Eileen Hull

Ombre Watercolor Gift Card Folder

13 Feb

I found some really heavy (180 #) watercolor paper the other day in the thrift store. Although normally I would never consider paying $6 for a tablet of 15 sheets of paper (in a thrift store no less!), I was intrigued because the paper was really thick. I wanted to see what would happen when I ran it through the Big Shot using a ScoreBoards die.

First I decided to try my hand at a fun ombre watercolor effect. Here’s how:

Pick four colors that look pretty together…

Dip the brush in water and load on some paint and just start

brushing on the paper, blending the colors in as you go.

I like the look of light leading into darker colors and even a little white

paper showing through..

Paint the front and back of the watercolor paper and let it dry

(or speed drying along with a heat tool). Place paper on top of the die

and run it through the Big Shot using the Gift Card Folder ScoreBoard die.

The paper is thick enough that the scoring blade should do its work and

leave a score line. To ensure that the folds stayed crisp,

line up the folder on a scoring board and trace over the score lines.

Stamp “for you” on the label that comes with the die. Then fold it up,

tie a piece of twine around the label and add a gift card!

These would be so easy to make for so many different people and occasions. It’s always nice to add a little personality to a gift card. Plus these are so fast to make, you can assembly line them and have plenty on hand for when you need them.

Hope you will try a ScoreBoard die today! Are you ready for Valentine’s Day yet? Still trying to find the perfect little something for my husband- any suggestions?

Die-cut Cork Doily Coasters

11 Feb

Here’s a quick and easy project that would make a perfect hostess gift.

I found some cork placemats at Ikea and was wondering how that material would react when rolled through the Big Shot. Success! The trick is to find the right thickness. If you feel resistance and the material is hard to roll through, abort the mission. Back it up and try something thinner. You could break the machine- and being without a machine is scary- trust me. Don’t ask about my first Vagabond 🙁 But… lesson learned.

So, you found the right thickness of cork… trim it to a 6″ strip and select a die to work with. I used the Doily, Lace Medallion to cut a set of four cork doilies. They measure about four inches and are the perfect size to hold glasses.

I used the Sweet Things set to make the Sweet tag. Cut one from red paper. For the backing paper, place two pieces of pink cardstock. The die will cut the one closest to the blade through and the one under it will just be scored, but the edges should be cut. Place the scored piece under the red tag.

Tie up doilies with a piece of pink wired ribbon and present!

http://www.tipjunkie.com/all-crafts/handmade-projects/handmade-projects-212/

ATC Box

8 Feb

Here’s a project that I did for the Sizzix UK blog last weekend.

I used the new ATC Box from the From The Heart collection. I also die cut a bunch of ATC Cards using the die of that name. (I just looked it up and it is on sale for $11.99 at Sizzix.com. Get it! Saves so much time measuring and rounding corners…)

For directions, see my Sizzix UK blog post on February 2.

Thanks for stopping by. Have you done your Valentine shopping???

How to make a 3D flower from your husband’s old shirt

5 Feb

Sneak peek of a project coming out on the Sizzix blog this Thursday!

I used the Flower Layers w/Heart Petals die to create this 3D flower embellishment.

I wanted to experiment with some fabric to make flowers and saw my

husband’s old shirt laying on a pile to give away- thought I’d give it a whirl.

I removed a sleeve, cut down the seam and folded it into thirds, then die cut the flower.

Add as many layers as you would like- the more you add, the fuller the flower.

I used three layers for the one shown.

I love how this came out- one shirt will yield many more flowers.

There are are a bunch of ways that you can color the flower but

for this one I took a Copic marker and edged each petal to give a

soft ombre feel, echoing the pretty ribbon I found somewhere in

my travels. Lately I have been loving the monochromatic look-

not sure what that’s all about, but I am going with it.

After coloring the petals, layer them from small to large and glue together.

Sew the button from the sleeve cuff to the center of the flower. Spray

the flower with Stiffen Stuff and wrap it with a rubber band.

Let air dry or use a heat tool to speed it along.

Unwrap and fluff.

Now you have a very cool 3D flower. Since this is fabric, you may get

a little fraying but I think adds more dimension to the look.

Don’t forget to head over to the Sizzix blog to find out how to make this project.

Matted Valentine Hearts

1 Feb

I am happy to say that From the Heart, my new Sizzix die collection, is now available in your local scrapbook stores and other fun places! Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a quick and easy project if you own a mat cutter. I love mine and use it every day for one thing or another- wrapping gifts, constructing boxes or books or actually matting something! If you are looking to purchase a well-made, long-lasting mat cutter, check out Logan Graphic Products.

This is a quick and easy way to way to display die cut hearts from my new Sizzlits set, Hearts & More…

Using a mat cutter, cut two off-white mats. Leave one for your backing and cut one with nine windows.
Die cut a bunch of hearts from watercolor paper.
Ink them with different color inks, making extra so you have choices to pick from.
Position solid mat on the bottom and window cut mat on top. Adhere with ATG gun.
Place hearts in windows in a pleasing arrangement. When you are sure you like it, adhere hearts with Zots.
Frame, add a ribbon hanger or just stand on your mantel or table!

If you don’t have a mat cutter, you still have plenty of options…. Take a 10″ square piece of heavy cardstock or chipboard and lay out a grid lightly in pencil. Leave a 2″ border around the outside of the paper and then divide the remaining space into nine equal boxes. Leave about 1/2″ in between each window. Mark the center of each window where you will mount your heart. Ink, stamp, paint or mist your hearts and mount with Zots. Erase pencil lines.

Another option would be to cut nine equally sized squares from coordinating cardstock and mount them on the paper, then add your hearts.

Have you started your Valentine crafting? What are you making?

Matted Valentine Hearts

1 Feb

This is a quick and easy way to way to display die cut hearts from my new Sizzlits set, Hearts & More…

Using a mat cutter, cut two off-white mats. Leave one for your backing and cut one with nine windows.
Die cut a bunch of hearts from watercolor paper.
Ink them with different color inks, making extra so you have choices to pick from.
Position solid mat on the bottom and window cut mat on top. Adhere with ATG gun.
Place hearts in windows in a pleasing arrangement. When you are sure you like it, adhere hearts with Zots.
Frame, add a ribbon hanger or just stand on your mantel or table!