World Card Making Day is Saturday (tomorrow), October 3rd!! We’re having a little fun over on Facebook:

Post a card using Spellbinders Die Templates on Spellbindersâ„¢ Facebook page on World Card Making Day and be entered to win a Spellbinders Die Template. We will randomly draw a name from all the participants!

Hey there scrapbooking fans! Here’s one for you today. I just had to share these pics of my family enjoying a Fall day in the park. I love the feeling of movement in them. Design-wise, I tried to include a variety of shapes to keep things interesting: ovals, lines, circles…These ideas can be applied to any card or layout.

I started by printing my photos at home and cutting them using the Oval Nestabilities®. The first attempt yielded an oval that was too big. As you can see below, the top and bottom edges of the photos’ white frame show… now, we can’t have that!!!

Not to worry…

The brilliant thing about Nestabilities® is that you can increase or decrease the size by just an eighth of an inch increment, providing a great deal of flexibility when designing.

So (now stick with me here), I began with S4-138 Petite Ovals, Large #6. (When counting die numbers, start with the smallest die template and count out to the largest.) This happens to be the largest in the set. If I went to #5 in the set, I would have a 1/4″ decrease. I thought that would crop too much of the photo. So I chose the largest in the coordinating set, S4-140 Petite Ovals, Small #5 which was 1/8″ smaller. It gave me the  perfect size.

And guess what? Since I wanted a 1/8″ mat around the photo, I used the first die template I used, S4-138 Petite Ovals Small, #6, to cut pink cardstock. Boy, these Nestabilities® sure are handy!!

If you want to try your hand at this layout or use it for inspiration for another project, you’ll need the following supplies: W-001 Wizardâ„¢, S4-138 Petite Ovals Large, S4-140 Petite Ovals Small, S7-017 On the Vine Borderabilities® Grand, S4-235 Fancy Tags from Spellbindersâ„¢

along with Chatterbox Fabulous bird rub-on, green patterned ribbon, epoxy sticker; The Paper Company Chocolate Brown, Sable papers; Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday patterned paper; Core’dinations pink cardstock; Creative Impression pink ribbon; SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVE by 3L, 3-D squares, Photo Tape; brown ruched paper, white opaque pen, sewing machine and thread

Now go out and PLAY!! Eli

So, you might have come looking for a Designer Spotlight today but we’ve moved it to make room for another technique day. Tuesday’s project will now be the “rebound” from Savvy Saturday. Learn a technique on Saturday and see another way to use it on Tuesday…cool.

Today, I want to share with you a layout called “Spring Blooms.”

If you missed the first Cut Loose post, be sure to check it out to see how to cut all the S4-191 Dahlia die templates at once.

Once you’re familiar with the technique you are ready to create. Feel free to stick around for instructions…

You’ll need the following Spellbindersâ„¢ Products:

• The Wizardâ„¢ Embossing and Die Cutting System (Remember, if you don’t have a Wizardâ„¢, our die templates are universal so you can use them in your die cutter. Check out these videos or our compitability FAQ’s for some help)
• S4-191 Dahlia
• S5-016 Polka Dot Frame
• S4-167 Victorian

Then get cardstock, two contrasting patterned papers, some adhesive, sandpaper, ribbons and other embellishments.

1. Using the same sandwiches as on Saturday, cut/emboss two sets of each of the patterned papers.
2. Cut/emboss the Polka Dot Frame. Lightly sand the embossed dots to bring out the white core.
3. Round the corners of the center rectangle and use it for a journaling block.
4. Using both patterned papers, cut/emboss the whole set of the Dahlia die template. I chose not to use the smallest flower to give me a larger center.
5. Construct flowers by adding glue to the tips of the petals and layering.
6. To create the top and bottom borders, cut a 1″ strip of patterned paper. Cut using the Flower Bud template. Cutting several times to finish the whole 12″. Repeat with another strip and add the matching pieces to the top and bottom.
7. Assemble the layout. Embellish with fibers, charms, etc.

And that is all there is to it. I hope you can see lots of potential for this die template. It is pure fun to play with!!!

Happy Crafting, Eli

Behold! A gorgeous card! Must take hours! Looks complicated!

