Guest Tutorials Archives

Another Way to Use the House Ornament Die

23 Sep

Treat Boxes Made with the House Ornament Die

Hi friends, Maggi here and I’ve taken over Eileen’s blog today to show you another way to use the new House Ornament Die. This die is so versatile and has so many uses besides being an ornament. I’ve used it to make the cutest spooky Halloween treat boxes filled with chocolates and a surprise for my scrappy bff’s! (Hmm, wonder how many of my bff’s will see this blog post?!)

Treat Boxes Made with the House Ornament Die

Tutorial:

These are really quick and easy to make, especially if you make them from design paper rather than covered, painted, stamped and/or inked mat board. I selected some fun Halloween 12 x 12 papers and cut them in half so that the paper is 6″ x 12″. Then, I ran the paper through my die cutting machine (I have a Vagabond).

Crease Pad

The trick to using paper with these dies is to use a crease pad in place of one cutting pad. If you use the regular sandwich like when you are cutting a mat board design, more than likely the paper will cut through where the creases should be. Using the crease pad will cut the paper and add crease lines where they should be!

You need to cut two pieces with the House Ornament die, then apply Eileen’s Red Liner Tape to the small flaps on the left. Join the two pieces together as shown in the 2nd photo below.

Fold into a box shape pressing the other tab inside the box, securing the tape to the house side wall. You have two flaps on the bottom, cut one off and secure the other with the tab inside the box.

The Windows

Next, let’s give those windows some definition ’cause they are not so visible. Eileen’s House/Pocket Stitchlits just happens to have a window frame that fits these windows perfectly. Cut two window frames and adhere to the outside over the window cutouts. Isn’t it great how Eileen’s dies work together!

That’s all there is for the basic assembly of the box but now, we have to gussy it up! Add some flowers and ribbons at the top and on the sides, add stickers or whatever you like.

The House Ornament die also cuts a small house so I used that to create a door. I just cut the top off to take off the point, you can see my door on the house below on the right.

I also wanted to add some tags to my boxes so I used the adorable little house that comes with this die to make a cute little tag. AND because in my world, more is better, I added a small circle tag that I cut with Eileen’s Credit Card Sleeve and Tags die set.

Treat Boxes Made with the House Ornament Die

Eileen Hull Designs Dies by Sizzix Used:

House Ornament – Sizzix ScoreBoards L Die

House/Pocket Stitchlits – Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 9PK

Credit Card Sleeve & Tags – Sizzix Framelits Die Set 7PK

Thanks for joining me today while Eileen is visiting some of you across the big pond!

Maggi xxoxo

Sizzix Bloom Journal

15 May

I had so much fun creating this Sizzix Bloom Journal! This project was originally published over on A Vintage Journey. They invited me be a Guest Creative Guide to celebrate their third birthday. And you know I am always up for a party 🙂 I decided to share it here too since I really like how it came out.

Unfortunately I do not have a lot of process photos as I got caught up in the fun of creating and forgot to snap photos along the way.

The Bloom Journal I made was a fun experiment. My friend Ann Butler has a line of iridescent paints with Earth Safe Finishes and I had been waiting for a chance to use them. I decided to make a book using my new Sizzix Journal die, being released any day now! This is already one of my favorite dies because it is a blank canvas just waiting for you to put your style on it.

I started by running the die through the machine with mat board twice- cutting two covers, latches, labels and tabs (I wound up only using the covers on this project). The Journal is a ScoreBoards die which means it is specially designed to cut and score thick material like matboard and chipboard- anything up to 1/16”. I love mat board because it is so sturdy and the smooth surface accepts inks, paints, and mists really well.

I laid my two covers out and treated the surface of the mat board with Earth Safe Finishes Gel Medium. On top of that I dry brushed Lagoon and Limelight Iridescents on both sides of the covers. Off to a good start! Then I spread some Wendy Vecchi white embossing paste over a floral Prima stencil and let that dry.

While the covers were drying, I decided to make my 3D flowers. I used the Heart & Soul Flower, Spring Leaves and new Stitchy Flowers and cut stacks of them from crinoline, coffee filters and felt. I layered them and secured the centers with a brad. Then starting with the inside petals, I scrunched each one into the flower center until all were wadded up and looking quite unremarkable. Then for the fun- fluffing! Next thing I knew there were a bunch of nice fluffy flowers. I colored some of them with sprays I had made from my Clearsnap ColorBox Blends ink and left a couple just plain white. I also inked the leaves and set them aside.

