Thursday, April 22, 2010
In The Garden
These are the CottageCutz dies I am showcasing today.
I am "in love" with the CottageCutz Mini dies. They are so easy to use and so easy on the wallet. If you haven't tried CottageCutz dies, I suggest starting with the Mini's. You will be hooked!
For my layout, I used the CottageCutz Mini Picket Fence die to make a border across my page. I added one more CC Picket Fence cut up near my title to keep things balanced. I wanted the layout to keep with the whimsical feel of the background paper, so I added clusters of the CottageCutz Daisy flowers around my photo. The CC Daisy can be cut either single or double. For the final touch, one CottageCutz Mini Snail tucked into the flowers.
Have a favorite? Have a question? Let me know - we love to hear comments from our followers!
Thanks for taking a peek!
Karen
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Watch for it Wednesday #57
Glossy Accents adds texture and shine.
Doodlebug fine and chunky glitters for this one.
I used Distress Crackle Paint in Rock Candy for this cool effect and some Kaiser gems.
The ideas are truly endless!
Up on a Pedestal
Saturday, April 17, 2010
We have 3 Winners!
Just email your choice of any in stock Mini Cottage Cutz die to scrappingcottage@cox.net along with your name and address as well as your blog name.
Friday, April 16, 2010
My Little Ladybug
For this ladybug, I simply cut out the different body parts from different colors of cardstock. There are only two leg pieces to attach (not six different legs!!) so really, this die goes together pretty quickly considering how much detail you see. I used my tip from this week's Watch for it Wednesday post to put the black spots onto the ladybug's back. So much easier than trying to put adhesive on the back of each of these smaller pieces!
Thanks for coming by and have a great weekend!!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Basket Full of Possibilities
This is the CottageCutz die I am showcasing today.
For my layout, I chose to use the eggs plain, I used the grass instead of the doily and finally I used just the bow without the ribbon. I also cut two additional bows to use as accents around my page. The possibilities are endless with this die. It was the perfect die to incorporate into the long title/quote on my page.
Have a great Thursday!
Karen
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Watch for it Wednesday #55
One of my favorite things about the Cottage Cutz shapes is the phenomenal details found in these dies. I feel like this attention to design is one of the biggest things that sets the Cottage Cutz dies apart from all other metal dies on the market today.
Now, that being said, sometimes the intricacies of some of the shapes may be intimidating when you first sit down to begin piecing the smaller accent pieces onto your shape. My tip for today is a technique I have started using that saves me time and headaches!
Let's take for instance the adorable new Ladybug Cottage Cutz shape from the Spring Release. This die really pieces together pretty easily and quickly. However, you do have the small block spots to contend with before your die cut is complete. Rather than try to apply adhesive to the backs of some of these smaller pieces, instead place small dots of adhesive where you want your spots to be placed onto the larger shape.
So you simply need to pick up your glue of choice (I like Zip Dry) and then dot several little dots of glue right where you plan to place the spots. Once you are finished applying glue, just pick up your sticky stick (or whatever you like to use to pick up your smaller pieces of paper) and quickly and easily, place the black spots right onto the dots of glue.
Using this method cuts down the time and energy that would otherwise be spent painstakingly applying adhesive to the backs of each tiny little black spot one at a time and then placing the spots down onto the shape.
I hope this little tip has given you some motivation to get out some of your dies that maybe you haven't tried yet and see what you can come up with yourself!!
Have a great day and be sure to come back tomorrow for another fabulous creation from the very talented Karen!!! And then on Friday, I'll post my layout using an adorable little Ladybug I created using today's tip!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What's in Your Basket?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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Friday, April 09, 2010
Cherish these moments...
For my layout, I wanted to use the Daisy Flower shape to create a perfectly coordinated accent. I love being able to match the colors in my patterned papers as closely as possible when choosing my embellishments. For this reason, the Daisy shape was a must have for me because now I can use it to create great looking multi-layered flowers that coordinate perfectly no matter what papers I am using on my projects!
The Cottage Cutz Daisy Shape is a simple die to piece together and it would be easy to make yourself a whole little garden of these pretty little Daisy's to keep on hand when you need an accent.
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a great weekend!!
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Chocolate Bunny Goodness
This is the CottageCutz die I am showcasing today.
I added a blue bow to my CottageCutz Mini Chocolate Bunny to go with my "boy" layout. A perfect accent for my Easter photo.
Thanks for taking a look!
Karen
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Watch For It Wednesday #55
How many of you have not-so-good photos to scrap? Maybe blurry or grainy? Too busy or dark? Most of these not-so-good photos are usually from really important events in our lives and need to be scrapped. It can be hard to get motivated or inspired when the photos didn't turn out as we hoped. I wanted to share some tips for scrapping these not-so-good photos. With so many photo editing software programs out there, you can usually fix most photos. Sometimes however, some photos just can't be fixed. Or maybe you don't want to mess with fancy programs. Either way, here are some simple easy tips that have worked for me.
#1-Blurry Photos.
