{Challenge} Sizzix Bigz Die

Shelly here with a challenge you're going to DIE for! Use any Sizzix Bigz die to create a card, embellishment or layout! Here's my example using Sizzix Bigz Die Flower Layers #9, Flowers, 3-D #2,

Here's how I created my 6x6 card: I started with a piece of 12"x6" dotted swiss cardstock and folded it in half. I used a 5x5 die to create the black background mat. Next, I cut several pieces of felt, netting, and newsprint brown paper bags and two different Sizzix Bigz Dies to create my three flowers. I used Distress ink on one of the felt flower layers. Use a crop-a-dile to punch a hole through all layers and use a brad to hold it all together. I used glue dots to adhere the felt/paper flowers to the card front. Tie a 6" piece of ribbon into a bow and place upper left. Use circle die cuts from Pea Pod Parts to create layered lower right greeting. Use a small "Thanks" (or whatever is appropriate for your needs) onto the circular journaling spot. Use pop dots to create added dimension.

Remember the Sale going on NOW until May 25, 2012:

Sizzix Bigz Dies - $11 for $19.99 regular priced dies!!

Sizzix Bigs Dies Used: Flower Layers #9, and Flowers, 3-D #2, Accucut 5x5" mat

Cardstock: Bazzill Swiss Dot

Felt: Stamp School Whip Cream, My Favorite Things pack

Embellishments: Jillebean Soup Pea Pod Parts, Basic Gray Glazed Brads

Tools: Crop-a-Dile, Vagabond

Misc: 6" of ribbon, netting, paper newsprint bag

Adhesive: Glue dots, pop dots

Ink: Distress Ink

{Tips & Techniques} Ranger's Liquid Pearls

Hi Scrappers, Shelly here with a few Tips to share with you about Ranger's Liquid Pearls. I've been using Liquid Pearls for several years and I love their subtle dimension and luster.  Liquid Pearls work great on layouts and cards. Here's a layout I would like to share with you that I used a few different colors of liquid pearls on:

I used Ruby Red on the white border strip (got this awesome die cut border strip thanks to Angie over at The Artsy Cottage) and White Opal around the red felt die cut circle. I ran out of asterisks to use between letters so I punched a small flower to use as my last spacer between the letters in the work "Long". Here's a close-up:

What I like about Liquid Pearls is that they add dimension WITHOUT a lot of bulk! I attached the oval quote using dimensional pop dots and I also used a Tim Holtz distressing tool around the edges of the shape. The Stampin' School Felt cut like butter with my Spellbinder die and Vagabond!

 And now here  is the technique I use to apply Liquid Pearls and also a few tips I would like to share:

Technique: Start applying the Liquid Pearls with the applicator tip almost completely on the paper's surface.Gently squeeze the bottle creating a little tiny ball of "goo", bring the applicator tip out of the ball creating a tip on the top of the "goo" or "pearl". Think of this as if you are decorating a cake with a frosting tube.

TIPS:

1. Less is more! Don't glob on too much-you can always add more; but it's hard to take away an excess amount. (This is a newbie mistake).

2. Practice, Practice, Practice!

3. Store the bottle with the down-so the product is always ready to go.

I created this card using the Nostalgic Kraft core paper, and Accucut die, a "Happy Birthday" sticker from Doodlebug, Adirondack Lights Snow Cap white pigment ink onto the black paper looks really col. I added a bit of dimension with the White Opal flower centers created with the Liquid Pearls.

Don't forget this week's sale:

 SALE: Ranger Liquid (Dimensional) Pearls $1.50 

Papers: Jillibean Soup Watermelon from 6x6 Pad, Sweet & Sour Soup Pea Pod Parts, Sweet & Sour Soup Bite Size Bits, Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection

Ink: Adirondack Lights Snow Cap Pigment Ink

Stamp: Great Impressions G375

Other Embellishments: Ranger Liquid Pearls-Ruby Red, White Opal, and Dark Chocolate, Felt: Stamp School wild cherry, Letter Stickers: American Craft Thickers: Puffy Honey Black, and Doodlebug: Happy Birthday Multicolor, Ribbon: Stampin' Up

{Challenge} Use Felt on a Layout!

