Sizzix Fresh Vintage: ScoreBoard Caddy

Welcome to the eleventh of twelve blog hops featuring dies from my Fresh Vintage collection. I hope you have been enjoying the fabulous projects created by these amazing designers.

To view the hop, you can click on the Fresh Vintage blinkie on the sidebar. This will take you around to all of the designers on the hop OR you can click on the linky party below for a look at the projects.

The featured die today is the ScoreBoard Caddy which has been specially designed to cut and score thick material like mat board. Matboard is my favorite art/craft supply ever. It's nice and sturdy, you can ink, paint, chalk, mist and color it with markers. Cover it with paper or stamp on it. Whatever you do with this stuff, it looks great! The caddy can be created with just one pocket or you can cut two, and add another pocket on the back (like a beverage holder). The flowers and leafy vine also come with the die and are great for embellishments. 

The idea for this die on a trip to Aruba. My husband and I were delayed for 2 1/2 hours at the airport and when we finally boarded the plane, they offered us each a free drink. Although I was not quite ready for happy hour (at 10 AM), I took the little bottle. It was so CUTE I knew I had to make a tiny caddy for it. Unfortunately, it is not quite big enough! I have to work within the die specs and just could not make it fit :-( but that's how the caddy came to be. And we had a GREAT vacation in Aruba!

Let's take a look at what the other designers did with this die:

There are so many ways to fill this container. Pick a theme and have fun with it. For your friend who sews, tie up some fat quarters, add fun trims, needles and lace. Know a letter writer? Fill this with stamps, a pretty pen and personalized notepad. Chocolate fixes everything- send treats for a friend in need of cheering up. Put teabags and accessories in one for your favorite tea drinker. Hair bows and headbands would fit great in here. What would you put in the caddy?

To see dies and projects that have already been posted, visit the page above titled "Sizzix Blog Hops". For a chance to win the Flower, Layers #9 die, answer the question about today's hop on the Oh My Crafts blog today.

For my project I kept it simple. Had a big deadline today to finish up and deliver.

1. Cut one divider piece and 2 pockets from aqua mat board. 
2. Following instructions on package, assemble caddy adding pockets to front and back of divider. Cover divider with ledger paper on back side. 
3. Color leaves and flowers with Copic markers, blending for depth. Add pearl bling to centers of flowers. Adhere to front pocket of box.
4. Add a scoop of Perfect Pearls to a mister spray bottle. Spray mixture all over finished box. Let dry.
5. I realized that the Memo Holder just fit perfectly in here! Did I plan it that way? Nope, but it worked out :-) Cut memo holder from heavy card stock. Place a matboard die cut on scoring board as a guide and score lines onto to paper memo holder.. 
6. Emboss flap with Textured Impression folder. Add magnet closures.
7. Wrap twine three times around outside of caddy and tie in a bow.
8. Fill folder with post it notes. Add matching pencils and you have a fun little caddy for your desk. You may want to glue this to a base if contents are heavy or could get off balance.

A present for Trinity!

Special treat- Julie McGuffee is giving away the items pictured above! See the blue Designer Crafts Connection logo on my sidebar? Well, many of the DCC designers are also participating in this blog hop. Hop forward through these DCC designer blogs and see how many you can find with the Sizzix Fresh Vintage logo on their blog, then hop on over to Julie's blog to leave a comment. She will announce the winner on November 8th, so check back.

Sizzix Fresh Vintage: Flower, 3D #2

Welcome back to yet another idea-packed Fresh Vintage blog hop! Today the fabulous designers will be working with the Flowers, 3D #2 die to create their projects. Wait until you see all of the ways they have used this die!

To view the hop, you can click on the Fresh Vintage blinkie on the sidebar. This will take you around to all of the designers on the hop OR you can click on the linky party below for a look at all the projects. To see projects that have already been posted, visit the page above titled "Sizzix Blog Hops". For a chance to win this die, answer the question about today's hop on the Oh My Crafts blog today.

You may be thinking this is just another flower die. Well, it is... but it has four separate flowers it! And you can make large or small flowers depending on where you place your paper. For complete instructions, head over to the Sizzix site where you can download a pdf instruction sheet and tips for assembling the flowers.


And now, let's see what the designers have done with the die:



I love working with crepe paper and was very excited to find it sold at my local AC Moore store in the gift wrap section. I made a bouquet of flowers using the different flowers on the die.

