I hope you enjoyed Beth’s take on the Wax Resist, Spellbinders™ Style post! I think this is my newest favorite technique :0) Thanks to our Design Team Member Heidi Blankenship for the technique!

Last Saturday, Heidi created a beautiful card and I made a hot chocolate pocket card - can’t decided if I want to give it away or keep it! LOL! This time I thought I’d make a window card using S5-017 Snowflake Frame and cut a sentiment by using S4-110 Classic Ovals LG #3 (the smallest die being #1). The sentiment “Let It Snow!” is from JustRite Stampers’ Christmas Joy Borders & Centers set.

First, I cut a sheet of wax paper into quarters in case I need more than one (aka mistakes). I understand that there some of us who can’t get wax paper locally. Are there papers that have a wax film on them available? I was thinking freezer paper, butcher’s paper or even parchment paper might do the trick.

I cut and embossed the wax papers. The cut sandwich is the same as using “regular” paper.

From the bottom:
White Master Mat
Magnetic Spacer Pad
S5-017 Snowflake Frame (cut/ridge side up)
Wax Paper
White Master Mat

Then after cutting the wax paper, I embossed it.

Embossing Sandwich from bottom:
White Master Mat
Tan Embossing Pad
S5-017 Snowflake Frame w/ Wax Papers Embedded (cut/ridge side down)
White Master Mat

Carefully take the wax paper out of the die template. Avoid any wrinkles because they might show up in the resist. I flipped the embossed wax frame so that you can see how well it took the embossing.

Now this is where the “magic” begins! Heat up your iron on high (keep it on dry, no steam setting), place your wax frame onto the card front and with a paper towel on top of the it, iron your wax paper into the cardstock. Be careful not to move the frame and make sure to spend a few minutes ironing so that the wax melts onto the cardstock. Not sure if you can see the resist in the picture…

Then with a cotton ball, tap into your dye ink and color in the card front to expose the waxed image for that beautiful resist effect.

Taking the center of the S5-017 Snowflake Frame, I taped (to make it less tacky, I tapped the tape on my jeans = removable tape!) it into position to cut/emboss and make a window into the card.

I stamped my sentiment “Let It Snow” onto a piece of blue cardstock and cut/embossed with the S4-110 Classic Ovals LG #3. Notice I taped again to make sure that I get the image centered properly.

Time to assemble the card! I inked the edges of the center pieces of the S5-017 Snowflake Frame and adhered it to the inside of the card centered so that when the card is closed it would come through the window. Using Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares, I adhered the oval stamped sentiment in the middle to give it dimension. I also added a little glitter in the snowflakes of the stamped image but hard to see in the picture. Tied white ribbon on the side to give it some texture. To finish off, I added Hero Arts Gems for a little sparkle!

This is the finished look! Hope you get a chance to try this technique!

Just a reminder about the Spellbinders™ Seasonal Limited Edition die templates , they will no longer be manufactured after November 30th 2009 which is not too far off! WOW! So if you’re sitting on the fence about some of these products, I wouldn’t sit there too long! If your favorite Spellbinders™ retailers run out, they’re gone. So hope you order yours soon!

Have a good day!!
MargieH

Great tips on card making, Eli! I’m getting into the Christmas spirit early, I’ve knocked out a few cards that only took a few minutes to assemble.  I used one 12″ Borderabilities® die template to make several cards.

First let me thank Design Team Member Debbie Seyer for her Poinsettia Card (click for details and instructions!), my inspiration for today’s post.

This is what I designed:

How are they similar? We both used the S7-016 Poinsettia Border Grand, and we both hand trimmed the border to use pieces of it. Debbie used all the pieces on one card, I used the pieces to make four cards.

My cards are made from these supplies: Spellbinders™ S7-016 Poinsettia Border Grand; S7-014 Classic Lace Border Grand; S5-019 Labels Eight; Fancy Pants Christmas Magic Chestnuts Roasting, Bough of Holly, and Yuletide Greetings; Clearsnap, Colorbox Dark Moss Fluid Chalk, Black Pigment Inks; JustRite Stampers Rectangle Block, Special Ocassions 95 pt, Times New Roman 50 pt; SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L, 3D Foam Squares, E-Z Runner; Brads; Black and Dark Red Cardstock.

