Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Antique Frame Gift Tag Die Set

Wowsers,  would you like a sneak peek of the launch of Tonic Studio's fabulous new Gift Tag Dies?  They are gorgeous and I've been lucky enough to have a little play ahead of time! Although I'm sure that you will be using these lovely dies on all your Christmas projects, as we're still in the midst of a glorious heatwave, I just had to use them on a very summary card.

Card Recipe:

Tools: Tonic Studios Antique Frame Gift Tag Die, Label Die, Gothic Border Punch
Stamp: Joanna Sheen Digi Stamp

Colouring Mediums: Promarker Pens, Chalks

Paper & Card: DCWV, Pearlescent, Elegance Satin
Embellishments: brads, crystal bead, homemade cocktail umbrella, grosgrain ribbon

The main focal point is a House Mouse digi-stamp from Joanna Sheen - those mices  little faces are just too sweet (even though the lemon appears to be a bit too sour for their tastes)!  These have been coloured-in with ProMarkers.  Today's been so hot, I wish I was having such a refreshing dip, it looks just the ticket!

Take a closer look at the new Tonic Studios Antique Frame Gift Tag Die which comes complete with a mini layering die.  I used that mini die to cut out the fun, computer generated sentiment, and pearl card to cut and emboss the frame.  

This is using the die as it was designed, however.........................

I can never just leave it at that (I don't really do clean and simple crafting, lol) so here's the same Antiques Frame Gift Tag Die, but this time I cut 2 sets from pearl card and cut one in half vertically and one in half horizontally. I then used these halves as a perfect fit to frame my label die-cut for my focal image.

To make the cute little parasol embellishment, I cut out a small circle of complementary patterned paper, which I then folded in half and then quarters, using a bone folder to create crisp creases.  I opened the circle back up, and folded into quarters again but this time between the existing score lines.  Opening up flat again, I then cut out a small segment, before glueing the ends together, I popped a cocktail stick through the centre and concertina-folded into a brolly shape before topping with a tiny bicone bead.  

Hope you all have a great weekend, and watch out for further sneak peeks coming very soon (the next one will be much more festive, Ho Ho Ho)

 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Allsorts - Photo Inspiration (colours)

Anything Goes - Coffee Break/Food

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Pink & White

Crafts & Me - Anything Goes

Crafty Calender - Anything Goes

Country View Crafts - Quotations & Sayings

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Divas by Design - Favourite Colours

Dream Valley - Summer Days

Paper Crafting Journey - Punches and/or Die Cuts

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Creating Hatpins - A Tutorial

Be warned - this tutorial comes with a health warning – making hatpins is a seriously addictive habit!  This is a beginner tutorial, but once you’ve got started, there are hundreds of beautiful beads and charms – you need never make the same hatpin twice.

You can view a video demonstration on Creating Hatpins on my Youtube channel here (link to youtube).

To start, gather your materials – I’m using pearl teardrop 2.5” pins, a selection of 6mm & 4mm glass pearl beads and some 4mm glass bicone beads.  I will also need some clear glue (or dries clear glue), a toothpick, an eggcup, a small piece of waxed paper and a non-stick worksheet.

Before you start gluing, it can be useful to thread up your hatpins with your chosen beads to make sure you are happy with what the end result will look like.  Use a variety of bead colours and types. 

Start by squeezing a small amount of glue onto the wax paper (I use old glue dot carrier paper).  Using a toothpick, pick up a tiny amount of glue and dab it onto the bottom of the pearl-head on the pin.

Thread on your first bead and push up into the glue.  If you’ve applied too much glue, just wipe away any excess with your thumb nail. Carry on repeating this process with each of the beads. 

When you have finished, rest your hat pins upside down to dry in an eggcup.  If there is any chance that someone could accidently prick themselves with the drying pins, make sure you put silicon earring stoppers on the sharp ends.

After 30mins your pins will be dry and ready to use. Sit back and admire your lovely hatpins! When adding your hatpins onto a project, if the sharp end of the pin is exposed, use silicon earring stoppers on the points or a small, crystal bead glued in place.

To see these hat pins in situ, take a peek at my 'Glorious Dress Card' post.

For more advanced (but still not difficult) Hat Pins, take a peek at my tutorial Decorative Hat Pins - Next Steps and don't forget to watch my video demonstration on Creating Hatpins on my Youtube channel here. 

I do hope that this was useful, and I’d love to read your comments.

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