Whimsical Easter Topiary

Topiaries are traditionally a more formal piece that you might find in your home. Here at the Scrapping Cottage we don’t always follow tradition! This bright, whimsical tree is fun, playful and ANYTHING but formal. I used several of my favorite QuicKutz dies to create this festive holiday centerpiece. The peek-a-boo bunny (KS-0412) is quite charming and lovable as he peeks over flower pots and just about anything else you can imagine! The Easter egg (KS-0414) is an incredibly resourceful die. You can decorate it any way you like, adding many other QuicKutz shapes to create the perfect egg! I love the simplicity and versatility of the daisy (KS-0537).

I am enchanted by all of the flourish dies created by QuicKutz. This particular flourish (REV-0025) is so happy and conventional, it feels like home!
Butterflies flutter and dance in the garden, they are beautiful and shy all at the same time. This, my best-loved QuicKutz butterfly (KS-0172), is amusing two exclusive pals created especially for the Scrapping Cottage. The darling bee and the delightful ladybug are part of Scrapping Cottage’s custom Tea Set (C-0072-D-REV).

Just to put a SMILE on your pretty face, these dies can be found here at the Scrapping Cottage for all of your fanciful, inspiring designs!

Rain Check?

Just a fun little card you can put together quickly using the new Quickutz Rain Puddle Die. I love the boots cut from polka dot paper! Think how cute they would be cut from stripes, too. For the sentiment, I used the Quickutz Storybook and I borrowed the question mark from Aquarius.

Watch for it Wednesdays! #2

This week I would like to share a tip for a quick and easy way to make a folded shaped card. Cut your cardstock into the size card you want and fold it in half. Make sure your card is larger than the shaped die you plan to use. Next, place the folded edge of the card slightly below the cutting edge of your metal die.

Now, when you roll your card and die through your cutter, you will have a shaped card with the folded edge still intact. I used the Quickutz Cookie Cutter Nesting Flowers to create my scalloped edge card.

Beary Special layout

Here it is!!!!!! – The 12”x12” scrapbook page layout using the same SIZZIX BIGZ Teddy Bear #3 that I used for the ‘Miss you’ card earlier in the week. As you can see I L-O-V-E using a combination of different dies together and I have combined both Quickutz & Sizzix dies together to create this very ‘girly’ baby page of my daughter. I started by making up the Rose border by using the QUICKUTZ Vine Border 12" die and adding lots of little rose buds to it - (QUICKUTZ Rose Bud KS-0451)
For the Princess bear I used the QUICKUTZ Hat KS-0869 and the QUICKUTZ Swimsuit KS-0726 for her pants. The stem of the roses is a section of the QUICKUTZ Vine Border.
On the other side of the page I have used the SIZZIX BIGZ Decorative Accent #10 and added some of the same Quickutz rose buds. I have used the QUICKUTZ Squares & Dots Border die to frame the photo and threaded some ribbon through the slots to give it a much prettier ‘girly’ look..
The title was made with the QUICKUTZ Beauty Queen Grand Alphabet and I used TIM HOLTZ Distress Ink - antique linen for inking around the title & bear.
I have also used BASIC GREY background paper & 'Princess' title Rub on.

Imagine this Teddy border on a mothers Day page or cut it shorter to make a mothers day or Baby girl card.

The Scrapping Cottage Design Team

Design Team Members are: Kay Norman, Ruth Ellen Yeager, Beverly Sizemore, Natasha Downing and Rochelle Larocca. You can learn more about our Design Team on the Scrapping Cottage website.

Congratulations Gold Crown Card

I used Hero Arts Regal Crown stamp, pearls and Cream flowers to make this Congratulations card. I also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder, gold cardstock and ink. Be sure to check out all the great stamps The Stamping Cottage has to offer.

