Spellbinders Blog

Hello, crafty friends! Marie here again from Marie Nicole Designs. I am showing off the Stargazer dies in this pretty card as a tutorial for you to follow. I love these beautiful, simple flowers, and I wanted to add a bouquet of them to the front of my card. Follow along as I walk you through the process!

STEP 1

Find the stems from the set, as well as the petal layering pieces, and cut them all out of green cardstock. You will notice that the petal layering pieces are labeled with an alphabet that coordinates with the stem they layer on. This is so handy! Just keep each stem and petal piece together, and you will have no problems matching up all the pieces. Once you have all the pieces cut and matched up, go ahead and glue on the layering pieces to add dimension. I used the same color green for the stem and petal pieces, but you could add a darker color for shadow and dimension.

STEP 2

Cut out the Stargazer flowers. These come in layering pieces as well. There is a larger-sized flower and a smaller size, and then two unopened flowers. If you lay them out and match the sizes, it is easy to see what pieces go together. Here are all the pieces cut out and matched up. I used white cardstock so I could color the flowers myself.

STEP 3

To add the color, I used a trio of pink alcohol markers. I used the darkest color in the back, the midtone in the middle, and the lightest color in front.

STEP 4

Assemble your flower after you have colored each petal layer. I used just a drop of liquid glue on each layer. Once your flowers are layered together, add it to a stem with another drop of glue.

STEP 5

Don’t forget to assemble those unopened flowers! I colored mine a light green and then glued them to a stem, as well.

STEP 6

To create a background, I used a piece of navy blue cardstock and cut it into three pieces using the Open Lace Frame and Landscape dies. I used the curve and the hilly dies to create three wavy layers.

STEP 7

Using the layers and some foam adhesive, layer all the pieces together, one behind the other on top of another navy blue piece of cardstock.

STEP 8

Now it is time to arrange the bouquet of Stargazers on the front of our wavy background. Play around with your arrangement until you find something you like. I kept all my flowers to one side, and I even varied the height by slipping some stems behind the different background layers.

STEP 9

Once you are happy with your arrangement, glue down your flowers using liquid glue. I also used some rhinestones for the middle of the flowers instead of the piece that came with the die set. I like sparkle!

STEP 10

Speaking of sparkle, add some more! I used some clear sequins in a variety of sizes and sprinkled them around my bouquet of Stargazers. To finish this card, I added the sentiment from the So Amazing Sentiments die and stamp set, mixing the die-cut word “So” with the stamped “amazing”. And that’s it! A beautiful Stargazers card is finished.

BONUS CARDS!

I loved this whole collection so much that I mixed and matched some of the other supplies to create some coordinating cards. Here’s a peek! Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have found this tutorial to be fun and easy to follow along. Until next time, Marie Nicole [spellbinders-supplies]S4-1510,S4-1511,S4-1514,S4-1515,S4-1516,S5-748,SDS-223,SDS-224,PE-104[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other supplies

Liquid glue, foam adhesive, alcohol markers, colored cardstock, white cardstock, sequins,

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Hello crafty friends! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today to share a card featuring the Garden Planter Etched Dies from the Lisa Horton Summertime Collection. I am going to be doing a step-by-step photo tutorial showing you how to create this pretty planter, which is filled to the brim with flowers and foliage! This collection is beautiful! Included are several floral die sets, two clear sentiment stamp sets as well as a set of ripped nesting circles, a rectangular lattice die, and a fabulous set of dies which create a landscape within an open lace frame – gorgeous! So, let’s get started with the card.

So Happy for You

For all the die cutting, use the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine with the die cutting sandwich as follows (from bottom to top):

• Plate A – Platform Base
• Plate B – Platform Top
• Plate C – Cutting Plate
• Plate C – Cutting Plate

The cardstock/die will be inserted between the two cutting plates with the die sitting on top of the cardstock, cutting side down.

Die Cutting the Flowers and Planter

1. Start by taking the Garden Planter Etched Dies and die cutting the planter from Dahlia, the planter rims from Cranberry, and the planter trims from Wild Berry ColorWheel Cardstock.
2. Die cut all the foliage dies from Rainforest ColorWheel Cardstock.
3. Die cut all the flower centre dies from Beeswax ColorWheel Cardstock.

4. Run them through your Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine.

TIP: Use a Craft Stax Medium Tray to keep all your dies and die cuts in one place.

5. Continue with die cutting and cut all the foliage again, but this time from Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock.
6. Die cut the flower centre dies again, but this time from Saffron ColorWheel Cardstock.
7. Die cut the largest and third largest flower from Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Die cut the second largest flower from Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock.