DESIGNER TIP: Use masking tape on the die to show where to place your paper for the corner circle flowers. I like using materials with a little "give" so the petals fold naturally- fabric works great, as well as felt, fleece, coffee filters, and tissue paper. Bamboo skewers and lollipop sticks work great for stems as do pipe cleaners and wire.

Flower #1:

1. Cut 8 squares of crepe paper (or whatever you would like to use) for your flower. Fold them into quarters and place the folds toward the corner that is not getting cut. You can fold 4-6 pieces and cut at once.
2. Take a 1" STYROFOAM ball and place it at the end of a skewer. Coat with spray adhesive, then sprinkle colored glitter on top. 
3. Layer the stacks of flowers and punch a hole in the middle. Insert a brad and hot glue the glittered ball inside the flower. Add stem to back by inserting into styrofoam ball.

Flower #2

1. Cut 8 squares of crepe paper as mentioned above.
2. Poke a very small hole in the base of the fold, thread petals with floss, twine, thin wire or pipe cleaner and gather petals together. 
3. Attach to base of skewer with glue or wire.

Flower #3:

1. Cut a stack of the smallest flowers (in the center of the die). Punch a very small hole in the middle of the stack. 
2. Insert thin floral wire into center of flower and add a pearl bead. Hot glue in place. 
3. Wrap stems into one, staggering flowers. Add a leaves to the stem if desired.

Flower #4
Happy Accident #517- When I took my crepe paper streamers down from the shelf, I saw they had been bleached randomly by the nearby fluorescent lights. I couldn't have done that if I tried! I am setting them right back there for more cool bleaching when I put them away :-)

1. Using the fringed section of the die, tear a strip of from a roll of crepe paper about 30" long. Fold up until you have a piece that fits inside the edges of the die. 
2. Run through Big Shot. 
3. Add 1" of tacky tape to the end of a skewer.
4. Keeping section folded, wrap around skewer and secure the end with floral tape.
5. Fluff! Add leaves if desired. 

BONUS: FELT FRINGED LOOP FLOWER

This is a great topper for a gift and is nice and full when cut from wool felt. You could also use on a headband or pin.

1. Cut 4 pieces of wool felt about 4" x 12". Fold in half lengthwise and then into thirds so you have a piece 2" x 4".
2. Lay felt on top of die with folds inside the cutting lines of fringe.
3. Run all pieces through Big Shot. Open out to 2" x 12".
4. Stitch along the raw edges with a basting stitch. 
5. Cut a matboard circle about 2". Apply double sided tape to one side. 
6. Start winding felt from outside, edges in, spiraling into center. 
7. For center, coil one strip of felt around a knitting needle and stitch or glue piece to itself. Press into place!

See? Lots of ideas! What would you do with this die? What materials would you use? Thanks so much for stopping by- see you on Tuesday!

Sizzix Fresh Vintage: ScoreBoard Suitcase

Hi everyone and welcome to the Fresh Vintage blog hop. Today is exciting for three reasons: it's my birthday, first post from my brand new computer and the Suitcase is one of my favorite dies!


To view the hop, you can click on the Fresh Vintage blinkie on the sidebar. This will take you around to all of the designers on the hop OR you can click on the linky party below for a look at all the projects. To see projects that have already been posted, visit the page above titled "Sizzix Blog Hops". For a chance to win this die, answer the question about today's hop on the Oh My Crafts blog today.

The Suitcase is a fun die- just the right size to fit a gift card, small piece of jewelry, ATC's, a deck of playing cards, mini- album or hair accessories. Or it wouldn't it make a great favor box or goody bag for a party or special occasion? You could also cut it out of patterned paper and score the folds in just a few seconds on your scoring board for a more customized look or embellish the suitcase with rubber stamps, inks, paints, ribbon straps, luggage tags, or beading. This die is really versatile. What would you put in here?

I can't wait to see what the other designers have created for this hop! Let's take a look:


It was so hard to choose what I wanted to do this time. I decided to make a cool vintage suitcase in black and cream using a hound's tooth stencil from Crafter's Workshop and then fill it with a few different things. 

