After seeing Design Team Member Karen Taylor’s technique on Savvy Saturday I was a little perplexed, I have not worked with foam very much, just a few room parent projects when my boys were younger.  

I started out making a leaf project with foam. I cut the S4-228 Nested Maple Leaf die template with 3 colors of foam, several die cuts of each size maple leaf.  Then I used my heat tool to warm up the I2-1009 Impressbilities™ Flourish.  I embossed with the foam in the die, attempting to preserve the embossed edge from the die, like this.  Because foam has some give to it and it stretches, the results were less than spectacular.  Also, the flourish pattern wasn’t as noticable as I wanted it to be.  EUREKA!  What if I used the iron? 

I turned the iron onto the highest heat setting without steam.  I built the sandwich upside down (White Master Mat, Tan Embossing Mat, die cut maple leaves).  I placed the Impressabilties™ template on the ironing board and put the hot iron onto the Impressabilities™ for about 15 seconds.  My iron just about covered the entire template, evenly heating it.  I used a pair of kitchen tongs to pick up the very hot Impressabilites™ and placed it onto the die cut foam maple leaves, covered it with the other White Master Mat and fed it into my Wizard™.  I did this so that I could quickly feed the sandwich before I lost the heat.  By the time the sandwich was out of the Wizard™, the Impressabilities™ was cool enough to touch.

I achieved the shiny, evenly embossed area that Eli did by using the iron.  Remember that once heated, the Impressabilities™ template is HOT!  I embossed all the leaves using this technique.

To assemble my little wreath, I cut a circle from chipboard and glued the leaves around it. I added some light green foam S4-198 Flourish Accents and dark brown foam S7-017 On The Vine Border Grand, cut into several pieces.  Just add ribbon to the back and its ready to hang!

Supplies used: I2-1009 Impressabilities™ Flourish; S4-228 Nested Maple Leaves; S7-017 On The Vine Border Grand; S4-198 Flourish Accents;  Foam Sheets; Craft Foam Glue, chipboard, Iron.

Beth

WOW! That was one cool Savvy Saturday post - thanks, Beth & Kimberly!!

As I was playing with this great idea, I found another way to heat up that black foam tip from my Clearsnap Colorbox Stylus Tool! Since I am an impatient type, why not use a heat emboss tool to “warm up” the foam? Please take care in not burning the foam! LOL! I took a part of a flower from the I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flower and imprinted it onto the black foam.

Today is ”Back To School” for us and what a great idea to make a treat bag for the boys’ teachers!

These die templates were used for the project: S4-114 Standard Circles LG #4 (#1 being the smallest die), S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #5, and S4-214 Eyelets Borderabilities® both dies.

I used a white paper bag as the base and inked up my new foam stamp with various colors from my Clearsnap Queue inks. Then set aside to dry. Then I reached for my JustRite Stampers 3 1/4″ round stamp set to stamp my images on white cardstock and on Core’dinations Dusk cardstock. I used the S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #5 to cut the outside of the image and the S4-114 Standard Circles LG #4 to cut the inside of the image. Cut/Embossed them together through the Wizard™.

I also cut/embossed the S4-214 Eyelet Borderabilities® #1 die (the one that cuts on one side and makes a continuous cut for a decorative edge) to use a topper, sanded to enhance the embossing, inked the edges, fold over the flap, punched holes to thread the ribbon and glittered the accents. The Eyelet accent piece was inked, adhered and then glittered. Then I adhered the stamped open circle, ribbon and foam taped the center image.

After everything dries, I plan on putting in some goodies for the teachers which will include a packet each of TUMs and Aspirin!

Oh, happy back to school!!!
MargieH

I’m a pile maker.  I pile stuff here, pile it there.  I have piles of paperwork and lists, and I know exactly what things are in which piles.  In my ongoing effort to reduce clutter in my home I decided to start using a system to keep my lists, time logs and other major and minor notes that control my existence.  I need a notebook.  A pretty one, that I can take with me or leave out on the counter, one that my kids won’t mistake as their homework.  While doing some back to school shopping (Yippee!) I grabbed a notebook for my own use.

