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 Spellbindersâ„¢ 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 Wizardâ„¢, 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 Spellbindersâ„¢ creations and we’ll pick a winner via random drawing.  You could win a free Spellbindersâ„¢ 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 Nestabilitiesâ„¢ 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

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 Wizardâ„¢ 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

Today, I thought I’d bring together what we covered so far (extending Borderabilities® and functional Pendants) and add Letterpress into the mix with a one page layout.

The die templates that I used for the layout are: S5-019 Labels Eight #6 & #5 (#1 being the smallest size), S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #1, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles Large #2, S4-116 Standard Circles Small #3 and S4-218 Lattice Borderabilities® border die.

For those who haven’t read up on these ideas, I have linked the Borderabilities® and the Pendant posts so please click on the highlighted words. What I would like to show is how to letterpress with your Impressabilities.

I am using the I2-1001 Impressabilities™ Paisley. But first with the S5-019 Labels Eight #6, I have cut/embossed a piece of Core’dinations cardstock and for ink, I reached for my Clearsnap Queue ink.

Start with inking the entire Impressabilitiesâ„¢, I put a piece of printer paper underneath so that I don’t ink up my White Master Mat. Then the S5-019 Labels Eight die cut is placed on top. Again to avoid any mess, I place another piece of printer paper. Then the Tan Embossing Pad goes on top and the White Master Mat to finish the sandwich.

This is what you come up with! Easy peasy as a good friend of mine would put it. This piece will serve as a frame for a picture of my niece, Jessica.

To recap, the Letterpress Sandwich (from bottom) is:
White Master Mat
(printer paper)
I2-1001 Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Paisley (ink side up)
S5-019 Labels Eight die cut
(printer paper)
Tan Embossing Pad
White Master Mat

Using Fancy Pants paper, I placed Jessica’s framed picture on top of the S4-218 Lattice Borderabilities® which anchors both framed pictures. I used the functional Pendant (in this case, the S4-205 Eyelets Pendant) idea as a frame. Then I had to use the JustRite Stampers 1 3/16″ round “Tiny Words Set” stamps, they make such great accent pieces. I used the S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #1 which cuts perfectly and added some embellishments in my scrap stash.

It is easy to do and you really don’t need anything extra - no new equipment, no special tools…just your favorite Impressabilitiesâ„¢ and you’re good to go! I hope you will enjoy this technique as much as I have. I think this is my new favorite technique…well, at least for now!

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