Its back to school time, and this month we’re learning the many uses of Spellbinders’â„¢ Impressabilitiesâ„¢!  Margie kicked us off with her Savvy Saturday.  We hope you decide to go back to school with us,  we have so many things to show you!  Are you subscribed?  Just enter your email in the box where it says “Keep up with this Blog” and you’ll get each post emailed to you.

OK, back to Impressabilities™ School!  While Margie did a straight emboss of a piece of paper on her Savvy Saturday, I wanted to die cut the paper and emboss the I2-1001 Impressabilities™ Paisley, but I wanted to preserve the embossed edge of square die template too. 

First I cut the S4-128 Classic Square, Small #6 die template, using Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock.  Then I placed the I2-1001 Impressabiitiesâ„¢ Paisley on the bottom Master Mat.  Next I placed the die template with the die cut paper still in it on top of the Impressabilitiesâ„¢.  I made sure the die template has the cut side facing up, because I didn’t want to damage the Impressabilitiesâ„¢.  I put the Embossing Pad on top of the die template, then the other Master Mat and fed the sandwich into my Wizardâ„¢.

See the beautiful result!  I embossed the clean lines of the die template as well as the pattern of the Impressabilities™ Paisley.  A little sanding and the paper is georgeous!

For my layout I repeated this 4 times.  I also cut and embossed 5 red squares with S4-126 Classic Squares, Large #6.  I cut/embossed my photos using S4-126 Classic Square, Small #6. Additionally, 2 sets of S4-161 Labels One # 2 & 5 were cut to make frames, then sliced diagonally to make 4 corners.  The book in the center is made from S4-231 Labels Seven # 4 for the pages and # 5 for the cover.

 

I arranged them rather simply on a piece of school themed pattern paper.  And the charming little faces, those are my boys, on the first day of first and second grade, oh so long ago, or at least it seems that way!

Supplies used: Spellbinders™ S4-128 Classic Square, Small # 6; S4-126 Classic Square, Large #6; S4-161 Labels One # 2, 5; S4-231 Labels Seven #3, 4; I2-1001 Impressabilities® Paisley, Coredinations Color Core Cardstock, Black, Blue, Red; Copic, Atyou Spica, Pitch Black; The Paper Company, Homeroom Book Cover paper; Notebook paper; Sandpaper.

Your homework for this lesson is to go to When Creativity Knocks, register (and do the math!), go to the Creativity Forum.  Select Categories, scroll down to the Great Crafter’s Tool Hunt section, select Spellbindersâ„¢ Impressabilitiesâ„¢, and leave a brief message in the forum.  You could win all the tools! And we could win some feature time on their site.  Now go on, do your homework, I’ll be right here if you have any questions!

Beth

Hey everybody. One of the big buzzes right now is the economy. As crafter’s we often have a propensity to buy, buy, buy, but let’s look at a way to use up some pieces from your stash.

After seeing Beth’s post on Saturday about squares, I wanted to do another card inspired by that. I wanted to create as much depth, elegance and beauty that I could using very little paper. Conserving my stash and my cash.

So, in my version, I used two types of paper: Core’dinations blue cardstock and Chatterbox’s artsy.licious Fine Paper in Alabaster. The extra oomph in this card comes from embossing with Spellbindersâ„¢ Impressabilitiesâ„¢ Template. It essentially turned one paper into two. Here are the supplies (plus my Wizardâ„¢ and some adhesive):

Instructions:

• Cut/emboss four S4-129 Classic Scalloped Squares, Small from cream paper.
• Cut four straight edge S4-126 Classic Squares, Large and adhere them to the center of the scalloped squares.
• Cut largest die S4-129 scalloped square. Spray with a fine mist of water or other embossing agent such as Paper Glide. Emboss with Butterfly Impressabilitiesâ„¢ (or if you prefer, try Snowflakes, Flowers or Paisley).
• Sand the debossed side of the scalloped square to reveal the light color of the core. (See, now it looks like a totally different paper!!)
• Using cream paper again, cut another square scallop, one size larger than the original squares. Trim it to make 2 small squares and one larger rectangle.
• Stamp sentiment onto scalloped rectangle. I sanded the paper first to knock down some of the shine and it stamped better.
• Put it all together with your fave adhesive.

Now, imagine a couple of words that could go inside the squares, spelled out, such as G-R-A-D, L-0-V-E or B-A-B-Y…now I know the gears are turning.

And I hope they keep turning. Grab some squares and create to your heart’s content…

Eli

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 Large Classic Inverted Squares, S4-129 Small Classic Scallop Squares, 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 Small and S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles Small.

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, Large, and S4-127 Classic Scalloped Squares, Large.

Sherry Cheever

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

Debbie Olsen

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