Privacy Policy

Tuesday 15 May 2018

Crafter’s Companion Dimensionals Dies

Hi Everyone,

As promised here is a quick tutorial for the mechanism of how the four seasons star book is made. I’m sorry I can’t do a full tutorial or video for the whole thing but there are only so many hours in the day and with 6 month old twin boys those hours are fewer than ever! Hopefully this will help you all make the basic card and then you can decorate, ink, and play to your hearts content. There is a tutorial on the dvd to make the 3D card with one of the other dies so if you find it easier to follow a video rather than written instructions check that out as well. Enjoy!



To make a single 3D card: (You will need to make 4 of these)

1. Cut a piece of sturdy white card to measure 5 x 10 inches and a piece measuring 5 x 5 1/2 inches (I used Sheena Stamping Card which is 300gsm)

2. On the bigger piece draw a pencil line across the centre (5inches) and a diagonal line from the left of the centre line to the bottom right corner.

3. On the smaller piece score a line at 1/2 inch with the shortest side to the edge of your scoreboard. This will create a 5 inch square with a 1/2 inch flap which will attach to the other piece later - don’t stick it yet, it needs to fit through your diecutting machine!



4. Score and fold the diagonal pencil line and erase the line. Leave the centre line - do not score yet.

Now create your backgrounds using whichever mediums you like. I used a combination of aqua markers and distress oxides but you could use any medium that will take easily to your card stock. Remember that the smaller piece of card is also sky and the flap is at the bottom so try to make it match your other piece.

5. Once your backgrounds are complete line up the house concept die on the pencil line using the notches at the side of the die to help, making sure your die doesn’t cross the diagonal fold. Run through your die cutting machine.



6. Now score the remaining outside edges of the pencil line either side of the house and fold to create the pop out effect. (The right hand end of the card leaves a very thin strip that may bend as you fold the house, don’t worry, I reinforced this with fence on the front and you will be sticking more card around the back to strengthen also so this will be hidden.)

7. Lastly, adhere your smaller panel to the left hand side of the long piece against the bottom square. You will now have an L shaped card blank. Push the diagonal fold up inside the card and you will see how the mechanism works.



Now decorate your house and garden. Once all your decoration is complete leave to dry completely, preferably overnight. Remember not to make your decoration too bulky or your book will struggle to close and as you stick down elements on the house keep folding so it will all bend with the card and close properly.

8. To finish the 3D effect cut a piece of thinner card stock to 12x5 inches, I used the 12x12 plain matt card stock sold with the launch. Try to use a colour which compliments the background eg if you have blue sky use blue card, for the sunset use orange or yellow. Score in half.

9. Stand up both sides of the card to create the 3D effect. Wrap the card around the outside - this will keep the ‘walls’ of your card in place. Stick with a strong glue like tacky glue one side at a time. Trim away the excess on either end so you have a perfect fit.

10. Last of all, cut a 5x5 inch square of the same coloured card, score diagonally down the centre and cut down either side of the score line. Stick these triangles to the base of your card to cover any gaps from the house being cut out and neaten it up. Make sure the fold is not covered. Fold and unfold your card a few times to get the mechanism working properly.

And there you have it, one card finished. Make 3 more so you have 4 in total and then stand them in a square in the order you would like them in your book. I went with Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Starting with Spring stick the right hand side of spring to the left hand side of summer, the right hand side of summer to the left hand side of autumn, and the right hand side of autumn to the left hand side of winter. (Don’t stick Winter to Spring unless you don’t want your card book to fold up.) Fold up each card in turn until your  book is flat (it will be quite thick.) Now stick another piece of 12x5 card around the outside and trim, this is your cover. When adhering your cover make sure you open out the card so you know you have left enough space for the spine of the book to move, a slightly slower drying wet glue is helpful if you want to have extra wiggle time although I had no problems using the tacky glue. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon from the accessories set to 12-18 inches (you need to be able to tie them easily) and stick to the top and bottom of your book on both sides.  Decorate the cover making sure to cover the ends of the ribbon ties and there you go, a four seasons star book! There are some close up photographs of each season below to help you.