1. Cut suitcase die from mat board. 
2. Place the stencil over the suitcase box and lid, and pounce Tuxedo Black Memento stamp ink with a foam applicator. Also stencil the small tab piece.
3. Ink the inside of the box and lid by randomly swiping the inked applicator over the surface. Ink both sides of the handle also.
4. Fold up the box and add brads to each of the four holes in the corners.
5. Add tacky tape to the back of the lid tab and adhere to the inside back of the suitcase.
6. Add tacky tape to one side of the small tab and adhere just to the edge of the front of the lid. The pressure of the tab against the inside of the suitcase will keep the box closed. Attach the handle to the suitcase with more tacky tape and you are done!
7. I decorated the front of the suitcase with orange velvet ribbon, a Fringed flower and a Katiedids Creative Component. I added crystals to the outside of the component and then filled with Dimensional Magic to embed the crystals. Then I added a few more drops to the center and placed an orange card stock coil into the center. 
8. Add whatever fun things you want, add a card and you are set!

 Nothing says Halloween like candy corn

 Stack of ATC cards.

 Deck of cards with embossed black moth of death (for Karl)

 Katiedid Component filled with crystal goodness

 Hey what's that???

Yikes! A popping up bat! Die by Karen Burniston

Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop: Leaves

Happy Thursday everyone! Are you ready to see another batch of cool projects created by the Sizzix Fresh Vintage designers? Today we are focusing on the Leaves die.

Please make sure to check out all of the innovative projects posted on the hop today. You can do this by clicking on the thumbnails below or on the Fresh Vintage navigation blinkie on the sidebar. I happen to know there are a couple of fun surprises here and some great techniques too. Who knew that a leaf could be used in so many ways? Ready? Let's hop!




If you would like a chance to win a Flower, Layers #9 die (to go with your leaves), please stop over at Oh My Crafts blog and see what the "Hop Question of the Day" is. Leave a comment about the hop projects and get some fun tips at the same time.

For my project, I resurrected something I had written a long time ago. It seemed appropriate to use for this hop. I have been blessed by many friends in my life, including the designers on this hop and many of you who take the time to read our blogs and leave your kind comments. I used my favorite Duetica font "Mandolyn" (again!) to communicate my message.

1. Layout saying using font of choice on cream cardstock. I also decided to add some special effects to my test, typing my words on curvy lines to mimic leaves falling. Print out artwork.
2. Cut a 10" x 10" mat from Crescent matboard #3291.
3. Stamp front of mat with four coordinating colors. Use foam blending tool to apply ink from Stephanie Barnard's new Clearsnap stamp pads. I love these pads because they are really juicy but wanted the control of the applicators so the color was not too intense. Blend the ink and sponge on ImageStamp by Lara Scott.. I like this stamp because it's 5" x 7" and covers a lot of area all at once. Stamp all over front of 10" x 10" mat.
4. With Logan Mat Cutter, cut a 2" border all around stamped matboard piece.
5. Add scrap foamboard strips on the back of the mat to give a shadowbox effect. Cut another piece of foamboard 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" for backing.
6. Cut a bunch of leaves out of heavy duty paper. On a thick piece of fun foam, draw lines on the back of the leaf with a stylus, pressing into the paper to create veins.
7. Drag leaf across stamp pads randomly to show veins. Ink edges
8. Adhere leaves to mat edges with ATG gun, overlapping to cover beveled edge. Intersperse pearl bling among leaves.
9. I accidentally got ink on my printed piece. Decided to ink the whole thing. Happy accident- now the paper blends in better with the mat! Hah!
10. Center text under mat. Adhere to backing board. Add sawtooth hanger to foamboard for hanging or insert into 10" x 10" frame. You will have to add spacers though to accommodate the dimension from the leaves. Or just take the glass out of the frame.
11. Done!

Thanks for stopping by my friends. Make sure to visit all the other designers to see what they have done with this die. See you next Tuesday!

Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop: ScoreBoard Bird

Welcome everyone! Hard to believe but we are halfway through the six weeks of the blog hop already. Are you having fun? The Fresh Vintage designers are totally awesome and rocking these dies- I could not be happier!

In case this is your first time here, this is how it works. To see all of the different projects, you can click on the thumblinks below or go to our cool navigation button on the sidebar and click "hop forward" or "hop backward". After you have clicked through all the projects, head over to the Oh My Crafts blog where you can answer a question regarding projects on the hop and be entered to win the Flower, Layers #9 die!

Today's featured die is the ScoreBoard Bird. When I designed this die, I was thinking what a cool Christmas ornament this guy would make. But what about bridal and baby showers, empty nesters, Happy Bird- day (sorry- know that was cheesy but couldn't resist), tweeting, and general everyday cards? Birdies are always in style!