Actually…It’s not difficult at all. Gather your supplies and let’s do it!

Set up your cutting sandwich like usual:

• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate (white for the Purple Wizardâ„¢ and magnetic for the Raspberry Wizardâ„¢)
• S4-191 Dahlia die template with cut edges facing up. Place all the dies inside one another. (If using the Purple Wizardâ„¢, tape the die templates down with removable tape as I did below. The magnetic spacer plate will hold the dies securely.)
• Paper
• White Master Mat

Run the sandwich through to cut.

Emboss the image by removing the spacer plate and adding the tan embossing mat on top of the paper.

Now the fun begins: By adhering the flower frames, alternating the points, you’ll achieve the amazing, intricate, flower medallion.

For extra pizazz use dimensional adhesive. Finish up the project however you wish. Show it off and your friends will wonder, “How long did that take?” You’ll grin as you think, “Oh, about 5 minutes”

Give it a try with other die template such as Stars 5, Blossom or even Nested Flowers.

Cheers for another great week, Eli

Good afternoon, friends.  I’ve been decorating for the 5th Anniversary Blog Party, rushing about here and there, making sure we’re all ready for the 16-day blast! …Ooh, la, la. I think Spellbindersâ„¢ sure knows how to throw a good party.

For today’s Savvy Saturday, I want to share a layout I fell in love with the moment I saw it. Design Team Member Jeni Calkins created it. It features a couple of our Sunflower dies and even though it looks super challenging, it is actually do-able for most levels of scrapbookers. So, now that you’ve seen it…let’s learn how to do it.

Instructions:

1. Cut/emboss the following die templates from dark purple Cor’dinations cardstock: Daisy Grand Borderabilities® (S7-003), Sunflower Garden Edgeabilities® (S5-004). From the Sunflower Sets One and Two (S4-157, S4-157) cut one large, two mediums and two small sunflowers.
2. Sand the embossing details on all the die cuts to bring out the white core.
3. Cut the frame off of the Sunflower Garden. Layer the sunflowers as seen in the image. Curl the petals to give them dimension. Using a fingernail underneath to scrape the paper a bit can help it keep it’s curl. Sort of like when you use scissors on curling ribbon, just a bit more gently.
4. Trim a piece of cardboard to approximately 10×10″ and peel off the top covering to reveal the ribbing.
5. Rub the cardboard randomly with embossing ink, sprinkle with two shades of embossing powder and heat to set.
6. Use photo editing software to turn a photo to black and white and to soften the outer edge. Print, tear and ink around the outer edge.
7. Assemble the layout as shown and add the title using old game letters and metal letters for each word.

Voila!

Stunning work. It looks so beautiful and complicated yet it is achievable.

Thanks to Jeni Calkins for sharing her talents with us.

Cheers to the New Year: Eli

Spellbinders introduced Borderabilites Grand Borders this past summer. The Grand Borders are wonderful fun for scrapbookers and everyone else too! Grand Borders measure true 12″ long. They come in designs that coordinate with the Rose, Daisy and Wisteria Edgeabilities Die Template styles, and one with the Symbology Die Template. You may have seen this tutorial I did for the summer reveal, but it deserves another run now that you have the borders in your stash, along with some fresh artwork at the end.
I am using Spellbinders Premium Craft Foil, which is 12 inches wide  It doesn’t matter which color I use, because I want the silver side. It comes in 5 colors plus pure copper, each color has silver on the back, except the pure copper. I used a tag from the Ribbon Tags Trio and the Daisy Patch Edgability Die Template. The paper is Worldwin’s ColorMates in Deep Awesome Aqua, Deep Totally Tan, Light Heritage White, and Inkjet Printable Translucent Vellum, and black acrylic paint. Note that this technique works on foil as well as paper. Die cutting and embossing a 12 inch long die template on standard mats is easy. Use the standard Spellbinders Die Template sandwich, when stacked from your table up: white master mat, white spacer plate, die, cut side up, material to be cut, white master mat. A little tip, if you are concerned your material will move off the die, you can use a small piece of removable tape. It won’t harm the die, and it peels off the paper easily without damaging the die cut.