Next I added gold Deco Art Metallic Lustre Wax Finish on top of the Journal cover, using a piece of dry wall tape as a stencil. I dusted some gold metallic powder on top of the whole cover with a paintbrush to make it sparkle. (We found this gigantic jar when we were going through my mother-in-law’s house after she died. I have no idea what it was meant to be used for).

Once the covers were dry, I glued the center tabs together to assemble the Journal cover, using binder clips to keep them together as they dried. (You could also stitch the spine together or use hot glue.)

I decided to add a twisted wire word, and since it’s spring, “bloom” seemed appropriate. I used my Sizzix Twist & Style tool to twist some soft aluminum wire into a perfect coil, them shaped the word to fit across the Journal. It was stapled to the front of the Journal with the Tiny Attacher.

I glued some white cheesecloth down and then placed the flowers on the bottom of the Journal.

Additional elements were needed though…

Lately I have been finding mismatched vintage earrings and bracelets in thrift stores and adding them to my boxes and books. So I went to a jar of bling I had recently acquired and added a gold leaf pin. I noticed that a few rhinestones were missing- no matter… there were extra crystal beads in the jar too. I glued the crystals over the gaps and it looked fine. I also found a library file card for an artistic work called “Wild Roses”. It seemed to be the perfect addition along with two gold letter “r’s” (for roses!).

My friend Jenny Marples had used some kraft packing paper to create inserts for a Journal she had made and I really liked how that looked. So thanks Jenny- I borrowed your idea 🙂 I crumpled a large sheet of brown kraft paper, smoothed it out and folded and cut the sheet into pages 8 1/2” x 8”. I folded the signature in half and sewed down the center on my sewing machine.

Now it was time to add the gold metallic elastic to the book. I wove it from the inside of the cover through the top left hole, then through the top right hole, brought it down through the bottom right hole and through the bottom left hole, and formed a rectangle with the elastic. The elastic should be tied so there is enough tension to keep the inserts in the book but not so tight there is no give.

The pages have such a cool feel to them as you page through the book! I haven’t had time to write in it yet, but my plan is to gesso the pages and use them to practice my lettering in.

Thanks for stopping by! Please join me for Facebook Live at Eileen Hull Designs on Tuesdays at 6 pm EST and Thursday when we talk journals at 4 pm!

Gel Print Photo Mat by Cheryl Boglioli

29 Jun

We are squeezing in two more Crescent projects this month. I am happy to share this Gel Print Photo Mat by Cheryl Boglioli, our Guest Designer this week! Cheryl and I have had the chance to travel together all the way up to Canada where we taught at the Quartermain House Creative Retreat this spring. We attracted some looks as we caravanned up Route 95 with Scotty and Glinda! Cheryl is an interesting combination of artist and crafter and I love how she combines the two into her own unique style. Let’s see what Cheryl has created for us today…

Cheryl is a mixed-media artist on the leading edge of new products and techniques within the various disciplines of the ever-growing market. She is the Design Team and Education Coordinator for The Crafter’s Workshop and works with many other manufacturers in the Craft & Hobby Industry as a Designer and/or Educator. As a full-time Artist with an intuitive painting style and a passion for teaching, you can find her Living the Art Life ™, traveling and teaching workshops at independent stores and events nationwide with her renovated 1970 vintage trailer, Glinda. If you see her along the way, she even gives tours and appearances with Glinda. See more of Cheryl and her adventures at www.cherylboglioli.com.

Gel Print on Photo Mat Art Board

I love layers and layers of paint, so when Eileen asked me to be a guest designer using Crescent Photo Mat Art Board, I was excited to show off how well this takes a lot of paint.

Cheryl-Boglioli-GelPress-frame-2

I used my Gel Press plates to create multiple layers. This 8×10 Photo Mat Art Board was the perfect fit for my 8×10 Gel Press plate. I created a few background layers using the 8×10 plate with paint and some stencils by The Crafter’s Workshop.

Cheryl-gel-press

To add more layers, I then used a small circle petites gel plate, 4×4 stencils and more paint and finished it off with another print on the 8×10 to bring it all together and push back some of the layers to the background.

The Crescent RENDR paper was great to use and pull the extra second and third prints while monoprinting on the Photo Mat Art Board. I selected one of these extra prints to stamp a sentiment and used this in the frame.

