Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

Handmade Holiday Blog Hop- Day 2

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!
Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day: http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Here’s the prize pack you can be entered to win by leaving a comment below. Extra entries if you follow me on Facebook or my blog. 🙂 

You could win the Sizzix Candy Drawer die, the Sweet Treats for You Sizzlits set plus some extra goodies from Globecraft Memories who has generously added to the giveaway!

 Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Nov 17 

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// ;www.arteypoemas.com
Monika Wright – The Twinery – http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/
Gretchen McElveen – Hampton Art – http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/
Megan Aaron – Clearsnap-  http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/
Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 – http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap – http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/
Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper – http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs –  http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com
Jen Carter – The Twinery – http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/

Laura Denison – Graphic 45 – www.lauradenisondesigns.com
Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories – http://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/ 

 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

Today you get two for one! 

Karen Burniston is a fellow Sizzix artist and good friend of mine. She made four holiday cards using her new line of interactive pop up dies, Pop ‘N Cuts. You have to check them out- they are so quick and easy! Hop on over to her blog and see how she created them…
For my project today, I created some recycled soda can ornaments using my Fringed Flower die…
  • Cut soda cans into strips. 
  • Place metal can on die so it covers as much of the die area  as possible. Feel free to cut the can up so that you get the maximum number of flowers from it.
  • Roll can and die through Big Shot.
  • Place die cut metal flower shapes in Textured Impressions embossing folder and run through machine using the Multi Purpose plate.
  • The action of embossing actually serves to straighten out the metal instead of leaving a curling effect due to the round shape of the can. Once flower is embossed, peel every other petal down and to the back of the flower center. Surprisingly, the edges of the soda can are dulled after die-cutting and you can run your finger over them without any problem.
  • Punch a hole on the top of one petal and thread embroidery floss through the hole as a hanger. 
  • Add buttons and pearls to flowers for accents or leave plain. 

What do you think? Do you like the ornaments with or without the pearls and buttons? Just leave your answer in the comments section. I can’t decide… Think I had too many late nights staying up to finish deadlines!

This project would be a great one to do with your kids or while watching TV. They are light and flexible and so easy to mail- wouldn’t this be a fun little treat to tuck in with your Christmas cards?

Thanks for coming by and for all of the nice comments you’ve already left!

Handmade Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!
Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

 To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day: http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

 Here’s the prize pack you can be entered to win by leaving a comment below. Extra entries if you follow me on Facebook or my blog. 🙂 

You could win the Sizzix Candy Drawer die, the Sweet Treats for You Sizzlits set plus some extra goodies from Globecraft Memories who has generously added to the giveaway! 

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!
Fiskateers – www.fiskateers.com/blog
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com
Kristin Wilson – Graphic 45 –  http://www.kristinwilsonhandmade.com/
Jennie Garcia – Tombow –  earthyscrap.blogspot.com
Gini Williams Cagle – Hampton Art – http://ginicagle.blogspot.com/
Sabrina Alery – Clearsnap – http://Sabrinaalery.blogspot.com
DeeDee Catron – Globecraft Memories – http://umwowstudio.blogspot.com/
Michelle Grant – Donna Salazar Designs –  http://michellejbg.blogspot.com
Emily Lanham – Authentique Paper –http://www.createserendipity.net
Emma Jeffery – Fiskateers – http://hellobeautifulblog.blogspot.com
Natalie Clause – The Twinery –  http://www.southernbellescharm.com/
Alberto L Juarez – Graphic 45 http://vintageodyssey.blogspot.com/
Vivian Keh – Hampton Art – http://contadinak.wordpress.com/tag/vivian-keh/
Jennifer Priest – Clearsnap – http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com
Heather Conklin – Authentique Paper – http://goldiecar.blogspot.com/
Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!
Happy Hopping!

And now for the project! In case we haven’t met yet, my name is Eileen Hull and I design the ScoreBoard dies for Sizzix. ScoreBoard dies are designed to cut and score thick materials. My absolute favorite material to die cut is matboard (yes, the stuff you frame pictures with). It comes in a great variety of colors, is super sturdy, the surface takes inks, paint, mists and stamps beautifully and you are also able to emboss it with embossing folders! These dies are exclusive to Sizzix- no one else has this technology. Hope you will head on head over to the Sizzix site and and see all of the fun designs available. 