9. Die cut the largest flower from Tutu and the third largest from Dahlia.
10. Die cut the smallest flower three times from Wild Berry and three times from Blue Spruce.

Assembling the Flowers and Planter

1. Adhere the planter trims and planter rim die cuts onto the planter using Bearly Art Glue.

2. Pop some White Foam Adhesive Squares onto the bottom portion of the back of the planter and remove the backings.

3. Adhere the planter onto an A2 panel of Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock (approx. two-thirds of the way down). The A2 panel measures 4.25” x 5.5”.

4. Using liquid glue, adhere the flower centres onto the flowers. Use the six smallest flower centres for the smallest flowers and then adhere the others as you see fit.

TIP: It is super helpful to use the Pick Up Tool from the Handy Tool Craft Set for this!

Note: The planter has been intentionally assembled without the inner piece, giving you the flexibility to attach the foliage either inside the rim or down behind the back of the planter.

5. Adhere the two largest foliage die cuts into the planter.

6. Adhere the Waterfall flower die cut directly onto the left-hand side of the planter. Add the largest Seaside flower onto the right-hand side of the planter, just below the rim.
7. Add a White Foam Adhesive Square onto the back of the Tutu flower, and then adhere that in between the other two flowers.

Note: The three flowers are not in a straight line. They are adhered so that they flow gradually downwards across the planter. This is intentional! It will help balance the design once the sentiment is added.

8. Adhere two small three-leaf foliage pieces to the right of the Seaside Angle them as if they are toppling downwards.

9. Ahere the three Wild Berry and three Blue Spruce flowers onto the three-pointed foliage stem and glue in place on the panel as shown.

10. Adhere two of the long, thin Peridot die cuts as shown.

11. Add two long, thin Rainforest die cuts into the mix. One is placed on the right-hand side near the three Blue Spruce flowers, and the other is placed to the left-hand side.

12. Add in your two remaining flowers.

13. Adhere two more Peridot foliage die cuts – a long, thin die cut and a small three-leaf die cut – into the left-hand side of the planter. This finishes the planter!

Creating Your Sentiments

1. Take the So Amazing Sentiments Clear Stamp and Die Set and die cut the “So” word dies from Raven and Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock.

2. Adhere the black outline die cuts onto their white base.

3. Put a panel of Raven ColorWheel Cardstock into the MISTI and place the So Amazing stamp set on top.

4. Close the lid of the MISTI and pick up the stamp set.
5. Run an anti-static powder bag over the black cardstock and either blow off the residue or brush it off with a soft brush. This powder application will help prevent any stray flecks of embossing powder sticking to areas outside of the sentiments.

6. Ink up the stamp using Versamark Ink.

7. Close the MISTI lid and press the stamp down onto the black cardstock. Use your fingers to apply even pressure. You can re-ink the stamp and repeat this step if you want to make sure that your sentiments have stamped properly.

8. Remove the cardstock from the MISTI and apply Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder over your stamped sentiments. Place a sheet of paper on to your desk to catch the embossing powder as it falls. You can then funnel this back into the pot.

9. Once you have applied the embossing powder, use a soft brush to remove any stray flecks and heat set the sentiments with your heat tool.

10. Pop the coordinating die set over the sentiments and tape it in place using Best Ever Craft Tape.
11. Run through your die-cutting machine.

Adding Your Sentiments and Finishing The Card

1. Cut some small pieces of White Foam Adhesive Square.

2. Add them to the back of the “So” sentiment. You will only need to add pieces to the areas of the die cut that will not overlap the planter. Pop your sentiment in place.

3. Add some Black Foam Adhesive Squares onto the back of the heat-embossed sentiment and place it down onto your panel.
4. Adhere your completed panel onto a top-folding A2 white note card (11” x 4.25”, scored and folded at 5.5”)

5. To finish the card and introduce some sparkle, add some Silver Mix Color Essential Gems around the planter and flowers.

