Bones and Backgrounds

Again I am using a simple die. . . to create a patterned background. Here I cut a ton of Cottage Cutz Fish Skeletons and randomly applied the fish skeletons to my 2 1/2" lettering. Than cut all the overlap off, remember to cut as you go, that way you may have some fish parts to use in the smaller area's. I than attached the letter to the shadow cut to add a slight color contrast, I used two different white cardstock. This took the clean white look of the bones away.

Don't forget the negative of your dies cutz. Here I stacked up all the negatives and randomly . .unevenly cut around the edge to create a tile look.

Started applying them to a 12" strip of cardstock. . .WOW what a great border strip, I could not stop and before you knew it I had filled a 6" x 12" strip of paper. Randomly I used the real skeleton cutout.

Now I have two 5" x 6" panels to create a nice background for a card. I think this may make a nice background for a Father's day fishing card? What about hot pink cardstock with white skeletons and diamonds . . for the eyes of the fish. . wooo . . .FuFu cat card? Maybe as a wavy or school of fish across a scrapbook page?

Watch for it Wednesday # 65 Biscuits and Borders

Here I used the Biscuits to create a simple border.

Don't forget to break a few eggs and show a broken biscuit or two.

I Started with a rusty ink and sponged the edges on in a few area's of the biscuit

Than highlighted the biscuits with a dark brown ink and added the sparkle with a Sakura Sparkle gelly roll pen. Remember to swirl around in the general area that you want the sparkle, than tap a couple of times with your finger to spread the sparkle. Your swirl or pen lines will completely go away.

Here I started a frame with a base, than added the biscuits working around the frame to create a border of biscuits, again adding a few broke ones. I also used foam tape to raise several of the biscuits, this added a bit of dimension.

Today I wanted to used a small die from Cottage Cutz called Dog Biscuit. It seems to be a simple die, but can be used to create all sorts of primary items.

Happy Birthday "Cracker"

The first die I wanted from this Cats & Dogs release was the Dachshund. I have a niece that has a Dachshund named Cracker and they dress him up for Halloween and other occassions as well. He's such a part of their family. My sister loves this dog and wants to get her one too, so I had to have this die.

There have been a few questions on the CottageCutz Edger dies that I thought I'd show you again what these dies are like. I'm showing the Dog Edger in my example.
These come just like a regular die but in a 7" strip. Just place the paper over the top and cut out.

You get an actual cut out of the Edger. Then for those that have punch outs I simply pop out the pieces with my piercer and put some glue on the back and they're ready for my project.

Here's my card using the Dachshund, Dog Edger and the Dog Biscuit die.

I chose to use the dog with the collar, but there is a second die that comes with this that has clothes that you can dress up your Dachshund.

Princess for a Day

I guess this is shaped card day, I decided to create a round card for the Cottage Cutz Kitty Princess Die. The pink background is 5" and a 5 1/2" for the white shadow. This seemed to fit the kitty just right. I highlighted the kitty in grey and added a little sparkle. The pillow was done in lavender with royal blue ink highlights. The background was embossed with random diamonds to match the diamond on the crown. I randomly sewed silver thread on the edge with purple and blue colored beads, leaving loops of silver thread and with random silver tails. The lettering was done with silver glitter stickers on white cardstock that was sponged in lavender and gray ink. Than the letters were oddly cut, and attached at different levels with foam dots.

A Birthday Wish

A B Wish for a friend this year has the cute Cottage Cutz Die Shih Tzu Peeker. I used a 7" B with shadow to make a card that is shaped on the front, but is regular shaped on the back. I thought having the pup peek through the hole in the B would create a cute dimension. I also added the flower from Cottage Cutz Puppy front & back Die to the peekers paws.

Milkshake anyone?

My daughter welcomed home a good friend home from college while another friend was about to depart on a two year mission for our church so they got together at a local restaurant and had some silly fun. I decided to do a layout to document this event and knew when I saw these pictures that the CottageCutz Parfait w/Strawberries was the die for this layout.

