WATCH FOR IT WEDNESDAYS #17

Today's tip is one about saving money. :) That's always a good thing, right? Especially if you have a daughter in college and are always broke like me. :) That's one reason I love my Sizzix dies. It's like an investment in something that I know I can use over and over. By changing papers, etc. I can get many varied looks. My tip though involves REALLY looking at your die and seeing if you can change it. This way you'll be able to get more use from it and SAVE MONEY. :) By using scissors and making some simple cuts, you can get new looks from your

diecuts. For my example, I used the Sizzix Sizzlits Hello Kitty called Corners, Flowers (#65584).

The first picture shows what the die looks like when cut. Then look at my example and see that I simply snipped off the hearts and flowers. This opens up a lot more room for play with this die! :) So the next time you get out your diecuts, see how you can get a "different" look from

them by making some snips of your own. :) Be sure to check out all the great products at great prices at Scrapping Cottage!! :)

Summer Sunflowers

Today I'm going to feature the CottageCutz Sunflower which is absolutely perfect for summer cards and layouts. When I think of sunflowers I think of the of the lazy days of summer and denim overalls so I decided to use this denim patterned paper to give this card a casual, relaxed feel. I cut my pieces from Bazzill and American Crafts cardstock, inked the edges of the flower and leaves and used my black Copic marker to color the dots on the inside of the flower and then applied some Stickles. I also used the Quickutz Label 2x2 die for my sentiment block.

Be sure to check out all the wonderful Summertime CottageCutz dies for all your summer projects.

Looking for a fun accent to add to your cards? Try stitching seed beads on them. It is fun and easy when you use a Sizzix die for your "sewing pattern." For my "Love Birds" card, I used the

Sizzix Bigz die called Flowers and Vines #2. You simply glue the "vine" diecut to the card and

punch holes in it using a paper piercer. Then you have a guide to follow when stitching your beads. How easy is that? :) Be sure to check out all the great Sizzix and Hero Arts products at

Scrapping Cottage.

Adorable U!

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

Dr. Suess

Children are so amazing and so unpredictable. They are

innocent and adorable. They are God's gift of love to a needy

world. They are joy for today and hope for the future!

I have always wanted to try to create one of those "tear bears". I

have seen them on layouts and have drooled over them on eBay!

(I have seen some projects with tear bears sell for over $300!! Oh

my goodness!!) So I researched the project and all that I would

need to embark upon the bear making path. Then I sat down to

create the adorable little bear. 13 hours later......Walla! :O)

I really enjoyed creating this layout. I put a lot of hours into it

but I never mind doing that if I am happy with the results!

I used Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink, Kaisercraft

Black Rhinestones, QuicKutz 2x2 Cherry and QuicKutz

2x2 Mini Tags. Every one of these awesome products can be

found at The Scrapping Cottage, and there is much more

where these came from!! Have fun shopping! :O)

"Hay Ewe"

I created this funny little hello card using the new QK Rev Barn die from the June Quickutz Release. I decided to add a bit of trim to the top of my barn so since I had cut the barn out twice already (once in the red stripe and once in the white), I just took the white piece of barn and trimmed the edge off the top to add to the red barn.

I also used the QK 12" cloud border, 2x2 grass, 2x2 sheep (here is cute sheep that is very similar from Sizzix), and the sun is from the Sunshine Gift Set. I picked Chick a dee for the sentiment because it is such a fun and whimsical little alpha I thought it would be a great touch to this card. The inking was done with Tim Holtz distress inks.

WATCH FOR IT WEDNESDAY #16

Today I'm going to show you a great tip on placing small letters on your cards or layouts.

I used the new Quickutz Chicken Noodle Alphabet, it's great to have all the alphabet on one 4x4 die but trying to place these tiny letters can be challenging. I place my letters where I want them and then I take a piece of removable Scotch tape and place it over the first line of my letters.

Once they're stuck to the tape I lift it off and put my glue in tiny dots on my letters.


I then take the tape and place the letters where I want them and gently peel the tape away as I hold by letters down exactly where I want them.

Then I do the next lines and Walla! The letters are all placed exactly where I want them!
Because I'm frugal I save my tape strips and use them over again, I just stick the strip to something in my work area.

Ever since I learned this tip it has saved me lots of time and frustration with my diecut letters.