A few more stamped images and I have a great piece of art that fits beautifully in an 8×10 frame!

Cheryl-Boglioli-GelPress-frame-1

If you want to learn more about monoprinting with Gel Press plates, look for me teaching at a store or event near you.

Thanks so much for sharing your project with us Cheryl!

Midge and Madge Mingle Create with Us

22 Apr

Midge and Madge Mingle create with us today! I am on the road and despite internet issues and travel delays, we are able to share theie fun projects with you today. Meet Midge and Madge- they are a party waiting to happen! They had the cutest tea towel project when they came to teach in the Scotty booth at CHA- there was a big line of people waiting to do their Make and Take. Please enjoy getting to meet these talented (and fun!) designer friends…

We are two best friends that love all things crafty. You may have seen us on Create and Craft TV or teaching at CHA. We can turn any time into a good time. Grab a diet coke or your favorite bevy and “Mingle” with us. We love sharing with you project reviews, project tutorials, and the latest and greatest from the world of craft!

Who loves Bling??? Well today’s fun project includes some fabulous bling and an amazing 3-d die. Eileen Hull has created an amazing Scoreboards XL Die by Sizzix! If you don’t know what die I am talking about, this is it!

I met Eileen Hull for the first time, it was at the SNAP conference in April of 2015. Midge and I met up with Eileen again at CHA 2016 where we taught a make and take at the Scotty trailer. Eileen is such a gem, she is super sweet and so full of talent we loved listening to her talk about her very own trailer Scotty. You can read all about Eileen and her awesome travels HERE. Eileen has always had a love for Chipboard and she created the amazing Scoreboard Dies, which is what this awesome trailer die is. Be sure to stop by Eileen’s blog and read more about her and her awesome journey HERE. We love Eileen’s dies and were thrilled and honored to receive this awesome package! What better time to pull out these cute dies and create awesome projects!

Here is the fun Trailer:

Let me show you how I created this fun little guy….
Step ONE

Be sure to take your Scoreboard and cut all of the pieces on the die. You will then want to cut out one more piece that looks like a fence (LOL) and one more tire.
Step TWO

I used a Clear Dazzling Diamond Bling sheet. I took the bling and placed it face down onto the die, and ran it through my Big Shot Machine. I cut three small pieces out of black bling and placed them onto the die with the silver bling. This is for the tires and the hitch. Be sure to repeat the process twice for the side of the trailer. (for the sides of the trailer I cut the bling off along the sides of the large pieces that make up the sides of the trailer)
Take the adhesive off of the bling and adhere to the scoreboard.
Step THREE

Step FOUR
I then took my hot glue gun and adhered the trailer together. Then I added some fun embellishments. I used buttons on the trailer wheels and used Simple Stories Stickers to create the windows and the door, the awning, and the license plate. I took two straight pins to act as the awning poles. Scoring with my score board the awning so it would stand up. I also used another straight pin to adhere the cloud and the sun to, so it looked like the sun and a cloud above the trailer. Taking a black marker to the window and to door to give a little more dimension, and adding the “MADGE” license plate.
This trailer was so fun to make! Bling Out your own trailer! Here is one more look at this cute little guy!!!

Midge used the Flower Pocket Die, and created this cute pocket gift box. There are so many different possibilities that Midge had a hard time deciding which direction to go. The pocket box was a perfect fit for a gift that she was delivering.

Midge used a double sided piece of pattern paper, three rosettes, mini doily, and three feathers. Putting the box together is a snap! Eileen’s dies come with not only the cut the scoring. Assembling this pocket box is a breeze.

All wrapped up and ready to gift. You can get this die and all of the other Eileen dies HERE

We would like to Thank Eileen for having us as guest designers on her blog today. Be sure to join us every Monday on My Craft Channel “Midge and Madge Mingle”! Or

Midgeandmadgemingle.com

FB: @MidgeAndMadge Email: midgeandmadgemingle@gmail.com

Twitter: @MidgeAndMadge Instagram: @MidgeAndMadgeMingle

Youtube: @MidgeAndMadgeMingle Pinterest: MidgeAndMadgeMI

Please make sure to LIKE my friends and follow their crafty adventures. Thanks so much Midge and Madge for sharing with us today!