I can’t let it sit there all yellow and boring!  I promised to show you how to use the Borderabilities® on projects longer than 5.5″.  Lets get to work!

I started with these dies, the S4-207 Kaleidoscope Pendant, S4-216 Kaleidoscope Borderabilities®, S4-185 Large Octagons, and S4-235 Fancy Tags. I used patterned paper, a brad and a chipboard letter courtesy of 7gypsies, black pigment ink from Clearsnap Colorbox, and clear decoupage finish adhesive.

To cut the Borderabilities® I started with a strip of patterned paper 12×2″.  Using regular household tape (that I stuck to my t-shirt to make it less tacky) I taped the S4-216 Kaleidoscope Borderabilities® with the cut edge facing the patterned side of the paper.  I made sure to line up the die template straight at the end and the long edge.

I placed the die template on the Magnetic Spacer Plate with the cut edge up, and cut/embossed in my Wizard™ Die Cutting and Embossing System.

The first half of the paper strip is done.  With an ink applicator, I applied Clearsnap Colorbox Black Pigment ink through the holes in the die template.

I carefully removed the tape.

I poked the paper bits out of the die before attaching it to the paper strip for the second round.

I lined up the die to the long edge of the paper as before, and made sure it was right on the spot where it stopped cutting on the first run.  The repeating design of the Borderabilites® allows you to continue the cutting pattern over and over.

I cut/embossed again in my Wizard™. When embossing, I only covered the paper that was in the die. If I placed the Tan Embossing Pad on the previously embossed areas, I could have flattened them out.

Then I inked through the die on this section. (Note to self: Do not look away at teenagers asking for money or rides to friends houses while inking.)  While directing concentration away from my project, I accidentally inked over the end of the die and onto the paper. In order to “cover” my mistake, I added additional ink over the top of the whole strip.

I cut/embossed the S4-185 Large Octagon, S4-207 Kaleidoscope Pendant and Center, and one of the S4-235 Fancy Tags.

I used a paintbrush to apply decoupage finish to the top of the notebook and the back and front of the paper. I carefully worked out air bubbles, and allowed it to dry. I added a brad to the Kaleidoscope Pendant and Octagon and adhered the set to the notebook, as well as the Fancy Tag with the matching chipboard letter. Allow more time to dry. To finish the edges I sanded the paper to fit and added one more layer of decoupage finish.

Oops, you can see where the glue isn’t all the way dry, silly me for picking a rainy day to work with decoupage!  What will you extend your borders on?

Happy Saturday!

Beth

With all this talk about Pendants and using them with their coordinating Borderabilities®, I figured today I would pair up two different Pendant pieces to make one project.

Since I have the S4-209 Tulips Pendant and the S4-204 Fleur de Lis Pendant, I used a combination of the Tulips Pendant and the Fleur de Lis Center pieces. With these components along with the Cosmo Cricket Early Bird Collection, I did an altered home decor for a friend’s retro themed kitchen - a perfect combination!

The base is a 4″x 8″ canvas panel that I purchased from an art supply store. I inked the edges with red acrylic paint on both the canvas and the background paper which was cut to cover the canvas. Then set aside to dry.

I cut and embossed my S4-209 Tulip Pendant (with its center in place). After embossing, I took out the center piece (for another use) and left my cut piece in the template. With Clearsnap Queue, I inked to contrast the cream cardstock. I also cut and embossed with Core’dinations red cardstock another Tulip Pendant piece. The red Tulip Pendant will be saved for another project but I wanted the tulips to fill in the gaps in the cream Tulip Pendant by popping them up with Scrapbook Adhesives’ foam tape.

Then I cut and embossed the S4-204 Fleur de Lis Pendant center piece which I lightly sanded to show the embossing. After gathering various embellishments to fit the theme, I adhered the pieces to the background paper and then on to the canvas to complete the altered home decor for my friend.

There you have it…two Pendants in one project! Does that give you more ideas for your Pendant Project Contest entries (hint! hint!!)?! Remember the deadline (Monday, August 10th) is around the corner but you still have time! There will be five (5) winners. Curious about the entries? Take a look HERE! There are a lot of talented people but you don’t know unless you enter so GOOD LUCK!

