Don’t forget our Spellbinders™ and Tattered Angels month-long blog hop! Today, we would like to spotlight our Design Team Member Linda Duke! See what she has in store for you by visiting her blog.

Everyone says “think outside the box” but have you ever thought of “the box?” So thinking inside the box, I went into my “box” of Spellbinders™ die templates to find S5-019 Labels Eight, S4-226 Harvest Border Petites and S4-227 Pumpkin Nestabilities®.

Hmm…with gift giving season coming up, I’m thinking I would try my hand at making a box! Since Halloween is just around the corner, why not make a little treat box. See where I’m going with this…box! LOL!

First we need to cut/emboss four S5-019 Labels Eight die #6 (#1 being the smallest) with My Mind’s Eye Fall In Love Collection.

Your cut sandwich will be (from the bottom):
White Master Mat
Magnetic Spacer Plate
S5-019 Labels Eight die #6 (cut/ridge side UP)
Cardstock
White Master Mat

After cutting your cardstock, remove the Magnetic Spacer Plate and grab your Enlarged Embossing Pad for your emboss sandwich (from the bottom):
White Master Mat
S5-019 Labels Eight die #6 (w/ cardstock, cut side UP)
Enlarged Embossing Pad
White Master Mat

Then score 1/2″ from each short side and 1/2″ on the bottom of the long side of all four S5-019 Labels Eight die cuts. Make sure to cut the corners at the bottom to make the tabs easy to fold.

Adhere to each side making four walls but do not connect the last sides together yet. We need to embellish the walls first before completing the frame of the box.

Taking your S4-226 Harvest Border Petites, cut/emboss the leaves border (this particular border cuts all the way around to make a great accent piece) and stencil with Clearsnap Colorbox Fluid Chalk Chestnut Roan. You’ll need to cut/emboss/stencil four times (for each side). Trim to fit inside the scored lines - approx. 1/2″. Then line up the borders to make a straight line as shown and adhere.

Using the S4-227 Pumpkin Nestabilties® die #3, cut/emboss with orange cardstock and with Sparkle ‘N Sprinkle Burnt Orange Flocking Powder, I textured the pumpkin. Determine which side will be the front of the box and adhere the pumpkin. Mist Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Raven onto a small flower, dry and add Hero Arts Pearls in the middle. I used Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps Seasonal Calendar/Halloween image and the black pearl pin to go with that glimmery flower.

Now you can put the last sides together to form the frame of the box by using wet adhesive. Then cut 4.5″x 4.5″ size piece of cardstock to make the bottom of the box. With wet adhesive, edge the bottom four sides of the cardstock and then drop it in on top of the scored edges of the box frame. Let dry.

To finish it off, add your favorite Halloween treat and you’ve got yourself a box! Now remember to think inside the box for your next project!

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday!!
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

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

For today’s Savvy Saturday, I’d like to show you all one of our newest Borderabilities®, the S4-214 Eyelet Pendant Petite Borderabilities®.

You may recall that we introduced these products during our recent Blog Frenzy. Design Team Member Jennifer Davis had created such a wonderful project and provided a video to show her steps through the process.

In the video, she had mentioned that the set of two Borderabilities® each having a different function. One (we will call Border #1) will emboss all the way around BUT will cut on one side only. The other (Border #2) will cut and emboss the entire die template to become a beautiful accent piece. I love the choices with these Borderabilities® sets! I will show what I did using the Borderabilities® on a card I made.

Using my 4.5″x6″ card base that I made from Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock, I edged my card by using the Border #1. I fold the card inside out and sandwich the magnetic spacer inside with the Border (cut side away from magnet). You may wish to use removable tape to line up the border to the card base. Place all between the two White Master Mats and put through the Wizard™ to cut.

Next fold the card back to its original position and then carefully replace the Magnetic Spacer with the Tan Embossing Pad. Again, place all between the two White Master Mats and put through the Wizard™ to emboss.

Then using a lighter tone of the card base, I cut/embossed Border #2 which I plan to layer on top of the edge card base. Note: after cutting/embossing, take great care when pulling out the piece from the die template. Many of the new Borderabilties® have intricate cuts and will be delicate. I used my embossing tool (the one with the rounded tip for dry embossing) or a tooth pick is helpful too.

I sanded both borders (to give emphasis on the embossing) as well as the card base edge. Thread the ribbon through Border #2 before adhering with Scrapbook Adhesives to the card base and add Hero Arts Pearls to both borders.

