I loved all the foiled accents on Savvy Saturday. The colors shine on our Premium Craft Foil and with so many color choices, I can’t decide. My solution is to always have the 12 piece Assorted Colors of Premium Craft Foil on hand because its variety of colors – a girl has a right to change her mind, right?!

With all this cold weather, I wanted something “Spring-y” for a friendship card. I pulled out S4-249 Scalloped Circle LG #7 (the smallest die being #1) to create a window card.

I had this beautiful blue craft foil that I wanted to frame the card front with. So I cut the middle of the craft foil with the S4-249 Scalloped Circle LG #7.

Cut Sandwich with Craft Foil (from bottom up):
White Master Mat
Magnetic Mat
S4-249 Scalloped Circle LG #7
Premium Craft Foil (color side down)
White Master Mat

The I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flower was a perfect embossing background for the theme I wanted to create with this card. I cut the I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flower into strips and positioned it to cover most of the craft foil frame.

Emboss Sandwich with Craft Foil (from bottom up):
White Master Mat
I2-1004 Impressabilties™ Flower
Premium Craft Foil (color side up)
Tan Embossing Pad
White Master Mat

Leaving the I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flower embedded in the craft foil, I sanded away to highlight the embossing. Loved how it turned out.

Using My Mind’s Eye 29th Street Market Collection, I cut a window on my card front by placing the S4-249 Big Scalloped Circle LG #7 with the Magnetic Mat inside the card (card front is folded on the inside). Then I embossed by replacing the Magnetic Mat with the Tan Embossing Pad. The scalloped cut out will be used later so I put it aside.

Stamping the JustRite Stampers Friendship Borders & Center Round 3 1/4″ set onto the My Mind’s Eye 29th Street Market Collection, I cut/embossed the image into two separate pieces using S4-114 Standard Circle LG #6 & #4.

I adhered the cut out from the S4-249 Big Scalloped Circle LG #7 and the stamped image to the inside of the card. Make sure to position them to peek out through the window of the card front. I used Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L 3D Foam Square to “lift” the middle of the stamped image.

On the card front, I adhered the foiled window and added ribbon to the bottom. If you can see the bottom right corner, I added a “charm” by cutting a flower from the I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flower. You will notice that I added some Flower Soft and Copic to add color and texture to the image.

Here are some other examples on what our Design Team Members Linda Duke and Janine Blackwelder created with their craft foil:

Design Team Member Linda Duke

Design Team Member Janine Blackwelder

If you are looking for another kind of bling, I suggest giving our Premium Craft Foil a try for your next project.

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Today I thought it might be fun to design with some of Spellbinders Premium Craft Foils. They are such a blast in the Wizard™ when cut with our die templates or embossed with our Impressabilities™ templates. Check out the colors we have available in our 12-Piece Assorted Colors pack. All of these pieces have silver on the reverse side. This is such a bonus because you can always color it to match your project, like the red hearts and blue scalloped oval “cloud” are in this layout:

First, I found a photo I wanted to use to make a layout for my husband for Valentine’s Day. I looked in my stash for red craft foil and…and I didn’t have any. So, I decided to make some.

I grabbed some craft foil from a box that was stuffed full. The piece I used had seen better days and was pretty wrinkled. I ran it through the Wizard™ in an embossing sandwich, to get rid of all the folds. I love to work with it this way.

I pulled out my favorite embossing template I2-1009 Flourish Impressabilities™. To airbrush through the template, I layered the following: a 12×12″ piece of chipboard, my Magnetic Spacer Plate, black side up, scratch paper, F-003 Green Premium Craft Foil and the I2-1009 Flourish Impressabilities™. The Magnetic Spacer Plate holds the Impressabilities™ template down and helps get a crisp image from the airbrushing. Here is the stack (off-set so you can see all the elements) and the colored foil.

