Happy Birthday, cupcake!

Hi Friends,
Today I wanted to share this fun cupcake card. I made it using the Sizzix 3D Pop-up ball. It is so much fun! I played with it myself loads of times! I've had this die for a few months, but just started using it. Let me share the deets with ya:

Top view:

Up close: I used the candle from the cake die & added yellow stickles to the flame. I also added yellow ric rack as a decorative element around the cupcake.

Unlike the cake die, this ball die is perfect for a card because it truly goes flat & then it springs back up into a ball--- like magic! Everyone gets a kick out of it, so it's fun for all ages. Everyone wanted to know how I did it, but a magician never reveals her secrets (wink wink!) Except if you peek at my blog, of course!

Here's how I decorated the front of the card. Just kept it simple, since the inside was the star of the show! I used the candle border punch along the top & added yellow stickles to the flames as well. The little cupcake is a punch & it gives a little clue about what's inside!

To close the card: At first, I just wrapped it closed with ribbon, but I wasn't satisfied with that.

So I played around and created an envelope instead. I just eyeballed it & I didn't measure. So I don't have measurements for you- sorry. But when I make the next one, I'll pay more attention so I'll post it next time. To create a card to fit the ball, you'll need the paper to be 6 1/2" x 12".

TIPS: You will need three #16 rubber bands which are not included with the die. I bought mine at Staples for $1.69 for a bag full. You will also need strong adhesive like Scor-tape or Red line tape. I also recommend using the Extended Crease Pad since the score marks are very faint without it, but are very important for proper assembly.

I noticed it was in the new SU! catalog, but I paid less for it here. However, SU! does have a good video that shows how to put it together. You can check that out here. I love these 3D dies! I have a few of them & will have to play with them more often. So many toys, so little time!

What do you think of my cupcake? If you're one of my blog "followers", I'd be happy to send you the pieces of this die so you can "try before you buy" and get some play time with it. It's a super fun die, so I'm sure you will love it! Just shoot me an e-mail & I will get the pieces out to you.

Thanks for peeking today! I'm off to my LSS for a big SALE--Gotta go!


The 411
Paper: Bazzil Cardstock, confetti paper- Doodlebug Designs
Ink: Bashful Blue- SU!
Tools: Sizzix 3D Ball Die, Cupcake punch- EK Success, Candles Border Punch- EK Success
Other: Ribbon, Ric Rack, Foam Thickers- American Crafts, Vellum Stickers, Glitter Birthday Stickers, Yellow Stickles

Ways to use it #5: Shaker Cards

Hi friends,
Today I'm sharing the last of my projects for what you can do with the Sizzix/Papertrey Ink packaging. Today I'll be sharing
Ways to Use It #5: Shaker Cards
I've got two versions of the Shaker Cards. These cards are so fun and easy to make! Let's get on with the deets:

Card #1: I Salute You
Here's a closer look at the shaker boxThis card is going to a student I had 3 years ago. Her sister was deployed to Iraq (for the third time) and I'm sending it to her to keep for herself or send to her sister. I used a brand spankin' new Cuttlebug folder (not yet released in the stores.) It features the five-pointed star that is very popular in home decor. There's a Sizzix die that matches. There's glitter & silver stars in the little shaker box.


Card #2 Aloha Party Invitation
This simple, cute little card has the shaker box on the inside of the card, but it's made the same way as the other. I used my Cricut "Life is a Beach" cartridge to create the card. There's real sand in the shaker box and on the bottom edge of the card. I chalked the sunset beach background.

I hope that the projects I've shared with you this week have inspired you to recycle your clear packaging. I know Leo (DiCaprio) is proud of me and totally smitten! Tee hee!!! I'm sure you can come up with even more cool things to do with it-- and won't you share your ideas with me? I'd love to expand my use of acetate even more! If you've missed any of the ideas this week, just click on the "Ways to Use it" label in the sidebar.

Thank you so much for peeking at my projects! SCS has a tutorial on how to make Shaker Cards, so check that out here. Hmmm. Hula girl has got me thinking about fruity drinks---Gotta go!

Ways to use it #4: Clear Card Base

Hi friends,
Today I have yet another way to use your clear packaging to share with you.
Ways to Use it #4: Clear Card Base

For today's project you can use the Sizzix Bigz XL die packaging. You can get 2 card bases out of it (1 from each panel). I cut mine down to create a standard card size 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4". You'll have extra acetate left over to make other goodies-- like what I'll show you tomorrow (wink, wink!) So let me quit my yapping & show you my cards:

First card is simple & monochromatic.
I stamped the acetate with Olive green Staz-on, added a green panel to the underside, & sprinkled these little flower blingies.