First, cut/emboss one strip of Yuletide Greetings (green) and one strip of Bough of Holly (red) using the S7-016 Poinsettia Border Grand die template. Sand both borders to give them a distressed look (and to make it easier to see where to cut apart). With scissors, trim the green strip into four pieces and cut the poinsettia flowers from the red piece.

From the Chestnuts Roasting (light green), cut/emboss four S5-019 Labels Eight #4, sand the embossed ridge and ink the outside with Dark Moss ink.

Cut/emboss S7-014 Classic Lace Border Grand twice, with light green cardstock, ink the edges with Dark Moss ink.

These are the pieces, along with A2 sized dark red card base, and 4×5.25” black cardstock.

Spell out “Merry Christmas” with JustRite Stampers, and stamp with Black ink onto the labels, on the right side of the labels.

To assemble the flower piece, adhere the red flower directly on top of the green flower. The die template cuts the flower petals so they can be lifted, curled or otherwise altered.  Place three yellow brads in the center of the red poinsettia.

Flip the piece over and place 3D Foam Squares on each of the petals. Notice how the petals sit above the green background.  Use E-Z runner on the rest of the poinsettia piece, label and lace border. Assemble as shown.

I wish you a Merry start on your Christmas cards!

Beth

Let it snow?  You might think I’ve lost my mind.  You might be right!  I’m not ready for snow in Chicago yet. But I couldn’t resist playing with my Spellbinders™ Limited Edition die templates.  That’s right, the S4-222 Create A Flake One and S4-223 Create A Flake Two, as well as the S4-224 Snowflake Border Petite and S5-017 Snowflake Frame will not be manufactured after November 30, 2009.  Get them from your favorite Spellbinders™ retailer while you can!

Put away your mittens and coats and grab your craft supplies.  My card base is 5.5×11″ white cardstock, folded in half.  The snowflakes are assembled from Core’dinations cardstock, I used 4 graduated tones of blue and both the S4-222Create A Flake One and S4-223 Create A Flake Two die template sets.

I cut two colors from each Create A Flake set, which gave me lots of snowflake shapes, sizes and colors to build from.  Individual die cuts were sanded to reveal the colored core of the Core’dinations cardstock. Each flake is assembled using SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L 3D Foam Squares for extra dimension, and brads.

I cut/embossed the S4-224 Snowflake Border Petite on the front of the card, then inked through the die template like a stencil.  This cut the detailed edge and snowflakes and embossed the pinking edge and detail. 

I used a scrap of the blue cardstock to cut/emboss additional snowflakes, this time from the S4-224 Snowflake Border Petite, so that I could add them to the openings on the front.  Brads hold them in place inside of the card.  Doesn’t it look like they are attached to the front of the card?

I couldn’t let those snowflakes get lonely inside the card.  I cut/embossed and sanded the inside frame from S5-017 Snowflake Frame.  JustRite Stampers allowed me to customize the greeting with their fonts and rectangluar stamper.  Clearsnap Colorbox Smoke Blue Pigment ink is the color I used for both stenciling with an Ink Applicator on the front and stamping on the inside.

I have snowflake die cut pieces left, I’ll save them for another project.  Remember, get your Spellbinders™ Seasonal Limited Edition die templates soon! See the complete list here.  And lets hope Mother Nature doesn’t take this card seriously!

Beth

Tattered Angels & Spellbinders™ are in a blog hop all month long! Today, our Design Team Member Karen Taylor will inspire us with her project. Please go visit her blog and see what kind of eye candy she has in store for us! Come back to our blog and find out who is next on the hop!

Taking Eli’s Savvy Saturday’s idea of using craft foam, I took it to another level to make a cushy project of my own. Instead of only using the foam as a stamp, why not use it as an element for my home decor too. I had a red tin bucket and wanted to do add something to display on my hallway table.

From my Spellbinders™ collection, I got out: S7-017 On The Vine Border Grand and S4-230 Labels Six die templates #6 #4 & #3 (#1 being in the smallest).

First with the 4.5×12″ strip of craft foam, I cut/embossed S7-017 On The Vine Border Grand. I left the craft foam in the die template and sprayed Tattered Angels’ Gold Glimmer Mist. Carefully, take out the die cut to set aside to dry. Clean your die template immediately to avoid staining.

