Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Watch For It Wednesdays #9


I get asked a lot of questions about my scrapbooking but the question I get asked the most is “How do I ink my die cuts and what do I use”? There are many different ways and products to ink with so not everyone will have the same equipment & style. The best way is to keep practising with different techniques until you find a style that works for you. There is no one set way of inking, and that is what makes this such a fun and exciting technique.
I am going to go through step by step the way that I do my inking so that you can see how I do it and hopefully get an idea of how to start inking your die cuts until you can build your own technique & style.
The above picture shows the Banner before and after it has been inked.


For this demonstration I have used:- The Quickutz Banner Border die for the die cut, Tim Holtz Distress Ink ‘Vintage Photo’ (medium brown), Tim Holtz Distress Ink ‘Walnut Stain’ (dark brown), Sponge cloth, Pencil and a Piece of scrap paper to work on when inking.


STEP 1- Cut a piece of Kitchen sponge cloth into a rectangle shape about 2”x4”. Cut 1 for each colour ink you will be using – This will keep your colours separate & stop your ink pads turning into a horrible mud colour.


STEP 2:- With a lead pencil, very lightly draw an outline where the banner looks like it’s going to fold back on itself. This will help you see where you need to add some shadow to give your banner a 3D look.


Step 3:- Fold your piece of Sponge Cloth in half and hold it with the open end towards the palm of your hand. Place your fingers on top and your thumb underneath. You are now ready to ink.



Step 4:- Using your lighter coloured ink first,(if you are using more than 1 shade of colour) ink the underneath front section of your sponge. The size of your die cut will determine the amount of ink needed. Because I am doing a long die cut, I have inked the entire length of the bottom of the sponge.



STEP 5:- Always start inking from the edge of your die cut working towards the centre so that the darker areas are on the edges and to avaid having solid lines in the middle of your die cuts where there shouldn't be any lines - It just give your inking a much smoother more flowing look. Press your sponge down firmly on the very edge of the of your die cut or just over onto the scrap paper you are working on and ‘flick’ the sponge upwards towards you (now pick the sponge up off the floor and try it again, but this time keep a hold onto the sponge and don’t let go :-) :-) :-) - sorry I couldn’t resist :-). This will help your ink gradually change from dark to light as it get closer to the middle of your die cut.



STEP 6:- Keep repeating step 5 until you have gone all the way around your die cut. You may need to do the same area a few times to get a look that you are happy with. Don’t forget to ink the area where you drew your pencil line for the Banners Shaded areas. For this area place your inked sponged along the pencil line as if that was the edge of your die cut and flick your sponge forwards towards where you would like your shadow to be.


STEP 7:- If you are using a second ink, this is where you would start the inking process again from the beginning using the darker shade of ink. You will now ink over the top of your other inking but this time you will ink very lightly still doing the flicking motion and not ink as much of the die cut area as you did with the lighter ink. This would be more of an outlined shadow area so you would stay more to the edges of your die cut.
Remember when you are inking with more than 1 Shade of a colour, always start with the lighter Shade first and then the darkest Shade last. Gradually add your colours because you can always add a darker colour on top of the lighter colours, but it gets very difficult when you are trying to do it the other way around.


Step 8:- Finally, to ink the edge of the die cut pick it up and with your sponge, holding it the opposite way as before, this time with your thumb on top and fingers underneath, put the inked section of the sponge onto the side of the die cut and do the flicking motion away from you. Continue until you have gone around the entire edge of the die cut. You are now FINISHED and ready to use your die cut in a project.



This may sound complicated, but trust me IT’S NOT. Each time you try it, it will easier & easier. I believe that the best way to learn is by your mistakes so don’t be scared to experiment with different products, sponges & techniques. You will soon find out whether it’s your style or not. So go and experiment. You may be surprised at what you turn out with. Don’t worry if you make a mistake or 2 because they can always be covered up by some die cuts or pretty flowers etc. :-)

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Feelin' Groovy


Today I chose to highlight the CottageCutz Groovy Car. What a fun die to work with, doesn't it remind you of the Partridge Family TV show? I know some of you are too young to remember that far back.

