…say THAT 10 times fast…

We are celebrating National Scrapbooking Day today by sharing some of our projects that feature our Grand 12″ Borderabilities (a scrapbooker’s favorite). Let’s get right so some inspirational layouts.

Let’s begin with a traditional use of the Daisy Borderability. Cathy Chlebana cut/embossed and stenciled with gel pens to add a border to her page.

Another layout, this one by Jeni Caulkins, shows what you can do to a any Borderability with a little color washing. Jenis page features the Rose Borderability.

I love this next idea…Beth, my blogging partner in crime, used the Daisy Borderability back-to-back to create a stunning embellishment for this piece. You can see a tutorial on how to create it here.

Have you ever thought of using a border…not along a border. Check out this layout by Jennifer Ellefson. She used her Heirloom Scroll border in the middle of the page. It’s perfect.

Wendy Weixler used yet another technique. Not only did she cut/emboss and stencil her Wisteria long border but she also inked through the die right onto the page (that shows some bravery, for sure).

Thanks, Ladies, for sharing your art with us all. Later (when I can recover the pics on my 16 Gig card OR find a USB cable that fits my camera…ugh), I’ll share with you how to use the Grand Cut Mat Kit…

Creating stamps using Spellbinder die templates is super easy, giving you another versatile way to use our products. Today, I’m going to share a few simple steps and some fabulous art to inspire you to give this a try.

First, you’ll need to gather some supplies:

Your Wizard and favorite die templates
Fun Foam
Stamping Inks
Wood or acrylic stamping block
Double-sided tape
Papers and other fun creative supplies

Here is what you do, it couldn’t be more simple…

1. Choose a die template that you want to make into a stamp.
2. Cut and emboss the template from fun foam.
   Cut Sandwich: White master mat, spacer plate (white plastic for purple machine and magnetic for raspberry machine), die template with cut ridges up, fun foam and white master mat.
   Emboss Sandwich: white master mat, die template with ridges up, fun foam, embossing pad and white master mat.
3. Use double-stick tape to temporarily stick the stamp to a wood or acrylic block.
4. Ink the stamp and impress it onto your project.

These are so fun and easy to make and will last a few stampings. Check out some of the great art that our designers created using this amazing technique.

By Jennifer Ellefson

Jennifer used the Labels One (S4-161) die template and inked and stamped it in four different colors, providing a background for her butterfly stamps made from Nested Butterflies (S4-171) die template. She gave it a fun, textural look with embossing powder.

Embellished Frame Card by Holly Craft

Holly often adds stamped images to cardstock, creating the look of subtly patterned papers. Here, she used the Floral Accents (S4-199) to enhance the paper behind the photo

Decorated Flower Pot by Holly Craft

Holly created a whole garden party ensemble and this is just one of the elements. She created the stamp from the Sunflower Two die template (S4-158) to embellish her flower pot. Beautiful!

With all the fun we’ve been having around here with the Impressabilities, I wanted to try them out with our stamp making fun.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Emboss fun foam with the Impressabilities template of your choice. Mine was the Butterfly Impressability. The embossing seemed to be so slight, I didn’t think I would get a very good image. But I wanted to know for sure.
   
2. Cut the fun foam with die template of your choice. I chose the Nested Birds (so springy).
3. Place the die cut onto a stamping block. I used an acrylic block and double stick tape.
4. Ink the die cut. I used a metallic ink in spring green.
5. Impress the stamp you made onto chosen paper.  Green grass by WorldWin (Are you noting a “springish” trend here?)
6. Be amazed at what a cool image it is..subtle but clear.

I finished the project with a sentiment, doodling around the edge and a ribbon for a gift tag. Voila!

Today’s Designer Spotlight is on Jennifer Ellefson an admitted paper addict living in Northern Virginia!

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Did you go to school for art or design?
In fact, it’s just the opposite! I went to school for International Economics – but my mom is an artist, and my dad an engineer, so I like to think that I have some strange DNA.

Tell us about your favorite die template, technique and Preferred Product
My favorite die template – boy, that’s like asking about my favorite child! I can’t create anything without my Nestabilities, if that helps narrow it down. I love making foam stamps with my Spellbinders die templates. You can make the coolest stamps that way! My favorite Preferred Product would be Lockhart Stamps. There is always the perfect image for any card I want to make. Plus, they’re so much fun to color!

What type of projects do you prefer to make?
I love it all, but find cards are easiest for me.

Tell us about your family.
I’ve been Married for 15 years now! My husband, two sons and I recently moved to Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C.

About how much time do you spend crafting?
I think pleading the 5^th Amendment might be wise here…

When do you find the time to craft?
My sons are school-age, so I love creating while they’re in school. I pop in my iPod and spend the day creating!