My project today features the Caddy die. If you want, you can cut two of the pocket sections and add one to the front of the divider and one to the back. 


This packaging does not look especially holiday-ish, does it? But when you cover the matboard with some pretty holiday papers, it sure does! The ScoreBoard dies provide a great base for you to style, color and embellish just the way you want.
  • Coat the back of a piece of 6″ x 13″ paper with spray adhesive and then press onto a piece of matboard the same size. Roll through the Big Shot die cut machine. 
  • Ink the inside of the pocket section in a color coordinating with the papers.
  • Add strong double sided adhesive to all of the tabs. Make sure to fold over each score line before assembling to break the fibers and make it easier to work with.
  • Die cut flower and leaf shapes also included on the die, from paper. Place on the front of the caddy and adhere when you like the arrangement- this is the part that takes me forever 🙂
  • Ink edges of box in brown. Add some twine and a tag. I wrote” joy” and colored it in with Copics, then inked the edges of the tag.

This caddy would be a great way to present homemade candy or small cookies, a pair of earrings, package of spiced tea or mixed nuts, a gift card, tiny notebook or mini album or post it notes. Tie a package of pencils or pens and a notepad, insert  a teacher gift to the box and give to your child’s teacher, soccer coach or music teacher.


Wouldn’t this also make a great place card at a dinner party or event? You could write the person’s name on the tag and slip a party favor in the pocket and the whole thing could be taken home as a fun souvenir. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Don’t forget to leave a comment- good luck! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each of you…

Get Creative Holiday Hop

I was so happy to be invited to join in this hop by Jen Goode. She is an amazing designer, web and tech guru, penguin artist, and last but not least, a great friend. Jen is hosting a linky party on her blog featuring some cool crafts for this holiday season. Click on the logo in the sidebar for lots of holiday inspiration or see the link list below!

I made a Christmas suitcase using my Sizzix ScoreBoard Suitcase die using some great papers by Simple Stories I found in Archiver’s on my trip to Houston last week.

 First, I covered my suitcase with paper- see my tips for doing this on this Sizzix blog post. Some items that fit in the suitcase include gift cards, keys to a new car :-), deck of playing cards, pair of earrings, a small mini album, ATC’s, candy, post-it notes, etc.

As you can see from the pictures, I changed my mind halfway through 
designing this 🙂 That happens quite a bit and I think it make the whole 
process more fun and interesting to see what works and what doesn’t. 
I started distressing with white but it didn’t show up the way I wanted 
so I just went over the edges with brown ink- much better!

 

There are two prizes to win when you check out this hop! (Plus, there may be some blogs that will be offering giveaways so make sure you leave comments along the way.)

  1. 1 winner will receive 2 Sizzix dies designed by Eileen Hull valued at over $35.
  2. A 2nd winner will receive a goodie box filled with a variety of crafty materials valued at over $50.
Eileen Hull Sizzix dies prize Winter Holiday Blog Hop at 100 Directions
How to enter: Check out all of the great project ideas shared by the participating sites. GO back here and tell us what you like more… what project has most inspired you, what holiday festivities are you most excited about or what project are you most excited to try.
The Rules: You must be 18 years or older and a US resident (US shipping address) to enter. Winner/s will be randomly selected after 7pm EST on Monday, November 19th, 2012. If you are selected to receive a prize, you will be notified via email and you will have 48 hours to submit your shipping address or a new winner will be selected.

Don’t forget to click through and see what the other designers made! Here’s the linky party:

It’s Getting Chilly!

Well I finally gave in and turned the heat on…


I want to get a head start on the holidays this year (sound familiar?) and decided to get in the mood by creating a holiday vignette. I built a glittery house using my Sizzix ScoreBoard Pro House die and some Smoothfoam™ rounds as a base. 


I took a 12″ x 12″ piece of matboard and ran it through my Big Shot Pro. The house was assembled with iCraft tape by ThermOWeb. I like this kind because you can just tear it off and it sticks just as well as their SuperTape but no need for scissors! 

After the house was done, I stacked three Smoothfoam™ rounds measuring 12″, 10″ and 8″. After gluing the three layers together to make sure they did not shift, I sprayed the outside of them with spray adhesive and added crystal glitter and fake snow and sprinkled it all over the pedestal. Then trees, the house and a gate were added. 

I think I will put it up on top of the kitchen cupboard I have in my front hallway so I can look at it whenever I come in the front door.

