Storing metal cutting dies

I have always stored my metal cutting dies in a clam shell but can never remember what I have (no its not old age) so I thought I would share with you how I am now storing them
After a session in the craft roof with a couple of good mates and much discussion this was the end result.
There are 4 velcro dots on the back of the 12 x 12 thick cork tile so that I can take the entire cork board of the wall and put on my desk and then just stick it back when I am finished. The strips are self adhesive magnet which I cut to the size I wanted. Took less than 5 minutes to make and fits perfectly in the gap between the curtain and the book case. What do you think??

Happy crafting

Tee-Jay

Fun with fabric

Last night I had a bit of fun playing with Stampin' Up fabric. I saw this card on the demo area within Stampin' Ups website and had to give it a try.

I used the Tasteful trim die through the Big Shot to make the flower and some bakers twine in the button. Looks like an ordinary card doesn't it but check out the next photo as it is actually a card and a gift in one.

If you look at the top of the flower you will see a hairclip covered in ribbon. This is an ideal birthday card for a little girl who loves to pop hair clips in her hair. A friends daughter had a birthday recently and she will be the test subject for reaction value. I would be happy to get a 6 or 7 out of 10 for this one.

After making this card I had to have another go with a different fabric.

Same card sketch but using different fabric.

I then decided a head band might me a possibility as I was now getting the hang of a glue gun (I loathe using glue as I get it everywhere), so letting me loose with a glue gun was almost unthinkable but I did manage to create the headband and clip below without getting my fingers covered in the stuff. As they say practise makes perfect. Not that these have reached perfection yet but I am getting there as they say.

I hope my creations of yesterday inspire you to give fabric a go. If you would like a lesson on how to make these I can schedule a class. Just email me on ssams@clear.net.nz and I will sort out a date for you.

Check back later in the week and see what happened when I put ribbon in my oven. Yes you did read that correctly I put ribbon in my oven and cooked it. Sure as heck beats using the oven for cooking  ;-)

Till next time

Happy crafting







Why use Crystal Effects on a project

I have to admit I am a big Crystal Effects fan but many don't know what to do with this product. It can be used as a glue to adhere items ot your project as shown below on a badge I made last year

I used it to "glue" everything to the badge. The only tape that I used was to tape the badge holder to the back. Takes a while to dry but gives a great effect and you have the ability to "move" your pieces around more so than glue. Once everything was dry I painted with a brush the Crystal Effects over the entire badge, drizzled it into the flower centres and attached the vellum butterfly.

 I am not a big fan of glue as I find I get the jolly stuff eveywhere. Many an article of clothing has been ruined because I chose to use glue and got it on myself. I am a bit of messy crafter by some standards and if my hands aren't covered in ink then its not been a good crafting day. Sometimes I wonder what the boss thinks as my nails can be a bit stained some Monday mornings. Cherry Cobbler is the worst offender and it takes ages to get it off your nails. I suppose its another reason why I should wear nailpolish as the ink is easier to remove if you do.

You can also use it to highlight parts of your project. On the card below (three guesses who its for?) I used it to make the bubbles shine.  The photo doesn't show the shine very clearly but I am sure the recipient will love the shiny bubble look.

Till next time

Happy crafting

Tee-Jay





Have paper, can package

A quick project today as I have been busy prepping for the VSA fundraiser next Saturday but I wanted to send some sweets to Savannah and as everyone knows if you are a crafter you have to find some way to package your gift so that it is unique.
I had recently sent some heart lollies inside a little hat box (shown in an earlier post) which once the container was empty could be used to hold her earrings in.
Savannah had asked me to send her some lollies so I had a surf on the net (as you do) and came across a way to package sweets. I purchased a packet of sweets and wrapped it in DSP (Salebration pack) and then made a flower to sit on the top using the Mixed Bunch stamp set and punch in the new mini.

Most people in my family know that only the special people get hersheys kisses. I used to send them to my Dad when he was in Hospice/Hospital and found all sorts of unique ways to include them with a card/gift box.
The lady that made the flower on the net had used a button and I thought a 13 year old doesn't want a button but she might like a kiss from home so I used a hersheys kiss for the centre of the flower.
The leaves are made by punching the flower out of DSP and cutting it in half and attaching it to either side of the flower.
This is perfect for wedding favours  as there is no need for scoring the wrapper. You just measure how wide the paper needs to be, tape both ends and wrap it around the contents.
You could also make an arrangement of flowers and pop them in a container. Perfect if you need a quick easy gift for someone.
Till next time
Happy crafting

Cat gifts for Savannah

Now I know you all know that Miss Savannah loves cats, especially Miss Cuddles so I thought today I would have a bit of play with some cat stamps. I am doing a fundraiser for VSA in 2 weekends and am showing the ladies how to make a stamped candle as one of the projects. Well I had no samples to show them (recent power cuts here in Wanganui). I decided a couple of cat candles would go down a treat when Savannah came home in the holidays.

Then I realised that I would need to make a card to pop in the mail. I like to send a card about every 10 days and after nearly 2 terms she has a bit of a collection going in cards. My friends have been awesome in sending cards and stickers to her also. So of course the card had to be a cat one. I used an embossing folder for the background to make it look like that cat was falling and then I loaded up my brayer with ink and ran it across the top of the embossing.

A bit of colouring and some crystal effects for the balloons and we were almost done. A couple of punchs, a sentiment, a couple of dimensionals and I was finished. I hope she likes it.



Till next time, happy crafting

Tee-Jay