And now let's see what the designers have cooked up!

I decided to make a Christmas ornament prototype for my yearly gift for family and friends this year. I knew what I wanted the sentiment to be as my son will be deploying again in May :-( The dove of peace is always appropriate- a symbol of our hopes for the coming year, especially for military families...

Die cutting makes it so easy to produce a large number of finished items using an assembly line style. However every extra process adds time, which is where I run into trouble. But I want it to look just right! OK, I'm setting the timer and here we go... I like to use unusual materials so decided to use foamboard as a base for this project. It cuts great and is nice and light for hanging (and mailing).

1. Die cut bird from foamboard. That's right- foamboard- it cuts like a dream!! And in case you are wondering, those little circle shapes are eggs...
2. Place die cut pieces in Textured Impression folder (Lace Set coming soon!) and run through die cut machine. With craft knife, trim off extra flap of foamboard leaving just the backing paper (the bulk of this extra foam is not needed)
3. Ink bird body, wings, beak and egg with turquoise and yellow pigment ink using a foam blending tool.
4. Run a line of Zip Dry Paper Glue around the otline of the bird and wings. Outline bird with yarn, ribbon, twine or trim.
5. Adhere wings to bird with tacky tape.
6. Coat bird with spray adhesive. Shake crystal glitter all over bird. Designer's note: I added a LOT of glitter. So much that it's hard to see the embossing. Next time I'll use a lighter hand!

 Banner

1. Access Duetica Lettering Arts Studio and select the Mandolyn font. This is my very favorite font and is perfect for reflecting the sentiment I chose for the ornament.
2. Type in "Peace on Earth 2012". Use the software to create the perfect collection of letterforms for your message. The beauty of this sytem is that there are 15-20 options for each letter both upper and lower case. There are great swashes and for beginning and ending words. Notice in the photo that there are 2 forms of e in "Peace". This is an extra added cool touch for using text in your projects. 
3. Print out on off-white card stock and cut into a banner shape. Run through paper corrugator. Punch hole before "Peace". Add a line of Stickles along the top of the banner if desired.

Nest:

1. With strong scissors, cut the bottom off a soda can (I used the flat part of the can for the Butterfly project and hung onto the bottom for this!)
2. Ink with brown alcohol ink.
3. Add Fringed Flower cut from vinatge sewing pattern.  Glue on noodles to outside of can. Add Melissa Frances finged tissue paper strand to bottom.
4. Cut about a yard of wire. Fold into fourths. Create a bird cage and bring all wires together at top and form into hook for hanging. Add nest to inside of cage. Glue bird in place.

OPTIONAL: Pierce a small hole on top of bird for hanging if you don't want to make a nest. Add decorative twine, wire with beads or ribbon to hang ornament.

Thanks for hopping along! Here's some info in case you are wondering how to get around...

FAQ about the Fresh Vintage Blog Hop:

How do I hop around to see ideas using the current featured die?        Every Tuesday and Thursday between September 27-November 3, 2011 there will be a new Sizzix Fresh Vintage die featured on 6-10 of the 75 participating designers' blogs. The navigation buttons for "Hop Back" and "Hop Forward" will allow you to easily hop around and see projects featuring whatever the current die is, since those buttons are programmed to navigate only to the blogs that are participating for that die. On the next Tuesday/Thursday, the buttons will automatically reprogram themselves to navigate to the blogs that are signed up for the next featured die.

What if I start at a designer's blog that isn't one of the 6-10 signed up for that die?

No problem! Simply hit either the "Hop Forward" or "Hop Back" button on the Fresh Vintage navigation widget from any blog's sidebar and you'll automatically advance to one of the participating blogs.

Can I go back and view the ideas for a previously featured die?

Of course! Go to the "Blog Hops" link at the top of the page. It will bring up all of the blog posts where you'll find direct links to each participating blog along with a thumbnail image of the project.

Where can I buy the Sizzix Fresh Vintage dies, by Eileen Hull?

You can visit Sizzix.com to find a local and online retailers for Sizzix products. Also be sure to visit Oh My Crafts, one of this blog hop's sponsors, (between the dates of September 27-November 3, 2011) and enter for a chance to win a Flower Layers #9 die!

The Blog Hop has ended and the navigation widget is no longer in the sidebar. How can I see the ideas?

Go to the "Blog Hops" link at the top of the page. It will bring up blog posts where you'll find direct links to each participating blog along with a thumbnail image of the project.