Next, I die cut several different hearts from the gorgeous foil: S4-136 Classic Hearts (#1, beginning at the center, #2), S3-107 Decorative Photo Corners (the heart). Then I snipped a small slit at the center top of the hearts. I crossed over the tops to give them dimension. (Tip: To keep the heart closed, place a drop of glue at the cross-over point.)

For a great distressed look on my blue “cloud”, I cut the S4-251 Big Scalloped Ovals LG (#5). I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist, and I embossed it with the I2-1009 Flourish Impressabilities™ template, placing the foil on top of the template, with the sprayed side down and the embossing pad on top of that.

Then, I airbrushed with BV04 Blue Berry Sketch marker and sanded it. The Glimmer Mist “underlay” gives the piece a subtle shading and interesting distressed look.

Finally I put it all together in a layout, along with my fun pics and two “clouds” of S4-251 Big Scalloped Ovals LG (#4). Now all I have to do is wrap it and give it to my husband for Valentine’s.

Supplies: Wizard™, 12-Piece Assorted Colors, F-002 Green Premium Craft Foil, S3-107 Decorative Photo Corners (for the middle sized heart), S4-136 Classic Hearts, I2-1009 Flourish Impressabilities™, S4-251 Big Scalloped Ovals LG (Spellbinders™), Chatterbox artsy.licious Fine Illustrated paper in Chocolate; Core’dinations red cardstock; Copic Sketch Markers-R29 Lipstick Red, BV04 Blue Berry, Spica Chocolate Glitter Pen, Air Brush System; My Mind’s Eye Free Bird “Peace” Waves paper; Glue Dots, Craft Dots

Here are a couple of other ideas from our amazing design team, using Spellbinders Premium Craft Foils:

Christy Farneth-Kerr’s Shoe Box Luminary

Holly Simoni’s Snowboard Chicks Layout

Karen Hunsaker’s “Best Fishes” card

Well, thanks for stopping by…I hope you learned something new and were inspired, just a bit.

Cheers, Eli

For my first Presto Punch™ project,  I wanted to make something that would last longer than my CHA manicure. Inspired by the dozens of dress forms I saw at CHA last week, I picked out a paper mache dress form. As I show off my project, I hope to address some of your Presto Punch™ questions.

I started by painting the form with Metallic Rust and Black acrylic paints.  While that dried I pulled out the other supplies…

Spellbinders™ Presto Punch™; P5-002 Petal Pack; P5-001 Fall Leaves; P3-007 Flowers; 7gypsies, Patterned Papers; Copic, Sketch Marker; Tattered Angels, Glimmer Mists; Beacon Adhesives; Acrylic Paints; Adhesive tape; Beaded Trim; Black Sheer Fabric; Black Ribbon; Brads.

I punched/embossed the Petal Pack, Fall Leaves and Flowers punch templates with coordinating 7gypsies papers. To make them more dimensional, I made a slit and rolled the large Flowers to form a slight cone shape (below). Then I assembled the flowers and fastened them together with brads.

Going back to the dress form, I spritzed it with Tattered Angel’s Bronze and Cinder Glimmer Mists.

As that dried I colored the white ribbon on the beaded trim with my Black Copic Sketch Marker.  I cut strips of sheer black fabric -I love the remnant bins - and adhered them to make a skirt, then trimmed with scissors for an even length.  using black ribbon as a belt I cinched the waist.  With double sided tape I attached the beaded trim to the bottom edge, under the ’skirt’.  The bikini top is made from twisting another strip of fabric, and it is attached with tape and liquid adhesive.

I used liquid adhesive to attach the assembled flowers to the dress form.  It was super easy and fun to do!

Let me show you the Presto Punch™!

See how easy it is!……Spellbinders™ Punch Templates are light-weight, easy to store and portable. Presto Punch™ runs on eight (8) AA batteries, and an electrical adapter will be available at a later date.
First select a Punch Template, place it cut side down onto your paper.  Place it into the Punch Envelope with the cut side facing down.

Close the envelope.

Insert into the Presto Punch™ machine.