Here is another card using the CottageCutz Birdcage & Bird. In case you haven't guessed by not, I am having FUN with this die. :)

I decided to pull out some of my dies that I have not had the opportunity to use - YET!!! I don't know why I didn't do it A LOT sooner because I had so much fun making this little bear that I wanted to Share him with you :-) This lovable bear and his frog would also look fantastic on a childs scrapbooking layout. I have made up an example of this same bear used in a 12" x 12" layout and will be Posting it to the blog later in the week, so be sure to check back as I'm sure you wont want to miss it :-)
Products used:-
SIZZIX BIGZ Teddy Bear #3 655360
QUICKUTZ Frog KS-0572
QUICKUTZ Storybook alphabet 4x8-STORYBK-M
TIM HOLTZ Distress Ink for inking around the bear
These are all in stock at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE if you want to make one of these cute little bears for yourself.

This is a quick & easy card I made using my favourite COTTAGE CUTZ die - OWL SC-CC-001.

Cottage Cutz dies are custom made exclusively for THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE.

Here is another 12”x12” single page layout that I have done using the EXCLUSIVE QUICKUTZ SCARECROW die C-0076-D-REV.
There are a limited amount of these gorgeous dies is in stock at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE, so don’t delay and get one before it’s too late. It’s never a nice feeling when you realize that you actually do want or need a die & they’re all sold out. This Scarecrow die is a Revolution 4”x4” double die set, so is great value for money.

I have also used-

QUICKUTZ Grass die RS-0024,

QUICKUTZ Monogram Set - 'C' -

QUICKUTZ Princess Carriage (the pumpkin) C-0118-D-REV

QUICKUTZ Chemistry Alpahbet set 4x8-CHEMISTR-MU

Here is a 12”x12” single page scrapbook layout that I made using a lot of my favorite Cottage Cutz & Quickutz dies. I just L-O-V-E the Cottage Cutz dies as they are so easy to use and the finished product looks amazing. They work exactly the same way as the Quickutz Revolution dies do so I can use them in my Revolution machine. If you haven’t tried the Cottage Cutz dies yet, you don’t know what you are missing!!! I have also used Tim Holtz Distress Ink on the Pig, Rabbit & Bird to try and give them a more realistic 3D look.

Have a look in THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE store to find all these items that I have used to make this magical layout-

QUICKUTZ grass border die CC-BDR-004

QUICKUTZ tree border die CC-BDR-021

COTTAGE CUTZ giraffe die SC-CC-007

COTTAGE CUTZ owl die SC-CC-001

COTTAGE CUTZ bunny die SC-CC-004

COTTAGE CUTZ pig die SC-CC-010

COTTAGE CUTZ fawn die SC-CC-002

COTTAGE CUTZ bee die SC-CC33-001

QUICKUTZ Bee die KS-0050

TIM HOLTZ Distress Ink – ‘Antique Linen’.

Clown Card

Think you missed out on the Quickutz Clown Die?? Think again! I created this fun card using the Revolution Scarecrow Die! I used the center of the flower as the clown's rubber nose and I used the tree top from the 2x2 tree die to create the clown wig. There's just no end to what you can create with Quickutz!

Here's another card using the CottageCutz Birdcage & Bird die. I cut the birdcage from gold foil board and left all the pieces in of the design. I was trying for a different "look" with the die. Did I succeed? :) I'm having so much fun with this die. Be on the lookout for another card coming soon using this die. :)

Here is a quick card using some Sizzix dies that are on sale 50% off. The set is the Butterflies & Flowers Set. The stamps on the card are from a set found at Scrapping Cottage too. They are the Tree, Bird and Messages by Hero Arts. (I colored the birds using colored pencils and Gamsol.)

WATCH FOR IT WEDNESDAY #1

Each Wednesday we will be posting a simple Tip or Technique to help you out on those scrappy related projects. We're calling it "Watch for it Wednesday"

This week I'd like to show you how to add just a little detail on your diecuts. I keep a bottle of white Acrylic paint handy to add little white dots in the center of the eyes. I shake up the paint and unscrew the lid and then dip the pointed end of my Quickstik in the little bit of paint in the lid and then dot it right on the diecut. This way there is no paint mess. I do this on almost all my diecuts that have eyes. It's quick and easy and makes the diecut come to life. On this owl I also took my Zig pen and detailed his nose just a bit to make it stand out as well.