For my Pool Party invite I used the Quickutz Chicken Noodle 4x4 die, the CottageCutz Playpool and the grass off the CottageCutz Picnic Table die.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Anyone for Ice Cream???

It's officially summer and one of my favorite treats is ice cream. What's your favorite? I have several but Mint chocolate chip is one of my all time favorites so I had to make sure and add that flavor to my ice cream cone. This CottageCutz Ice Cream Cones die is so versatile. It was almost as fun creating my diecut cone as eating a real one! There are two waffle cone variations and three different ice cream scoops to choose from. You can even add fudge sauce, sprinkles and a cherry! Think of all the possibilities with this fun die. I cut out my pieces and used Copic markers to outline the edges and add a little detail. You could use ink pads, chalk, Stickles, whatever strikes your fancy and these will sure to turn out yummy enough to want to eat.

Be sure to check out all the June releases to help complete your summer cards and layouts.

The July CottageCutz dies have been released and have special introductory prices till June 26th so don't wait!

I have been having some "shoe" fun this week with a Sizzix Sizzlits die from a set called

Purse, Shoe & Phone. I love the shape of this shoe and it is a super easy one to cut and

decorate. :) I found a couple of funny "shoe quotes" that inspired these two cards. That's

another thing I like to do is collect quotes that go with my stamp and die collection. I keep

them in an altered notebook. It comes in very handy when it is time to make a card. :)
Here are more shoe quotes that would be great using the above shoe die:

"If the shoe fits, buy one in every color."

"If the shoe fits, it's expensive."

"Is it time to go home yet? I keep clicking these *$%#*$ shoes and nothing happens."

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you

criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."

"I'm a shoe fiend. That reminds me---I need to go shopping!"

"Shopping tip: You can get shoes at the bowling alley for 85 cents."

"Fashion Law: If the shoe fits, its ugly."

Have fun making your own shoe cards!!!!! Be sure to check out all the great products

at Scrapping Cottage (You can do it in air-conditioning!) :)

Happy Father's Day!!

God bless all the Fathers of the world.

This month's winner is..............

There was a lot of love for this month's Quickutz release and the winner of our monthly release contest.....by random number generator is.............
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Katherine!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

Please email Scrapping Cottage to select your free die from the June Quickutz release!

Let us know what you picked!!

Welcome Card

I been playing with another one of the new Rev House dies from the June QK release. I just love all the different styles of houses in this release. I can't wait to start combining parts from all the different houses!

I thought a house would be a perfect addition to the front of a welcome card. I used some stickles to make little flowers in the bushes. (The house is actually green but in the scan it comes up very light - not sure why??)

Don't forget that today is your last chance to post a comment in this thread for your chance to win a free die from this month's Quickutz release!! (Alphas/number sets not included).

Hope you have a scrappy Saturday!!

Retirement Tree!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the

things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off

the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade

winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.— Mark Twain

I have a dear friend at work who is retiring today!! Yippee!!

Although we will miss him we are so very glad for him!

I was asked to "decorate" the envelope for his card.....
this is what I came up with! :O)
I used the QuicKutz 2x2 sign, as well as, many other
fun dies. Be sure to check out the awesome QuicKutz
shape sale going on right now at the Scrapping Cottage.

Most 2x2 dies are $2.95 and most 4x4 dies are $4.95!!

Home Sweet Home

I think these new Home shapes from the June Quickutz release are so fun and practical!! I have used one of the new Rev Houses and the Rev mailbox from the June release plus lots of other Quickutz dies on this layout. These house dies are so versatile that you can use any combination of colors and paper you want. I even added a little doodling to my Rev house die cut to give it a whimsical look to go with the My Little Shoebox papers. I also used the Quickutz metal sheets to make my Rev Mailbox. I just love that whole line of adhesive sheets that Quickutz makes now!! Other Quickutz dies I used include Supermarket 4x8 Alpha, Cookie Cutter Nesting Labels, 12" Scalloped Border, and the 2x2 Photo corner.

July Cottage Cutz Dies

Run don't walk to check out the latest Cottage Cutz dies being released for July!!! They are absolutely adorable!! Lots of fun Hawaiian and other tropical shapes. I want them all!! :) We are also offering special pricing on these fabulous new dies until June 26th which is even more reason to pre-order yours today. We anticipate these will begin shipping mid-July.