Hello!
Hope everyone is recovering from all the CHA reveals especially our CHA Blog Frenzy winners! Again, congratulations!!

It’s Savvy Saturday!
Last month, we did a card using the S4-214 Eyelets Borderabilities®. Today, I thought I would show you how I make my favorite flower. A new twist for me is instead of using strips of paper, I am using this Borderabilities® to give it that extra humph!

This is what the flower looks like. I placed it on a small notebook that I covered with My Mind’s Eye paper and inked the edges with Clearsnap Queve ink. I love how it looks and hope you do too!

The Spellbinder™ die templates used are:
S4-205 Eyelets Pendant and accent piece
S4-214 Eyelets Borderabilities® #2 (this die template has a continuous cut line perfect for making coordinating accent pieces)
S4-195 Small Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles #4 & #5

First, we cut/emboss the S4-205 Eyelets Pendant and its accent piece using Core’dination cardstock. Set aside.
Take the S4-195 Small Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles #4 & #5 and place them both down on the Magnetic Spacer Plate in a nesting position. Cut/emboss with the Core’dination cardstock. Set aside.
Then cut/emboss three S4-214 Eyelets Borderabilities® #2: two with Core’dination cardstock and one with My Mind’s Eye paper (make sure to stencil the last one with Clearsnap ink to give it a beautiful embossed accent to the Borderabilities®).

With the two Core’dination cardstock S4-214 Eyelets Borderablities®, score every 1/4″ and accordion fold both. I am using a darker color cardstock in the picture instead of white so that you can see the creases better. Adhere the ends with wet adhesive to make a continuous strip (make sure you have each strip facing the same side) and let dry. When dried, adhere the other ends together to make a ring.

Spread wet adhesive to the center of the S4-205 Eyelets Pendant. Flatten the ring down to form a pleated circle (make sure its center is a small open circle - you may have work it as cardstock can be stiff) and place it on top of the wet adhesive on the Pendant. Hold for a few moments so that the adhesive sets and then place the White Master Mats on top and let dry flat.

After the flower is completely dry, adhere the S4-195 Small Classic Inverted Scalloped Circle onto the flower. Insert the decorative pins in between the pleats and adhere the Pendant accent piece to the center.

Then all you have to do is to adhere to your favorite card, layout or altered piece and you’re done. I hope you enjoy this flower technique.

How about trying it on one of your entries to our Pendant Project Contest (hint! hint!)?! You still have time…deadline is Monday, August 10th (11:59PM EST) - good luck!!

MargieH

Wow, that was a fun 8 days of Spellbinders Pendant & Borderabilities reveals, wasn’t it?  We’re not done announcing winners, so stay tuned for more super excited daily winners.  I wonder who won the Grand Prize of ALL the Spellbinders Pendants and Borderabilities?  We’ll be posting names just as soon as we hear back from those lucky crafters.

Now, back to blogging as usual!  As soon as I received my package of Spellbinders Pendants, I did my little happy dance, convinced my teenagers I had lost my mind, and tried to think of what uses I had for these die templates beyond paper.  So today I’m showing you how awesome these work with shrink plastic!

I used a brand of shrink plastic that shrinks evenly, by length and width, otherwise the end result could be quite wonky.  I used the standard die cutting sandwich, of

• White Master Mat
• Magnetic Spacer Plate
• Pendant die template, cut side up
• Shrink Plastic
• White Master Mat

Now, because the S4-208 In Spades Pendant die template has some very intricate and detailed cuts, and shrink plastic is not very forgiving, I ran the sandwich through my Wizard 3 times in a row, without lifting the mat to look at it. You don’t want to manipulate the mats, just 1-2-3 times through.  You might still have to carefully punch the cut areas out, so be gentle.

No embossing is necessary. Next I colored through the die template like a stencil with a Black #100 Copic Sketch Marker. Be careful to go slowly and don’t let the shrink plastic move around under the die template.

