Embossing with Cutting Dies

With all of the beautiful new foils that Anna Griffin now has available, along with her large variety of cutting dies, I am pleased to share with you a technique she asked me to teach at her Create Event in Atlanta last November, using the ever popular Cuttlebug.  There are a variety of these type techniques, this one works best with symmetric designs (same on both the right and left sides) and accompanying concentric (background mat/shadow layer) cutting dies, as detailed in the instructions below.  I do hope you will share and use on your upcoming holiday cards as well as throughout the year.  Enjoy!

Step #1 - choose your cutting die - I know I am repeating myself, but this is most important - a die set that is symmetric (the same on both right and left sides) with the accompanying concentric (background mat/shadow layer) and a piece of the foil color cardstock you desire.  It is best to use the heavy weight Anna foil cardstock as it will not tear so easily when embossed in this way.  Cut the foil to completely fit over the die.

Step #2 - cut the mat/shadow layer first as you normally would, shown below:

Step #3 - place the matching decorative cutting die, with cutting edges up, directly on top of the thick, white "A" Plate, then the mat foil cutout face down on top of the decorative die - remember there will be a slight edge around the mat piece which is larger than the design die - a bit of washi tape will hold it in place without harming the foil surface (photo to left below):

          

Step #4 - stack the plates and material in the following order bottom to top (as shown in photo to right above) - A Plate - design cutting die with edges upward - cardstock mat/shadow layer face down -  green rubber mat - B Plate, another B Plate - roll through the Cuttlebug.

Step #5 - remove the stacked plate layers and carefully retrieve the "embedded" cardstock out of design cutting die as shown below.  IF any part of the design tears, turn it to the back, smooth down a bit and tape over.

You should now have a completed embellishment.  Here are some additional samples using Anna's wonderful Christmas Embellishment Dies.  I have also made cards using the Frame Dies, as well as a Valentine card which required "fussy cutting" because they do not have a matching concentric mat/shadow layer die, another option for you to consider.  Remember perfection sometimes take practice, enjoy the process!

     

Paper Arts Cruise 2019

Now is the time to take advantage of payment plans for my Paper Arts Cruise next March 2019.  We will have 3 full days of classes using ALL ANNA GRIFFIN PRODUCTS, to include a 12"x 12" Album, cards and other surprise projects.  There will be a open craft room for you during the entire cruise with 1/2 of a 6' table, however, we will NOT have night or in port/on land classes so you can take advantage and enjoy the amenities of the ship, shows and islands.
Your spouse and family are welcome to join us, just remind Cruise & Crop when you sign up so they won't be charged a class fee.  Your class fee will include all project materials (a basic supply list will be sent to you), full written instructions with photo guides, an exclusive name tag and tote bag with product surprises, plus tickets for wonderful door prizes during classes.  There are only 50 seats at the tables and payment plans are still available.  Please call Cruise & Crop directly at 1-800-645-1481 to reserve your space as price varies on cabin selection.

A Florida Favorite Necklace

Summer is here in all its HOT glory but events go on and my jewelry stash comes out.  This is a necklace I designed several years ago with a Tim Holtz watch and other findings, combined with treasures, trinkets, shells and charms I have collected in years of coming to and now living in Florida.  The "map beads" are strips of color photo copies rolled up to reveal a meaningful town/city name to me.  The piece was featured in Belle Armoire Jewelry by Somerset Publishing a year or so ago, I hope you enjoy and are inspired.

     

Vintage Dad Cards

Today I am sharing with you some of my card samples for Anna Griffin using the new Vintage Dad Decoupage Diecuts.  These are such fun, and depending on the sentiment attached to front, can vary to birthday's, trips or just keeping in touch - enjoy!

Fathers Day Cards

To inspire your creations, here are a few samples of my Fathers Day cards for Anna Griffin using Frame Dies and the beautiful new Laurel Dies on top of the Perfect Cards For Him, embossed layers, new Metallic Matte Gold cardstock, along with our ever popular For The Boys diecut pack - enjoy!

Happy Mothers Day

Mosaic Cards

Hello everyone, hope you are having a delightful Spring!  Mothers Day is just around the corner and I wanted to share two cards using a mosaic technique, also known as paper puzzling.  I taught a similar design at the Anna Griffin Create event several years ago, it takes a few minutes to do, but well worth the effort.
Basically, you cut multiple colors of papers (in this case pastel metallics and pearls), KEEP ALL THE CUT OUT PIECES in separate little piles.  If you have a 2-part die set with a base shape, diecut your paper and run through a Xyron to make it sticker back - NOTE - make sure the Xyron side will be face up when finished so the flower frame and parts will be stuck down in the correct position. Peel paper backing off the base shape with the design frame, then re-assemble the design pieces into the frame (just like a puzzle) to the sticky back side. The completed designs are then mounted on cards with 1/4" foam squares.  The "Mom" word die, curly ques and bow are from one of Anna's earlier Spring sets, the 2017 word dies would be beautiful as well.  Experiment and enjoy, above all, have a wonderful Mothers Day!

