I think you all know I love a dress card especially when paired with a mannequin too! I've reached for this Mannequin Tag Die so often but I do like to do something a little different each time. So this time I used the mannequin die to cut out a mannequin form in plain oyster card, then I cut it out again using an offcut of patterned papper and trimmed off the stand elements and then pieced the two together. You may just see that the patterned paper is also used as a background layer behind the Elegant Vine Sqaure base that I've used for the main focal layer.
To create the main stamped image tag, I traced around the tag die and then extended it slightly at the base. I cut it out and then used the my dotty border punch to create the scalloped edge. Finally, I also used off-cuts of card to cut out several swirls using the Fanciful Flourish die set, which I scattered randomly on the base card, and you can see them peeking out from behind the main mat. It's a great way to create subtle texture.Pin It Now!
Hello, my name is Dips and I'm a cardstock addict! When I explain that the picture below is of my current stash of plain A3 cardstock, perhaps you'll understand!
And the above is the slimmed down version - I used to have twice as much as this! Pin It Now!
It's no secret that I am a big fan of Tonic Studios Dies but often I like to make a bigger card especially if it's a "special" birthday, and the Tonic Dies can at first appear too small. However, you just need a little creative thinking in your crafting .....
I created the main focal point by cutting the Boudoir Base (without the outside cutting edge) straight into the aqua stardream card stock. Then I cut a frame from white card and a matching scallop circle mat, to frame the lattice and to create a mat for the sentiment.
The "flower" is made from the smallest die from my Delicate Lattice Ovals Die set - sometimes you wonder what to do with these smaller dies but the symetrical design of this little die makes is perfect to layer up to create a filigree flower.
Finally, I had to add a couple of handmade hatpins, don't forget to check out my two tutorials on Creating Hatpins and the aptly named follow-up, More Decorative Hatpins for a simple guide to creating your own embellishments.
I made this card for my parents to give to their first (and only) granddaughter on her first birthday, so it had to be special! The focal point is this lovely sweet House Mouse digi image from Joanna Sheen''s House Mouse Triple CD. I die cut with my favourite layering squares dies and mounted it onto a fancy square from the Happy Birthday Sentiment die set on DCWV luxury cardstock.
I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the 'Lucia 1 Today' motif and highlighted the 1 with flatback pearls. The pretty lace heart is from the Tilly Daydream collection.
I'm generally of the view that more is more, I do like fussy and fancy cards, so some of the extra detailing on this card include: * a cyrstal embellished florish swirl die-cut * a seam binding bow * handmade decorative hat-pins * a lace border, layered with a cardstock border punched out using the Love Arches punch. If you would like to have a go at making your own decorative hat-pins, I have a tutorial here that is a great starting point. I used the Happy Birthday frame as a mount for the message inside the card.
Here's one final look at this card.
I do really love hat-pins, lace and House Mouse - what about you?Pin It Now!
Hello Folks, apologies that there has been a bit of a hiatus post-wise, I was away on business with very limited Internet access and no access to crafting equipment! Anyhow, enough about that, thought I'd come back a share with you a lovely but simple shaped Retro Handbag Card.
This card is a remodelling of a card style I first designed in October 2007 (see my original pictured left). Back then, we didn't have all these lovely thin dies to use and I used to cut the original flap part using a cutting compass (and it failed to cut cleanly 50% of the time)! This time around I used my Butterfly Purse Die - perfect for the job in hand and so much more reliable and quicker too.
Back in 2007, we also didn't have easy access to die cut greetings either, but I am so glad things have moved forward since then, as I think this Happy Birthday greeting is the perfect addition to the inside of this card.
My favourite handbag brand is Radley and they often use applique methods to adorn their bags. So I mimicked the style with various die cut shapes to add texture. Whilst the tools we use may change and improve, we still need ideas and inspiration for making our cards, so I do hope that this updated blast from the past has given you some inspiration too. I'd love to hear if you too have re-made a classic old card design, please leave me a comment below and share a link if you've blogged it too!Pin It Now!
I've said it before, I don't really "do" clean and simple, but I had this idea in my head for creating a card by layering up Tiara Corner Die Cuts, and it was an itch that needed scratching!
Card Recipe: Tools: Tonic Studios Verso Tiara Corner Die, Layering Scallop Circle Dies, Layering Circle and Square Dies, Grand Calibur Paper and Card: Stardream Card Embellishments: Rhinestone Button I created the focal point by cutting 4 die cuts from white pearlescent card using the larger die in the Tonic Studios Tiara Corner die set. I then cut 2 mats using the layering square dies, and cut aperatures with the layering circle dies. I had to limit myself to just adding the one bit of bling, I still get twitchy fingers when I "finish" a clean and simple card, I do find hard not to add just a bit more! Hope you like it!