With the JustRite Stampers’ Times New Roman Uppercase Font Set 50 pt. and the smaller Horizontal Wood Stamper, I stamped “Fall ‘09″ on a piece of cream cardstock and proceeded to cut/embossed with the S4-230 Labels Six die #3. Taking an orange cardstock from my scrap stash, I cut/embossed the S4-230 Labels Six #4 to mat behind the stamped cream cardstock.

Using Cosmo Cricket Early Bird Collection, I cut/embossed the S4-230 Labels Six #6. Then I cut/embossed a part of S7-017 On The Vine Border Grand with craft foam to use as a stamp. With the various colors of the Clearsnap Queue Inks, I stamped parts of the leaves and vine onto the label.  Then adhered the matted “Fall ‘09″ image onto the stamped label with foam adhesive to give it a 3D effect.

With adhesive dots, I adhered the foam vine onto the tin bucket and then adhered the “Fall ‘09″ label in the middle. Now to add some gourd and squash! It’s ready to display for little “treat or treat” visitors and even for that Thanksgiving dinner!

Hope it makes you look at craft foam in a different way!
MargieH

After reading Beth’s Savvy Saturday idea, I had a “light bulb” moment! Why not finish my fall holiday card swap using this method?! Rarely I join a swap because when it comes close to deadline, I haven’t even started! Has that happened to you? I’m sure I am not the only one! LOL! But using the W-026 Grand Cut Mat Kit, I can create these cards in half the time so why not start today. Maybe an incentive to join more swaps?!

I gathered my Spellbinders™ items to start creating: S4-114 Standard Circle Large #3 die (#1 being the smallest die template), S4-116 Standard Circle Small #3, S4-161 Labels One #4, S4-229 Labels Five #4, S4-233 Labels Nine #4, S4-230 Labels Six #4, S7-014 Grand 12″ Classic Lace Border, S4-227 Pumpkins Nestabilities® #2 & #3 and S4-228 Nested Maple Leaf #1 & #2.

With My Mind’s Eye Fall In Love Collection (using various pattern papers), I cut/embossed S4-227 Pumpkins Nestabilities® #2 & #3 and S4-228 Nested Maple Leaf #1 & #2 by using the W-024 Magnetic Spacer Plate. I then edged the die cuts with Clearsnap ColorBox inks and set aside.

I will be creating five fall holiday cards that will shipped to Japan where the host lives. This swap is an international swap so I am excited about getting ideas from different countries…a worldwide card making effort! If some of the participants follow this blog, I will only show two of the cards and leave the others as a surprise!

Grabbing the JustRite Stampers Favorite Occasions images, I stamped a total of five times on a 2 1/2 x 12″ strip of Core’dinations Color Core cardstock. Taking household tape and tapping it on my jeans to make it a less tacky (very high level technique!), I taped the flat side (not the cut side) of the die template to the cardstock to hold it in place when cutting and embossing. Notice I’m using two different sizes of die templates (S4-114 Standard Circle Large #3 and S4-116 Standard Circle Small #3) but as mentioned before they are only 1/8″ difference and really doesn’t hinder the design of the cards. Another advantage is I am able to cut/emboss two images in one pass instead of one at a time with the Grand Mat Kit.

In the Wizard™, I cut/embossed the different label die templates on to a 3.5 x12″ strip of Core’dinations Chocolate Box cardstock and sanded the edges to finish. From left to right: S4-161 Labels One #4, S4-233 Labels Nine #4, S4-229 Labels Five #4 and S4-230 Labels Six #4.

In addition to this clever idea, I also wanted to use the Grand Mat Kit for its original use - cut/emboss Borderabilities® Grand. Cutting the S7-014 Grand 12″ Classic Lace Border with a strip of white cardstock, I wanted to add a little vintage accent to the card. I stenciled with Clearsnap ColorBox Ink in Dark Moss and lightly tapped brown chalk to the lace.

With the 4 x 5.5″ card base made out of My Mind’s Eye Fall In Love Collection, I rounded the corners and inked the edges with Clearsnap ColorBox ink. Using the various die cuts, I adhered them for each card front along with ribbon and other embellishments to accent. The use of Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Cuts “Autumn Blessings” and Creative Scraps “Calendar” really made it come together. Now I think it’s ready to be sent off on a worldwide journey!