Hoppy Birthday

Here is a card using the CottageCutz Frog. I stamped the background paper with a stamp and then made my frog diecut and detailed him with a white gel pen and a black Zig pen as well as some chalk. I used 2 black gems from Hero Arts for the eyes and 2 yellow and one olive for the crown. I used some mounting tape to make him pop of the page just a bit and added a Prima flower with a sparkly brad center.

Who loves a great 50% off sale? I know I do!!!! :) Here is a card using the Sizzix Sizzlits Butterfly and Flower Set. This set has the prettiest butterfly die. All I did for this card was cut the butterfly from patterned paper, fold the wings just a bit so that they look like they are perching and add some mint green pearls in the center of each. Easy! :)

Fun card using the CottageCutz Birdcage and Bird

I'm in love with this die. Be sure to watch the blog

for more samples with this die. :)

St. Patrick's Day Tag

Here's a fun idea for a tag. I turned the Shamrock into a balloon and I used the Pilgrim costume for the clothes on my Leprechaun Rev paper doll for something different. I love all the different costumes sets for the paper dolls! It gives you so many different possibilities! His hair and beard are cut from the Popcorn die.

Congratulations to the winners of our Cottage Contest!!!!

We received so many wonderful submissions of artwork. Thank you all that participated. If was a tough decision, but we finally narrowed it down to these three winners:

1st Place: Nadine B. of Auburn, Washington
2nd Place: Natasha D. of Cairns, Australia
3rd Place: Rochelle L. of Roseville, California

CONGRATULATIONS again to all three winners. Their projects will be added to our Gallery soon.

Do you know anyone who needs a hug because they're going through a difficult time? Then this card idea is just for you! This is made from the CottageCutz pig die. Isn't he cute?!

I took a printed diecut by Pebbles, Inc. that was

already in a circular shape and placed it over the

Sizzix Bigz Die Scalloped Circle. Now who says

it is not easy to cut a scalloped circle? :) This

is one of my favorite Sizzix dies!!!!

Here is a quick and easy card using the new Sizzix Bigz Eiffel Tower die. I love Paris! :)

Egg Cup

Here is simple and fun idea you can do with many of the dies from the February Quickutz release. I used the 2x2 Chick Die and glued him onto the green cardstock ring for a decorative Easter Egg holder. I chose sturdy cardstock for both the chick and the paper ring so it would hold the egg securely. I joined the two ends of the green cardstock ring with staples for a quick and secure hold. I added the google eye just for fun :)

***CORRECTION***
And the winner is.......................MARIA!!!!



Congratulations, Maria! You may contact The Scrapping Cottage to select your free Quickutz die from the February release. Thanks to everyone who participated in our first blog contest. We had so much fun that we can't wait to do it again!!

Last Chance to leave a comment about your favorite Spring Quickutz release die!

Winner will be announced tomorrow so don't wait!

This tag/nameplate was made with the new

Chick-A-Dee 4x8 font and the hat from the Revolution St. Patrick's Day die, some distress ink and some Stickles.

Think Spring Card

The new 12" Flower border from the Feb QK release is so versatile! To create this card, I simply cut off two of the five flowers from the border and placed them on an angle onto the card. You can use the flower outlines as I have done in this project or fill in the petals with contrasting cardstock for a completely different look. I love a die with so many options! The alpha I used is Quickutz Strawberry (which is on sale in the store right now!) and I outlined the letters with a brown pen to add a little extra detail.

This Quickutz Revolution St. Patrick's Day die is also great for those times when you want to wish someone luck. Do you have a special friend or family member that's applying for an important job, position or college? These shapes work great for wishing them "Good Luck!"

The horseshoe was cut out twice, one in yellow and one in brown. Then I chalked around the edges and added a bit of Stickles in each hole. For the shamrock I added a little distress ink around the edges and used some mounting tape to make it pop up just a bit.

Here is another card using the latest dies from the Quickutz Spring Shapes release. This chocolate bunny die was a must for me. He's so cute!

For this card I punched a tiny hole in the top of the ear and used a jump ring to keep the bunny hanging straight on the safety pin.

Be sure to leave your comments and specifiy which shape is your favorite from this release to win the shape of your choice. You have until Saturday night to do leave your comments.

Wishing you a Rainbow Card

I created this card using the new doublekutz Quickutz Revolution Weather die that includes this fun rainbow! I thought the rainbow might be difficult to piece together but each band fits so easily!