Graphic 45 Upcycle

Steampunk Train Case

This months Graphic 45 Challenge is "Upcycle" and of the many objects available to re-make, I remembered and am sharing a project done several years ago using the Steampunk Debutante Collection and Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collections on a unused luggage piece, I hope you will enjoy.
Before we had to worry about how much our luggage weighed, beautiful "wood based" pieces were the norm and particularly the "Train Cases" to carry cosmetics and other necessary travel items.  These vary greatly in size and shape and are today a collectors item being revived to carry scrapbook & art supplies.  If you are lucky enough to find one with a plastic tray that has survived, it can even become a jewelry case.  This was a gift I made for a friend who loved steampunk, I hope these photos will inspire you to find your own to collage and decorate to your heart's content!

Since everyone's case and papers will be different, I am providing a narrative with photos to explain and show you the process, with lots of techniques and tips along the way. This project cannot be done in a day, patience is the key in building up and letting the layers dry before going to the next phase.

CLEAN UP - I began with a really dirty case, cleaned the surfaces with a wet, soapy washcloth inside and out, cleaned the silver hardware with a soft scrubby sponge, rinse/wiped all well and allowed to dry overnight. The inside is then coated with "Kilz" (a paint-like, hardware store product that kills mold & mildew), allowed to dry again overnight and ready to decorate:

               

COVERING - the edges of this case were ripped and torn so I covered them with a newsprint paper - the photo shows that the outside of the case was already decorated - MY MISTAKE - cover the edges first so you do not have to cut around the prints later at the edge, THEN decorate/collage  When the edge papers were dry, I "antiqued" them a bit with acrylic paint as shown below:

                    

GLUING ON PRINTS - BEFORE YOU BEGIN to collage, choose some larger prints for the background, some medium size for collage build up and smaller size accent prints to pre-cut for fill in - you don't want to stop in the middle of gluing to cut out prints!  Now you will begin to decorate, backgrounds first, medium size to cover any gaps and smaller pre-cut for fill-in, accents and to finish completely covering - you can do this one layer at  time, allow to set/dry then on to the next layer.   IMPORTANT - DO NOT USE a quick dry adhesive for collage projects as they do not allow you time to reposition or move prints - use a collage medium, I recommend Ranger or similar art mediums that have a "open" time to manipulate the design - otherwise, the papers will rip if you want to change them around while gluing.

ADDING 3D ACCENTS - hen all of your prints are in place - let it rest overnight - then apply at least four more layers of collage medium - dry inbetween - to seal and protect all.  To add 3D decorative accents, use a strong adhesive (I like Ranger Glossy Accents), for this case, I chose metal gears, pen nibs and the like to match the prints - the small lizard was a personal favorite of the recipient.  Add whatever you like, allow to set/dry then put at least one additional coat of collage medium over to seal.

METALLIC ACCENTS - next, I added metallic craft paint to the overstitched edges and handle, dried, then "antiqued" with a dark acrylic craft paint (rub off quickly to leave only a trace amount and not cover the metallic).

LINING - first cut fabric pieces for the top, bottom, back connector and sides (one long piece with one seam to go partially onto the case bottom) and sew on pockets or whatever ribbon, trim or additions you like (some have elastic sewn in to hold scissors, brushes, etc., sew seam to close sides piece.  Next cut pieces of poster board to fit top and bottom, as well as a pieces of quilt batting (can be iron-on, at least 1/4" thick) for padding, the sides are not padded.
Use hot glue, ScorTape or a heavy bodied/strong adhesive to glue the top and bottom "back connector" on first, then side lining into place to top edge of interior and down in bottom corners to secure - you should have at least 2 " of fabric going onto the bottom of the case for the bottom padded piece to cover and finish.  Stack top and bottom padded pieces individually - poster board, batting, fabric - then wrap fabric around to the back of poster board and secure with your strong adhesive - hot glue into place inside the top and bottom of the case.  I finished the inside top and bottom edges with upholstery trim.

Here are photos of the finished case - hope you will give it a try with your favorite Graphic 45 papers!  The front and back: