Sizzix ScoreBoard Blog Hop #2

Welcome to this week's Blog Hop extravaganza! Today we have lots of amazing projects to inspire you with. The featured die is the Cupcake Holder. Last week in all the excitement, I didn't introduce everyone- so I would just like to include some interesting facts about each of the contributing artists who have been working on this promotion with me. In Hop post #3, I will introduce our Cupcake Holder designers. From the Box with Flap episode, we had Karen Burniston, a world famous pop-up artist and teacher, fellow Sizzix designer and lots of fun! I met Karen at CHA and it has been a joy getting to know her. Jenn Ellefson is a friend, neighbor and multi-talented designer as well as my blog guru. She will be posting to the Hop as a "regular". Thanks Jenn :-). Ann Butler works in mixed media, sews, has a full-time job and has 5 kids. She is a fellow CHA designer friend who loves KFC almost as much as me and will also will also be contributing to each Hop. Ann definitely needs more to do... Korie B. and I go way back. Her work is exquisite, she has 2 adorable daughters and a beautiful new studio- check out her blog for pics. AND also... big Sizzix fan :-) Hope you have a chance to stop in tonight, Wednesday, October 28 at 10 PM for an informal interactive chat with Tiffany Windsor and show what you are working on. I will be posting some pics from the Hop today AND I will be wearing my pajamas... any excuse! :-) For my project, I designed a pumpkin. It's two cupcake holders on top of each other which you can probably tell. The interesting part of this project is the material it's made from. And honestly I am not sure WHAT it is. But it's very cool. I was at Michael's the other day trolling for fun materials I could run through the Big Shot and test the ScoreBoard dies with. I saw this plastic bag in the felt aisle. The label says "some material made from Eco-Fi" (which is 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles). The manufacturer is the Kunin Group. The material I chose to use feels like felt on one side and crushed up plastic bottles on the other, so I'm guessing this is the Eco-Fi. It went through the die cutter like a dream. It's thicker and more rigid than regular felt. The score lines didn't really make an indentation but the material is pliable so that didn't matter too much. I added the two bottom brads to each cupcake holder and stacked them together to make a pumpkin shape. Then I lined up both pieces along the remaining one opening and joined all four layers with a brad. This is a little bulky but holds it together nicely. I punched a hole in the top and threaded two pieces of thick brown floral wire for a stem. Twirled some thin green floral wire on a pencil for tendrils and inserted it up the middle with the stem, securing with glue.I glued the tabs on to the top and bottom because I wanted this to be sturdy. I sewed buttons to each section of the middle with embroidery floss, and wrapped thin orange ribbon around the buttons as a closure. This little pumpkin would make a great favor box, special Halloween gift wrap or a nest for a big creepy SPIDER!!!! Ewwww... Now take a look at what the other fabulous designers have done with this die... Jenn Ellefson Laura Bray Fabrizio Martellucci Bonnie Bruns Barbara Mattheisson Denise Clason Lorine Mason Gabriela Delworth Ann Butler Candice Windham Niki Meiners Eileen Hull

Trick or Treat

Awww... so sad this is the last TT event. I have had a lot of fun working on this with Alexa and all the other amazing designers! Here are two projects for you since I missed the first week. Once again I have used my (almost released) Sizzix ScoreBoard dies to create some Halloween goodness! I received this photo from Dawn saying that Trinity will be dressing as a "serious marching cheetah" this year for Halloween. On the frame, I used some great Sizzix dies from my friend and fellow die designer Brenda Pinnick. Love the ghost- almost seems like he's saying, "WHOA! That Trinity is one serious marching cheetah!" But of course there are no such things as ghosts... right? I added a little black trim to the top and a gingham knot. I have been saving that ribbon all year for a Halloween project! The memo holder holds a post-it note pad that is inked around the edges, adorned with black buttons and a stamped message at the bottom. Adhesive Velcro dots are used as closures. Hand these out to your "over 12" trick or treater friends and you will be voted best eye candy giver of the year! Thanks for visiting. You are invited to stop back here on Wednesday where we will post 15 designers' versions of the cupcake holder die, in our 8 part series of the Sizzix ScoreBoard Blog Hop! Have a safe and scary Halloween! Check out the work of cool fellow Halloween designers: Trick or Treat! Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween Costumed Kokeshi Dolls Try out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella Halloween Mask Phyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask - great for adults and kids! Fun Halloween Lanterns Stephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches. Black Widow & Bloody Necklaces Pattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests! Tutu Cute Halloween Wreath Vanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle! Mad Scientist Party Amy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party. Halloween Zombie Dolls Crafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor! Halloweenies! Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up! Crafty Chica's Ghost Story! Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale! Halloween Cone Witches Make these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween! Halloween Leftovers Mel takes the leftovers from last week's project and makes a cool Goth choker! Brenda Pinnick Halloween Owls Seasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters The Impatient Crafter Margot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite. Halloween Batty Windchime Heidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality! Kitschy Kitschy BOO Add some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo! Simple Halloween Gift Tags Studio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags! Strands of Beads Melissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design Costume Fun Sharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren. Return of the Birthday Zombie Candace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea Doodle Pumpkin Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly!

Lots going on

I wanted to catch you all up on the latest happenings. First of all, tune in to Tiffany Windsor's Facebook LIVE event on Monday, October 26 at 10 AM to see an up close and personal demo of the Sizzix ScoreBoards coming very soon to your local scrapbook store. My segment is LIVE from my studio via webcam so I am starting to clean now! :-( Hope you can tune in... I will be teaching a class at Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston on November 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Come join me and get started on your holiday crafting projects! Thanks to Maria Nerius for her awesome (and numerous) projects using the frame die! Maria is one of the busiest and in-demand crafters around and still took the time to work up these beautiful samples! Thanks Maria :-) Also a word about When Creativity Knocks... Check out this site for new projects and products appearing daily. I have been enjoying reading Ana's blog and can't wait to see what she has in store next! Totally Creative is an up and coming e-zine. It is beautifully done and packed with high quality designs with detailed instructions as well as other interesting features. There is a big giveaway going on right now so contact the editor for details! I think that's it for now... remember to stop by on Wednesday for the next installment of our Blog Hop, featuring the cupcake die. Click here to see what cool things my amazing designer friends did with the box with flap.

Sizzix Treat Tote

Welcome to Terroriffic Tuesday! (and yes I do know it's only Monday but I can't wait to show you this). Thanks for stopping by the Blog Hop. I can't wait to see the fabulous and (spooky) projects that will go up this week. My project was created using one of my new ScoreBoard dies from the folks at Sizzix. I am not kidding- this project took about 15 minutes from start to finish! I rolled the BrightCore orange matboard through the Big Shot and out came the cute little cupcake shape. I laid it flat to see where I wanted the stamped image. Stamped an spider web and spider and it came out too light. The good thing was, I had a black glaze Sakura pen so I traced over the web, also adding some dimension in the process. Working carefully around the design, because of course I didn't want to WAIT for it to dry completely, I bent the cupcake at all the score marks to give it shape. With my Crop-o-dile, I punched 2 holes across from each other on the top for the handle. I had some floral wire coated to look like a branch so bent that into handle shape and twisted the edges inside the basket. Then I wrapped wire leaves around the handle and tied a bow. Add candy and you are in business! I can see this as a little pick-me-up for a friend having a bad day, for the teacher, thank you gift, a neighbor who helped you out, your babysitter, you name it. Who doesn't like chocolate? Here are some more fun projects by great designers: Spooky Spider House Silvia creates a miniature haunted house that is spooky and oh-so fun! Witchy Embroidered Postcard Sharron Westerfield brews up a whimsical witch postcard The Impatient Crafter Vintage plastic owls become the focal point of a charming necklace you can wear for Halloween and all year round! Pumpkin and cat felt treat bag Felt bag that can also be made as a wall hanging or door hanger Cheryl Ball's Halloween Door Hangers Create these door hangers from inexpensive gloves for Trick of Treaters My Big Mouth Make a creepy wire tree just in time for Halloween! Mel's Day of the Dead Necklace Linked chain, skulls and spiderwebs for Dia de los Muertos Crafty Chica's Matchbook Shrines Adorable little folding shrines that fit in your pocket! Paper Pumpkin Make a plump paper pumpkin from some strips of paper plus a little Halloween craftiness! Polymer Clay Zombie Candace's diabolical plan to populate the world with zombies continues! The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate Make a retro style styrofoam ornament into a fab Halloween Party centerpiece! Madge shows you how using iLoveToCreate products! How to Make a Spooky Spice Rack Come make a spooky spice rack with Crafterella, she's sharing her unique labels with everyone! Halloween Treat Tote Conjure up a quick Halloween cupcake basket using new ScoreBoard dies! Brenda Pinnick's Halloween Banner A little scary, a little fun, this delightful banner celebrates all things Halloween. Made using Brenda Pinnick Sizzix dies, glitter and ribbon. Creepy Candlesticks Pattie Wack turns mini pumpkins into a boo-tiful Halloween lighting idea! Strands of Beads Melissa explores the holiday possibilities in a black and white checkered bead Glow in the Dork Wall Hanging Turn off the lights and have a laugh with this goofy wall hanging from Alexa Westerfield! Picture Perfect Pumpkin Vanessa Coppola turns a traditional pumpkin into a decopauged masterpiece! Happy Halloween!