What do you use most - paper, hybrid or digital?
Paper – love the tactile portion.

Where do you shop for supplies?
A little bit of both - local and online stores; I am really fortunate to have found a great stamp shop about 3 miles from my house, so they’re my first choice. If there is something that they don’t stock, though, I usually will order online.

How would you describe your style?
I’m very linear in my thinking, and I think my creations reflect that.

Other than paper, what other materials have you used?
I have a lot of fun experimenting with clay, and of course, the fun foam that I mentioned already.

Where do you look for inspiration?
It varies, sometimes magazines, sometimes stationery shops, sometimes online galleries.

What kind of workspace do you have?
I’m very fortunate to have an office on my first floor. I have white furniture and storage pieces, so it has a clean, cohesive look that I love. Since I’m in a house full of boys, there are frilly touches here and there – a girl has to have her space!

Jennifer chose these projects to highlight, I hope you find them as inspiring as I do!

Jennifer used S4-192 Blossom, S4-200 Flower Bouquet Miniabilities, S4-189 Labels 3, and S7-013 Grand 12″ Heirloom Scroll Border on her Cute Boy Layout.

This beautiful card uses S4-138 Petite Ovals, Large, S3-150 Ribbon Tags Trio, S3-004 Symbology and she used S4-142 Long Rectangles, Large to emboss.

This fun wreath is made from S4-192 Stars 5 and the (retired) Indulgence Font.

Thank you so much Jennifer!  Find out more about Jennifer on her bio, and visit her personal blog, Created From Paper.

A follow-up to two previous entries by Beth: Embossing 101 and Embossing 201. Check those out if you want to see some of the basics of embossing with the Wizardâ„¢ and using the W-003 Charm Embossing Kit. The following technique also employ the Charm Embossing Kit so you’ll need that if you want to do try this. Today we’re going to explore how to: Flatten bottle caps!

To refresh your memory, the pieces included in the W-003 Charm Embossing Kit are:

A tan embossing pad

A blue master mat that is slightly thinner than the white master mats and will help accommodate thicker objects such as charms or texture plates

A black charm replicating mat. It is a different density and thickness than the tan polymer embossing pad.  Use it as you would the tan mat but when you need a bit more resistance.  It’s not used often, but is a handy little guy.

Let’s talk about smashing bottle caps. I know, you LIKE using your hammer to smash and smash away, letting all your frustrations out on that poor little cap (but not giving you very acceptable results). Why not try this, think of a happy place, a serene valley with a stream running by…now, get out your Wizard and the following: 1 white master mat, the blue master mat, the tan embossing mat, a piece of scratch paper and a few bottle caps (you can purchase unused bottle caps at many web stores selling brewing supplies). Layer the elements as follows:

White Master Mat
Piece of scratch paper
Bottle cap with flat side resting on the scratch paper (If you put the flat side up, when you run the sandwich through the machine, you will embed the bottle cap into the mat…very challenging to remove!)
Tan embossing mat
Blue Mat

Here is where the serenity really takes over…Use the normal cranking motion to get the sandwich through. It won’t feel like anything is happening and you may need to push/pull the sandwich through with both hands…but open it up and Voila! A perfectly flattened, perfectly round, no pounding bottle cap! OHM!

Check out this project created by one of our former design team members, Holly Simoni who will be returning to the team in April. She used the Wizardâ„¢ to flatten all of the bottle caps and added her daughters name using the Spellbinders’ font, Vintage (retired), that fits right into the flattened caps.

Our Blogger, Beth created this set of tags, using the same font as Holly. She created a nice collection using the round top tags. If you don’t have the round top ones, try the S3-028 Standard Tags. Each tag got a different treatment of die cuts and stamping. See the Festive Stocking (second tag) and a few other retired dies.

Jennifer Ellefson’s layout of a beautiful photo in Rome is enhanced by three flat bottle caps, including an extra large one from Maya Road.

Linda Hoffaker, also from a previous design team, flattened the caps and turned them into magnets for this fun and funky To Do Metal Easle.

Open your mind to apertures!  Technically speaking this would be a hole, an opening, or using the negative part of the die cut.  Its really pretty easy and makes fabulous results, as you’ll see.  Spellbinders’ Die Templates work wonderfully for this technique, their thin profile makes it easy to slide into a card and even emboss the edge around the opening.

So we’ll start with  piece of paper, I’m using a piece of double sided paper.  Fold the paper to make a card.  Place the die template on top of the card, cut side down, line it up to the exact spot you want the opening and tape it down with some low tack tape. (I use regular household tape, touch it to my jeans to make it less sticky.)

