CottageCutz

Monday, May 08, 2023

Car and Balloons

Hi and welcome to a new week of crafty inspiration!!

Kris here to share with you a cute and simple card featuring the car from the Spring Bunny Car, the balloons from the Spring Party Car, (both from our latest Spring Release!) and I added some previously released dies such as a dog from the Christmas Puppies, and the Slimline Clouds and Slimline Grass to help create my scene. ☺

I started with this week's Color Challenge at SCS (CC946)

Cherry Cobbler
Pacific Point
Old Olive
Bermuda Bay

+ the dessert option= masculine

I also used last week's Ways to Use It Challenge (WT946):

Feature a cloud/s - I stenciled them AND used a cloud border die!

Design Steps:

• I cut my card base 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" and scored at 4-1/4" for a top folding A2 card.

• I cut a scrap piece of white cardstock to 5-1/4" wide and shorter than 4" which is what I would have cut it to if it wasn't a scrap. I then sponged clouds on it using Salty Ocean Distress Oxide ink.

• I cut a piece of Old Olive c.s. at 5-1/4" wide & die cut the top with the Grass Slimline die, then I stamped a sentiment in bottom right corner.

• I cut a piece of white at 5-1/4" wide and die cut the bottom with the Clouds Slimline die.

• I cut a piece of road patterned paper (from La-La Land Crafts) at 5-1/4" wide.

• I then die cut my car from Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay and white cardstock and used Copics to color the white pieces. I cut the dog from white and the balloons from each of the challenge colors.

• I then layered them onto my card front as shown below:

• I added some baker's twine in the Bermuda Bay color behind each balloon, then loosely tied them together (I removed this tie later).

• I then added a pop dot behind each balloon and attached it where I wanted them on my card front.

• I then added a strip of Scor Tape where I wanted to tack down the strings (behind the car) and removed the tie.

• I pulled the strings kinda tight and attached onto the tape, then added another strip of Scor Tape over the strings, then a piece of scrap paper to hold in place (and to keep from sticking to the car).

• Next, I added some mini dimensionals (foam hexagons) to pop the car up. This is needed so there won't be that hump where the strings are bunched up.

• Lastly, I added my car and done! Easy peasy!

PRODUCTS I USED:

30% OFF!

Thanks so much for looking! I hope this fun li'l card inspires you in some way to use your favorite CottageCutz dies!

• Reminder - We're having a Design Team Call!! See this post for details!

• View more design team creations on our YouTube channel here

~Kristine

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Happy Father's Day

Hello CottageCutz friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with us today. It's Mary Marsh here bringing you the Sunday edition of the Blog.

Our Easter -Spring release is still available in the online store with 17 new designs. There is something for every card maker with faith-based dies, beautiful floral images, whimsical with bunnies and frogs and several lovely birds and butterflies.

You will be able to take the images beyond the Easter or Spring season. And for a limited time, you can get individual dies at 30% off.

Today for your viewing pleasure I am using the new Pond w/Cattails & Lilypad die + an older die Fishing Pole & Boat and Fishing Gear.

I created a Father's Day card. this one will go to my brother who is an avid trout fisherman. In fact, he was out fishing this week and he sent us a fresh catch. They were already scaled, debone and filleted and ready for a quick pan fry. So delicious and healthy.

I started my card with the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #946. Our colors were cherry cobbler, old olive, pacific point and bermuda bay. Optional was to make it masculine.

cherry cobbler, pacific point, old olive, bermuda bay

I chose an ombre background designer paper in the bermuda bay color. I cut the boat and other elements in the challenge colors plus some allowed neutrals.

I framed my scene using the Pierced Wide Rectangle frame die. Looks like this one is retired and no longer available, but you can easily cut a frame using any of the CottageCutz Rectangle dies.

Stamped my sentiment and my first Father's Day card is finished. See you next Saturday.

Reminder: We have a couple of Design Team openings. Check out this post for all the details.

Saturday, May 06, 2023

O Snap Card

Hello Cottage Cutz friends,

Melinda here with you today. I am sharing a fun and quick card for that time when you "forget" someone's birthday or "special" day.

Here is what I created. It is a horizontal A2 card base from white cardstock. I then used a green cardstock for the base mat. I used some cute patterned papers from Doodlebug and matted them with a black cardstock mat as well as a double stitched rectangle mat. I also used the double stitched oval die for the base of the title and to put on the camera. I used the sweet little Elephant die and one of the birthday hats. I also used the cute Celebrate Banner. I colored in all those sweet little heart and stars. I then used the cute little camera and then used the Lemonade Stand title for the sentiment.

Here is a closer look at the banner. I cut it out in white and then colored in the various stars and hearts with my markers. This sweet banner is from the Celebrate Banner die.

Here is a closer look at the Camera. I also put on the title O Snap I created. I adhered all of that to one of the Double-Stitched Oval Dies. I cut it out in white cardstock so the camera and title would really pop.

I used the O from the lemonade title. I then used the title stand and created the word snap by cutting out the "t" and flipping the "d". I also moved the n in front of the a. This is from the Lemonade Phrases die set.

Here is a closer look at the sweet little elephant from the Festive Elephant Die set. I colored him with my gray markers and some chalks. I used one of the birthday hats from the Party Hats die to dress him up. I used some stickles for some extra touches.