My best tip for blurry photos is to incorporate the blurriness into the page. For example, if the photo is from a sporting event or holiday...focus on the speed at which the child played the sport or how fast the holiday went by. By making the blur the focus, it makes the photo fit the page.
#2-Grainy or Noisy Photos.
My best tip for grainy or noisy photos is to use your photo editing software and change them to black & white or sepia. This really helps to take the focus off the graininess and put it back on the subject of the photo. If you print your photos at a Kiosk, most of them have this simple edit available to you.
#3-Busy or Cluttered Photos.
My best tip for busy or cluttered photos is to crop your photo. Using your photo editing software, crop out as much of the extra clutter as you can. Get as close to the person or main focus of your photo when you crop. Kiosks usually have this edit available too.
#4-Overexposed or Underexposed Photos.
My best tip for over or underexposed photos is to use your photo editing software and change them to black & white or sepia. These two functions seem to even out the exposure. Another option if only part of the photo is overexposed, crop out that area. Again, if you print your photos at a Kiosk, this edit is usually available.
#5-Poorly Framed Photos.
My best tip for poorly framed photos is to crop out the dead space, so the focus is back on the main subject, even if the subject is partially cut off. Another option is to use accents, your CottageCutz dies work great. Place the die cuts over the photo in the appropriate place to draw the eye to the die cut instead of the partially cut off subject or item.
I hope these tips will help to inspire you to scrap those not-so-good photos.
Karen
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Going 3D with CottageCutz
I also used the stem from the Mini Daisy for greenery, I just simply turned the stem the opposite way.
There is so little effort to make them pop and give this 3D look.
I had to go back and buy the Butterflies Die after seeing Ruth Ellen use them on her layouts.
I cut the butterfly that I wanted with my patterned papers facing up to make the butterfly facing the direction I wanted and applied some Stickles to make it sparkly.
(I used the Basic Grey Green at Heart 6x6 papers)
So whether you're making a spring card or layout, birthday, thank you or sympathy card these dies are perfect for so many occasions.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Egg-straordinary Fun!!
This shape was so fun to put together because I felt like I was dyeing Easter Eggs but without all the mess! Plus, this shape is a perfect opportunity to use up scraps of paper as you create your different eggs. Every piece of cardstock I used on this layout came from my scrap drawer.
Here is a close up shot of this adorable Egg Carton Shape. So many fabulous details on this shape! I used my Copic markers to add some details and shading on the chicks and egg carton. I also used some pop dots behind a couple of the chicks to give a 3-D effect.
The March Spring Cottage Cutz release has now started shipping so join us next week as we begin showcasing dies from this release. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see new projects using these Spring dies! Until then, have a Happy Easter!!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Bunny Faces
This is the CottageCutz die I am showcasing today.
This adorable CottageCutz Bunny, Girl die is versatile enough to be made a Boy Bunny. Just omit the flower behind the ear, as I have done on my layout. She/He is a cute addition to any layout or project.
Thanks for taking a look!
Karen
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Watch for it Wednesday #54
I used the grass from the Picnic table die and the little flowers from the Sheep w/flowers die.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Easter Eggs Anyone?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Easter Eggs
I put the flower and the ribbon from the Watch For It Wednesday on the front of my book. In addition, I added several other pieces of ribbons to the rings.
This will be my last post! It has been a pleasure to work with the wonderful ladies on the Design Team. Thank you to all the awesome Blog Followers who read this Blog. Happy Easter.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Don't Miss Out!!!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Egg Hunt
I used my Copic Markers to add some shading to the cracked egg and some outlining to the duck. There are so many great Spring Cottage Cutz dies to choose from right now at The Scrapping Cottage! Be sure you get your orders in early enough to fill your own Easter baskets!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Finishing Touches
This is the CottageCutz die I am showcasing today.
I created the name place holders using wooden clothes pins. I painted the clothes pins white to match the wooden crate of the my center piece, then added a bit of brown ink to distress them. The clothes pins stand good with the jaws up, this way they can hold the name cards. I cut the CottageCutz Bunny, Girl die out of chipboard first and then added the colorful cardstock die cuts on top for added strength. I had some left over grass from the center piece, so I added a bit behind each CottageCutz Bunny. The final step was to create the name cards and slip them into the clothes pin jaws.
Here is my Easter table, all the decorations are done using the New CottageCutz Easter dies.
I hope everyone has a blessed Easter!
Karen
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
WATCH FOR IT WEDNESDAY #53
You can also use this technique on ribbon, glass, bottle caps and the pieces of your die cuts.
Happy Scrapping!!! Have fun.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
It's Finally Spring!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Easter Book
Friday, March 19, 2010
Spring is in the air!!
Be sure to check out the newest March Spring Cottage Cutz release!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Just Hangin' Out
This is the CottageCutz die I am showcasing today.
I just had to figure out a way to use this adorable CottageCutz Frog w/ Branch die on a layout. I came up with this fun title and he was the perfect accent. I cut one complete CottageCutz Frog w/ Branch die to use with my title. Then I cut only the top half of another frog and tucked him behind my photo.
Have a blessed day.
Karen