A Little Less Conversation...

Today is a quick and easy card day. I also had a strange idea and made a bizarre discovery--but we'll get to that in a minute.

I'd received some new Cuttlebug embossing folders that I've been wanting to try out. So this card uses one of the new 5" x 7" folders entitled "Conversation". This folder is one of six in a new set coming soon from ProvoCraft called 'Love Is In The Air'. (This is also the same set that was an early release to HSN and sold as 'Romance'.)

The base of the card is a piece of Bazzill Bling textured cardstock in the color "High Heels". The mat for my card is a piece of scrap red cardstock (not sure of the brand) cut to 4" x 4 1/2". I ran the mat cardstock through my Cuttlebug in the "Conversation" folder. I was pleased with the overall look, but thought it needed a little bling. That's when I had the bizarre idea. I took some Tsukineko Dew Drop Brilliance in "Pearlescent Beige" and used Kleenex to apply a light buff coating to the embossed mat. The result is rather remarkable. It gives the conversation heart a bit more definition, while imparting a sparkly sheen to the paper. It really mimics the look of a mica cardstock (which is typically much more expensive). So, I suppose the lesson is EXPERIMENT. Find new ways to use old products in unexpected ways. Perhaps it won't always work, but for every failure you're sure to find numerous new discoveries to set off your work. I'm not sure what possessed me to try beige ink on red paper--but the result was totally unexpected and perfect for this particular card project.

The sentiment is also done with the Cuttlebug. I used an A2 die from a combination die/embossing folder set entitled "Love Language". The final touches were a piece of Stampin' Up! silk ribbon in "Real Red" and a couple of punch-outs using the SU! Small Heart Punch (#117193, $5.95). I love the look the heart punch-outs have against the darker color of the cardstock interior. Visual interest is always so important in creating eye-catching projects. Until next time, as always, keep crafting!

It's A Bird...

Today simple and easy card features a die cut from the new licensed ProvoCraft Cricut cartridge 'Superman'.

For this card project, I chose a base cardstock from Die Cuts With A View (DCWV) 'Modern Loft' paper stack. As this was obviously going to be a masculine-inspired card, I thought the brick pattern was reminiscent of a background panel one might see in an actual comic strip. I used a Chai Tea stain to ink the edge of my cardstock, which was cut to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4" to form an A2 sized card. The corners were clipped using my Stampin' Up! tag corner punch.

The diecut was cut on my Cricut Expression at 4 1/2". I did shadow cut with Bazzill corduroy textured cardstock in Raven. For the layering pieces, I cut them out of Bazzill corduroy textured cardstock in Snow. The reason I cut the layering pieces out of white cardstock is that I wanted to use my Copic Sketch markers to "color" in the face and hair details. I think the handcoloring gives the diecut a bit more "pop" and comic book realism (than if I had just used corresponding colored cardstock). I used a blend of E00 (Skin White), E11 (Barely Beige), E13 (Light Suntan) and E15 (Dark Suntan) for the facial features and shading. I used B29 (Ultramarine) for the hair highlight. I also went back in with a Copic Atyou Spica Glitter pen in Sky Blue to add a little oomph to Superman's locks. (He is a SUPER hero after all, lol.) Finally, to achieve those come-hither baby blues, I used Clearsnap Smooch metallic ink in Azure for intensity and sparkle. (Am I the only one fanning myself!? Wait, don't answer that.) The sentiment stamp is from Unity Stamp Co. and seemed appropriate. It was stamped using Tsukineko Memento ink in Tuxedo Black.






'Superman' is a terrific addition to your Cricut cartridge library if you have men in your life--big or little. It's also a terrific resource for themed parties and decorations--as it includes three-dimensional character boxes, banners, party favors, Clark Kent spectacles, treat bags and much more. Of course, it features several variations on that fabulous Superman logo and a complete font set.

Now, I must be off. (I have to go figure out what size I need to cut my Clark Kent glasses at. Don't judge. Or at least, don't tell me.)

Trust me. I know.

Release Your Inner Gypsy!

On September 24, 2009 at 12:00am EST, the highly anticipated world-wide launch of Provocraft's digital companion to the Cricut line of personal die cutting machines took place on HSN.

A special bundle was released for $299.99 that includes the Gypsy (including two exclusive cartridges and all the needed cables and cords), the protective sleeve, an AC adapter, a car charger, a bonus color-coordinated shoulder carrying bag, and the hard-to-get 'Don Juan' Cricut cartridge.

Apparently, crafter's were salivating at the chance of getting their (glue) sticky hands on the Gypsy. More than half of the original stock available to ship, sold out in its first hour of sale. Very few units are still available for your stragglers. You can find more information here.

Product Spotlight: Stampin' Up! Sizzix Lattice Bigz Die

One of the products lines that really piqued my interest in the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog was the Sizzix Bigz Dies. I ordered several of them (and have several others picked out for upcoming orders). While I have thus far avoided the temptation of the Sizzix Big Shot, I was really happy when I found out the Bigz die line will work perfectly in Provocraft's Cuttlebug.

I purchased the Top Note Bigz Die (#113463, $21.95), the Tulipe Bigz Die (#113457, $21.95), and the Lattice Bigz Die (#115958, $21.95) to start experimenting with and quickly fell in love with their ease of use and versatility.

If you do not have a Sizzix die cutting machine, these dies will work in your Cuttlebug. The proper "sandwich" recipe is: Plate B, Sizzix Bigz Die, cardstock (or other material), Plate B. There is no need to use the Plate A spacer block. The die I chose to feature in this post is the Sizzix Lattice Bigz Die, which is an exclusive die to Stampin' Up!. The actually die is approximately 5 1/2" x 6" and 5/8" in thickness. I didn't photograph the actual die, as truthfully, there's not much to look at as it is encased in protective foam and a plastic shell. But, the real magic is the effect it produces. The Sizzix Bigz dies can cut varying thicknesses of paper, cardstock, vinyl, wood sheets, crafting metal, and fabric to name a few.

I started just by running a piece of cardstock through my Cuttlebug and was really inspired by the shape of the lattice cutout. The uses are really almost endless.




The pattern of the lattice cut-out is perfect for cardmaking and scrapbooking. You can choose to feature it in the foreground or background of your project. You can use multiple cuts to make larger layouts, chains, and decor pieces. I immediately thought it would look lovely on a card as a makeshift trellis for displaying flowers.

I was also intrigued by the geometric possibilities of the shape itself. For instance, taking two diecuts, you can create a wonderful design shape that calls to mind florals and snowflakes. These would be terrific for creating a mobile for a baby's crib/room or party decorations. Imagine these cut in foils for the sparkle and attention that they'd receive.




I decided to experiment with a quick card layout. I took two lattice cuts from the same color cardstock and ran them through my Xyron 510 (as a quick and easy way of applying adhesive to the backs of the design. I then lined them one on top of the other to create a seamless design element for the background of my card. A quick sentiment (Stampin' Up! Teeny Tiny Wishes Set #115370)stamped on Whisper White cardstock and punched out with the new Modern Label Punch (#116630) and a couple of jeweled and glittered floral embellishments later...




I highly recommend that you check out the Sizzix Bigz die-cutting line if you've not experienced working with them. They give you immediate satisfaction and endless design possibilities. More importantly, they are a snap to use--quick and easy. These days, anything that shortens our prep time and gets us to putting our valuable inspiration to use can't be a bad thing, can it?

I see another collection in my future! Whatever you see in yours, take some time out and grab your favorite beverage, steal yourself away from the never-ending hubbub of the day, and make something. Until next time, keep crafting!