Rain does not dampen true Sizzix lovers!

Well, the excitement never seems to end here! Here's what happened today. We had our Sneak Peek Demo for the new Sizzix dies. Despite the horribly cold and rainy weather, we had a great crowd and some serious crafting was going on. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! Hope you are dreaming about all the ways you can use them. The next piece of news was brought by my wonderful friend Jenn and Blog Hopper extraordinaire who told me that the dies are finally up on Sizzix.com!

And for the trifecta- when I went outside to check the mail, I found a huge box in front of the door. It was my new industrial paper cutter which trims up to 400 sheets of paper at a time. I ordered it when I got the job for 1800 Christmas cards. This will help A LOT! Karen, thanks for the tip- can't wait to put this together and see if it can really cut that big a stack.

Many thanks to my friend Lorine who decorated these beautiful cupcakes which everyone took home, at least they were supposed to. Please come by tomorrow, take some and save me from myself. And also see the dies! Dress warmly- I heard there might be snow???

Now I am going to put on my pj's and watch Project Runway DVR'd from last night.

Sizzix ScoreBoard Blog Hop #1 Box with Flap

Thanks for stopping by the Hop! Just a little intro here... ScoreBoards are a brand new kind of die designed for Sizzix that can cut and score matboard to create boxes, totes and folders. As the ship date got closer for the dies, I realized that the best way to show them off was to ask my amazing designer friends to play with them and see what they could whip up. Well, wait till you see what they have done!

This is my version of the die. It is a project I have been thinking about for a while. Our family is spread out all over the world from CA to VA to Iraq. I worry that our granddaughter in KS will forget who everyone is because we don't get to see her often. So I made a little box of flash cards with photos of us so she remembers us in between visits.

The cool thing about the cards is I used an old set of playing cards that my grandmother had given my kids at one point to mount the photos on. Some of my early memories were of Grandma Lang getting ready for her card parties, the smell of her special orange cake baking and seeing the table set with the good china before the ladies arrived. So now although Grandma passed away two years ago at the age of 99, part of her life passes on to her great-great grandchild!