Press the down button on the left side. Hold the button until the motor stops.

Then press the up button on the right side. You don’t have to raise it all the way, just enough to pull the envelope out.

Place the punch template and paper into the embossing envelope, with the cut side facing down, into the embossing mat.  Close the envelope.

Insert into Presto Punch™ with the embossing mat on the bottom. Press the down button until the motor stops.

Then press the up button until you can remove the envelope.

Voila!  A punched and embossed shape! 

See how easy it is!  No more fuss with bulky punches!  Spellbinders™ Punch Templates are light weight and easy to store and transport.  Presto Punch™ and Punch Templates are scheduled to ship to your favorite retailer in April!

Beth

I want to thank all of the talented artists that submitted entries to the 2010 Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Design Team Contest! Spellbinders™ Paper Arts was overwhelmed by the number of entries!  Each and every submission was fabulous. We understand and appreciate the time and effort that goes into your art. You made our decisions very difficult!

So without further ado, hereare the Top 24, in alphabetical order:
Janine Blackwelder
Ashley Cannon Newell
Kazan Clark
Kimberly Crawford
Deb Felts
Gina Hanson
Judy Hayes
Kim Holmes
Karen Hunsaker
Nicole Keller
Mary Milar
Renee Morris Dezcember
A J. Otto
Julie Overby
Mona Pendelton
Mary Pfaff
Karen Pruett
Debbie Seyer
Holly Simoni
Gloria Stengle
Karen Taylor
Tonya Turvold
Latisha Yoast
Deborah Young

The Top 24 finalists will be sent Spellbinders™ product to create a project for the final round of the competition. 

On Friday, February 26, 2010, Stacey Caron, President and co-founder of Spellbinders™ Paper Arts, will make personal phone calls to each of the lucky winners of this contest! The 2010 Spellbinders Design Team will be announced right here on February 27, 2010!

Congratulations!

Stacey Caron

Using my Spellbinders™ die templates, I sometimes like to put different shapes together like a puzzle. So when I start to create something new, I challenge myself to see what combination would work…some good and some not so good.

I was reading Design Team Member Kimberly Crawford’s blog, “For The Love of Paper”, the other day. I came across a project that had a great pairing of the S4-230 Labels Six and S4-138 Petite Ovals LG that made an eye catching frame on her card - love it!

Why not match up some other shapes for frames?! I have two of our newest releases, S4-249 Big Scalloped Circles LG #6 (the smallest size being #1) and S4-247 Labels Twelve #4, and came up with this.

I cut/emboss S4-249 Big Scalloped Circles LG #6 with S4-247 Labels Twelve #4 inside the circle using My Mind’s Eye Penny Lane Collection as the frame. Then inked the inside and outside edges with Clearsnap Queue Ink.

I included Kimberly’s video on this subject that I think will better explain for us visual types!

I am getting ready for Valentine’s Day which is right around the corner…can you believe January is almost over?! Instead of a card, I thought I would create a tag using the S5-019 Labels Eight as the base. I cut/embossed S5-019 Labels Eight #6 with Core’dinations Heartfelt cardstock and sanded the edges.

Using my newly acquired S4-271 Nested Owl #2, I cut/embossed with Core’dinations The Chocolate Box Raspberry Cordial cardstock and sanded the edges to bring out not only the embossing but also the raspberry color core of the paper.

It was the perfect excuse to use my JustRite Stampers Decorative 2″ Square Monogram Kit with its 15 pt. Special Occasions Font. On a piece of white cardstock, I personalized the tag with ”WHOOO LOVES YOU?” stamped with Clearsnap Queue Ink. I cut/embossed the image with S4-126 Classic Squares LG #4. Then inked the edges with the same color the image was stamped with.

What’s a Valentine without a heart? I cut/embossed S4-136 Classic Heart #1 with Core’dinations Heartfelt cardstock and again, sanded the edges to show the embossing.