Then I applied heat with my heat tool. Be sure to read the directions for your brand of shrink plastic. It curls up as it shrinks, but keep applying heat -resist the urge to stop and flatten it! It should flatten down towards the end of the process. REMEMBER, its hot, let it cool before touching it.

Next, I used my Lionet Gold #Y28 Copic Sketch Marker and Airbrush Kit to apply a thin coat of color over the surface of the shrunken die cuts. I wanted it to look a little blotchy. I adhered a 7Gypsies Typewriter Word and attached a jump ring and chain to the Pendant. The Heart Accents could be charms for the Pendant, or earrings.

You could color with any color Copic Marker (and there’s plenty to choose from!), or if your beading skills are better than mine, do a beaded design to accent the Pendant. The sky’s the limit on your own custom jewelry!

I have discovered a way to use Spellbinders Die Templates to make personalized projects.  JustRite Stamps allow  personalization of projects with a variety of choices of borders, fonts and images.  The size is a perfect fit to Spellbinder’s Classic Circles and Classic Ovals.  JustRite also has horizontal and vertical blocks to allow you to make your own phrases. Let me show you how!

Here is a quick party favor, you could whip these up for bridal or baby showers, graduations or any occasion, really.  I found these tiny paper bags for candy or a small gift.  I chose the border and letter from the DIY Monogram Stamper Kit.  I inked it with Clearsnap Colorbox Charcoal Fluid Chalk ink pad.

I centered the S4-114 Standard Circles Large, #3, and taped it onto the Prism cardstock.  I cut/embossed in my Wizard. I cut/embossed the S4-194 Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles Large #3, and the S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large, #3.

When stacked, they look like this.  I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares for dimension.

I thought the bag needed something more so I decided to cut and emboss the S5-016 Polka Dot Frame. I stenciled with Clearsnap Colorbox Lemon Grass pigment ink with the stylus tool and foam tip.  I trimmed the frame so that it fit across the bag as a topper.  I used a blade to cut slits in the bag and pulled a piece of Creative Impressions ribbon through, and tied a knot.

I love to see what our super talented Design Team Members have done with JustRite Stamps.  Holly Simoni’s layout of her daughter is divine.  She used several JustRite products, along with S4-124 Classic Scallop Circle Large, S5-006 Mega Curved Rectangles, S4-127 Classic Scalloped Squares Large.  The paper is from Chatterbox Artsylicious, the journaling is done with a Copic Multiliner pen, and the ink is Clearsnap Colorbox Surf Fluid Chalk.

This is Debbie Seyer’s Father’s Day card. Debbie was able to make her own sentiment that fit perfectly on the die cut.  She selected the fonts and lined them up on the JustRite Harmony Rectangle Stamper.

Spellbinders Die Templates on this card include S4-145 Long Scalloped Rectangles Small # 4, S4-144 Long  Rectangles Small #4, S4-189 Labels Three #3, S4-133 Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large #2, S4-132 Classic Rectangles Large #2, S4-014 Timeless Heritage. Other supplies include paper from Lil’ Man by Cosmo Cricket, Copper Brads by The Paper Studio, and Just Rite Stampers.

I hope your day is just rite!

Beth

Hey all, it’s Eli here with a very special announcement to make. We have a fabulous friend of Spellbinders™ who is joining us for the summer to help educate, entertain and inspire those of you who frequent the Spellbinders blog…YEAH. We needed someone to support Beth’s blogging efforts because I am taking the summer off to do some traveling with my family. So we thought of Margie Higuchi, who has been a fan/user of Spellbinders products almost since the beginning. She is known as MargieH on the boards so some of you probably already know her. I interviewed Margie a couple of weeks ago and this is what she had to say about her life as a crafter and the summer ahead.

ELI: Hi Margie, Welcome to Spellbinders™.

MARGIE: Thanks, Eli. I couldn’t be more thrilled to begin a summer of fun, hanging out with my good friend Beth and all the folks who visit the blog. I love to share my artwork and teach as I go along.