To make the box, you'll need:

Big Shot die cut machine
Scoreboard die
matboard piece
coordinating paper
elastic
spray adhesive
Beacon’s Zip Dry paper glue
brads
embellishments

I used the "Box with Flap" ScoreBoard die. This box measures 2 5/8" x 3 3/4" x 3/4". I cut patterned paper 6” x 13” (the same size as the matboard piece that accommodates the ScoreBoard die) and adhered it to the wrong side of the matboard with spray adhesive. I ran it through the Sizzix Big Shot with the paper side down. I opened it up and cut slits in the side of the die where I wanted to insert my elastic (thanks Jenn!). This was the trickiest part because the matboard box is pretty tight when it closes and the elastic is thick, but that also works to keep everything firmly in place. I threaded it through by pushing with the dull side of my exacto blade. Don't cut yourself! The elastic is held in place by red line tape inside the box. Pink brads are inserted in the back to hold the box together. I punched holes in the sides of the box with my Crop-o-dile and used some fun green beaded trim for a handle. The title was printed off the computer and mounted on coordinating paper. I used an extra piece of matboard left over from the die cut to bump the title up from the box.

To make the flash cards, I measured the playing cards and created a template in PhotoShop and inserted photos of our family with their name below. Trinity is not reading yet but it won't be long! I cut them out and adhered them to the back of the playing cards. There are still a lot of cards left so I'm going to have Dawn send me some pics of her family so I can add them to the box. When she comes to visit I can include photos of us together. FYI- there is a Sizzix ATC (artist trading card) die if you do not want to use playing cards. The next batch I do will be laminated so they'll be easy to clean.

Every other Wednesday from now until January, one of the eight ScoreBoard dies will be featured. Today's projects have all been created using the Box with Flap (item #656137). This box can hold a deck of cards, crayons, ATC's, and gift cards. What are your ideas for this box? Leave a comment and let us know!

Please visit each of the links below to see what innovative creations these designers have produced!

Karen Burniston
Korie B.
Jenn Ellefson
Ann Butler

Terroriffic Tuesday- Week 2

Another week! Another helping of Halloween goodness. Check out what the fabulous crafters from all walks of life are up to this Terrorific Tuesday for the second week of October! This little light Light up the night with this cute pumpkin votive holder from Kat the Fearless Crafter. Sugar Skull Bracelet & Bats in the Belfry Choker Candace is having way too much fun with shrink plastc! Check out these fun and charming crafts on the Spirit Clay blog. Dollar Tree Decorated Lights Tutorial Come and decorate some Dollar Tree Skulls with Crafterella, don't forget your sharpie markers! The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate Whip up a Halloween Invitation that's a real 'hoot' with Madge in this project for iLoveToCreate! Spooky Halloween Coasters Cheryl Ball of Still Crafty After 50 shares some fun, funky, and spirited coasters! Halloween Treat Bowl Create a fun and festive treat dish with Inspired at Home! Strands of Beads Melissa creates a whimsical seasonal necklace based on the theme "pushing up daisies". Basic Black Box Meets Pumpkin Patch Whip up Halloween favor boxes in minutes with brand new Sizzix ScoreBoard dies. Mummy Mannequin Create a mummy that will be a memorable accent at your Halloween party with Pattiewack! Munchkin Mama's Crispy Peanut Butter Balls Munchkin Mama has a great recipe for no bake peanut butter balls that the whole family will want to make! Witch Parking!! Make a "Witch Parking" sign on the Mucky Finger's blog! Vintage-Inspired Halloween Tree Topper Shannon shows off her new Halloween tree topper, inspired by vintage crepe paper crafts! The Impatient Crafter Make a whimsical and elegant Halloween necklace with Madge! Jack-O-Lantern Waterfalls Studio Mama shows you how to make some fun and festive earrings for the Halloween season. Glow in the Dark Jewelry Use glow in the dark polymer clay and rubber stamps to produce eerie Halloween jewerly. Crafty Chica's Paint Drip Pumpkin! A loca idea on the fly turned out muy fantastico! Free Printable Halloween Cup Sleeves You’ll be a hit with these labels for hot beverages at your Halloween party. Scarecow Sweatshirt Sharron Westerfield shares a cute scarecrow sweatshirt she made from a fun downloadable pattern from Janome! Halloween Ribbon Brooches and Fascinators Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner whips some quick and cute Halloween accessories! R.I.P. Skeleton in Coffin Guarantee a spooktacular Halloween Party with a skeleton in a coffin treat filled centerpiece! Happy October Kewpies Find inspiration in this colorful and cute candy corn Kewpie photo from Boopsie Daisy! If you would like to join in the fun next week, e-mail Alexa at swelldesigner@yahoo.com and put in your subject line "Terrorific Tuesday". She'll get you added to the group!

