I have a new favorite Sizzix die. :) It is the XL Card Die, Scallop #2. This die is one of the May

releases. This die cuts the complete card giving you a scalloped edge front. I hope that you can

see how the card looks from my photos (I tried to take them so that the flap was up a little bit to

give you an idea of how the card works.) The "Surprise" card uses Sizzix dies and also a rub-on.

The frog images on the other three cards are the Penny Black (Clear Stamp Set Called Toadily).

This stamp set is so much fun to color!!!! Be sure to check out all the great new products at Scrapping Cottage too (new KaiserCraft bling, new ink pad, new dies, etc.). :)

Noah's Ark layout

This week I decided to do a double page layout focusing on using the QUICKUTZ CLOUD 12” border die CC-BDR-032 & the QUICKUTZ RAINBOW & CLOUD Cookie Cutter dies CC-SHAPE-2-022.
On this Noah’s Ark layout I used the QUICKUTZ RAINBOW & CLOUDS die for the rainbow & also for the bottom section of the Noah’s Ark. I cut out the rainbow in shades of brown and turned it upside down to make the hull of the Ark. The port holes were made using the eyes from the QUICKUTZ ANIME MONEY REV-0186-S. I hand cut the cabin section of the Ark and used the QUICKUTZ HOUSE KS-0935 for the entrance.
I added the QUICKUTZ TREE CC-BDR-021, QUICKUTZ TREES CC-BDR-018, QUICKUTZ SUN RS-0934, some extra clouds on the pages, and finally, being the Noah’s Ark theme I scattered the following QUICKUTZ animals around the pages:- FOX KS-0891, SQUIRREL KS-0888, OWL KS-0887, HEDGEHOG KS-0890, PENGUIN KS-0602, RABBIT RS-0889, PIG KS-0525, ELEPHANT KS-0875, GIRAFFE KS-0877, LEOPARD RS-0873, DOVE KS-0590, DOLPHIN KS-0161, DOLPHIN RS-0160, DOLPHIN KS-0162, ORCA KS-0236, The Koala Bear is from the QUICKUTZ AUSTRALIA COLLECTION Cookie Cutter dies set, and the swirls in the top clouds are made from the SIZZIX SWIRLY DECORATIVE STRIP #654774.
I used BASIC GREY papers for my background pages, and inked my die cuts with TIM HOLTZ Distress Inks. This was so much fun to do - I cant wait to start my next weeks layout :-)

Time Flies!

Time flies when you are having fun! Actually, it flies no matter what!

I was inspired by these precious, new QuicKutz birds to create a clock with this very sentiment. My desire is that as I look at the clock to see the time, I will be reminded to cherish each moment of life and hopefully slow time down a little!!

I had the great pleasure of using CottageCutz Bird and Birdhouse, QuicKutz Anime Birds (REV-0191), and the QuicKutz Marisa number set (KNR-05)

Here's two cards I made using the original Zelda alphabet from 2003. I wanted to show what an

unusual alphabet Zelda is. :) I was SO excited yesterday when I checked my email and saw the

announcement from Scrapping Cottage ab0ut the new Collector's Series from Quickutz. Zelda is going to be released as a Grand Alphabet this time around. I have to share a funny story about Zelda. Back in 2003 when Zelda was first released, I wanted that Quickutz alphabet in the worst way but it was getting close to Christmas. I didn't feel like I should (or could) spend the money to purchase it. I just knew I wanted it!!!! :) When Christmas morning rolled around I got some unexpected Christmas money and the first thing I thought when I saw it was "NOW I can buy Zelda!!!!!!" I think I even got on the internet that day and ordered it! :) Be sure to check out the Quickutz Collector's Series Zelda at Scrapping Cottage. You know you "need" it! :)

Watch for it Wednesday #5!

Distressing Paper with Die Cut Shapes!

Here is another way to use your awesome die cuts!

I hope you have as much fun with it as I did!

First you will need to choose some patterned paper. (this works best with dark or bright colors!) You will also need to cut out some of your favorite die cuts! This technique works well with CottageCutz, QuicKutz, Sizzix, or just about die cut. Finally, you will need some sandpaper and a great imagination!

After you have cut out the die cuts you will be using, arrange them in the way that you would like them to appear on your patterned paper.

Place your patterned paper, face up, over the shapes. Gently sand over the shapes, one at a time focusing on the edges, until they emerge on your patterned paper. Keep sanding until you get a look that you are happy with. Try sanding the edges of your paper to complete the "distressed" look!

This fun technique is a fantastic way to design your own patterned paper to complement your die cuts! It can be used for cards, layouts, tags....the possibilities are endless!

Go have fun with this and let us know what you think!

CottageCutz Chicks

These cute CottageCutz chicks are perfect for Easter cards and projects. In the first example I cut my chick from Doodlebug's velvet paper to make him fuzzy. In this card I cut them out of Bazzill and chalked them, then put some Stickles on them to accent the wings.

Be sure to check out all the great CottageCutz shapes in the store.