I hope this helps, be sure to post your photos on the Facebook page when you’ve finished, I would love to see them.

Take care
Becky x

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Xyron Creative Station

Hi Everyone,

Bad start to my resolution, already behind with my blog but I'm carrying on regardless, anything is better than nothing!

Debbie and Fiona are on Hochanda today with the fab Xyron Creative Station. These machines are brilliant if you don't like getting in a sticky mess and they do lots of other things too like laminating if you get different cartridges to go in them, very versatile.


These are the two samples I created for the shows, a notebook and a card. I've used the Sara Signature Little Angel and Birthday Party Collections and used the Xyron to stick everything, even the ribbon and embellishments.














Hope you like the samples, see you again soon, don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Becky xx

Monday 2 January 2017

New Year, New Start!

Hello everyone, Happy New Year!

I don't really do resolutions but this year I've decided I need to get better at blogging! I didn't blog at all last year for one reason and another so starting as I mean to go on my aim is to blog once a week through 2017.

So, my first card for this year is a 60th birthday card I've just made for my Auntie using the Verity Rose collection from Crafter's Companion. Click the link and check out the products that are on special offer! I love this collection and I've used it a lot throughout the year.


I really like layering patterned papers and the papers in this collection are just divine. To make them pop I matted them onto matt black card in various sized panels. Once assembled I then edged each layer with glitter glue. I'm not usually one for glitter but it think this particular collection just lends itself to a bit of sparkle. I die cut 60 from papers and matt black card using the Sara Birthday Collection Number dies and offset the colour to create a drop shadow effect. Popped a few embellishments on to finish it off and hey presto, my first card of 2017.

My family usually get a card made in less than 5 minutes because I spend all my time on design team makes and forget about cards I need for myself so maybe my next resolution needs to be to spend more time on cards I need for me to send!!

Anyway, I'm hoping to blog much more regularly and try and meet more of you fellow crafters through my blog so here's to a blogtastic 2017!!

Hope you like the card, don't forget to leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

Take Care

Becky

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Time to get Organised

Hi Everyone,

Right, its time to get myself organised, get my blog organised and get up to date! Its been a hectic year organising a wedding going on an amazing honeymoon and then re adapting to normal life afterwards. Going back to normal life has been quite a shock to the system!

We're just about sorted with those seemingly endless jobs like Thankyou cards, photograph editing, wedding albums etc etc. Just got to get on with scrapbooking everything now, might get it all done by our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

So today I thought I would start with some Kimono samples I made for Crafters Companion. Some of these were from the original launch back in March/April time and some were for the launch of the paper pad last week. If you don't have any of these dies, embossing folders, Stamps, CD or papers you definitely NEED some, they are stunning and my go to for those awkward people to make for.
There's quite a few but I love them all so couldn't choose!

DL Card - Blank is made from the piece left from making an 8x8 card from A3 Centura Pearl!
Papers - printed from Kimono CD, Dies, Stamps and Embossing Folder from Kimono collection, 

Set of A6 Notelets and box. I made a similar project for the Inspiration Magazine. The embossing folders look great straight onto centura pearl as the card blank itself.

Doube Gatefold card - Stamp coloured using Spectrum Aqua Markers.

Portrait DL Easel card - this is my new favourite card shape and also loving Navy!

5x7 Card - really tried to highlight the embossing folders here using inks and gilding wax.

Wall hanging - Made using cardboard from embossing folder packaging, elements all from the CD or dies and stamps.

Fold out gift box with origami folded boxes made with the new paper pad. Decorated with Kimono dies.



Landscape DL card - Backing papers from Paper pad with dies and stamps used to embellish.

My favourite card from the second launch, this 8x8 card. Really simple but the stunning papers do all the work for you and the black card makes it really striking. Was really pleased this card was used on the samples video on Create and Craft - never gets old seeing them on TV, I am so lucky!

Hope you like them, I have a tutorial for the gift box. If anyone would like it leave me a comment.

Thanks for visiting
Becky xx

Sunday 22 February 2015

Crafters Companion A6 Create a Card Dies

Afternoon Everyone,

Time to catch up with my blog today, been on holiday in North Yorkshire this week for half term with no phone signal or internet which was lovely but does mean I'm a little bit late with the A6 Create a Card Die samples I made for the one day wonder shows on Thursday.