Sizzix Projects by Jenn White

19 Feb

I am happy to share a Sizzix Train Case by Jenn White this week! I met Jenn on the Paper Trail 7 this past October when I taught at a Scrapbook ‘N Memories retreat. [Read more…]

Beth Watson and How to Build a Snowman Tutorial

12 Feb

It’s Friday and that means that we have company- it’s Beth Watson and How to Build a Snowman Tutorial! We are so happy to share this adorable project and hope that you visit Beth’s blog and take a look at more of her creative, whimsical and bright designs.

Beth is a long-time friend and has amazing skills (as you will see). One thing I really admire is her vast knowledge of crafting supplies- once she walks through CHA, she can tell you all of the new products, what they do, who makes them and all the colors they come in- she blows my mind! She is also very generous with her time- Beth was there till the bitter end when we had to take down the Paper Trail booth at CHA- are these good friends or what?

Karen Bearse, Beth Watson, Susie Bentz and Betsy Burnett- teamsters at heart!

And now… DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?

Winter is my favorite time of the year, so I created this bright and happy Snowman to decorate my mantel all winter long! I used ALL of my favorite Tombow USA products to accommodate the different surfaces and textures to make my Snowman really come to life! My Snowman was quick and easy to make, so I hope that you will make one, or maybe two – one to keep and one to give away!

Here’s What You Will Need:

Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue
Tombow Xtreme Adhesive
Tombow Xtreme Tabs
Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive Runner
Tombow Dual Brush Pen – Black N15; 755, 493, and 933 from the Bright Set
Sizzix Big Shot;
Little Sizzles Mat Board – Black (1) and White (4);
Sizzix Scoreboards XL Blocks/Cubes 3D AND
Sizzix Scoreboards Block/Cube/Bank 3D Dies by Eileen Hull.
Makins Clay – White
Garnet and Lapis Glitter; Cotton Crocheted Lace – 3” wide by 12’ long; Scrap of Black Craft Foam – 2” by 2”; Buttons – 8 Mini and 5 Small; Ribbons in a variety of blues – six, 24” lengths; Decorative Chalk – Pink OR you can use Blush; Cotton Swab; Scissors; Pencil; Ruler; Rhinestone Snowflake.

Here’s How to Make It:

Apply lace to four sheets of mat board using Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue, let dry.

Mold white air dry clay into a ¾” carrot shape, let dry at least 24 hours.

Die cut two sets of smallest size block from black mat board with die cutting machine. Pre-fold all scores. Color edges and folds with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Black N15. Attach block pieces (according to package directions) with Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive.

Die cut two sets of the medium, large and extra large size blocks from the lace covered mat board with die cutting machine. TIP: Make sure to place the lace side face down on the die, so the shapes are cut properly. Pre-fold all scores. Gently remove the first layer of the mat board and lace from all six tabs, so the blocks will assemble easily.

Attach medium, large and extra large block pieces (according to package directions) with Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive. TIP: Spot glue any loose edges of lace with Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue.

Remove the Heart and Flower die shapes from Scoreboards XL Blocks/Cubes 3D Die. Color front and sides of Heart with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Rubine Red 755, cover with Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue, then sprinkle on garnet glitter. Color front and sides of Flower with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Reflex Blue 493, cover with Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue, then sprinkle on lapis glitter.

Once carrot nose is dry, color with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Orange 933. Apply “rosy cheeks” with cotton swab and pink chalk. Attach carrot nose, button eyes, button mouth and buttons to front of Snowman with Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue.

Measure and cut checkered ribbon to fit around smallest block. Attach with Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive Runner. Attach 2” by 2” craft foam to base of smallest block with Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue to create the Snowman’s top hat. Apply snowflake rhinestone to glittered flower, then attach to band of top hat with Tombow Xtreme Tabs. Apply glittered heart to left chest of Snowman with Tombow Xtreme Tabs.

Gather six different ribbons, knot in center and attach knot to back of Snowman’s head with Tombow Xtreme Tabs. Tie ribbons in a loose knot at the front right of the Snowman’s head, securing with Tombow Xtreme Tabs, then let the ribbons cascade. Trim any long ends of ribbons.

I love the texture that the lace gives to the Snowman, it’s so unique! I enjoy pushing the envelope to test the limits of what the Tombow USA products can do, and I am always pleasantly surprised that they perform so well! It is because all of the Tombow USA products are such high quality and so versatile, and I can no longer create without them!

Thank you for stopping by! -Beth

Many thanks to Beth for sharing this adorable project. She lives in Florida, so this is probably the closest she will come to REALLY building a snowman this year 🙂

Check back next week- another exciting guest is stopping by!