Well it's snowing!

Hi friends, we have snow today - it looks lovely from inside, but I glad I haven't got to go out!

I thought I'd show you another Chrissie card I'd made recently using a border die in different way, but then I had a message from Glenda saying that her new stamps called Pretty Birdcage and  Bees were launched yesterday.  The details are over on the DT blog (link on my sidebar)and if you pop over there you could be in with a chance of winning a lovely Chrissie present as Glenda is giving away two sets of stamps - so don't forget to leave a comment at the end of Glenda's post! The draw is open until Monday.

Now I can take you from a winter's day to a glimpse of summer

This was a challenge to me as I got out my paints for a delicate look.

I stamped the image on a full sheet of watercolour paper and completed the painting, I find this the easiest way to position the stamping in a shaped die.  From this close-up you will see that I have used an octagonal die, and as I like very narrow borders when I layer - I did a bit of crafty cutting!  I first cut a burgundy shape to match the base card, and embossed the edge.  Next cut the same size from the white watercolour paper, and embossed the edge.  After positioning the die over my painting I cut and again embossed the edge.

You may be thinking why cut two white octagons, well  I wanted depth the the finished image.  So on the plain paper I cut away the embossed edge to give me my narrow border.  (On this shape die this is much quicker that tracing and  cutting round the die.  If you don't have the full set of squares or rectangles you could also used this method for ease of layering.) Now I could use the cloud template from Diamond Cards that I illustrated a few weeks ago to give interest, which I  lightly inked with DI's.  Next I also cut away the embossed border from the painted image and embossed the cloud pattern again.  Having embossed the clouds I then cut part of them away and I had my depth!  Hope all this make sense - it may sound complicated but it very easy to do and any complication may be from my writing.  If you click on the close-up image you will see the finished image more clearly. 

Stay warm and safe and enjoy your crafting.
 

Cuttlebug, Joy Trouvaille news and Lines

Well I watched, correction started to watch the Cuttlebug programme, but it was such a dreadful demo that I switched off!  The new bug just doesn't do it for me!!  Again it seemed unstable and moved about when used - it doesn't have the weight or the feet as the old Bug, I wonder if that's why?  Interesting!

News on the JT is that the manufacturers of the machine have been informed, but unfortunately they are unavailable due to a trade show so I still have my broken machine and have to wait.  Not the ideal situation!
Still I'm assured it is in hand!!

This is the card that I showed you last week - now with a few further adorements...

These were cut with a crealie die

The shaped base card and the mats were cut from the Diamond Eazi Box but you will notice I have embossed a line round the edge.  This I did on the Eazi Scoreboad.....

You use the two close lines, line up one edge and score down the other

just before you reach the edge, keep the stylus in the groove, then pivot the paper and line up again

                                                        and continue round your shape.

Large Octagon Card using a Box-eazi Board and Octagon Nestabilities

Hi, I'm a little late posting today, I had a policelady call on me regarding my accident last year - and it threw me a bit and brought back some painful memories!

When Diamond Card Crafts donated an Eazi Scoreboard to the Cupbaord, Phyllis kindly send me their Eazi Box board to use. The board  has triangular, pentagonal, octagonal shapes together with straight lines, enabling you to make not only cards but boxes.  I like octagonal shapes and since there are no Grand octagon dies available, this was just what I needed to compliment my Nestie octagon dies and produce a larger card. 

There are 6 sizes on the board - from 2.1/4" to 8".

 

I started by cutting out templates and playing around with them  to see what you could achieve. 

and decided on an easel card using the 5.1/2" shape and it was easy! 

Unfortunately, owing to my visitor this morning, only the two largest shapes were taken from the board - in order to complete the card in a hurry, I used 3 Nesties dies, and think I need something (????) else on the front - perhaps a crealie flower would be right?!?!? 