Now, with the die template in place, fold the card the opposite way so the inside of the card is on the outside and the die template is in  the middle of the card.  Slide the spacer plate into the card.  Place this between the Master Mats and feed it into the Wizard. Notice that the die is now facing cut side up!

Now you have an opening cut into the card.  Remove the Spacer Plate.  I usually put a piece of scrap cardstock between the die and the back of the card, the scrap piece will emboss slightly instead of the card back.  Leave the card folded as above, but this time place the tan embossing mat on top of the card.  Place in between the Master Mats and feed the sandwich into the Wizard again.

Carefully remove the die template from the card and fold the right way again.  You have an embossed opening!

You could embellish the opening by reverse stenciling, ink the die template before hand.  You can use the die template as a stencil and color through the holes in the die.  You can use the die cut to embellish the inside of the card.  You can use the opening to make a shaker box.

Check out these beautiful examples from our Design Team Members!

Linda Duke used chalk to stencil through the S5-005 Decorative Frames die template, and further embellished with glittered S3-146 Butterflies 2.

Holly Craft used stamps to further embellish her oval aperture.

Donya cut the frame opening and embossed the larger sized S5-006 Mega Curved Rectangle frame as well, to really accent the opening.

Jeni Calkins used the S5-005 Decorative Frames set to highlight this photo for a Fathers Day card.  See how using masculine colors can bring a whole new life to this flourishy and flowery die template?

This was a Make and Take from our CHA Winter 2008 show, isn’t it stunning! We used the S4-137 Classic Scalloped Hearts to cut the front of the card, and layered S4-136 Classic Heart die cuts on the inside.  The patterned paper is from Kaleidoscope Kreator Software.  Here is a tutorial on this Layered Heart Card!

Your cards and projects will take on a new dimension when you open your mind to apertures!

Have a wonderful day!
Beth

Most of you know that we changed up our website a couple of months ago. But I bet you don’t know about all the amazing things that are on the site…today is the day to find out about it! Today is not a day for projects, I know, I hear you sniffling in sadness but WAIT ’til I tour you around the site for some things that you might not have realized were there. Oh, and I’ll still probably share a few images (I can’t resist).

So, open a new window or file tab with the homepage, maybe I can help you out with that: SpellbindersPaperArts.com. It should have opened in a new window, so you can go back and forth if you need to…go to the very bottom of the homepage where you see the following:

• About Us
• Customer Service
• Press
• Retailers

• Site Map
• Search Terms
• Advanced Search
• Contact Us

Hey piercing fans! Spellbinders Pierceabilities are back and ready for action. You can now order them at SpellbindersPaperArts.com. Or you can head to your local scrapbook store soon to pick them up soon.

We thought you might enjoy a little refresher course on how to use them.

Lights! Camera! Action!

To create this project, begin by gathering supplies.

Make sure you have some kind of piercing tool (specific piercing tools can be found on the web or, in a pinch, try a push pin).

Next, you’ll need some kind of mat that you can pierce INTO. Again, you can find piercing mats on the web or grab something around the house that functions as an equivalent unit…hmmm…how about a piece of thick cork, a yoga mat or even a spongie mouse pad? Now, I haven’t tried these myself but know you can experiment with a variety of household items to save a bit of money. (Which’ll leave you more for the really important stuff: more die templates.)

Don’t forget to collect your Pierceabilities die templates, Wizard, Mats, Pads and papers too.

Begin with the cut/emboss step that we use so frequently here. Notice that Pierceabilities only has one cut edge. This gives you versatility to cut a card edge, create a border or cut, flip it around and cut again for a strip. Cool.

You might be asking a question: Why didn’t Spellbinders make templates that already punched the holes? We did think about it. BUT again, we want to provide versatility. If the template punched all the holes, you wouldn’t have any choices. This way, you can choose which parts you want to pierce, or NOT pierce…nice, huh.

So, you’ve cut/embossed to get something like this:

Then, it’s time to use your Pierceability for what it was made:

1. Place your project onto the piercing mat.
2. Align the template onto the original embossing or wherever you want to pierce.
3. Use the piercing tool to punch through the template holes and paper.
4. Try to get the piercing tool to the same depth each time a providing consistent holes.
5. Use your piercing tool perpendicular to your project, or as vertical as possible, also for consistency. Complete all the holes desired.
6. Remove template and enjoy the results.

Let’s enjoy some of our Design Team members “results” with these three projects.

Card by Holly Craft. Altered Pillow Box by Jennifer Ellefson. Layout by Wendy Weixler.