Back in high school I had a friend who drove an old red beetle bug that didn't need a key to start it, she used a screw driver! Anyway, I added the flowers from an EK Success flower punch that I thought went great with this die and a few Hero Arts mini stamps for my background. For my windows I used Quickutz Vellum Adhesive sheets (which are on sale right now for $2.95!) and a gray marker. When using these vellum sheets make sure you know which side is vellum and which side is the tear off strip.

I cut a piece of the vellum and placed it vellum side to the diecut, ran it through my Revolution and then colored it with a gray marker, peeled it off and placed it on my Groovy car.
Natasha also used the Groovy Car in her post last Saturday. She even used distress ink to make it look great on the road in her cute layout .

Monday, May 04, 2009

Dry embossing is one of my favorite things to include on a card. Sizzix has made it SO much easier than in the past. Remember when we had to drag out the light box and do all the work by
hand with our brass stencils and stylus?? I loved the look but would rarely bother to do it. The
embossing folders have changed that though. Now dry embossing is super fast and easy. :) This wedding card uses the new Medallions, Frame & Damask Textured Impressions Folders.
You get four different designs with this set. I used the largest one on this card. It looks elegant
when done on white cardstock and is perfect for wedding cards. The card also has some Sizzix
Sizzlit Butterflies too. (Remember I have "butterfly fever.") :) If you haven't tried the new Sizzix textured impressions folders, I highly recommend them! :)

Friday, May 01, 2009

BEEP BEEP



Getting a 1 year old to sit and pose ‘Happily’ for photographs is almost impossible, so when Jacob happily sat and posed for me, I quickly took as many photo’s as I could until he decided that he’d had enough. It’s amazing how many photographs you can take in 2 minutes if they just sit still and co-operate:-) I managed to take some gorgeous photos of Jacob playing with his truck and could not wait to use them in a layout, So for this weeks project I decided to do a double page 12”x 12” layout with a boyish theme to it. I am happy with the way it turned out and just L-O-V-E the QUICKUTZ UNIVERSITY ALPHABET that I used as the size is Perfect for large titles.




For this layout I used the following Dies and products:-
COTTAGE CUTZ -LIMITED EDITION- GROOVEY CAR SC-CC4x4-025
QUICKUTZ UNIVERSITY COOKIE CUTTER GRAND ALPHABET
QUICKUTZ CLOUDS CC-BDR-032
QUICKUTZ TREE REV-0182-D
QUICKUTZ FILM STRIP CC-SHAPE-1-033
QUICKUTZ TRACTOR REV-0112-S (ON SALE AT THE MOMENT FOR $9.95 - WHAT A BARGAIN :-)
QUICKUTZ CEMENT MIXER REV-0111-S (ALSO ON SALE AT THE MOMENT FOR $9.95 - ANOTHER GREAT BARGAIN :-)
QUICKUTZ AIRPLANE REV-0109-S
QUICKUTZ ROADS REV-0053
QUICKUTZ SUN RS-0934 (ANOTHER GREAT DIE ON SALE FOR ONLY $3.95 :-)
QUICKUTZ FLOWERS KS-0535 (I LOVE THIS DIE AND IT IS ON SALE FOR AN AMAZING $2.95 - WOW:-)
SIZZIX PICKET FENCE 38-0213
TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS INKS

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE FOR MORE AMAZING ITEMS ON SALE- DONT DELAY BECASUE YOU DONT WONT TO MISS OUT.

NSD Quickutz Gift Sets!!!!

It is Spring Gift Set time and Quickutz has released FOUR gifts sets!!! Each set includes a unique font plus coordinating shapes. Plus, the metal dies included in these gift sets are actually colored for even more fun! DO NOT DELAY!!! Quickutz has run out of these sets so if you were thinking of getting them, act fast!