I hope you have found this tutorial helpful today. The Garden Planter Etched Dies is such a pretty set, and you can have endless hours of fun changing up your colours and flower displays! If you would like to see more of my cards, I would love to have you join me over on my blog, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. In the meantime, thank you so much for your company here on the Spellbinders blog today. I hope that you have a fabulous day! [spellbinders-supplies]S4-1515,SDS-223,SCS-130,SCS-267,SCS-268,CS-8-148,CS-8-123,CS-8-124,CS-8-126,CS-8-119,CS-8-118,CS-8-115,CS-8-116,CS-8-147,CS-8-104,CS-8-105,CS-8-106,CS-8-102,T-056,T-024,T-042,T-043,T-098,PCGO2E,SCS-123,PE-104,MISTI[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other Supplies

Anti-static Powder Bag, Versamark Embossing Ink, Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder

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Hello there, crafty friends! Lisa Tilson here with you today as we step into the fabulous world of letterpress. If you’re new to letterpress, or you’re still deciding whether to invest in a letterpress system, I hope you’ll find this post gives you a clear sense of what you need to get started and how this wonderfully creative innovation can help you make beautiful projects with minimal fuss. The “touch” and feel of letterpress is like nothing else! Like foiling and heat embossing, it’s another true “wow” moment when you press your plate and run your fingers over that deep, tactile impression.

What is letterpress, and why BetterPress?

So, what exactly is letterpress? Letterpress is a technique where you apply ink to the raised design on a press plate and then press it into your cardstock using a letterpress system. The result is a gorgeous, debossed impression. If you picture high‑end wedding stationery or luxury business cards, you’ll be familiar with the kind of texture and elegance that letterpress creates. The Spellbinders BetterPress Letterpress System has been designed to help you produce stunning letterpress effects with ease, every single time. So, if you’re new to letterpress or considering dipping your toes into this wonderful innovation, this post is here to guide you and help you feel confident as you begin.

What comes with your BetterPress Letterpress System

You’ve made the exciting decision to purchase your BetterPress Letterpress System, and it has arrived! So, what can you expect to find in the box? Some of the boxes may vary depending on when you purchase the system, but essentially you will find the following:

• Platen – this is the clear acrylic plate that sits on top of the Chase. You will adhere your card panel to the underside of the Platen when preparing to press your plate. The Platen has A7 and A2 guides etched onto its surface. These help ensure you tape your chosen cardstock in the correct position.
• Chase – this is the bottom section of your system and it includes a magnetic platform which is where you will place your plates. The magnetic platform has gridlines and guides which help you to line up your plate.
• Shims – you can use one or all the shims depending on your preference and/or die-cutting machine. The shims sit in the Chase, under the magnetic platform.
• Cardstock – 100% cotton/118lb weight card panels that will ensure you have amazing results each and every time you press.
• BetterPress Black Ink – the essential black ink to get you started on your BetterPress journey.
• Best Ever Craft Tape – to hold your cardstock in place.
• BetterPress Plate – you cannot press without a plate, and a plate is included to get you started!

What Die Cutting Machines Are Compatible with the BetterPress Letterpress System?

The BetterPress Letterpress System works with the Platinum and Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machines, as well as the Sizzix Big Shot, Big Shot Plus and Switch machines. Always check your machine is compatible before using it with the BetterPress Letterpress System.

Tools/Supplies You Need to BetterPress

Below is a list of the tools you will need to create that beautiful letterpressed look on your projects!

• BetterPress Letterpress System.
• Die Cutting Machine – as mentioned earlier, Platinum and Platinum SIX work perfectly with this system.
• BetterPress Plate – these come in all sorts of designs, shapes and sizes. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful plates!
• Cardstock – you will need to use BetterPress Cardstock to achieve the best results when letterpressing. There is more information on cardstock a little further down the post.
• BetterPress Inks – these have been formulated specifically for BetterPress and will help you to achieve a crisp, clean press.
• Best Ever Craft Tape – to hold your plates in place when running the system through your die cutting machine.
• Handy Craft Tool Set – use the nudger tool to move the plate around so that you have it exactly where you want it. Small plates, especially sentiments, can move around when inking them up, so it’s useful to be able to “nudge” it back into position.
• Archival Cleaner – use with a lint-free cloth. The cleaner won’t get all the ink off your plate, but it will get most of it off. After using Archival Cleaner, you can wash the plate with mild soap to remove the oily residue if you wish but this is not essential. It will press perfectly next time around.
• Tweezers – to help pick up your pressed panel once you have removed the tape that is holding it in place.

Cardstock

BetterPress Cardstock comes in three colours - Porcelain, Pebble and Bisque. It is made in Italy and it is 100% cotton,118lb in weight. Because of the material and weight, it feels soft, thick and luxurious, and that is what makes it so perfect for letterpress techniques. Other cardstocks can also be used but you may not get the same quality of impression. The BetterPress Cardstock comes in packs of A2 and A7 sizes which contain 25 sheets. You can also get packs of 8.5” x 11” cardstock sheets in all three colours. You may find that you need to adjust the number of shims you put in your BetterPress Letterpress System. The number of shims needed for the perfect press can vary and depends on the cardstock you use and your die-cutting machine.