As our design team has mentioned many, many times these dies are so versatile with so many options within just one die itself. I made this die into a milkshake instead of a strawberry parfait. I wanted a straw so I simply cut a skinny piece of red cardstock and did the same for the sprinkles with different colors. Then I took my Glossy Accents and went over the cherry, straw and sprinkles to make them glossy.

So Dog-Gone Cute!

Do you have a favorite die from the NEW CottageCutz Pet Release, but have no pets? No problem. There are many great ways to work the NEW CottageCutz Pet Release dies into everyday projects.

These are the CottageCutz dies I am showcasing today.


I used a couple of yesterdays WFIW post ideas on this layout. I used thin metal to cut the NEW CottageCutz Mini Name Tags, to create texture. I also used foam dots with the NEW CottageCutz Shih Tzu Peeker, to add dimension. These NEW CottageCutz Pet Release dies worked great as accents on my layout.

Because of the glare of the scan, I took a close up photo so you can see the page details.


Happy Thursday Everyone!
Karen

Watch for it Wednesday #64

Today I wanted to give you some fun ideas for adding texture and dimension to your projects using different types of crafting materials.

One of the easiest ways to add texture, is to cut your dies using textured cardstock. If you cut with plain cardstock and want to add texture, try using some embossing dies. Another quick idea, cut your dies using pattern paper.

There are a variety of texture adding materials out there with adhesive already applied. This makes it much easier to place your items on your project once you cut them. I played around with some of these materials; cork, thin metal, and chipboard, using my CottageCutz dies. The CottageCutz dies cut the different materials wonderfully. Some of the materials worked better if you cut them before you applied the foam to your CottageCutz dies. If you don't want to have to remove foam and re-apply foam, just run the dies through the machine two times. The cork and chipboard are thick enough to add some dimension to the project, as well as texture.

Pop dots or foam dots work great for giving dimension to your projects. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Another idea, is to cut your dies twice and layer them. You can layer them using foam dots or slightly off center, this works great for creating dimension.

One last item I tried was craft foam. I got the craft foam sheets at my local craft store, the brand I used was Foamies, 2mm thick. I thought it would be neat to make my own CottageCutz Foam accents (aka Thickers). The CottageCutz dies cut the craft foam very easily. The craft foam comes in many different colors. This is a great material to use to add both texture and dimension.

Watch for my up coming posts this month. They will feature layouts that I have used some of the above ideas. Hopefully, this will inspire you to add some texture and dimension to your pages.

I hope you get some creative time today.
Karen

Hope Your Birthday is Purrrrfect!

Today's card feature this little miss Fancy Cat, the Fish Skeleton and Rick Rack Edger.

I had this paper in my stash and thought it would be perfect for this Fancy Cat die. I love how you have options with so many of these CottageCutz dies. I chose to make the cat without the hat and collar, but added a bow instead.
Meow!

Let Freedom Ring with Cottage Cutz

We are taking pre-orders now for this Limited Edition 4th of July Cottage Cutz Release. Don't miss out!!

Bubbles of Love

So what you you name a new puppy who wanted to take a bath, no kid or puppy ever wants to take a bath. This card was made using the Cottage Cutz Puppy in Bathtub Die. I turned the shampoo bottle as if it had been spilled. The bone in the puppies hand is from the Cottage Cutz Schnauzer Die (off the collar). I cut extra bubbles to use as a border between the to colors on the background. the bubbles are also randomly on foam dots to add dimension. the bubbles were inked in blue, with jewels of different sizes and colors for the bubbles. Stickle than was added to the rest of the blue bubbles.

Just One More Time, and He's. . . . Gone!

If he chews one more thing! !. . . he's gone!. Now how many times have we heard that. This SORRY card is made with the Cottage Cutz Puppy Front & Back, along with the Mini Bone Biscuit Die. I really ruffed up the edges of the white paper and inked and smugged it a little to give a chewed look. The dangle on the card was made with waxed cord and I even took a few bites out of the biscuit.

T'was the night before Christmas...

Christmas in June? I know, Christmas is months away, but I wanted to show you a way to use the NEW CottageCutz Pet Release dies even if you don't have pets.

These are the CottageCutz dies I am showcasing today.


For my layout, I used part of the words from The Night Before Christmas, as my long title. I used the NEW Mini CottageCutz mouse to accent the title. I also added one more mouse to my page because he was just so cute. The NEW CottageCutz Eyelet Edger was used to border my photo and also in a cluster above my title.

Have a favorite die from this NEW CottageCutz Pet Release, but don't have pets? There are many ways to work the new dies into everyday layouts or cards.

Happy Thursday Everyone!
Karen

Watch for it Wednesday #63 School's out for Summer!

It's that time of the year....again...when the kiddies are getting out of school.

Ours here in Utah got out last week.

One of my favorite layouts to do each year is the end of the year interview.

I usually get a picture of them on the last day of school, if they're in elementary school I get a picture of the party or autograph book they made.

If it's junior high or high school I get a picture with their yearbook.

I ask the following questions:

Who was your favorite teacher?

What was your favorite subject?

Who were your best friends this school year?

Who was your least favorite teacher?

Worst memory

Best memory etc.

You get the idea. It's fun for them to look back and see the changes they've made.

I think the most interesting thing I have found with my kids is that their favorite teacher is also their favorite class that year. What a difference a great teacher can make in the lives of our children.

As it says in my daughters yearbook H.A.G.S.

(Have a great summer)

A Little "Ruff"

The dog and cat dies have arrived! I'm featuring the CottageCutz Puppy Front & Back die.

I made my own saying for the card....can you tell???

I took my puppy and cut him out of cardstock, inked the edges and put him together. Then I added a little line detail with my skinny Zig pen.

I wanted a "real" dog nose so I put Glossy Accents on his black nose to make it look wet like a real dog.

We'll see ya back here for tomorrow's Watch for it Wednesday post!

Happy Memorial Day

Memorial Day Sale going on now through Wed, June 2nd at the Scrapping Cottage!! Just enter discount code extra15 upon checkout. This code applies to ALL items on the website including clearance items.

party like your 29 again

I don't think I could stand on one leg. . even at 29. . . . .But what a great wish. These invitations were made with the Cottage Cutz Flamingo and Daisy Edger Dies. I used the little catch phrase to add a little fun to a 50th party invitation. I used polka dot on the flamingo and the edge of the card and used the Edger Die to border the polka dot. the Edger die is great to add a little bling. The centers of the flowers can be decorated with Genuine Artificial Shinny Australian Crystals. For the inside of the card I used Stickle to keep the card flat, but still bling-y. All you need to do is the Who, What, When invite on Word. . Print and slip into the card and off you go.

just add sprinkles

Just add sprinkles it's your day, I always think a little sparkle on your birthday is in order. This card was done with the Cottage Cutz Ice Cream Cones Die. It cool, it comes with four scoops of ice cream and two style of cones that you can mix and match , build them up and create any size ice cream cone. I added old fashion bugle beads to the card as sprinkles, it adds sparkle and texture. You need to glue them down with Glossy Accents for holding power. If you over due with the glossy accents, just add a little Stickle randomly on the sides of the beads, I guess you could call Stickle the opps... concealer. I also added some tinsel cord, by gluing the cord part under the pop outs and letting the tinsel do its job. Don't forget to use a white Gelly Roll pen to add contrast to the cone. Don't be afraid to change a few colors out on the lettering. I doubled a couple of letters with pink on top, but offset the color to let the brown still show.

Anytime Birthday Card

Handmade cards can add such a personal touch and I love to keep some on hand ready to go at a moment's notice. And of course whenever I have the chance, I try to make some birthday cards because you can never have enough birthday cards in your card stash!!