Thanks for stopping by!
MargieH

Happy World Card Making Day!  We’re doing a little celebration on our Facebook Page, you can add your Spellbinders™ creations and we’ll pick a winner via random drawing.  You could win a free Spellbinders™ die template!  Be sure to become a fan!

On to today’s project!  I recently organized a fundraiser for a family adopting a child half a world away.  My friends and family supported my efforts and I wanted to make them each a thank you card.  I’m a slow crafter, so my goal was to design a card that was not too complicated and efficient to make.  I already had coordinating cardstock and enough pattern paper to make the cards. 

Next I needed to do some die cutting and embossing.  If I make 20 cards, and each has four die cuts using four different colors of paper, I’ll either be up all night or I’ll have to streamline the process.  This is what I did:

I stamped the JustRite Stampers ”Thank You” sentiment 20 times onto white cardstock.  I cut/embossed  2  die templates in one pass, the S4-114 Standard Circles, Large #3, and the S4-116 Standard Circles, Small #3 .  The difference between the dies is 1/8 inch.  Eli explained the differences between the Nestabilities™ sets here.  Yes, I had 2 different sized circles, but that’s ok, they both look nice with the stamped image.

I used my Grand Cut Mat Kit to cut four Labels at once.  I chose the #3 die in each set, that is, the third from the center, or the third smallest die template. From left to right, the die templates are S4-233 Labels Nine,  S4-229 Labels Five, S4-161 Labels One, And S4-189 Labels Three.

I placed the S4-220 Nested Pine Trees, #1 & 2, and S4-228 Nested Maple Leaf #1 & 2, close together, but not touching, on the Magnetic Spacer Mat, and was able to cut with a 4×4″ square of colored cardstock.  I used 3 different colors and mixed them up on the cards.

Next I assembled the cards.  I used either two trees or two leaves on each, and used a 3D Foam Adhesive Square from SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L to add dimension.

I know, they are not complicated cards, but I think my friends will appreciate my efforts.  I’ll also add a personal note to the inside.

I am using World Card Day to make the world just a little bit smaller for one family.  I hope you can make your world smaller by sending a few cards to those you care about.

Beth

I love the fall. The weather starts to cool off. The leaves begin to turn and it is a great time of year to snuggle with loved ones. It’s also a great time (with all the approaching holidays) to get engaged. I thought it would be fun to create a fall-themed engagement card. I loved the technique Margie used on her Savvy Saturday post: Partial Impressabilities. So I wanted to use the same technique on this card:

After you collect your supplies, it’s time to cut apart your Impressabilities template so you can emboss just a portion of it. It is super easy. I just grabbed a pair of hardy scissors and snipped the fine metal pieces connecting the paisleys to the frame.

The sandwich for embossing with Impressabilities is as follows:

• White Master Mat
• Impressabilities template
• paper, misted with a little water
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

I built this sandwich upside down so you could see it better. Just remember the paper must be in between the Impressabilities (or other embossing element) and the Embossing Pad. Feed your sandwich through the Wizard to emboss.

Using the Core’dinations cardstock gives me a fabulous design element right within the paper. Just do a little sanding to bring out the core color. When I use Impressabilities, I actually like to sand both sides so I can see which one I want to use. I chose the one on the right.

Trim the piece to a square and save the scrap as you’ll be using it later. Finish up with the Wizard by cutting/embossing Labels Four die template and only cutting Small Deckled Mega Rectangle from the cream/gold paper.

Using brown ink, stamp {FALL} onto the Labels die cut. Add a little shimmer to the ink with a glitter pen. For the inside sentiment, stamp CONGRATULATIONS onto the scrap of red Core’dinations cardstock. Add glitter pen. Write “on your” with the same pen and add letter stickers for “engagement.” You’ll probably need to trim the sentiment block just a bit before adding it to the Deckled rectangle.

Now let’s put it all together. Adhere “Fall” label to cardstock using Foam Adhesive. Add letter stickers onto the bottom, using a heart brad with an “O” sticker on it as shown. Mat onto cream/gold paper and adhere to card base made from Orange Core’dinations cardstock. Add the sentiment to the inside and you have a beautiful fall, engagement card.