Happy Shopping!!

Friday Fun - Quickutz Contact Card Projects


Here are a couple of projects I made using the new Quickutz Rounded Contact Card. This die makes a card that is the same shape as a standard rolodex card. Just think of all the cute rolodex cards you could make with it! How about your own birthday reminder rolodex?? Or an email address rolodex?? There are so many fun things you could do with it. This die would also be great used as a journaling block on a layout, too. Be sure to check it out along with all the other Back to Basics dies from the April Release!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Snow Angels 101

This week I have been playing with the new Instant Photo Cookie Cutter Die from the April Quickutz release. This is such a fun die and really much more versatile than it seems at first. You will need the the 12" platform and 12" cutting mat to cut this die, though, because it is a little longer than 4". I wouldn't want you to get it home and then be disappointed you couldn't use your new Instant Photo Die right away - although this is a great excuse to get the 12" platform if you haven't already!!

I tried to do something a little different than just use it as an instant photo replica (although it is REALLY cute like that!) By turning it on its side and using colored cardstock instead of white, you get an entirely different look. I also used Diesel Classic and Lemonade skinni mini.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Watch For It Wednesdays #8

Sizzix has some very nice embossing folders. They come in packages of two large OR one large
and three smaller folders. I recently got the Spring Flowers and Paisley Set.
I opened the package and was heading to the garbage can when the "lightbulb" went off. :)
It seemed a shame to throw away such a large heavy weight piece of plastic. I cut a piece from
the plastic and ran it thru my Big Shot with the Sizzix Bigz Scalloped Square die.

What to do with the pretty scalloped plastic square now????? The "lightbulb" went off again
(wow, two times in one day). :) I put the scalloped square in the Sizzix Textured Impression
Paisley folder and ran it thru my Big Shot.


The clear embossed plastic was pretty but I still wanted more! :) So the "lightbulb" went off
a third time (amazing I know). :) I colored the back of the plastic with a new color of alcohol ink called Citrus. Now I had a pretty embossed colored embellishment for a card. :)


I cut another Scalloped Square from white cardstock to put behind the plastic piece (so it would
show up better). Cut another scalloped square from some paisley print paper, added a flower,
sticker and some brads for a quick and easy card. The best part though was my "fancy"
embellishment was FREE (so to speak). :) Now I'll have to get all the Sizzix Textured Impressions just to get the plastic wrapper. (Wink, wink!!!!!) :)



Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It's a Girl Giraffe Card

Have you noticed this past year that giraffes and other zoo type animals have become so popular for baby items? I just love this CottageCutz Giraffe, he is so cute! (I know I say this about all the CottageCutz dies I work with, but it's true) For this card I used some cute baby girl paper that had giraffes on it and copied the colors into my diecut giraffe. I shaded him with some chalk and used some Kaiser pearls for his.....what do they call those things??? LOL!
I used some mounting tape to pop him off the card and then used the smallest Quickutz nesting flower die for the "it's a girl".
If your a Quickutz fan and you haven't tried some of these CottageCutz dies you are missing out.
Check them out and order a few before they're gone because they go quickly!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Butterfly "Art" Card

Do you ever go thru "phases"? :) Right now I am in a "butterfly phase." I can' t get enough of
butterfly dies, stamps, etc.!!!! I guess you could say I have started a butterfly collection. :) Today's card is a fast and easy one (the best kind, right?). It uses the
Sizzlits Butterfly and Flower #2 Hello Kitty set. The quote in the center is a rub-on by Autumn
Leaves. For a fun look to your dies, add text from an old book (the butterfly centers and center
of the card). All right, who else is going to collect butterflies with me? (Wink, wink.) :)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Birthday Card




I have been playing around with some of the COTTAGE CUTZ April release dies which I L-O-V-E and I have made this Birthday card using the
COTTAGE CUTZ CUPCAKE TIER 4x4 die and the GO KREATE ‘BOO, FOR YOU’ 4x4 die. I’ve also used the QUICKUTZ APRON KS-0559, QUICKUTZ CHEF’S HAT RS-0242 and the QUICKUTZ HAPPY BIRTHDAY REV-0157-S die for the title which I cut twice in black & green so that I could mount it and make it stand out a little. The little tongs are from the QUICKUTZ CHEF'S COSTUME revolution die. I have also inked my die cuts with TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS INKS and sprinkled some KAISERCRAFT RHINESTONES on top of the cupcakes to make them sparkle.

And the winner is...............

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

The winner of this month's free die is.........................

Rebecca!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats to you and thanks for everyone who entered this month! Don't forget to enter next month!

Rebecca, you may contact Scrapping Cottage to choose your free die (excluding the alpha). Enjoy your shopping!!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

LAST CHANCE!!!!

Don't miss out!! You have until midnight tonight to make a comment on this thread telling us which is your favorite die from the new April Quickutz Release for your chance to win a free die of your choice (excluding the alpha)!

WELCOME



I have had a lot of fun this week using some of the new QUICKUTZ APRIL RELEASE DIES and they are just great. My favourite die from this latest release is the QUICKUTZ 12” BANNER BORDER DIE CC-BDR-033. I fell in love with it when I first saw it, and now that I have used it I know that I made the right choice choosing this die. It looks terrific on 12” x12”page layouts and even more fantastic if you add just a little inking or shading to it. The photo at the bottom of this post shows what a difference just a little inking can do to a die cut. I used the TIM HOLTZ ‘walnut stain’ DISTRESS INK to make the banner look more 3 dimensional.
This layout would look great as the front page of a baby album, so I have not overcrowded it and instead used fewer die cuts to make the photo stand out more. As the saying goes “sometimes Less is more”, and that is what I have tried to achieve with my layout this week.
The titles are made with the GO KREATE ‘NORTON’ alphabet. This is a Fabulous alphabet because it looks great and you are actually getting 2 uni case alphabets (1 larger alphabet like the one I used for my title, and a second smaller uni case alphabet like the letters that I used to write the name Jacob. (The ‘J’ is from the Quickutz Monogram Alphabet set which I double mounted) The larger size of the Norton alphabet has also got the Punctuation and Numbers.
In this layout I have also used the new release QUICKUTZ CLIPBOARD REV-0195-S, the QUICKUTZ NOTEBOOK SHEET REV-0194-S which fits perfectly onto the the clipboard, the COTTAGE CUTZ WHEELBARROW OF FLOWERS, except I replaced the flowers with the GO-KREATE ‘BOO ON HIS BUM’ DIE . And finally I have used the QUICKUTZ RAINBOW & CLOUD.

Friday, April 24, 2009

So Happy!


Brackets, Brackets everywhere!!



The QuicKutz new Back to the Basics release is filled with brackets, banners, arrows and lots of fun!!

I have always loved to use brackets in my layouts! They are stylish, unique and innovative! In this layout, I used some border brackets very similar to the new release QuicKutz bracket ( I confess, I cheated.....I don't have the new BIG QuicKutz bracket yet so I have to love the idea of it until it arrives!! But when I get it.....I am going to go crazy!! LOL) :O)


Thursday, April 23, 2009

New Quickutz nesting labels!

I am in love with the new Nesting Labels from the April Quickutz release!! Both sets are in the cookie cutter format and are so versatile! They would make a great addition to your collection no matter what type of paper crafting you enjoy.

Today, I am featuring the longer rectangular set of nesting labels. This set comes with three different sizes of labels. Not only are you able to cut out solid labels in these three different sizes, the dies are also designed so that you are able to cut out label borders as well. So in reality, you get six different cuts from this set!!