Don't forget to enter our contest and post your vote for your favorite die from the new February Quickutz release for your chance to win any die of your choice from this new release (excluding the alphabet). Just click here and you will be taken directly to the contest post and you can add your comment to be entered into the drawing. Remember you have until Saturday at midnight to cast your vote!

Here is a fun card using the Quickutz Sunburst border. I punched out the sun pieces and applied Hero Arts gems (coming soon to the store) in the center and then used Stickles. This border is great for cards or those summertime layouts.

Here is an Easter card made with the Quickutz Club die. If you spend $50 in

Quickutz or CottageCutz products you receive this Cracked Egg die for free.

Lucky Enough Card

This new Shamrock Border is fabulous! One run through the Revolution and BAM you have seven shamrocks ready to go! They work great as one solid border or you can cut it apart to make smaller borders or even use them as individual shamrocks! The shamrocks are slightly different from each other which makes this border die that much more versatile. The possibilities are endless! Keep an eye on the blog for even more projects using this great new border die as well as many others from the new February Quickutz release!

Don't you just love this new Spring Quickutz release? Now if we can only get the spring weather to come too!

I used the new Revolution Shamrock die to make this card as well as the tiny shamrock from the Cookie Cutter spring set. I shaded the edges with my distress ink and a sponge dauber and stamped it with the Hero Arts Happy St. Patrick's Day stamp. Be sure to check back often as we will be posting more cards using the dies from this new release.

Spring Card

Spring is in the air here at Scrapping Cottage with the fabulous new February Quickutz release!! Be sure to check all these cute new shapes! And to add even more excitement, we have an exciting new contest starting here on the Cottage Blog. Just add a comment to this post telling us which is your favorite die from the new February Quickutz release. You have until Saturday at midnight to make a comment and then on Sunday we will draw a name from all the comments and the winner will receive a FREE DIE of your choice from this new release (excludes the new alphabet). Be sure to check back often to see everyone's favorite picks and to enjoy new projects each day all day long here on the Cottage Blog.

Here's a wedding card using the Sizzix Bigz Die, Wedding Cake. The cake is on gold foil board which does not scan well (also the wedding rings). I LOVE this die. :) It is so much fun to "decorate." :)

Got candy? This card should have read "Got M&Ms" in my case. :) Fun card to make using the Sizzix Bigz Die, Owl With Hat found here at Scrapping Cottage.

Here is a quick and easy Christmas card using some Sizzix dies that are on SALE at Scrapping Cottage. ;) The penquin is so much fun to do. He also has an outfit if you are interested in "dressing" him up. :)

CottageCutz Penguin "That is so Cool!" Congratulations card. I also used the Quickutz 4x8 Banana Split alphabet that is on sale right now for 50% off! Be sure to check it out in the store. The snowflakes and the border are also Quickutz. I took the bead border die and punched holes in it to get this look.

Thanks Card

We have a fabulous 50% off sale going on right now on 4x8 Quickutz alphabets! They are going fast so you don't want to miss out! This card was created using Scenic Route Grafton papers and Quickutz Nesting Flowers and the 4x8 Rollerskate alphabet.

Just Because - CreatedbyKay

Deer Birthday Card - CreatedbyKay

Here are some more cards using the CottageCutz Bee and Deer dies. These are so fun to detail with chalks, Stickles and pen detailing.

CreatedbyKay

Easter is just around the corner and the CottageCutz bunny is perfect for those Easter cards and layouts. Check out our rubber stamp section of the store for lots of great sentiments.

Here are two more cute cards made with CottageCutz dies from Jane A.

CreatedbyKay

Have you tried our CottageCutz dies?

CottageCutz Dies are made exclusively for The Scrapping Cottage. We are proud to offer our own brand of shape dies. This die is approximately 4" x 4" and is compatible with the following machines: QuicKutz Revolution, Sizzix / Ellison Big Shot, BigKick, CuttleBug, SpellBinder Wizard and Accucut Zip'eMate. 100% guarantee that this die cuts on the above machines. Adapters may be required on some machines. Made in the USA.

More CottageCutz projects coming soon......