WOW! That was one cool Savvy Saturday post - thanks, Beth & Kimberly!!

As I was playing with this great idea, I found another way to heat up that black foam tip from my Clearsnap Colorbox Stylus Tool! Since I am an impatient type, why not use a heat emboss tool to “warm up” the foam? Please take care in not burning the foam! LOL! I took a part of a flower from the I2-1004 Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Flower and imprinted it onto the black foam.

Today is ”Back To School” for us and what a great idea to make a treat bag for the boys’ teachers!

These die templates were used for the project: S4-114 Standard Circles LG #4 (#1 being the smallest die), S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #5, and S4-214 Eyelets Borderabilities® both dies.

I used a white paper bag as the base and inked up my new foam stamp with various colors from my Clearsnap Queue inks. Then set aside to dry. Then I reached for my JustRite Stampers 3 1/4″ round stamp set to stamp my images on white cardstock and on Core’dinations Dusk cardstock. I used the S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #5 to cut the outside of the image and the S4-114 Standard Circles LG #4 to cut the inside of the image. Cut/Embossed them together through the Wizardâ„¢.

I also cut/embossed the S4-214 Eyelet Borderabilities® #1 die (the one that cuts on one side and makes a continuous cut for a decorative edge) to use a topper, sanded to enhance the embossing, inked the edges, fold over the flap, punched holes to thread the ribbon and glittered the accents. The Eyelet accent piece was inked, adhered and then glittered. Then I adhered the stamped open circle, ribbon and foam taped the center image.

After everything dries, I plan on putting in some goodies for the teachers which will include a packet each of TUMs and Aspirin!

Oh, happy back to school!!!
MargieH

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 SM #1, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG #2, S4-116 Standard Circles SM #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 SM #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!

WOW! I just took a peek at the Inspiration Alley Gallery where all the Pendant entries are posted from our Pendant Project Contest. Crafters, you all have outdone yourselves! Congratulations and thank you for all the inspiration!

Setting aside all those images of beauty, I would like to take these Pendants to a different level. Rather than accenting with our Pendants, how about making them a functional piece in our projects?

Let me show you what I mean with a gatefold card. First, we will be using these die templates: S4-210 Lattice Pendant (& center), S4-161 Labels One #5 (#1 being the smallest die), S4-114 Standard Circle Large #2 and S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small #1

Using Core’dinations cardstock in various colors, I cut/embossed all the die templates. Note: I stamped an image from JustRite Stampers before cutting/embossing the S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circle Small #1 and then I adhered the S4-114 Standard Circle Large #2 to frame it. With the S4-210 Lattice Pendant and its center, I sanded them to enhance the embossing.

On a 9″x5″ piece of Fancy Pants pattern paper, I scored 2 1/4″ on each side to form a gatefold card and edged with Clearsnap Queue ink. Using wet adhesive, I adhered the left half of the S4-210 Lattice Pendant onto the left card flap. Let dry. With its center piece, I closed the card and adhered the right half of the piece on the right flap - place it in the middle of the Pendant so that it is in the correct position.

After adding Hero Arts Gems onto the S4-210 Lattice Pendant, I adhered the stamped image with Scrapbook Adhesives’ foam tape on top of the pendant center piece. Inside the card, I edged with Clearsnap Queue ink and adhered the S4-161 Labels One #5. I finished off the inside by adding a small flower with a gem on the corner and done!

Now what function is the S4-210 Lattice Pendant serving? It is a latch for the gatefold card! There are a lot of other functions that a Pendant can be…a journal spot, a frame, a basket, an ornament and I’m sure there’s more! But the most clever idea comes from our Design Team Member Jennifer Davis. If you were here for the Pendant Blog Frenzy then you know what I’m talking about. This is Jennifer’s clever creation…

The function? A pop-up card! For more information on this project, please visit her blog. There is a video for us visual types. I hope you try it and let us know how it turned out! Many thanks to Jennifer for letting me share this clever idea!

Have a great Saturday!
MargieH

I’d like to cover an oldie but goody - paper piecing. It’s like punch art but only bigger and we get to create with Spellbindersâ„¢’ die templates!

Today, Design Team Member Christy Farneth-Kerr shares her layout showing her beautiful girls in their cute outfits. Notice the poodle on their shirts?! This was Christy’s inspiration for her poodle paper piecing - isn’t it just darling!

She used S4-113 Classic Scalloped Ovals, Small (I see six of them on this poodle!) and to finish off the layout, she added S7-012 Flower Whimsy Borderabilities® Grand, S4-081 Tags 5 and S4-072 Flower Creations. Sparkled embellishments on her borders are Robin’s Nest Dew Drops, along with some touches of Clearsnap Colorbox black pigment ink.

