on following pages underneath are visible. However, this also makes working with clear pages a nice challenge: When you are placing elements on one page you need to think how they appear on the back and how they are visible through the album.

You can decorate the clear mini album in various ways: Stamping with StazOn ink works perfectly and rub-ons are simple to use, too.  For additional embellishments I used some buttons and lace I had in my stash, and simply glued them down on the pages.

 

When the pages were finished I made three holes with a hole punch to each page and attached the pages together with small book rings.
I hope this inspires you to start creating your own mini book. I’m sure material perfect for upcycling will be easy to find!

Have a nice week
Love,