Press Plates

Press plates differ in colour to etched dies and Glimmer plates. They are a soft silver/platinum colour, and so it’s easy to tell the difference when searching through your supplies. They come in many different sizes, shapes, and designs. You can get background plates, image plates, and sentiment plates that are suitable for almost every single occasion that you can think of! There are hundreds of plates to choose from whether you are looking for fancy typography, a beautiful floral or an ornate background. A later development to the BetterPress line was the introduction of the BetterPress Letterpress Registration plates. These sets come with a guide which allows you to press multiple areas in different coloured inks, allowing you greater flexibility in your designs. Beyond pressing, your plates can be used for other techniques as well. You can dry emboss with them, and of course, you can also use them for foiling. A word of note. You cannot use your Glimmer plates in the BetterPress Letterpress System. You can, however, use BetterPress Plates with the Glimmer Hot Foil System. Inks When the BetterPress Letterpress System was launched, there were eight ink colours to choose from! A few years on, you now have over 40 beautiful colours to play with! BetterPress Inks are acid-free, permanent, and waterproof. Developed by Ranger, the inks have a special formulation to enable a crisp, clean press. The BetterPress Inks are based on Ranger’s Archival Ink line but have a few additional properties that make them especially suited for BetterPress, and they will give you a rich, deep, lasting impression each time you press. The inks come in a mini size as this was found to be the most suitable for BetterPress techniques. Because of their smaller size, you will find that they will need re-inking regularly, especially if you are inking up large plates. Re-inking will ensure a more even coverage across the plate. There is a Full Size BetterPress Black Ink Pad available, and this is especially helpful if you need to ink up those larger plates. You can also try using dye inks with your press plates, though the results can vary depending on the ink. Note: Pigment inks are heavily saturated and usually come with a foam pad. They will not produce clean, detailed impressions if you use them.

Colouring Your Images

Watercolouring is the preferred colouring method when working with BetterPress plates. You can use traditional watercolour paints or watercolour pens, both of which pair beautifully with BetterPress impressions. Dye inks are another great option for adding soft washes of colour, and don’t forget, you can also achieve beautiful results with coloured pencils. Many plates now also come with coordinating layering stencils. These allow you to add colour with inks and blending brushes, building up depth and dimension one layer at a time.

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you succeed when letterpressing.

• Use small pieces of Best Ever Craft Tape to attach your card panel to the Platen.
• When pressing a cover plate onto an A2 panel, secure your cardstock to the Platen using small rolled‑up pieces of tape. Rolling the tape keeps it tucked underneath the panel so it doesn’t cover or interfere with the corners.
• To help prevent the magnetic platform shifting in the chase (if you are going to double-press a plate), then use small pieces of Best Ever Craft Tape to hold it in place.
• Use light pouncing and gentle pivoting motions to apply your ink. This helps achieve even, consistent coverage across your plate.
• If you are inking up a large plate with black ink, you may find it easier to use the Full-Size BetterPress Black Ink Pad.
• To avoid getting marks on your pressed images when die cutting, use a clean top plate.

How To Press

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to press using the BetterPress Letterpress System.

1. Start by placing your Press Plate onto the Chase. As this is a cover plate, it has been placed onto the magnetic platform using the grid lines to make sure it is straight. The plate measures approximately 4.50” x 5.75” (just over A2-sized).
2. Tape an A7 panel of BetterPress Cardstock to the underside of the Platen using Best Ever Craft Tape. An A7 panel has been used here as the press plate is just over A2-sized, but you could still use an A2 panel if you wish.
3. Ink up the plate with your chosen ink colour. Remember to use light pounce and pivot motions to apply the ink.

4. Once you are happy with your ink coverage, flip the Platen over and place it back onto your Chase.

5. Run the Chase slowly through your Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine.

6. Remove the pressed panel from the Platen and marvel at the results!
7. Re-ink and repeat if you want to create another panel.

8. This final step is not essential, but you can, at this point, clean your plate using a lint-free cloth and some Archival Cleaner if you wish. As mentioned earlier in the post, the cleaner will remove almost all traces of the ink so that your plate is clean and fresh for when you want to use it next.

If you have been wondering about letterpress, there’s no better time to delve in! It is a simple, fuss-free way to bring gorgeous texture and detail to your projects. Our next post in this series is Layered Stenciling for Beginners – another versatile technique that is open to crafters at all stages of their cardmaking journey. We hope you will join us then.

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