ELI: So how long have you been crafting?
MARGIE: It seems like I have crafted all my life…from when I was old enough to hold a crayon to what I do now which is paper crafting! I started paper crafting in the mid-70s. My father’s job took us all over the east coast, the south and the Midwest. So in order to remember each “hometown,” I would make a few pages of friends, neighborhood, school, etc. and add some memorabilia in my scrapbooks. That was the start of my scrapbooking! LOL!!

ELI: Like several of us around here, you’ve been crafting “forever”, but when and how did you “meet” the Wizard™.

MARGIE: A very dear friend was hooked on the Wizard™ and she had shown me the “PURPLE” side (the Wizard™ was purple at the time)…I was hooked! What can’t you do on this wonderful machine? OK…it can’t clean house for me or cook but it comes close!  LOL!! Seriously, the die templates are so detailed and you can’t get that anywhere else! So many ways to enhance a page or project (cutting, embossing and stenciling).

ELI: Do you have some favorite die templates? (I know there is no point in asking your precise favorite because no one can choose just one…)

MARGIE: Although I LOVE my Nestabilities™ sets (I have a lot!) recently, I have been getting into the Borderabilities®! I just purchased the Grand 12” Classic Lace Bordeabilities® (#S7-014) and I can’t wait to add it on my pages and cards! Heck I want it all! LOL! I’m having such fun!

ELI: I understand you are of Japanese descent and you teach in the Japanese community. Can you tell me about how that came about?

MARGIE: It started when I lived in NJ/NY area back in 2000. I was on the kindergarten yearbook committee for the Japanese Children’s Society (a Japanese international school) where my oldest son attended. The mothers saw my albums that I had brought as examples. I offered to teach them basics and it took off from there. In Chicago, I went to a series of Japanese card classes to make friends. When those classes were done, the students contacted me to see if I would teach them scrapbooking. Sure! LOL!! It has been going strong for about two years.

ELI: So what are you going to grace us with this summer?

MARGIE: I’m hoping to share the versatility of the Wizard™ and to show some “AHA” moments.  Of course, we have CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc.) trade show coming up in July, so we’ll have some postings on that (wink, wink!). In addition to some FUN!! It’s all good but I don’t want to share too much…gotta have the surprise element in there. So stay tuned!

ELI: Any other thoughts before I show off some of your artwork and sign us off?

MARGIE: I just want to say thank you to everyone at Spellbinders for the opportunity to express my enthusiasm for the Wizard™! For me, it is truly the machine I go to–time after time.

Margie used the Labels 1 die template to create a shaped card which she embellished with Shapeabilities® Nested Butterfly. Love those colors!

Margie’s layout features a chain of Classic Scalloped Hearts, featuring her oldest son with his first girlfriend! Look carefully and see the Shapeabilties® Nested Bird cut out of plastic (using leftover transparency) and edges with ink…a sneaky little surprise right near the title.

Now this canvas is the one I can’t resist: Margie created a darling house and sunny scene, almost exclusively with Spellbinders™ die templates…see if you can find them all…

Classic Paisleys, Heritage Font (retired), Scalloped Circles, Pinking Circles, Shapeabilities® Nested Birds and Butterflies, Symbology, Brick Texture plate, { Brackets } (retired)…awesome, girl. Can’t wait to see what else you share with us…

To see get to know Margie more, please visit her personal blog, SCRAPS of (my) Life.

Have a great summer, everyone…I’ll see you in the fall. Eli

Here we are on the brink of Mothers Day and I get to share with you some projects made with Mom in mind,  by our fabulous 2009 Design Team.

To start us off, Karen Hunsaker made this candle and card with S4-163 Daisy Borderability Petite. We saw this the other day, but it’s worth a second look. I love that the envelope flap is embossed, and the edge of the card is cut and embossed, as well as the wrap for the candle.

Debbie Seyer’s card unfolds to 4 panels for Mom and she’s sure to cherish it. Debbie cut and embossed S4-111 Classic Scallop Ovals Large, S4-145 Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles Small, S4-138 Petite Ovals Large, S4-169 Labels Small, S4-072 Flower Creations, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large, and S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small to make this gorgeous tribute to her Mom.