Here is one last look at my finished card. I think it turned out super cute!

Dies Used

Double-Stitched Oval Die

Double-Stitched Rectangle Mat Die

Well that about covers it for today! Be sure to stop back by and see what the other super talented designers create and don't forget to check out Cottage Cutz on YouTube!

Until the next time, have a wonderfully crafty day! Melinda.

Thursday, May 04, 2023

A Little Birdie Told Me!

Hello Friends,

It is Pam creating with you today! We have a giant Anniversary Sale going on in the store. Some of the items are up to 75% off!! Check it out HERE. The sale ends May 5th so don't miss out!

The Birds in this Easter collection are so versatile and beautiful. They would be perfect for a mother's day card, thank you, sympathy or just about anything! I am using the Spring Potted Flower w/Bird for my Birthday card.

Design Steps:

1. Using the Spring Potted Flower w/Bird cut out all the pieces in white card stock

2. Using a variety of ink colors shade in all the pieces

3. To create the frame I used the largest Double Stitched Rectangle and taped the second largest Rectangle die in the center. Run it through your machine twice for two frames. Glue the frames together and also glue the inside of the frame pieces together. Use a blue ink and blend the frames and the inside of the frames

4. The card base is white A2 card stock. Cut a piece of white 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 and then run through an embossing folder. Glue the embossed piece to the card front. Place dimension tape around the frame and place it just slightly above center

5. Pop in the blue inside of the frame and then assemble your bird as shown. I did use dimension dots on the pot and bird. Add the sentiment and your card is complete

CottageCutz Products

We have more inspiration on our YouTube Channel check it out HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by! And I will see you next Thursday.

Blessings and Take Care

Wednesday, May 03, 2023

CottageCutz Design Team Openings

We currently are looking for two designers to join our team. One position would be posting to the CottageCutz Blog and another position as a video designer. The video designer will be posting to the CottageCutz YouTube channel with a how-to tutorial project.

We are looking for Design Team members who are very active on social media. These sites include: Blogger, Facebook (page or groups), Pinterest, and Instagram. The position will be a 3-month term commitment from July -September 2023with an option to extend.

We are looking for dependable, energetic, enthusiastic and talented designers who enjoy papercrafting with die-cutting and can showcase CottageCutz dies in different ways (layouts, cards, altered items, tags, etc.) whatever your style may be, we would love to see what you have to bring to our team.

What we expect:

*Must have a personal active blog, Facebook page, Instagram or Pinterest account.

*Good communicator, reliable, dedicated and on time with deadlines.

*Post to the CottageCutz Blog and your personal blog or Facebook Page 4 times per month using only CottageCutz dies. No other dies are permitted. Video designers will post twice a month.

*Actively promote CottageCutz product on your personal blog, Facebook, Instagram accounts or Pinterest account.

*List all CottageCutz dies used and appropriate links back to the store.

*Be able to give instructions to how you used our CottageCutz dies.

*Access to camera that is able to take high quality well-lit photos.

*Upload to at least 1 online gallery such as Splitcoaststampers, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

*Create at least one project for each die given. All dies & stamps need to be used and featured in a project.

*Team spirit and able to follow directions accordingly

*Support DT members by commenting on their posts on the CottageCutz Blog, Facebook or Instagram accounts.

Selected Designer will receive:

*Generous amount in product each month.

*Your name and picture linked to your blog from the CottageCutz Blog.

*CottageCutz Design badge to feature on your blog.

*Great product discount.

*Bonus given to those who are published in a printed crafting publication. CottageCutz must be listed in the supply list for your project.

To apply, please do the following:

1. Please e-mail Mary Marsh at mrmarsh917@gmail.com with the subject line: CottageCutz Design Team Call.

2. Please attach 2 projects showcasing dies. These can be projects you have already done or current projects. We would like to see Cards, layouts, altered items, etc. For video applications also send a link to your YouTube channel.

3. Links to your personal blog or Facebook Page and any online galleries where you upload your projects.

4. Tell us why you think you would be a perfect fit for the CottageCutz design team.

5. Please list current and past design teams.

** We will be accepting applications until May 31 and the selected stamper will be announced shortly after**.

Tuesday, May 02, 2023

Thanks Floral Card

Hello Cottage Cutz friends,

Melinda here with you, Today I am sharing a simple card that you can make in bulk to build your stash.

Here is a look at my completed card. I started with a top folding A2 card base. I used some white cardstock for the base.

To the card base, I added a patterned paper mat. I then cut out two mats from the double stitched rectangle die set. I added some patterned paper mats to both of those.

Next, I cut out the pretty Flower 7 die cut twice in white cardstock. I then colored my flower pieces and added them to the smaller of the two mats. I added a bow towards the bottom of the larger mat and adhered it to the base. I added a few layers of foam tape to the back of the smaller mat with the flowers. I wanted to give it a little lift.

I then cut out the word Thanks from the die in white cardstock. I colored it with the same color as the stamen of my flowers. I very much like to start with white cardstock for my die cuts as then I can color them in to try and match them to my patterned paper selection without worrying about not having all the right colored cardstock. Plus coloring is so much fun and relaxing!

To finish up my card, I added my sentiment on the flower mat and then added three little sequins to give it that little extra touch. It all came together and the flowers were the perfect stars of the card!