I love the scallop die cut 12x12 pages from Nikki Sivils! This is from the Max & Mollie paper line:

This layout features my nephew Alex and his new adorable wife Jenny at their August wedding. The storm clouds gathering in the background are real! Hmm. Anyway, back to your challenge: Use felt on a layout (or card)! Give felt a try today-it's super fun and adds a warm cozy feel to your project (plus a cool texture too). I use my Sizzix dies or Accucut dies to cut fabric and felt. I adhere the felt or fabric die cut images (here it's flowers) with glue dots.  I used Distress Ink on a few of the flowers to change their color a bit. Remember to post your creations on the AWDML blog to be entered into the monthly GC drawing for $5!

The photographer for the wedding event was:  Matt Bigelow Photographer and his website is mbigelowphotographer.com
(Thanks for letting me use the photo Matt!)


Supplies:
Papers: Nikki Sivils Max & Mollie, Bazzill
Felt: Stamp School Whip Cream
Embellishments: buttons & ribbon:stash, plastic flower:Maya Road
Tools: Vagabond
Die: Sizzix Alterations Tatterd Florals
Ink: Distress Ink
Adhesive: Glue Dots

{Day 11} The 12 Days of Christmas at AWDML

Day 11 of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Sale at AWDML is wonderful! Here’s why: My Favorite Things Die-naimcs Buy 2 get 1 50% off

I recently started working in grade school and have several new co-workers! I want to give a few of them something special to celebrate the holidays and let them know how much I appreciate their help everyday. I decided to make one of them a set of Gift Tags. Here's a pic of the whole collection of five:

I used American Craft's Christmas papers for the printed papers, Bazzill paper for several of the tag bases, and "My Favorite Things" felt for most of the die cut images.

The tags were all started in the same basic way-with card stock:

I will use this round tag as an example of how to begin creating your own set of tags.

Step 1: Choose a die from your dies on hand or grab a new die from the AWDML website. Choose a base color of cardstock to use too and cut out the base shape. I like adding texture too-so I also embossed my die cut piece of cardstock with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Ink the edges of the die cut piece with silver or gold for sparkle.

Step 2: Die cut some warm fuzzy felt! I used a blue piece of felt from My Favorite Things pack of felt I purchased online from the AWDML store. I used a Spellbinder die, an Accucut die, and a Sizzix die  and my Vagabond machine to cut the felt.

Step 3: Adhere the blue felt to the black base (I used glue dots). Layer another die cut piece on top of the larger felt die cut piece. Add a button (or similar bobble) to the top of the layers.

Step 4: Add color to felt piece that aren't the color you want them to be. I inked the white and blue felt with Ranger distress ink. Tie a knot out of twine and adhere to the button top. Place a grommet in the top of the tag & run matching twine to the grommet hole to complete the tag.

Step 5: Felt can be stamped on! I used a rubber acrylic stamp and Ranger Adirondack stamp pad on this tag's tree image stamped on white felt.

I used atyou Spica Glitter pens to add a touch of color and shading to the tree.

Be sure to add a bit of ribbon or a bow to each tag you create!

Step 6: Change the color of the felt to match your patterned paper! I used Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist to change the white felt snowman to a grey/blue/silver snowman to match the paper. This snowman was cut with a Sizzix die. I used Ranger Stickles in the snowflake centers, pink & black gingham ribbon, black and white twine to add interest and dimension to the tag.

Remember to add dimension by embossing the card base, inking the felt just as you would paper, and use twine and ribbon to each tag!

May your holidays be filled with "JOY"!

Remember, you can place multiple orders during the 12 day period of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” sale. Just putting an item in your cart without checking out does not “save” it for you. So, your best bet to get what you want is to complete your order every day and AWDML will  combine your orders and ship on the 13th of December after the sale is over. Remember today’s sale is"My Favorite Things Die-niamics Buy 2 get 1 50% off". Have fun shopping!

Supplies:

Felt: My Favorite Things

Glitter: Ranger Stickles

Papers: Bazzill, American Crafts

Inks: Ranger, Cat Eye Inks

Dies: Sizzix, Spellbinder, and Accucut

Embossing folders: Snowflakes

Pens: atyou Spica, Ranger white opaque pen, American Crafts pen