Another great idea for using our die templates is how Design Team Member Kimberly Crawford did when making her strawberry motif for her card and box duo! So cute and who wouldn’t want to have this thoughtful gift!

She used three different dies for her strawberries! Kimberly started with two different sizes of the S4-140 Petite Ovals, Small and top it off with S4-072 Flower Creations die template. To pull off the rest of the project, she included My Mind’s Eye Penny Lane Collection, Taylored Expressions “A Year of Sweetly Stamped Sentiments”, Hero Arts “Four Leaf Grid”, Clearsnap Inks & Chalks, some buttons, twine and cardstock.

Will you be putting some pieces together of your own?
Share with us…we would love to see them!

MargieH

So, I love my Impressabilitiesâ„¢ embossing templates AND I love my Copic Markers to airbrush…so “Why not combine them!” I thought. So, I grabbed some remnants of my Spellbindersâ„¢ die template packaging and started creating.

I think it turned out pretty nice and would make a great addition to your Spring card line-up including:  Graduation, Baby Shower, Thank You, Wedding…oh, how the list goes on in May.

So grab some thin plastic from any packaging, or even a transparency, an Impressabilities template, your favorite Copic colors, your Wizardâ„¢, a Nestabilities® die template (I chose circles) and we’ll begin.

Trim a piece of plastic to just larger than your Impressabilitiesâ„¢ sheet and using temporary adhesive, tape it to the sides.

Then “go-to” with the airbrush, using a gentle sweeping motion, coloring in the negative space of the template. After you are satisfied with the color, remove the tape and check out the results.

And for hopefully, the only challenge of the day, cut the plastic using the Nestabilities® die template of your choice. I say challenge because some plastic can be down-right pesky. You may need to run it through the Wizardâ„¢ a few times, even rotating the plastic and die template 90 degrees after each pass. Don’t give up because the results are worth it.

Then, use the Nestabilities® die template to cut a shaped card. First, fold your card base in half. Layer the die template on the spacer plate (Magnetic for Raspberry users and S5 Die Spacer Plate for purple users) and lay it on the White Master Mat. See how the die template edge peaks out over the fold of the card. This will keep it together and create the shape. Add the other White Master Mat and run it through the Wizard. Do not emboss.

You could stop there, adding the embellished plastic to the card by punching holes in the top of the card and the plastic at the same time. Thread a ribbon through it to secure it to the card front. Lovely…

But I wanted to go over the top and it is Savvy Saturday, after all…

If you are with me, place the airbrushed card front onto the White Master Mat with the side you’d like to see on the card. Then place the Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Template down onto it, matching up the airbrushed lines.

Add the shaped card on top, open

and then the embossing mat and Master Mat. Run it through the Wizardâ„¢.

Once that is done, finish up the card by using ribbon to tie on the airbrushed piece as I described above.

Stamp a sentiment inside and off you go…

And one more time, the results…beautiful.

I hope you all have a great weekend, a happy Memorial Day and mostly, I hope you get some time to create. Eli

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 Border. 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 LG, S4-145 Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles SM, S4-138 Petite Ovals LG, S4-169 Labels Small, S4-072 Flower Creations, S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG, and S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles SM 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 Three, 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 LG, and S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG.

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 Flowers, S4-157 Sunflower Set One (for the leaves), S4-125 Classic Scalloped Ovals SM.

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 LG,  S4-131 Classic Scalloped Rectangle SM, S4-116 Standard Circles SM, S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circle SM.

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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

I admit it.  I can’t for the life of me cut a perfect square.  That makes Spellbinders’ Square die templates perfect for me!  Squares are so versatile in scrapbooking, card making and even multi-media, they’re something everyone should own.  Lets explore some artwork and see why its so hip to be Square!

Heidi Blankenship is hip!  She shows off not only the Classic squares, but the Inverted Scallops and how they look layered the the Classic Scallops.  Great Job, Heidi! She used S4-196 Classic Inverted Squares LG, S4-129 Classic Scallop Squares SM, and S4-191 Dahlia.

Heidi Blankenship

Becca Feeken is hip! She cut a frame from the Scalloped Circle  and layered her stamped image with squares.  I love it, Becca! She used S4-128 Classic Squares SM and S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles SM.

Becca Feeken

Sherry Cheever is hip! She mounted artwork on the squares and matted with the larger scalloped square and made a beautiful focal point.

Sherry Cheever

When you open the card, you see that she also used a square to cut an opening in the front of the card. Great idea, Sherry! She used S4-126 Classic Squares LG, and S4-127 Classic Scalloped Squares LG.

Sherry Cheever

Debbie Olson is hip! Her square would make anyone smile. Fabulous, Debbie! She used S4-129 Classic Scalloped Squares SM and S4-128 Classic Squares SM

Debbie Olsen

I love hanging out with these hip ladies, don’t you?
Happy Savvy Saturday!
Beth