In my first project, I created a layout using SEI papers and the middle sized nesting label to create my title block. You can see what a great size this one is for creating titles.
For my second project, I have created a card using the largest nesting label and the middle sized label together.
Keep checking the blog regularly for even more new projects using the fabulous dies from this latest Quickutz release. Plus, don't forget to leave a comment here telling us which is your favorite die from this release for your chance to win a FREE DIE of your choice (excluding the alpha) from the April release. Happy Scrapping!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Watch for it Wednesdays!! #7

One of the great things about Quickutz dies is that they are so well designed and allow for so much personal creativity and experimentation when assembling the different shapes together. However, occasionally, some shapes may seem a little harder to piece together than others. So here are a few tips to help make assembling your die cuts quick and easy! For my example, I have used the Anime Monkey from the March Release, but you could apply these tips to just about any of the dies.

First, make all the cuts you will need to assemble your shape and gather all the pieces together.

Next, start with the body of the monkey and place it directly on the card that came inside the Quickutz packaging so that it lays right on top. (If you no longer have your original packaging, you can always download the image and print it out from the Quickutz site.)

Now you can place some glue right at the top of the body where the nose/mouth piece will lay.
Next, lift up the body and place the head piece down over the picture and add glue to the bottom of the head piece so you could place the body right back over the head piece.

Here is another trick I use when you need to attach pieces that don't have a back. I simply place a little piece of scotch tape across the opening of the ears. Now you can easily place the inside pieces of the ears into the openings. This tip is also helpful when you are assembling a die cut like this one that you want to be able to lift of the page or card with a pop dot.

Now you can easily continue assembling the rest of the die cut :)

Be sure to check out the new April Quickutz release in the store and don't forget to leave a comment here to be entered into the drawing for a free die of your choice from the new release (excludes the alpha).

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Easter Morning


Here is another project using today's Quickutz release. I used the 12" Bracket border die.
I cut my patterned paper to fit the shape of the die by tracing it on my patterned paper and then cut out my brackets and placed it over the top. I shaded around the edges of my layout, brackets and my title with Tim Holtz Milled Lavendar distress ink. I used the Honeybee font for the title and the new Cookie Cutter Nesting Label for my journaling. I also used the Chocolate rabbit and Easter egg Quickutz dies. I used these great Kaiser pearls on the label.

Quickutz Media Notepad

I used my Bind-it-All, the Quickutz Media sheets and today's new release to make this notepad.
I took a sheet of the white chipboard and cut it in half then applied a half sheet of the cork to the front and then used my Bind-it-All to put the holes and the wire at the top. Then I decorated it with the Office Supplies Cookie Cutter set and the new 2x2 bracket die and the Chick-a-dee font.
On the inside I made a pocket and slipped a notepad in it so I can reuse this even when this pad of paper is gone.
Check in throughout the day for more projects using today's new Quickutz release.

New Quickutz April Release - Back to Basics!!


Come and check out all the great new shapes from the April - Back to Basics - Quickutz Release!! You are going to want to use these new shapes on every layout and card you make! Don't wait too long to place your order because these are going to go fast! And of course, don't forget to leave us a comment on THIS POST as to which of the new dies is your favorite for a chance to win your choice of one of the these fabulous new dies (alphabet excluded).

Monday, April 20, 2009

Tulip Time

Scrapping Cottage has gotten in another order of the Sizzix Tulips die. I knew I had to have this one when I saw the April releases. :) The card also uses Sizzix Clear Alphabet Stamps
which makes the sentiments a snap to create. The stamped birds are from the Mindy's Zoo set
by Autumn Leaves. I don't know about you but I'm ready for spring!!!! :)

I love anything with a scalloped edge and anything that is "Paris" themed. :) This is a fast and
easy card that is also FUN to make. It uses the Sizzix Bigz Eiffel Tower and the
Sizzix Scalloped Circle. The Eiffel Tower die has foam tape underneath which gives it extra
dimension and depth. The papers are by Graphic 45 and the rub-on by Karen Foster Design.
Be sure to check out all the great Sizzix products at Scrapping Cottage. All right, who wants to go to Paris with me now? :)