There's a layer of glitter paper on the card base but it's hard to see. Here's a closer look:

sorry for the blurry pic.

Here's another take, but this one was stamped.
It's super hard to photograph clear cards, but I hope you see the possibilities.

Thanks so much for peeking today! I'm off to munch on some chocolate chip pumpkin cookies- yuuum!-- gotta go!


The 411
Stamps: Inspired by Nature-SU!, With Sympathy - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Staz-on Olive Green, Cameo Coral, Barely Banana -SU!
ribbon, green, white CS

Ways to Use it #3 & Tutorial!

Hi friends,
Today I have one of my favorite ways to use Sizzix (or Papertrey Ink Stamp) packages.
Ways to Use it #3: Home Decor

Isn't this a super cute frame! And as an added bonus it is really simple to make. Wanna see how? Well, I've got a tutorial for ya! Here are the deets:

Ingredients:
Clear Packaging (I used only 1 panel/side from the die box)
Tim Holtz ink applicator, felt pads, Adirondack (alcohol ink) gold & copper used here
Patterned paper (Windsor- SEI), Cardstock (Bazzil)
Mini Glue Dots, Ribbon of choice (1/4 in.)
Staz-On Ink (Timber Brown), Stamp (Carte Postale)
Crop-a-dile, Cricut & Cartridge: Tags, Bags, Boxes & more

(If you don't have some of these, it's OK, I'll give you some other options)
So, let's get started!

I cut out the acetate with my Cricut (Scallop Blackout) at the highest pressure. It didn't cut it all the way in a couple of areas, Edited to add: I realized I had my blade depth at 4, so if you put it to 5 or 6 it will cut it out no problem. You don't need the deep cut blade. Sorry I think my brain was on 10 second delay! I cut out two at 4 in. (If you don't have a Cricut, you can die cut it with a Big Shot, or use a template & cut it out with a good pair of scissors.



Take your alcohol inks and sprinkle some dots on the applicator & start pouncing all over the acetate. (oh, this is so fun & therapeutic!) You can add as much as you'd like to achieve the look you want. But it's a good idea to leave a few spaces without inking so the light can shine through it. Do that to both pieces on only 1 side.
When you finish, it should look like this: They dry quickly.
TIP: If you happen to get some ink on your fingers or work area, you can use nail polish remover to take it off or Staz-on remover.

The next step is optional, but I love the depth this gives it. Flip over your acetate so that you're working on the UNINKED side. Take your Staz-on ink pad (Timber Brown) and stamp off on scrap paper and then stamp directly to the acetate (second generation stamping.) So that it looks like this. You don't want to stamp too many times. You don't want to loose the effect you're trying to achieve.
Next, you want to put them together so that the inked side is on the outside for both pieces & punch two holes with your Crop-a-dile (smaller hole.) If you don't have one, a hand punch will work, too- you just have to do one at a time.

Now you can get your paper ready. I eyeballed it & cut it out. For those of you that must measure, cut out the Cardstock at 2 3/4" x 1 3/4". Patterned Paper at 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". These measurements will vary depending on the size of your acetate pieces.

Then, I added the ribbon detail. I cut a strip of ribbon, tied a bow, & adhered the ends with mini Glue dots to the back of the cardstock.


Add mini glue dots to each corner and adhere it to your acetate. Here's what it looks like so far: (You're almost done!)
To complete your project, Cut two more strips of ribbon, tie & trim up your knots. TIP: I use a paintbrush between the two pieces so it gives me the room I need to leave between the two pieces & it makes it easier to tie the knot.
You're done! Here's the back:
And the completed front again: Yes, it does stand on its own :)I actually put those little pictures you get in your school picture package of my boys on mine (sorry, not posting pictures of my kids- crazies out there, you know.) But you could put little pet pictures, add favorite quotes, make a perpetual calendar--- so many possibilities! You can even add more panels to create a little accordian album or put 1 letter on each panel to create a word. They make cute little gifts for family members, too and don't forget they're inexpensive!

So what do you think? Do you think you can make this work for you? I know you can! I hope you've found my tutorial & project helpful & that they've inspired you to get crafty with Home Decor projects!