Punch a hole on the top of the short side of S5-019 Labels Eight and adhere the rest of the pieces as shown below. I raised “Whooo Loves You” sentiment with Scrapbook Adhesive By 3L 3D White Foam Squares. Thread a ribbon through the top hole, add some cute Valentine’s stick pins from Fancy Pants and add a little Hero Arts Pearl. You have yourself a cute Valentine’s tag!

If you like the S4-271 Nested Owl, you better grab one fast! This die template is part of a Seasonal Limited Edition. Limited meaning Spellbinders™ will manufacture these cuties through May 31, 2010. I’m just sayin’…

Happy Saturday, everyone!
MargieH

Making the most of die templates (in my book) is fun, easy and a great adventure. I fell in love with the S4-268 Limited Edition Nested Pears when I first saw them. So, today I’m sharing three different cards, using the same die templates to show you how different each one can look. I hope it inspires you to make the most of what you’ve got.

I started with the following Spellbinders™ supplies: Wizard™, S4-268 Limited Edition Nested Pears, S4-241 Jumbo Scalloped Borderabilities® Petite…and that’s it. Below each image,  you’ll find a supply list of other products that I used.

A Perfect Pear

For this card, I used the reflections technique, where a die cut is embossed to go the opposite direction as the original. To do that, I cut a piece of cardstock 3 x 12″ and folded it in half. I layered my sandwich so that the S4-268 Nested Pear (#3, counting #1 at the center) cut through both layers of paper. I took out the top pear and embossed the bottom one. After removing that one, I taped the other pear to the back side of the die so that it would emboss in the other direction. (Note how the stems of the pear lean in different directions.)

Other Supplies: My Mind’s Eye and Fancy Pants patterned papers; Crafty Secrets chipboard heart and tag; Chatterbox Ribbon; SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVE by 3L, 3D squares; Twine; Double-sided cardstock

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Let’s Get Together

Making windows in cards is super easy with the Wizard™ and Spellbinders™ die templates. If you add reverse stenciling to that, you’ve got a really great effect.

First, I inked up the S4-268 Nested Pear die template with Amber Clay chalk ink. I placed the inked die template onto the left side of the card in an upside down sandwich:

• White Master Mat
• Card Base
• Inked die template—cut ridge facing down
• Magnetic Spacer Plate—black side facing up
• White Master Mat

I ran it through the Wizard™ which gave me a window and a die-cut pear.

The rest of the card was pretty simple…cutting/embossing the S4-241 Jumbo Scalloped Borderabilities® Petite from patterned paper and cutting it in half to border the top and bottom of the card. I used Metallic Rub-ons to enhance the embossing on the border and to give the pears a little depth. I stamped the sentiment in brown ink, right on to the card. (I know I’m crazy.)

Other Supplies: My Mind’s Eye patterned paper; Clearsnap ColorBox Amber Clay, Chestnut Roan chalk inks, Taylored Expressions Stamp a Sweet Impression stamp; Glue Dots, Scrapbooking Dots; SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVE by 3L, 3D Foam Squares; Natural cardstock; Metallic rub-ons; Brown/gold ribbon

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You Brighten My Day
A little embossing and a little (or maybe a lot) of glitter can go a long way to make a card special. To create this card, I began by cutting S4-241 Jumbo Scalloped Borderabilities® Petite from cream paper and striped paper.

I set the striped paper S4-241 Jumbo Scalloped Borderabilities® Petite aside for another project,

and embossed the #1 pear into each section of the border, using this sandwich :

• White Master Mat
• Embossing Pad
• S4-241 Jumbo Scalloped Borderabilities® Petite die cut
• #1 S4-268 Nested Pear with the cut edges facing up (away from the border)
• White Master Mat

This gave the card a flat embossed image as opposed to one with the cut line embossed in the middle.

{TIP: Sometimes the die template may embed into the White Master Mat. Use a stick pin to remove it.}

After embossing all three pears, at varying positions, I used a small paintbrush and liquid glue to cover the center of the image. I sprinkled it with glitter and tapped off. I added ribbon, a sentiment and two brads that I covered in glue and glitter (let this dry a while.)