I had the pleasure of "playing" with the CottageCutz Bird and Birdhouse Shape die for today's

post. Birds and bird related things have long been a favorite theme of mine to craft with. These

three cards are a little sampling of the fun and cute things you can create with this die. Be sure

to check out all the great CottageCutz dies at Scrapping Cottage.

Make A Wish

**CLICK ON IMAGES FOR CLEARER DETAILED PICTURES**
Aren’t these QUICKUTZ ANIME BIRDS just gorgeous!!! I must admit that when I first saw them I did not think very much off them, but they have grown on me and are now one of my very favorites from the QUICKUTZ MARCH RELEASE.
When I cut the card, I had the QUICKUTZ ANIME BIRDS in mind, so with a corner rounder punch, I rounded all the corners of my card to match the shapes of the birds & added little round silver brads to match the spotted paper that I used.
I used the QUICKUTZ BIRTHDAY Shortkutz Phrase Die for my title, which I punched out twice so that I could Matt my title to make it ‘stand out’ a little more, and then finished off by inking the title & birds with TIM HOLTZ Distress Inks.

Clock layout

I have had an amazing last few days and the reason being that my parcel from THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE with my Quickutz March Release dies, and I have to say that up to now, this has been my absolute Favorite Quickutz release. And to make things better, just spend $50 or more on Quickutz and get the 2"x2" Speech Bubble Heart Club Die FREE (while stocks last).I just have to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the March release!!!! Oh, Did I mention that I L-O-V-E IT :-)
I have been working on a few projects and have posted one now, and will post the others during the week as I finish them. So check back to see what else can be done with these amazing dies, as their uses are endless.

This week I tried something different and turned my layout into a working clock. I used a recessed 12”x12” scrapbooking picture frame that I had bought a while back and never used because I could never decide which layout to put into it.
I started by cutting a small hole in the back board of the frame for where I wanted the clock mechanism to go through. I then glued my background paper onto the back board, cut a little hole in the paper, making sure to match it up with the hole in the board. I then carried on creating my layout as normal. Once finished I glued the mechanism in place at the back of the board, put the hands onto the clock & put it into the fame. FINISHED – A unique personalized clock that can either stand on a counter top or hung on the wall. This is going to look great in my craft room. Eventually, I will be able to see the time while I am working.
For my clock layout I used:-
QUICKUTZ CLOUDS 12” Cookie Cutter border die,
QUICKUTZ FLOWERS 12”Cookie Cutter border die,
QUICKUTZ GRASS 12” border die,
QUICKUTZ RAINBOW & CLOUD Cookie Cutter die,
QUICKUTZ ANIME MONKEY 4x4 die,
QUICKUTZ MUSHROOMS 4x4 die,
QUICKUTZ TREE 4x4 die
QUICKUTZ SUN 2x2 die,
QUICKUTZ HOUSE 2x2 die,
QUICKUTZ CHANDELIER 4x8 alphabet,
TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS INKS

Remember that you can click on the item and a link will take you directly to that item at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE STORE.

Rainbow Spring Layout

I love this new Rainbow Cookie Cutter Border die from the March Quickutz release! To me, there are two things that mark the beginning of Spring - seeing the flowers and trees begin to bloom and being able to start wearing new Spring clothes. I snapped these pictures of my daughter in one of her new outfits while she was waiting for her ride to school. I only used 4 of the 6 bands from the Rainbow Die because I wanted to simulate the rainbows found in the patterned paper I was using. Instead of making the rainbow level, I tilted it on its side and covered up the uneven ends with the clouds. This is a great technique to get a completely different look from this fun die!

ALL BOY CARD

This is a card I made using the GO KREATE RED TED 4"x4" die, QUICKUTZ LIZARD, QUICKUTZ FROG & the QUICKUTZ HONEY BEE ALPHABET. For something different I replaced the letter 'O' in the word boy with the QUICKUTZ SOCCER BALL. I adhered everything to my card using DOUBLE SIDED ADHESIVE SHEETS, which work great for turning your die cuts into stickers and solves a lot of messy glue problems.

Watch for it Wednesday #4

Have you ever thought that you would like to try something different on your cards or scrapbook pages? Well, why not try inking with items that you find around your home to give your projects a fabulous unique look.
I inked a piece of paper to use on the front of my card by inking the textured side of a kitchen dish sponge to give my paper a grid appearance.

This is the technique I used:-


1. Cut out your piece of paper that you want to ink to the size that you need it.
2. With an ink pad (you could also use paint) ink the textured side of a kitchen sponge cloth so that it has a really good coating of ink.
3. Place the kitchen sponge (inked face down) onto the paper that you want to ink and firmly push the sponge down, so that the ink transfers over to the paper, being careful not to let the sponge move so that the ink is not smudged on the paper underneath.


4. Carefully remove the sponge and you are now left with your inked piece of paper. Remember to let your paper dry. Time will differ depending on what you use to ink or paint with. I like to use TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS INK because it dries pretty much straight away.
5. Once the inked paper is dry, decorate or place it onto your project as needed.


To finish making my card, I also used some 3D adhesive foam squares, wire mesh, the COTTAGE CUTZ WEATHERVANE ROOSTER and the GO KREATE ‘SKIPTON’ COMPACT ALPHABET. Both of these dies are available for sale at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE.