Feed this into your Wizard. With a 12 inch long die, part of the die will stick out the back end, and that is fine. Only the part of the die that sits on the Spacer Plate will cut, but it won’t leave a line or crease where the spacer plate ends.

After the first pass, lift the top mat, turn the border die 180 degrees so the uncut portion is on the spacer plate, replace the top mat and feed it in exactly the same way as before. You can remove the excess cut foil from the outside of the die.

Embossing is done the same way. Leave the die cut in the die. Remove the spacer plate from the sandwich so the die sits on the bottom mat, place the tan embossing mat on top of the die, and cover with the top white mat. Feed the embossing sandwich through the Wizard. To emboss the other half, turn the die 180 degrees, cover with the Tan mat and white mat and feed sandwich again.

For my layout, I painted the entire die cut with black acrylic craft paint. Paint it evenly, and be sure to get paint into all the nooks and crannies. Let it dry slightly. With a dry paper towel, wipe the paint off the embossed areas. Be gentle, but you don’t have to be perfect. Do not wipe the paint out of the crevices. You can always add more a little more paint if you took too much off and you can always take a little more off if you put too much on.

I assembled my layout with photos and a poem.

Daisy Layout by Beth Pingry

Cathy Chlebana used the same Daisy Borderability Grand on this layout of her mother.

Layout by Cathy Chlebana

This decorative box is from Donya Schroeder, isn’t it clever how she used the Rose Borderability Grand?

Altered Box by Donya Schroeder

This heart shaped ornament from Heidi Blankenship is another example of Rose Borderability Grand.  She wrapped it around the heart shape.

Decorative Heart by Heidi Blankenship

Wendy Weixler layered the Wisteria Borderability Grand for an elegant accent on this layout.

Wedding layout by Wendy Weixler

Sally Lynn MacDonald linked together the Illumination Borderability Grand to frame her layout.

Layout by Sally Lynn McDonald

Thanks for spending some of your Saturday with me!  I hope you love the Grand Borders as much as I do!

Beth

PS.  I just got word, and its just for you!  Its an announcement.  Oh no, not just any old announcement.  This is a big one!  I bet you’ve been waiting for it too!  Come back on Monday December 15 for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.  Want some candy?  We’ve got Blog Candy coming, and a new feature too!  Its going to be so much fun, I can’t wait to tell you about it!

Welcome! And thanks for the introduction, Stacey! I’m so excited to be part of Spellbinderâ„¢ Blog Team with Eli. And I am amazed and thrilled at how many of you have already stopped by and told us about your favorite die. We’ll be choosing a blog candy winner later this morning.

Whether you own a Wizard or another die cutting machine, you can use Spellbinders Die Templates. Stacey made some great videos, so first I’ll direct you to those to learn how to cut and emboss in your machine. Videos! Back already? Good.

I’m using the S3-004 Symbology Die Template today. It was the first die template I bought and its still one of my favorites. If you didn’t take notes during the video, no worries, I’ve got you covered. The sandwich for cutting a Spellbinders Die Template is included inside the package of all the dies. But here it is so you don’t have to go digging for it (stack from the bottom up) —

1. White Master Mat
2. Thin White Spacer Plate (or Magnetic Spacer Plate if using the Raspberry Wizard)
3. Spellbinders Die Template with cut ridges up

4. Paper, Cardstock, craft foil (the material you will be cutting, the side/pattern you want to show in your final project, facing the die template)
5. White Mat

Now just feed this into the Wizard. What you have is a flat die cut. Exciting, huh? Every other machine can do that too. What makes the Spellbinders special is that you can emboss that die cut! Put the material right back in the Die Template. Then emboss it with this sandwich —

1. White Mat
2. Spellbinders Die Template (cutting ridges up)
3. Paper, cardstock, craft foil, etc in the die template. If it came out, that’s ok, it’ll go right back inside the cutting ridges.
4. Tan Embossing Mat
5. White Mat

Now feed that through the Wizard in exactly the same way. Great! How do you like it? Want to make it more interesting? Put the material right back inside the die. This is the really fun part, because you can customize it to match the rest of your project.

Use the same inks, chalks, markers, paint or other craft supply you used on your project. See, you can go right through the back side of the die to apply it. There you go—Cut, Emboss and Embellish!

Thanks for stopping by! Beth