Terroriffic Tuesday Week 2

I was listening to the Inspired at Home radio show the other night and Alexa Westerfield was one of the guests. She was talking about a Blog Hop she does every year called Terroriffic Tuesdays. All kinds of Halloween designs are posted ranging from cute to creepy-it's definitely worth checking out the work of these fun designers. Alexa has generously included my project this week in the lineup.

The project that I did was quick and easy. Using one of my new Sizzix ScoreBoard dies (shipping in November!), I cut out a box with lid. The material that I used is a kind of matboard called BrightCore. The top paper coat is black and the filler below is colored orange (as opposed to traditional white). I love the black/orange combo and think it's perfect for this Halloween project. The die I used is "Box with Lid" # 656138.

Here's how it's done: Cut out the ScoreBoard die and rubber band the box and lid into closed box shapes. Take your trusty Zip Dry Paper Glue and run it over the box joins on the inside of the box. Let dry for about 10 minutes.

Remove the rubber bands. Add a piece of orange braid around the lid. Cut out a smiling pumpkin shape (I used one of Brenda Pinnick's adorable Halloween dies) from desired color. Select a coordinating color of glitter and lay a coat of spray adhesive on front of pumpkin. Sprinkle glitter all over Halloween pumpkin and remove excess. Fill with candy, treats, or use as an elegant favor box for your next party!

Sneak Peek Demo Days 10/16-17

I hope you can come join me for this event. It's sure to be lots of fun. And who doesn't like going home with finished products and goodies? You'll learn some tips and techniques in working with die cut machines and see how handy these are to have on hand.

I got my Big Shot die cut machine about a year ago. All those years of crafting and I never knew what I was missing! :-(

If you don't know what I'm talking about, come over next Friday or Saturday 10/16-17 and see for yourself!

Sizzix ScoreBoards Blog Hop starting 10/14!

I am very excited to announce that next Wednesday, October 14 is the kick-off for our Sizzix Blog Hop! Stop by to see the cool projects that my designer buddies and I have created using my new Sizzix ScoreBoard dies! "What is a Blog Hop?" you may wonder...

Basically it is a set of posts on individual blogs with a common theme. For example, every other Wednesday you can come here to see what project I have created using one of the eight Sizzix ScoreBoard dies. On my blog will be a link to other designers' blogs that also have posted a project using that die Each blog will have a list of other blogs to go to, so you are just "hopping" from one blog to the next and seeing what each person has done with the same Sizzix ScoreBoard die. How cool is that? I cannot wait to see what these designers come up with. Every one of them is so talented and each has their own signature style. I hope you will come by on October 14 and check this out.

Please sign up to be a "Follower" of this blog or subscribe in a feed to keep up with all that's going on. Comments are welcome- please let me know your thoughts. See you back here next Wednesday!

Attempt at Organizing

Found three cute little date books at Books a Million and they were only a dollar each! Never mind that they will expire at the end of 2009- I have other plans. One went to my friend Kim, who is the queen of recycling. Not sure what she will do with it but know it will be cool.

My plan was to (finally) record all of my punches, stamps, markers, and various other craft supplies. Once I finish filling the book in with "already purchased supplies", I will never have to hesitate and wonder whether or not I already have a 1 1/4" circle punch. It will be kept it in the car with me and brought in when going into a craft store. The trick will be keeping it up.

A couple of tips... leave a few pages between each section (for new items) and add tabs for categories. On the pages where you are punching, put a bright piece of cardstock under the punched image to make the shape stand out. When entering marker color samples, keep in mind they will probably bleed, so put scrap paper behind the page when marking.

Whatever it is you collect and want to keep track of, a fun book like this is great to keep on hand and prevent purchasing duplicate items. More money for new stuff! :-)