Watch for it Wednesday #15

This week I am going to show you how to distress paper, tags,

die cuts, etc with ink! I am using patterned paper for my example

but this technique works wonderfully with cardstock, as well!

You will need your patterned paper or cardstock item, some Tim

Holtz Distressing Ink, a water spray bottle, and an iron! After you

have gathered your items, the first step is to crumple up your paper

into a ball. Really, REALLY crumple it....don't hold back! :O) Now

you can uncrumple your item and and rub the Distressing Ink all

over it! You can use one or more colors of the ink...it is designed to

flow across the paper, when sprayed with the water, but will keep

it's tonal value! It is the most awesome ink ever!

Now hold your paper item in the palm of your hand and spray it
four or five times with water. The final step is to lightly iron your
paper with a warm iron. This helps smooth out the wrinkles and
dries the water on your paper. You did it! Now you can go add
your amazing design to your layout or card!

The Scrapping Cottage has a great selection of Tim Holtz

Distressing Ink, all of which can be used for projects like this!

This incredible store also carries the QuicKutz 4 x4 Pirate Costume

and the 2x2 sword if you would like to create a little pirate of your own!

Cottage Cutz Window and Flower Pot

Who would have ever thought paper curtains could be so fun. When I saw this CottageCutz Window and Flower Pot die I immediately knew I wanted my curtains out of a bright and cheery patterned paper.

I thought this would make a good Get Well card and brighten someone's day.

First I cut the die out of white cardstock and the orange patterned paper and inked the edges.

Then I took my Copic markers and colored the flower and the pot and backed this all with a piece of light blue cardstock for the window. I used some tiny lines of Stickles on the window to make it look real. I added the brads after I assembled the card and didn't want the back of the brads showing through my card so I cut off the brad tabs and then used glue dots to secure them to my card.

So when you're adding those fun new Quickutz to your cart don't forget to add a few CottageCutz dies too - they're so fun to work with.

Here is a picture of what this die looks like.

June Quickutz in the House!!!

And the June Quickutz release is definitely all about the house and home! Soooooo many cute dies to choose from this month! Whether you want to make projects about the house itself or perhaps some whimsical pages about the goings on inside the house - this release is for you.

But while you are shopping around for these fun new June release dies, be sure to add the Summer of Fun of dies into your cart as well. These have been wildly popular and are sure to sell out sooner rather than later so don't get caught without them!

You definitely don't want to forget to add the FREE club die for all orders totally over $50! There are always a limited number of these dies and they go fast so don't delay your ordering too long!


Be sure to make a comment at the end of this post to qualify for our monthly die giveaway!!! Just tell us which die (or dies - I know sometimes it is just impossible to pick one favorite) is your favorite from this current June release and you will be entered into our random drawing for a free die of your choice from the new June Quickutz Release (alphabets are excluded). I can't wait to see what everyone's favorites are this time around!!

Happy scrapping!

Has summer arrived at your house yet? It is in full swing at mine. :) Both of my girls are home for their summer vacation from school and college. Today's card is a quick and easy one (the best kind in summer when things are hectic). :) It uses a Sizzlits set and a Dr. Seuss quote that I did on my computer (and printed on patterned paper). I love this quote for this time of year. Why not surprise someone today with a cute "just because" summer themed card? :) The Sizzlits sets are great for this as you get four different dies in their sets. Be sure to

check out all the great Sizzlits at Scrapping Cottage. Hope

your summer days are good and fun!!!! :)

Cute as Which Button?

I created this whimsical little layout because my

daughter loves buttons. I never want her to forget

how much she treasured these little round

jewels as a young girl!

I used the adorable QuicKutz cherry to enhance

the layout! Sometimes a little goes a long way!

Part Time Pop Star

If you haven't picked up the Quickutz Cookie Cutter Nesting Stars yet, you are missing out! These star dies are such a nice chunky star shape and include 5 different sizes of stars. You can cut solid stars with these dies or layer them together to get star outlines. In my layout above, I used various sizes of the stars to accent my daughter dressed up like Hannah Montana, part time Pop Star. These dies would also look fantastic on 4th of July pages, Star Students, Super Sports Star, etc.

For my title, I wanted the look of Spotlight, but I needed much smaller letters. So I used the QK Merry Alpha from the 2007 Holiday Gift Set and added stickles to the letters for the effect I wanted. It is hard to see from the picture, but the stars are cut from glitter cardstock and are nice and glittery on the page.