Retro Handbag Card

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.

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Verso Butterfly Purse Die Set, Layering Oval Dies, Layering Butterfly Dies, Verdent Vines Dies, Everyday Sentiment Die set 1, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: First Edition Spring Feast, Textured Card
Embellishments: Rhinestone Swirl 

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!

Clean & Simple CAS Tiara Corners Card

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!

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Sneak Peek 2 - Shaped Card using the new Tonic Studios Intrica Daisy Lace Square Dies

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?

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Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios New Intrica Wild Vine Circle Dies and Border Punch

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 Circle Dies, 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

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Tutorial - Box Made Using the Verso Sentiment Square Die Sets

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.

You can download a pdf of these instructions by clicking here.

Hope yopu enjoyed this tutorial, have a great weekend! 

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Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Keepsake Box Die - A squared + B squared = C squared!

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!

Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Keepsake Box Die - You Spoil Us, Ambassador!

I do like making little boxes and bon-bon holders, so as soon as I received the new Balloon Weight Keepsake Box Die from Tonic Studios, I was very happy.  But wait, I hear you say, the picture's of a tray not a box, just perfect for any Ambassador wanting to spoil his guests!

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Balloon Weight Keepsake Box Dies, Tonic Studios Doily Punch, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: Textured, First Edition
Embellishments: Ferro Rocher (yum)!

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 a tray die cut was my craft knife and a metal ruler.

If you'd like to see how I did this, leave a message in the comments section and I'll do a step-by-step tutorial.


Here's another look of this new box (come tray)!

Keep popping back, I have more alternative ideas to come! Pin It Now!

Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios Deck The Halls Sentiment Die Set

So, if you looked at the title of this post and thought you were going to see something about Christmas in June, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you!

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Deck The Halls Sentiments Dies, Super Trimmer, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: Textured, Stardream
Embellishments: Mulberry Flowers

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 cards!  My inspiration for this procject came from the very pretty floral centre frame plus the wavy edge of the outline dies.

If you'd like to see how I created this box, 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, you can see how I decorated all four sides with panels.  I think that this would make a terrific favour box for a wedding, do you?

Keep popping back, I have more alternative ideas to come! Pin It Now!

Filigree Dress Card

It's been a while since I've shared a Fashion card with you all, but I can only go so long without a card featuring girly loveliness!

Card Recipe:

Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Boudior Square Base Die, Scallop Circle Layering Dies, Grand Calibur
Paper and Card: Linen card, Conqueror
Embellishments: Flatback pearls, handmade hat pins, mulberry flowers

Filigree Card Base

To make my filigree card base, I used my favourite Indulgence Boudior Square Base Die following my Filigree Card Base Tutorial. I find it impossible to use this die and not add flatback pearls to the cross-points.

For the topper, I used a Katy Sue Fabulous Fashion dress on a mannequin design as my topper, which I then decoupaged up another layer of just the dress.

I love mulberry cherry blossoms, so I used these as an accent along with a couple of handmade hatpins (I have a tutorial on how to create hatpins here).

How to Add a Greeting or Sentiment

If you are worried about how to add a greeting to this style of card, take a look at how I've used mats and layers inside (below left) and on the back (below right) this card, using my scalloped layering circles dies.

Watch How to Make This Card

Hope you all have a great weekend!

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Sneak Peek 7 - The Entire Wedding Ensemble

And finally, the complete Wedding Ensemble using the new Tonic Studios Affections Die Sets.

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