Gosh, isn't this new Tonic Studios new Intrica Daisy Lace Square as pretty as a Daisy?
Card Recipe: Tools: Tonic Studios Intrica Daisy Lace Square, Layering Scallop Circle Dies, Occasions Dies, Grand Calibur Paper and Card: Textured Card, Bo Bunny Embellishments: Bo Bunny Brads To create this shapeed card, I trimmed a sheet of A4 to 15cm wide, then scored and folded it in half. I then positioned the outer edge die so that the fold was below the top cutting edge of the die. It took two passes (including 1 turn) through my Grand Calibur to cut both layers of card to create the base. I then fully cut a single layer of contrasting card in white to layer over the top. The three new sets of Intrica Dies are compatible with all major die cutting machines including the cuttlebug. This new Intrica Daisy Lace Square Die set works very well with the Occasions Set for special birthdays, but here's the same card just using a computer generated sentiment die cut with the layering circles dies. I like having a card design that I can adapt for more than one occasion, especially for those times when Mr Mojo goes walk about. What about you?
Many of you will know that I do love a Wreath Card, so it's no surprise that this is what I immediately thought to make with Tonic Studios' new Intrica Wild Vine Circle Die and Punch.
Card Recipe: Tools: Tonic Studios Intrica Wild Vine CircleDies, Intrica Wild Vine Strip Punch, Layering Square Dies, Christmas Cracker Die, Grand Calibur Paper and Card: Pearl, Stardream Embellishments: Ribbon, Rhinestones I know that some people are slightly nervous about using intircate dies, I can assure you that I had no problems at all but here are my tips for creating a great cut:
cut your card to size pre-die cuting, this way you will be able to turn the dies
when using more than 1 die (for this card I used 3 off the dies combined), you will need to turn the dies and pass it through more than once. It took three passes and turns for me to cut the wreath layers
I don't use wax paper with Tonic Dies (I've never needed to) but I do dust my Grand Cailbur silicon mat with baby powder to reduce static on my complex dies.
These dies are the size that fit in all cutting machines including the cuttlebug, not just the A4 machines.
I hope that this helps, and here's one final look at this wreath card
This is a tutorial showing how you can use any of your Tonic Studios Verso Sentiment Square Die Sets to create a favour box.
At the end of the tutorial, you will find a downloadable PDF file of these instructions. Project Recipe: Tools: Tonic Studios Deck The Halls Sentiments Dies, Super Trimmer, Grand Calibur Paper and Card: 1 sheet each of A4 and 30x30 card stock Let's start with the box lid. Using the cutting blade on the Super Trimer, cut an 11cmx11cm square from the sheet of A4. Switch to the scoring blade and score on the wrong-side of your card (if your card has a front/back side) each side at 9.25cm. I have marked the score lines in pencil on the photograph so that you can see it, but you wouldn't do that. Now flip the card over and centralise the medium outline cutting die from the Verso Sentiment Square Die Set. Stick down and cut, then emboss. Next, use the smaller outline square and detail insert to cut out and emboss 4 panels from the remainder of the A4 sheet. Use masking tape to keep the two dies joined together identically for all 4 panels.
Set to one side for later. Now cut your 30x30 sheet to exactly 25.2cm x 25.2cm. Swtich to the scoring blade and score at 9cm on each 4 edges. Fold along the score lines and then trim the sides as shown in the center picture below. Glue the box together as shown and allow to dry.
Return to the box lid and fold along the score lines, then cut and trim the tabs as shown below left left. Glue the tabs create the box lid. Now stick the panels to the box base. Note that you are aligning the panels to the bottom part of the box. You will appear to have too much space at the top but don't worry, this is where your box lid will sit.
Once everything has dried, your box is now finished and you can decorate the panels to suit the occasion.
When you were at school, did you ever think you would need to use a2 + b2 = c2 in conjunction with crafting? Well that's what I did to work out how to turn the new Tonic Studios Keepsake Box die into a triangular favour box!
Card Recipe: Tools:Tonic Studios Balloon Weight Keepsake Box Dies, Christmas Inserts Dies, Layering Rectangles Dies, Grand Calibur Paper and Card: Textured, First Edition Embellishments: Rhinestone Button As you know, I always like to show you how to use your dies in different ways, so when you see this new die, don't just think of boxes! All it took to transform the box template into a triangle was my craft knife, a metal ruler and using one of the dies from the Layering Rectangles set. The topper comes from another new die set called Christmas Inserts. This is another really versatile set that won't just tie you down to Christmas projects. If you'd like to see how I transformed the four-sided box into a triangular one, leave a message in the comments section below and I'll do a step-by-step tutorial. Here's another look of this new box (very Toblerone)!
Keep popping back, I have more alternative ideas to come!Pin It Now!