We're going to see the new Harry Potter movie tomorrow, and I can't wait! I've read all of the books (luuuuv) and I miss not reading a new one this summer, the way I have with some of the other books.

I've got a few more ideas to share with you so I hope you check back! And if you've missed any other ideas, just click on the "ways to use it" label on the side bar.
Thanks for peekin' in today! I'm off to clean up a bit---Gotta go!

Ways to use it #2: Storage Solutions

Hi friends,
Today I'll be sharing another way to use the boxes from your Sizzix dies.
Ways to Use it #2: Storage Solutions
I've used it as a way to store my ribbon scraps. No matter how small, there's always a use for ribbon so I hardly ever throw any away. I used 2 boxes & cut them in half (first, peel off the tape and flatten out the box, then cut it in half.)
I created 4 groups:

Earth (for greens & browns)


Water (for Blues)


Fire (for reds, oranges, & yellows)


and Wind (as in whatever else the wind blows in this box!)
TIP: You can also take your crop-a-dile & punch holes on the front &/or back panels so you can thread your ribbon ends through them & just pull out what you need.

Another use is to organize your embroidery flossYou can add a velcro dot to the back of the box & attach it to a wall or door. Because it's clear, you can store loads of little things & be able to see them at a glance. I also store my Gamsol, nibs, & file in one. I'm sure you can think of other things to put in them. Remember, this is a free storage solution (or storage you've already paid for anyway, so use it!)

Thanks for peeking today! I have another idea coming your way. It's one of my favorite ways to use it! I'm off to catch up on some reading- gotta go!

Hello Kitty meets ATG

Hi friends,
I wanted to share what I did to my ATG gun! I luuuuuuv my ATG gun (you'd have to pry it from my cold, dead hand) and nothing else I've tried even comes close-- especially in cost of adhesive. Well, let's get on with the deets, right?

Before:




After: click on any pic for a closer look
I don't know why I didn't do this before! I luuuv the way it came out! And best of all, this took me like 5 minutes to do since it's all done with stickers! These are clear, vinyl stickers so they adhere beautifully and they're glittered!!! The "Hello Kitty" at the top is done in red rhinestones, but I may change that if they fall off & become too high maintenance.

Thanks for peeking & letting me share my my vamped up tool! Oh, & "ways to use packaging" ideas & projects will continue next!--- Gotta Go!

Ways to Use it #1

Hi friends,
Today I'll be sharing one of the ways to use the boxes from your Sizzix dies. I love acetate, but it's not cheap so why not use it where you can find it--->packaging! I found several ways to use it. Today, I'll share way #1 and throughout the week I'll share the rest. Sound like a plan? Ok, so on to the deets...

WAY TO USE IT #1: Clear Embellishments
You've seen those "ghost shapes" they sell in the stores. Now you can make your own quick, easy, & inexpensively using the tools you've got. I tried different tools to see which I could use. Here are the results:

What WORKED :) Here are some examples
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders- no problem! Sizzix Dies (Original & Bigz), Die colors (red, black, green, yellow), Sizzix Embosslits, SU! Punches, Paper Shapers (EK Success), Martha Stewart Punches, Cuttlebug Dies

NOTE: I didn't try all punches from these brands, so I can't say they will all work, but all of these cut easily and cleanly - the first time I tried it. Use care when you try it.

What DIDN'T work :(
Sizzix Sizzlits, Spellbinder dies (only embossed, not cut), Marvy Uchida Punches.

NOTE: Maybe they may work with some tweaking, but I just tried what worked quick & easy (the first time I tried it.)

Here's what I created with one of my samples:
Now, does that look like something created from recycled packaging? I stamped on the acetate with Staz-on white and inked the edges so it stood out from the background. I painted gold shimmerz on the flower I added bling. I stamped the card with En Francais & embossed the little flowers along the edges with the cuttlebug strip. To adhere, I added foam tape within places in the flourish where they could be hidden. Vellum dots also work great and you can also use brads, eyelets, & buttons too.

Well, I hope this inspires you to recycle your packaging. Stay tuned for Way to Use it #2. Thanks so much for peeking today- gotta go!

Card Recipe:
Paper: Lemon Tart (PaperTrey Ink)
Ink: Lemon Tart (PTI), Staz-on White
Stamps: Sweet Serendipity (Sassafras Lass), En Francais (SU!)
Tools: Sizzix Top Note Die (SU!), Sizzix embosslit- Simple Flower (SU), Embossing Folder Border (Cuttlebug)