I say we can all Fall in Love with that…Eli

Borderabilities Grand, what a wonderful product from Spellbinders, especially for scrapbookers. Where else can you get 12-inch border die templates with incredible detailing featuring three functions: cutting, embossing and stenciling? (If that weren’t rhetorical, I’d say, “Nowhere!”)

Today, I’m going to share a layout with you. But first, you might want to watch our very own Stacey Caron demonstrate the Borderabilities Grand in the Wizard. Check out this video below. She cuts/embosses the Grand Borderabilities with the accessory Grand Cut Mat Kit for efficient cut/emboss functions, and she shows the Extended White Master Mats that are included with a Wizard.

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For Savvy Saturday, I thought I go over my first technique that I did when receiving my order of Impressabilities™…a straight emboss.

A friend of mine just started her teaching career and I wanted to send her a card to congratulate her for surviving her first few days! LOL!! Of course, I will have to tuck in a gift card to her favorite coffee house for those cold fall mornings.

I will be using the following Spellbinders™ products: I2-1004 Impressabilties™ Flowers and S4-114 Standard Circles LG #6 die (#1 being the smallest size) and of course, the Wizard™.

First, I will emboss a piece of 5 1/2″W x 4 1/4″H Core’dinations cardstock. Note: I mist the paper to get a more enhanced embossed design - this will help when using a thicker cardstock too.

Then I used the following sandwich (from the bottom):
White Master Mat
I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flowers
Cardstock
Tan Embossing Pad
White Master Mat

Once I walked the sandwich through the Wizard™, (another note) I left the Impressability in the cardstock and sanded over the design. I find that the design stands out even more when you have it underneath. After taking the embossed cardstock off the I2-1004 Impressabilities™ Flowers, I sanded the edges.

Setting it aside, I went to stamp my image from JustRite Stampers’ Friendship set on Core’dinations cardstock and cut/embossed with the S4-114 Standard Circles LG #6. I edged the circle with Clearsnap Queue ink and adhered it with Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L’s 3D Foam Squares (stacked three squares to life the circle above the flower) onto a 6″x4 7/8″ Core’dinations white card base which was edged with ink. Then I colored the stamp image with Copics, added Flower Soft and glittered the accents.

Another fun “Back To School” project - a card with a gift card tucked inside for that favorite teacher! Hope everyone made it back to school safely.

And for those of you who are a visual type, I am including a video of our lovely Miss Stacey demonstrating some fun things to do with the Impressabilities™…

Oh! Don’t forget to vote for us on “When Creativity Knocks!” - Great Crafter’s Tool Hunt…there’s a good chance you might win something real nice. Look HERE for details!

Have a great Saturday!
MargieH

Although its still August according to the calendar, its feeling a bit like October if you look at the thermometer! A hot cup of coffee would be so nice!

I gathered my supplies, which included S5-019 Labels Eight #5 and #6; S4-213 Fleur de Lis Borderabilities®; S4-114 Standard Circle, Large #4; and S4-116 Stand Circle, Small #4; JustRite Stampers A Little Caffeine Set; Clearsnap Colorbox, Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink; Cord’dinations Color Core Cardstock, and Fancy Pants, The Daily Grind papers.

I cut the base for the card from S5-019 Labels Eight #6 and brown Core’dinations cardstock, then the the rest of the die cuts from the Fancy Pants paper.  I love buying these pads, it makes coordinating papers and patterns a breeze!  I stamped the coffee cup and border words with the JustRite set and Clearsnap ink.  I centered the S4-116 Standard Circle, Small # 4, cut/embossed, then made a mat with the S4-114 Standard Circle, Large #4.

Since the Borderabilities® are so detailed, its sometimes not so easy to get the paper out of the die template.  Here’s a little trick: I used a piece of wax paper from the kitchen!  I made my normal cutting sandwich and added a single layer of wax paper between the die template and the paper, and feed my sandwich through my Wizard™ as usual.  The wax paper is thin and won’t change the way the die template cuts, but will allow you to remove the intricate die cuts without having to pull or tear.

Remember to remove the wax paper before inking through the die template!

I used the Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink with a Clearsnap Ink Applicator to color through the die template and to ink along the edges of the other die cut papers.

Hey, who ate all the doughnuts?
Beth