Karen Taylor’s scrapbook layout was made for her daughter. I love how she combined S4-072 Flower Creations, S4-109 Flower Creations 3, and the S7-014 Grand 12″ Classic Lace Border.

Kimberly Crawford’s floral card celebrates Spring, surely that’s Mom’s favorite season.  Kimberly combined S3-147 Labels Trio, S4-114 Standard Circle Large, and S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large.

Julie Overby will score seconds of dessert with this adorable card! S4-190 Labels Four is so versatile, and S4-072 Flower Creations work so well with S4-198 Flourish Accents.

Kazan Clark’s Mum will be thrilled to get this card, here is Kazan’s interpretation of S4- Labels Four.

Designer Linda Duke shares this keepsake box just for mom’s treasures. Linda’s works her magic with the S4-159 Nested Flowers, S4-157 Sunflower Set One (for the leaves), S4-125 Classic Scalloped Ovals Small.

Linda’s mini book is something Mom will treasure. When assembled, Mom has a beautiful tribute to her patience, love and dedication.   S4-072 Flower Creations, S3-004 Symbology, S3-033 Cameo and Brooch, S4-142 Long Classic Rectangles Large,  S4-131 Classic Scalloped Rectangle Small, S4-116 Standard Circles Small, S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circle Small.

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Everyone at Spellbinders’ Paper Arts wishes you, your Mom, and those that are like a Mother to you a Happy Mothers Day.  We love you, Mom!

Beth

With all this talk of the Borderability Grands, I thought I would give the Borderability Petites some lovin’. You know how pesky those little siblings can get when they are left out of the fun.  And speaking of fun, I’m so happy to be bringing you art from the new 2009 Design Team!

The Borderability Petite die templates are 5.5 inches long and vary in width, depending on the design.  Each border has one cut line along the long edge.  They are the perfect length for cards, but can be beautiful on any type of project.

The S4-163 Daisy Borderability Petite comes with 2 coordinating die templates with the daisy design. This design coordinates with the S7-003 Daisy Borderabilities Grand and the S4-043 Daisy Patch Edgeabilities die templates.

The S4-164 Rose Borderability Petite comes with 2 coordinating die templates that match the rose design of the S7-001 Rose Borderability Grand and the S4-044 Rose Blossom Edgeablities die templates.

The S4-174 Deckle Scalloped Edge Petite Borders come as a set of 2 5.5 inch borders, one with a scalloped edge and dotted embossing detail, and the other with the decked edge for the worn and torn look.

Lets not forget about the Piercabilities!  Those work in exactly the same way!  You can choose to pierce or not pierce.

2009 Design Team Member Heidi Blankenship’s Anniversary card is stunning.  Heidi loves JustRite Stampers, Copic Markers, and Flower Soft products as well as the following Spellbinder’s supplies: S4-164 Rose Borderabilities Petite, S4-044 Rose Blossom Edgeability, S4-194 Large Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles, S4-114 Standard Circles LG, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large, and of course, her trusty Wizard!

For her Butterfly Dreams card, Heidi used these Spellbinders’ products: S4-114 Standard Circles Large, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large, and S4-173 Piercabilities Fancy Scalloped Butterfly.

Terre Fry, Design Team Member, used the Deckle piece from the S4-174 Deckle Scalloped Edge Petite set on her Christmas card to add the festive detail.  The S4-085 Snowflake Wonder is still one of my personal favorites!

Design Team Member Karen Hunsaker used the S4-163 Daisy Borderability Petite die template set to wrap around the candle as well as to cut and emboss the bottom edge of the card and emboss her envelope flap.  JustRite Stampers made the gift tag look just right!

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Design Team Member Jennifer Davis shows us how a Borderability Petite can accent a layout.  Could Maiah be any cuter?  Jennifer’s layout includes S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles, Large, S4-116 Standard Circles Small, S4-114 Standard Circles Large, and S4-120 Doodles (discontinued).

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Whew, that’s a lot of linky-loo’s!  I hope you have enjoyed your ride across the border, Borderabilities, that is!
Beth