Other Supplies: My Mind’s Eye striped paper; Clearsnap ColorBox Chestnut Roan chalk ink, Taylored Expressions Stamp a Sweet Impression stamp set; Creative Impressions brads; Sparkle N Sprinkle Lacy Lilac, Rust Fiz glitters, Green glitter, Cream paper; Lavender ribbon; PVA Glue

So, that’s it…a pear of three…three cards for the price of one. Seems like a bargain to me.

Happy Thursday, Eli

Now how cute was that layout made by Beth?! I think scraplifting is a form of a flattery, right? It also enables you to take a different approach as Beth did by changing out the rhinestone accents with the S4-121 Doodle Parts.

As a mom of boys too, I wanted to do something girly but I don’t have a “Cindy.” But the other day, I was cleaning out a cabinet that I haven’t been in for years and found my friend’s wedding pictures from 25 years ago! Hmmm…the “Create Your Dream Wedding” Book post was yesterday. I think I found something pretty to work with. So for fun, I will “scraplift” Beth’s layout that was featured on Savvy Saturday.

Here’s my take based on her “Cindy” layout…

I took some elements of Beth’s layout such as the S4-136 Classic Heart #1, #2 & #3 (the smallest die being #1), S5-019 Labels Eight #5 and the S4-121 Doodle Parts. Then I added the new S7-018 Big Scalloped Border Grand, S4-191 Dahlia #1, #2, #3 & #4 and used a retired font for the “Wedding In Australia” title.

Being that it is a wedding theme, I used all Cosmo Cricket Everafter Collection for the layout. I cut/embossed the S7-018 Big Scalloped Border Grand twice to give an impact on the page. Leaving the embossed paper in the template, I used Clearsnap ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan to stencil the embossed areas and ink the edges.

Cut Sandwich (from bottom UP):
White Master Mat
Magnetic Spacer
S7-018 Big Scalloped Border Grand (cut ridge UP)
Paper
White Master Mat

Emboss Sandwich (from bottom UP):
White Master Mat
S7-018 Big Scalloped Border Grand (cut ridge UP) with paper inside
Tan Embossing Pad
White Master Mat

Next I cut/embossed the S4-136 Classic Heart #1, #2, #3 & #4 to create a 3-Dimensional accent. Since the heart will used as an accent, I used paper that had repeat designs on one sheet. Edge the hearts with Clearsnap ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan before adhering layers with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D White Foam Squares. For more detailed information, please see this post.

Another accent I needed was the S4-191 Dahlia #1, #2, #3 & #4. I cut/embossed the die templates nested together to make flower-shaped rings. Then I cut/embossed another #4 to make a solid backing for the flower as it was hard to see against the background paper. I inked the edges with Clearsnap ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan before adhering together. More details on how to make this accent, please refer HERE.

After cutting/embossing S4-121 Doodle Parts, I used Clearsnap ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan to stencil the embossed areas. I also used the Clearsnap chalk ink to edge the cut/embossed S5-019 Labels Eight #5 that will be used as a journal box.

Arrange and adhere as seen in layout below…

This layout is a series of events from Rehearsal Dinner to Getting Dressed to Outside The Church. I hope my friend isn’t reading this…their 25th anniversary is coming up this year so I think I’ll send it over to Australia!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Spellbinders™ Paper Arts is proud to celebrate the recent release of its first collaborative effort with DRG Publishing titled “Create Your Dream Wedding”. 

Now that you received that ring, what do you do?

Well, other than setting that special date, you need to plan that dream wedding of yours! Let this book, “Create Your Dream Wedding”, be your guide. Within these pages of wonderful and beautiful wedding ensembles, you will find everything from engagement announcements to table decorations to bridal bouquets. Along with the wonderful photographs of these projects, you will also have easy-to-follow instructions at your finger tips - create with confidence!

To celebrate the release at the 2010 Winter Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Trade Show, Spellbinders™ is hosting a book launch and signing, featuring our own Stacey Caron and Tanya Fox, editor of Cardmaker Magazine (CHA Booth #4069) today from 2:00pm to 4:00pm PST. More details about the book will be published in the March issue of Cardmaker Magazine.

Here is Stacey signing away at yesterday’s CHA book signing at our booth (oooo, love that shirt, Stacey!)…

Here is the display of some of the beautiful projects that are included in the book. This display is also from our booth at CHA in Anaheim, California…

The book will be available at your local retailers. These inspiring projects include different style wedding ensembles created with Spellbinders™ die templates and Impressabilties™ from Designers Becca Feeken, Jennifer Davis, Kimberly Crawford, Kazan Clark, Linda Duke and Karen Taylor.

So ask for this beautiful book at your favorite retailer!
MargieH

We are thrilled to announce our Surprise Party!! Grand Prize Winner, and the Grand Prize!!

Our Grand Prize is the complete Spellbinders™ Presto Punch™ System and coordinating Presto Punch™ Templates, and a few other new die templates too!

 Along with these newly released Spellbinders™ Die Templates!

S5-022 Labels Ten

S4-249 Big Scalloped Circles LG

S4-259 Deckled Edge Classic Ovals LG

I2-1015 Flower Silhouette Impressabilities™

The total prize package is valued at $416.88!

Our Grand Prize Winner is Cindy, of Charlotte, NC, USA!  Wahoo Cindy!!  Remember how she was not responding to her Winners Email? Here’s the story: after sending out an All Points Bulletin on the Blog, Facebook and Twitter (and you all had us laughing with your responses!) we received a response from her hubby saying “I am Cindy’s husband, she is out of town and asked me to respond for her. She is very excited about winning the prize. Is there anything else I need to do?” 

Then Cindy emailed a quick response of: “Can’t believe I won! Yeah, I’m so excited!”  So, how do your really feel, Cindy?

THEN she responded to the blog post with this (and I’ve been saving it for today!) “This is the real Cindy! LOL! I’m sooo very excited!!!! I was on a Girl Scout trip, thus the reason for the delay in responding. My Hubby saw the emails and called me with the news while I was driving on the highway. Let’s just say, my girls found out that I could scream louder then them!!!! I can not wait for the reveal! Thank you Spellbinders!! YEAH!!!!!”

Congratulations Cindy! 

We really hope you enjoyed this version of Spellbinders new product reveals.  We also hope you will LOVE the new products!  Thanks for playing along, visiting the blogs, posting comments and entering the contest!  Now go check out the rest of the new stuff!

Beth

P.S. Cindy, he’s a keeper! My hubby wouldn’t have a clue!

All good things must come to an end…at least for now. Hope you enjoyed our newest Pendant Collection and now our last group of reveals will be The Impressabilities™ Collection.

For those who are not familiar with the Impressabilities™, it can be used in many different applications: emboss, deboss, letter press, stencil and embellish. So verstile that you can use it in its  entire size (A2 size card/5.5″x 4.25″) to cutting up pieces to embellish any project as a charm or accent.

The Impressabilities™ Collection has added on six (6) new designs: I2-1011 Impressabilities™ New Arrival, I2-1012 Impressabilities™ Cherries, I2-1016 Impressabilities™ Seascape, I2-1015 Impressabilities™ Flower Silhouette, I2-1013 Impressabilities™ Fleur de Lis Stripe and I2-1014 Impressabilities™ Fleur de Lis Pattern.

The Impressabilities™ Collection:

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We hope that you enjoyed all the newest releases. Looking forward to seeing what you create with them. Shipments of the new Spellbinders™ releases are expected to arrive in the warehouse around mid- to late-February.

Thanks for looking!
Oh, for those who would like to know who won the Grand Prize Winner and the story on how she found out - take a look HERE! Congrats to our winner!
MargieH