Favourite dies of 2010

Although there are lots (!!) of shapes of dies on sale, I have a tendancy to go for basic shapes.  I find my large classic squares really useful, and these match up well the square scallops and big scallops sets.  And, following yesterdays post - will also make rectangles!    Tip - if you are only buying  one set of squares (or any of the basic set shapes) take note of the No. and Size (ie large or small) so that you can later buy the corresponding dies to use with them, because if you get the wrong size - oh dear, they don't layer so well!

I love my squares and Label 4 dies, but this year have added to my favourites the Octagon dies - I have this in the plain and scalloped edge.

Finding a shape to fit your stamp can sometimes cause you a problem, but I found that this shape adapts well to many of my stamps.  Perhaps I was fortunate!   

This shape also makes great  little cards and I found it useful for quick Christmas cards.     Embossing the plain octagon with my old embossing Winter Scene folder  made the card looked fresh and totally different. 

This card I made for a challenge and I was really pleased with the result.  It looks complicated but in fact was quite easy.  The stamped image is part of a large 6 x 4 stamp by Anna Griffin, triple embossed and mounted on foam pads.  The leaves were made with a fern punch.

from a different angle you can see the join!

If you are interested in seeing more of these examples, you will find tutorials....yes you guessed right ... in the labels section.

Thanks for taking the time to drop by.

Spellbinders Octagon Nestabilities

I'm beginning to get my head round the fact that Christmas is not that far away and I need to start making a few cards.  I had this idea for a quick card to get me going......

I cut  2 dark green octagons from the largest scallop die and a smaller white plain octagon.   On one of the green scallops, I ramdomly stamped a few swirls and snowflakes in silver, covered with clear embossing powder the heated. 

On the other piece of dark green ( the back ) I did this....

made a line and folded.  Now the two pieces can be joined with a strong glue.

Next I embossed the white shape with the winter scene folder, and embossed the edge with an embossing pen instead of putting through the Bug again.  With  a touch of distress ink in bundle sage round the edge and a sentiment stamped in the same shade, all that was needed was  a bit of  glitter, a ribbon, a star, and a few foam pads.

The card stands up well and is certainly a quick make.

Thanks for dropping by, 

Nestabilities - Octagon Classic and Scallop Dies

You're right  -  It's for a boy!

On this card I've used the Baby folder to emboss 2/3rd of the front, embossed 3 lines with a scoreboard  and then with a SU punch made a decorative edge.  On the inside I did the same punched pattern on DP.  Very quick and easy, but effective! 

Nestabilities Octagon classic and scalloped dies make a simple mat for a stamped image, and because of the baby folder you don't need a sentiment!

I think this is a classic baby card.  What do you think?

Nestabilitie Scalloped Octagon - Love is in the air!

My card today is inspired by the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Love is in the air....without a heart was an extra element! I couldn't resist having a go. So, I got out the first stamp I bought and my latest Nestie and designed my card.

Materials and tools used
Nestabilities - largest Scalloped Octagon x 2
                     smaller Scalloped Octagon x 1
Embossing Folder - D'vine Swirls
Grey Metalic cardstock / white card for stamping
Stamped image - Anna Griffin background stamp
Distress inks, embossing powder
Punches

Having stamped and coloured the image - cut using the smaller scallop. I centred the rose on a large background stamp  then embossed the edge  using a tan mat, and inked the edges with distress ink. You will notice that the image is very glossy this is because the image has been triple embossed.

Cut 2 of the largest scallop dies - Emboss 1 with the D'vine swirls folder.

You are now ready to assemble the card. On the back section - score a line (using the scallops as a guide) so the card will open. Glue the two shapes together.

With the image added and a few punched leaves for that extra dimension.

The finished card...

This card is so simple to make and one I will defo be making again.  The possibilites are endless.  I love my new dies, distress inks and thick embossing powder.  Love is certainly in the air - thanks SSC for another great challenge project and Liz for a swift delivery of my new goodies.

Hope you like this idea for a quick Valentine Card - I'd love to see your work and would also appreciate a link.  Please help me to promote the BUG!

Thanks for dropping by, seeya soon...