I'm sure you all saw them and loved them. I had loads of fun making them. They're really versatile for making A6 and A5 cards as well as easel cards, stepper cards, pop out cards, you name it!! I tried some new techniques this time too, hope you like them, leave me a comment to let me know which is your favourite.

Morrocan Lattice
 
Simple 5x7 Card using Centura Pearl and Coredinations, various pink and purple inks and ribbon weaving.


Double Gatefold Card using black and Coredinations Cardstock, Pebeo Gilding Wax in Gold and the texture sentiments stamps from the last crafters companion launch.
 


and finally with the Moroccan Lattice an Easel card, which is one of my favourites using this die, using coredinations and Centura Pearl and the quilling flowers suspended in the centre on embroidery silk.


Daisy Dreams

This die sold out incredibly quickly on create and craft and if you were lucky enough to get it you will not ne disappointed, it is stunning and cuts like a dream, as do they all.
 
 
A5 Landscape card with de cut out to one side and decorated with Tweedies backing papers.


Simple 5x7 Card using coredinations and Centura Pearl plus the quilling flower dies for the central flower.
 
And finally for today, my favourite of them all.....
 
 
A silhouette effect with acetate coloured with spectrum noirs behind the die to create a different background and positioned onto a gatefold card. I've never used alcohol pens on acetate before but loved the outcome and may well be using it a lot more in my samples!!
 
That's all for today, Have a lovely week everyone!
 
Becky x  






Thursday 12 February 2015

Hello Again Everyone!

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Its been a hectic few months, Christmas is always busy for us musicians and my January challenge was to finish and send out all our invitations for our upcoming wedding so apologies I've been quiet on the blogging front. Hopefully a couple of normal ish months coming up before the final preparations kick off so I will try to keep up to date with my blogging.

I'm sure you've all seen all the fabulous Crafters Companion products that have been around the past few months what with the Tweedies launch, the fabulous Aqua Markers and the new Embossalicious Texture Folders.

I've got all sorts of samples to show you but I'm going to start with my favourites from the Texture folders.

 
This DL Card uses the Basket Weave folder inked with memento ink alongside Kraft Card and Vintage Florals Backing paper, and Quilling flower dies.

 
A Simple 7x7 Card using the Parquet Embossing folder on Core'dinations cardstock and sanded back lightly alongside more quilling flowers.

 
Something different for Valentines if you've still got a last minute card to make. This uses the distress folder on Black card with silver pebeo gilding wax set against red core'dinations and Centura Pearl.

 
And finally an 8x8 twisted easel card using some of the Tweedies papercraft kit and the Wood Grain embossing folder.
 
Hope you like them, I'll be back soon with my Tweedies samples and maybe some playing with the aqua markers which are my new favourite thing.
 
Take Care
 
Becky x

Sunday 16 November 2014

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice! (like new embossing folders and quilling flower dies on the 4 Day Deal!)

Good Evening Everyone,

I've been a bit quiet blogging over the past couple of weeks, been a busy time wedding and honeymoon planning. I have not forgotten about the k card instructions and promise I will get to them very soon.

In the meantime the new Crafters Companion sugar and spice embossing folders are on Create and Craft tomorrow as the 4 Day Deal so thought I would share my DT projects with you. There are also some new quilling flower dies too which I will be trying to get my hands on, can't wait to see them!

6x6 Easel Flutterby Butterfly 8x8 embossing folder

8x8 Tent fold Flutterby Butterfly Embossing Folder

 
Trifold 6x6 Card using Flutterby Butterfly Embossing folder
 
Large Square Gift Box using Floral Trellis Embossing Folder


 
DL Trifold Wedding Invitation using Floral Trellis and Flutterby Butterfly Embossing Folders


 
Landscape DL Card using Floral Trellis Embossing Folder.
 
The folders are a dream to work with, I hope you like them as much as I do and I just know you'll have loads of fun making things. They work beautifully with the quilling flowers or any other flowers you have in your crafty stash.
 
Bye for now
Becky x