Happy Easter Treat

Quick and Simple Easter Treat!
I needed a quick little treat to drop off to a neighbor today, but because I'm feeling under the weather I didn't want to spend a lot of time. I grabbed a clear cello bag and put some Easter Rolo's (of course you can use whatever treat you want) in it and stapled the top. I cut a piece of patterened cardstock just slightly wider than the bag and folded in half and added my diecut (QK Revolution Rabbit) and Happy Easter stamp from Stampendous. Put some pen detailing around the rabbit with some chalk and secured him to the topper.
Some other ideas you could add (if you're not sick) would be some Easter basket grass inside the bag or layer your topper to bring more colors in to match your treats.

Hero Arts Clear Stamps

Scrapping Cottage carries Hero Arts rubber stamps. The three quick and easy cards above were done with a clear set called Tree, Birds and Messages. The bottom card also has some Sizzix

Sizzlits on it. The set is called Butterfly and Flowers. I brayered the background for the top two

cards using glossy cardstock and a rainbow ink pad. The stamping was done with a black ink pad. The birds on the bottom card were colored using Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. I love the Hero Arts clear stamp sets. You get several images to "play" with which makes them a great

value. :) Be sure to check out all the great stamps and Sizzix products at Scrapping Cottage.

Ya gotta love Hello Kitty - she's so cute!

I am totally a Quickutz fan but when I saw these Hello Kitty Sizzix dies I couldn't resist - she is so dang cute!

I used the Happy Birthday embossing folder for the background and detailed the die with a soft pink ink and a fine black pen for the detailing. I used Black Diamond Stickles on the whiskers and Fruit Punch on the bow.

Watch for more Stickles coming soon in the store.

ALTERED MINI CRATE

This week I focused on using the QUICKUTZ GRASS border die & the INKING of the die cuts before putting them onto my projects. I’m so glad I did the inking because the difference is amazing and it’s easy to do. You can make a flat 2D die cut look like a




3D work of art in no time at all. If you haven’t tried inking yet, you are missing out, and I’m sure that once you try it you will not regret it.
I started this week by altering a mini wooden crate that has been floating around my house for a while now. I thought I would get creative and turn it into something useful.
I started by inking the wooden Crate and all my die cuts. I used TIM HOLTZ DISTRESSED INK, but you can also use TSUKINEKO, MEMENTO INK. There is a great variety of both these inks in stock at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE.
I glued the QUICKUTZ GRASS BORDER to the outside of the crate and then placed the die cuts onto the crate as I wanted them. When I used the QUICKUTZ FLOWERS die, I replaced the flowers with buttons. The other dies I used were the SIZZIX ORIGINALS ROOSTER, QUICKUTZ MUSHROOMS, QUICKUTZ PUMPKIN and the mice & vine are from the exclusive PRINCESS CARRIAGE die.
The pictures show the Crate before and after, and then also a close up of the front and side.

And the FREE die goes to.......

Drum roll please....................


The winner of the Pick Your Favorite Die contest from the March Quickutz Release is........


annb!!!!! :)


Congratulations!!!

You can contact Scrapping Cottage to select your free die from the Quickutz March release!

LAYOUT

This 12"x12" layout was done focusing on the inking of the die cuts. I have added some close up pictures to get a better view of them (Remember you can click on the pictures to get a better close up view).
The Dies I have used for this layout are:-

QUICKUTZ GRASS BORDER,
QUICKUTZ HONEY BEE ALPHABET,
QUICKUTZ MONOGRAM SET 'C',
QUICKUTZ MUSHROOMS,
QUICKUTZ BUTTERFLY,
QUICKUTZ BEE,
COTTAGE CUTZ GIRAFFE,
COTTAGE CUTZ BEE,
SIZZIX FENCE,
SIZZIX PIG #2
TIM HOLTZ DISTRESSED INKS,
KAISER RHINESTONES,

Most of these dies are in stock at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE. ALSO
Make sure you have a look at the fantastic COTTAGE CUTZ April release DIES. They are now available to pre-order at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE- You don't want to miss out on these gorgeous newly released dies.

Happy Easter!

Easter is a wonderful time of the year!

It is a time of joyous celebration! QuicKutz can help you create fun, delightful decorations to adorn your walls and tables at Easter time and all throughout the year! Look for the myriad of QuicKutz I used to create this bright, cheerful display, at the Scrapping Cottage, your Die-Cutting Super Store!

Easter Egg KS-0414, Chick KS-0411, Jelly Beans RS-0077, Chick and Egg REV-0185, Dragonfly KS-0615, Daisy REV-0033

Little Birdie Hi card

These Anime Birds are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your paper crafting projects! I created this card using lots of Quickutz! The scalloped circle is made from the Quickutz Nesting Flowers. Then the bird is the smaller bird from the Rev-sized Anime Birds. The heart speech bubble is the Free Club this month just for purchasing $50 in Quickutz. Who doesn't love free?! I used Quickutz Lemonade Cookie Cutter for the sentiment and then added some stickles for a little bit of sparkle. I also used Black Diamond stickles to create the eye on the bird.