Add ribbon in the middle of the card base and single knot to secure (you may wish to adhere the back for more security). Using Crafty Secrets’ Cotton Scraps Flowers, I frayed the edges and inked with Clearsnap Queue. Then matted onto Core’dinations cardstock and adhered to card base. Stuck two stick pins into the knot to complete the look of the card.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and memorable 4th of July here in the U.S.!
Happy Birthday, America!!!
MargieH

When it was cold out, my mom used to tell us kids to put on layers.
Well, it’s warm out but I’m saying “put on layers - your Nesties™ layers!”

We will be cutting the Nestibilities® and layering them to make a wonderful design. Remember when you first purchased your Nestibilities®? They were nested in a package ready to be used. All you need to do is to position them in the same way on your magnetic spacer or white spacer (depending on which Wizard™ you have) and you’re good to go!

From bottom, the sandwich is your conventional cut receipe:
White Master Mat
Die (cut side UP - if you have a white spacer, I would tape down the die with removable tape on the non-cut side to hold in place
Paper
White Master Mat

After cutting, emboss by removing the spacer plate from the sandwich and add the Tan Embossing Mat by placing it on top of the die.

So your sandwich will be (from bottom):
White Master Mat
Die (cut side UP)
Paper
Tan Embossing Mat
White Master Mat

Although you may have seen this technique with our Flower Nestibilities® (such as the S4-191 Dahlia and the S4-192 Blossom), I decided to go a little geometric with mine by using the S4-202 Large Deckled Rectangles.

With the Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock , I cut/embossed the entire nested die template but only used the three (3) largest sizes and the center. Then I sanded the embossed areas. I only adhered the largest frame flat on to the card base and then foam taped the two other frames with Scrapbook Adhesives to give it a 3-D effect. The center I stamped the “HI” by using JustRite Stampers letters and Clearsnap Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan. Using My Mind’s Eye Penny Lane Collection, I made a card base and cut/embossed a flower from the S4-200 Flower Bouquet Miniabilities die template. To accent the flower, I stenciled with Clearsnaps Queue and added a Hero Arts Pearl in the middle. Adhere the finished flower with Scrapbook Adhesives 3D foam square in the middle of the frames and adhere the “HI” center on to the lower right hand corner…you are done!

To give you some more ideas, we did a post on this topic for a card and for a layout back in March.

So will you be putting your layers on?!
Have a great Saturday!

MargieH

Well, it took me two days to get these pics on my memory card…but here they are…Let’s see how to use the W-026 Grand Cut Mat Kit to cut/emboss one of our Grand Borderabilities®. I chose to work with the S7-001 Rose Border Grand. This is an accessory kit to the Wizard™ that can be purchased for use with the our 12″ Borderabilities® die templates. Here is a quick pic. of the kit with two master mats, the magnetic spacer plate and the embossing pad.

Use this set just like the regular mat set that comes with the Wizard™. Choose a die template and some paper for a project. Trim down the paper so it is not wider than the platform and let’s begin:

1. Layer the following elements: White master mat, magnetic spacer plate with the magnet facing up, Borderabilities® die template with ridge facing up, paper and the other white master mat.
2. Place the Wizard in front of you with the long “leg” facing away from you and the handle towards you.
3. Using your left hand, feed the stack into the rollers from the far side of the machine, so they advance towards you. With you right hand, give the rollers a little “skootch” by pushing down and forward on them. This will help the mats engage in the rollers and will assist with advancing them through.

   

4. Be sure to hold the mats loosely (see how the far end of the mats is opened a bit). It is another way to help the mats engage in the rollers.



5. After skootching the mats to engage them. Push the handle up and over to the front, all the way to the table. Continue pumping the handle to vertical and back to the table top to ratchet the mats through towards you. When nearing the end, move your left hand to grab the mats for the exit.



6. Open your sandwich, and see your cut Borderabilities® die template.



7. Remove the die/paper from the magnetic mat and place the die/paper back onto the white master mat. Add the embossing pad and the white master mat on top. Run the sandwich through again. Open the sandwich and check out the beautifully embossed image.



8. Now turn the die/paper over and use some inks, chalks, colored pencils, metallic rub-ons…or whatever suits your fancy to use the die template as a stencil.



9. Use your beautifully decorated border in a wonderful scrapbook page.

If you don’t have the Grand Mat Cut Kit, check out Beth’s tutorial on how to cut the Grand Borderabilities® using the White Master mats.

Have a fabulously creative day, Eli