Friday, April 17, 2009

QUICKUTZ REVOLUTON DOLLS


This week I have chosen to work with the QUICKUTZ 4x4 DOLLS DIE REV-0193-D. I had so many ideas for this die, but time was limited so I decided to work on a double page layout and a card. Can you imagine what gorgeous stick puppets these cute little dolls would make if you attach them to the top of an ice-cream stick Or attached them to serviette rings, menus or place cards for an Oriental dinner setting. If you have a recipe box or book, why not add a little Oriental theme to your favorite Asian recipes using these gorgeous dolls to decorate your recipes. I could keep on going but will get to the two projects that I worked on this week.


The first project I worked on this week is a double page layout I did of my daughter on Christmas Day. She was given this little outfit by our dinner hosts and she wears it permanently so I thought this would be a great layout to document her love for this outfit and the perfect opportunity to use the QUICKUTZ DOLLS REV-0193-D.




In this layout, I have also used the following dies & products:-
KAISER CRAFT PEARLS for the centers of the flowers, KAISERCRAFT RHINESTONES for the buttons on the dolls dress & hair ties, TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS INKS, SIZZIX DECORATIVE ACCENT, QUICKUTZ 12” TREE CC-BDR-021, QUICKUTZ LIMITED EDITION CIRCLES REV-0072, QUICKUTZ NESTING FLOWERS CC-SHAPE-6-017, and finally for my title I used the classic 2x2 QUICKUTZ ZELDA ALPHABET die set.
Make sure that you check out the ZELDA COMPLETE GRAND ALPHABET SET (COLLECTORS EDITION) that is on Pre-order at THE SCRAPPING COTTAGE. It is a once off limited Edition Die set, so once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. The best part is that its is affordable (my credit card Thanks you :-) For only $99.95 you get the GRAND SIZE Upper Case, Lowercase, Numbers & punctuation all together in 1 set – Now that is what I call a fabulous deal. Don’t forget to Pre-order yours to make sure you don’t miss out. I’m sure my name must be somewhere up near the top of that list :-)


The 2nd project I want to share is this Card I made also using the QUICKUTZ DOLLS REV-0193-D. I used the dolls die for the doll and also used the dolls body to make the tulips.
I have used this example as I have been asked how I make my die cuts if the back sides of them are visible. You will see in my pictures that the Tulips go off the edge of the card and will be visible from the back, so I have cut the die cuts out twice, stuck them back to back and decorated them before I attached them to the card. How you decorate the back will depend on what die cut you are using. For example if you want to use the Doll so that it shows the front & back you will cut the face twice- one in beige and one in black so that the black side looks like hair on the back of the head.
The bottom picture is a view of the card lying flat and also a close up view showing the back of the die cuts.


To make this card I also used the CUTTLEBUG EMBOSSING FOLDER – FLORAL SCREEN to emboss my cardstock before I started.
I then cut out the QUICKUTZ FLOWER REV-0034 die and embossed it with the same CuttleBug embossing folder and attached it to the bottom of my card, making sure that just over half of the flower can be seen. The top section of the flower is glued to the inside front cover of the card. I have cut this flower out twice, the second one in black to stick back to back with the white flower so that when you open the card all you see is a large black flower. All the glue, tape etc that you used to attach the flower to the card is hidden between the 2 layers of the flower.
The bowl is cut from the SIZZIX Fish & Fishbowl die, Stems are cut with the wavy blade from my paper trimmer, and the words on the front of the bowl which read ‘Harmony’ are cut from the QUICKUTZ HARMONY die. I inked my die cuts with TIM HOLTZ DISTRESSED INK and used KAISERCRAFT RHINESTONES for the front of the dolls dress and her hair bow.
Once everything is attached, fold the flowery flap at the bottom upwards and it turns that section of your card into a doily / stand.