We’ve arrived at 7th Heaven. Ahhhhh. The blog reveals continue to be amazing. We are so lucky to have such amazing designers. The new die template for this give-away is S4-192 Blossom that was shared by Jennifer Ellefson on her blog, Created From Paper. Let’s see:

Our contestants remain constant which proves that you all are coming back which we LOVE. The random.org message for today is:

Here are your random numbers:
1984
Timestamp: 2009-01-14 13:24:28 UTC

Which gave us the name of:

Elaine of Victoria, BC Canada

Elaine was so excited. She had this to say about winning,

“Wow, what a wonderful e-mail to get! I am so excited!!! The dies so far have been fabulous and the designers incredible and I am looking so forward to playing with them. Thank you so much for having a wonderful contest and an incredible product.”

Well, congratulations Elaine. We are glad to hear you love your new die template designs and are looking forward to receiving them.

We keep getting lots of entried but there might be one spot for YOU! So keep visiting!!

Please welcome our host of Day 7, Jennifer Ellefson of Virginia!  She’s a wife and busy mom of 2 boys.

Jennifer says, “I have been creating all my life. My quest for the perfect craft was over when I found scrapbooking and stamping in 2002!”  A lifelong lover of all things stationery and paper, she is excited to be designing with Spellbinders. A consummate professional within her field, Jennifer’s work has been published in many paper crafting magazines, including Paper Crafts, Woman’s Day, CARDS and Stampington.  Jennifer believes her strengths are using paper in new ways, which is why she is so happy to be working with the incredibly innovative team at Spellbinders.

Please visit Jennifer’s blog today  for another new die template and see what she’s Created from Paper.  Please remember to check your email, that’s how we’re contacting the winners.  Good luck and have a wonderful day!                     

A day filled with running the kids to and from school, meeting a fellow volunteer for coffee to go over the next steps in the big project, getting the snow tires put on the car, paying a few bills, shopping online for Christmas gifts, making sure is enough wrapping paper for the approaching holiday, writing out a few end of the year greetings…and the list goes on…a jam-packed schedule can sometimes take the joy out of celebrating a season of giving, of peace and of miracles.

Today, I am sharing with you four cards announcing that simple state of being that runs deep: JOY!

Three members of our Design Team created cards that express this simple word. Through the loveliness and grace of these projects, may we all be inspired to live into and pass on the sentiment that it brings.

Jennifer Ellefson begins our fashion show today with a vintage take on the subject. Featuring our Christmas Stocking, she gave it a well-loved look by using metallic rub-ons. The ruched paper by WorldWin also adds to the age-old appeal.

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies: S3-142 Festive Stockings, S3-147 Labels Trio, S4-145 Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles (S4-145)

Other Supplies: Ruched papers (WorldWin), Patterned paper, lace, sentiments stamp, metallic rub-ons

Joy Stocking by Jennifer Ellefson

Joy Placeard by Beth Pingry

Next: Beth Pingry (our other blogger, extraordinaire) created this place card for a friend but it seems to translate well into a great card for the season too.

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies:
S3-141 Stars, S4-139 Double Ended Tags (smallest), S3-142 Long Classic Rectangles, Large (2 largest dies), L1-01 Caesar Font (retired), F-005 Gold Premium Craft Foil

Other Supplies: ColorMates Bright Heritage White and Deep Heritage Black paper (WorldWin), Fabri-tac adhesive (Beacon), Clearsnap ColorBox Chianti ink, Brads (Creative Impressions), red patterned paper, sticker maker

Layered Joy by Beth Pingry

Third in line is another of Beth’s cards. I love the subtle print on the coordinating papers and the repeated image of the Labels 2 Die Template. Sublime.

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies: S4-162 Labels 2, S3-138 Ribbons & Bells (retired), L2-09 Julius Font

Other Supplies: ColorMates Medium Outdoor Olive and Mirri Cast Gold papers (WorldWin), ColorBox Creamy Brown fluid chalk ink (Clearsnap), Pop-up Glue Dots, patterned papers, memory glue

And Finally: Cathy Chlebana offers us an elegant window card. By cutting out a window from the card front, Cathy’s sentiment is actually adhered to the inside of the card and so it remains visible when the card is opened. This is a nice surprise for the recipient.

Holly Joy card Cathy Chlebana

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies: S4-142 Long Classic Rectangles, Large, S4-144 Long Classic Rectangles, Small, S3-139 Holly & Lights, L1-01 Caesar Font retired), F-002 Gold Premium Craft Foil

Other Supplies: Glue Dots, green and red velvet ribbons, 1/8″ hole punch, Sticker maker adhesive

Cheers for your holiday preparations: Eli