This post is part of the Designer Connection. Make sure to click on the blue Designer Connection button to see what the other designers have created using Smoothfoam™. Keep going because there are giveaways to be found! For more projects made using Smoothfoam™, check out the Pinterest board here and like their Facebook page here.

Keep warm! Have a great Veteran’s Day weekend and hope you will tell a vet thank you…

Scrapp’n Savvy and Quilt Market

Finally back from Houston, TX! 

I started off the trip on my birthday which was celebrated for several days- nice! I was greeted at the airport by my good friend, Karen Burniston, fellow Sizzix die designer. She gave me an arrangement of hydrangeas (my favorite!) 

We had dessert from Ooh La La cupcakes that night (yum). Lucy and Katy had a little fun while Karen was at the airport picking me up.

The next day we went out to Scrapp’n Savvy to launch the first meeting of the Sizzix club.

What a fun time! We taught two sessions and I really enjoyed meeting the group. We made a project called Thankful Cupboard using the ScoreBoard Candy Drawer die. Thanks to Karrie Allen, store owner, for hosting such a great event and making me feel so welcome.


Karen brought me in to Quilt Market the next day which was really interesting. Sizzix was there displaying their quilting dies. Watching the demos by Linda and Rosanne gave me a new appreciation for the Sizzix cutting system. Can’t wait to test out some of the ideas I saw them show with fabric, on paper. 

Some of the booths were amazing. 
Moda had a vintage trailer and were playing off the latest trend- glamping (glamorous camping). So cute… 
My apologies for the blurry photos.
Fairfield created a whole display where everything was created with their batting. 
This booth won a display award.
I also happened to meet Mr. Amy Butler (as he introduced himself) aka David Butler. He has designed a new line of man fabrics. Loved his display. 
Blurry again- ugh. He’s cute- trust me 🙂
Sue Spargo has such a great eye for color and I love what she does with wools!

Sandy delayed our return flight so my traveling buddy, Lorine Mason, and I had three additional days to hang out. 

Thankfully, Karen and family rescued us and we were able to spend some more time with them. We also got to visit with Gretchen Schmidt, help put together some kits for Karen’s next class and watch Shark Tank. 

On the homefront, my husband was dealing with the waters of Sandy as they came into our basement (where my studio is). Thankfully, he is an amazing guy and stayed up all night bailing it out and everything is fine. 

Finally headed back…
Home sweet home!

Neenah EPC Treat Bag

Halloween is almost upon us! Ann Butler had approached me a while ago to see if I would be interested in working with Neenah EPC film. 

Since I am a big fan of their paper, I was very interested to see another product from them… and so glad I tried it! It comes in white, black, blue, red, and green and is sold in 12″ x 12″ sheets, which is nice if you have a large project you would like to cut.

I found this cute little canvas bag a while ago for $2.99 and decided to make a bag to hold candy for my granddaughter when she goes out trick or treating. I designed the bag so that it could be used at Halloween or any time. I laid it out in Illustrator, but you can use whatever software you are comfortable with.

The Sizzix eclips is one of my favorite tools lately because of the ECAL software which allows me to cut files that I design… and I am just drawing up a storm lately 🙂 I saved the image as an .svg file and imported it into the eclips.

Things to remember when working with Neenah EPC film:

  • if your design contains text, make sure to mirror image it so that when you cut it out, the letters will be going in the right direction!
  • follow instructions on package
  • make sure that the material you are ironing onto will accept heat (the bag I have has a plastic lining. I will have to make sure not to melt it!)
  • if you need some help, watch this video which explains the process step by step.
  1. Design image on computer and save in desired format.
  2. Reverse text to mirror image.
  3. Lay EPC film right side up on eclips mat. Load and cut design.
  4. Carefully peel away background design leaving your image you want to transfer.
  5. Iron on die cut scalloped circle label. Stitch around label. Add glitter dots on scallops. Tie on a spooky black ribbon…
Want to see some other cool projects made with EPC transfer film? Here’s our blog hop schedule…

September 20 Melony
September 27 Ann 
October 4 Eileen
and stay tuned for
October 11 Jonathan
October 18 Debra 

So… where can you get this fun material? If you are not able to find it in your local craft store, you can purchase it here at Amazon. I liked this material and think you will too 🙂 Check back for some more fun ideas in the near future! Thanks for coming by…