I thought the Cottage Cutz Pansy Shape would be a perfect addition to a pretty birthday card that could really be used for any occasion. I coordinated the purples of the pansy blooms with my patterned paper using my Copic markers. This is a really easy shape to piece together which makes creating this card that much easier!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!!

We Have a Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the sketch challenge. All of the layouts were fabulous, it was hard to pick just one winner.

The winning layout was sent in by Marie McKinley from Cypress, TX. Here is her adorable layout, showcasing the NEW CottageCutz Pet Release dies.

Congrats Marie! Please email your choice of any in stock CottageCutz dies, totalling $20, to scrappingcottage@cox.net along with your name and address as well as your blog name.




These are the CottageCutz dies I am showcasing today.


I wanted to created another layout using the CottageCutz Seed Packet Frame, to show all the fun ways to use this versatile die. I think this is my favorite die from this release. One of the reasons it is so special is the embossed framing that runs around the die. If you haven't picked one up, I really recommend you do.

Here are some of the great ways to use this die...

*Use it as a seed packet with the different flower dies(this release).
*Use it to frame small wallet sized photos.
*Use it as a journaling block, cut it out of lined paper or use a stamp to add lines.
*Use it as a seed packet or sign for fruit or veggies(as I have done on my layout).
*Use it as a tag, punch a hole and add some ribbon.

There are so many possibilities.

I hope you get some creative time today!
Karen

Watch for it Wednesday #62

My tip for today is a quicky but it is something new I have recently started doing with my Cottage Cutz Dies.

I don't know how you store your CC dies, but I like to store mine with the cute cover that comes with them so I always have a good reference to look at when it comes to putting the shapes together. Plus, it also makes it easy to find the shape I am looking for as well as keep track of which shapes I already have.

What I have now started doing with my covers is using the backs, too! This is where I like to keep ideas, titles, sayings, etc. that I think would work well with that particular shape. I don't necessarily write down "obvious" uses, but more out-of-the-box kinds of things. Ideas I have seen or thoughts I have had about the dies that I know if I don't write down, I'll never think of it again! I am all about trying to get the most bang for my Cottage Cutz buck so I never want to forget a good idea!

One example is with my Cottage Cutz Froggy die I used a couple of weeks ago to make the Get Well Card. On the back of the cover I have written down phrases like, "it's not easy being green", "Go Green" (Earth Day), morning sickness get well card, etc. Just some fun things for which a frog would be perfect!

I challenge you to pull out some of your dies and try to brainstorm some new ways to use your shapes or just make a list of the layouts or projects for which you already know that you want to use a particular shape. This activity is also a great way to get your creative juices flowing if you are having trouble getting your crafting mojo going.

Be sure and let me know which Cottage Cutz Shape you pulled out to play with today!!

Check back tomorrow for another fun and fabulous project from Karen!

Simple is Good

Today I want to show you a couple of simple cards I've made with CottageCutz dies.

I usually take quite a bit of time in making a card, but there are times when simple will do.

For my first card I used the Flower 3, Layered die. You can create several different looks with this one die. My favorite is layering the small and the large pieces together.

Is also used the Loops Edger on this card. Love these Edger dies!!! SO fun!

This Pot of Sunflowers die takes a little longer to put together than the flower above, but I love how it turned out. I wish you could see it in person, the color and detail don't always show up in a picture very well.

Here's a close-up of the sunflowers.

Join us back here tomorrow for Ruth Ellen's Watch for it Wednesday post!

Gift Card Holder

This card was created to be used as a gift card presenter. I used the Cottage Cutz Frog on Lilly Pad Die. I had first made the card so the gift card would fit in a slit in the cover of the card,so when you opened the card the gift card would be facing you to the left, in fact to can see the slit when the card is open behind the B and Y in the birthday words. I showed the card to a friend and she said she did not like the gift card showing behind the Happy Birthday cut out words. Sooooo I decided to add the swinging flap style pocket and it does work. When you open the card the slap tends to swing out. I also added a fly to the gift card itself.