New blog post over at Sizzix!

Today I share a snack box decorated with the latest collection of Craft Asylum for Sizzix, Tribal!

Free Sizzix Papers download

Click on the photos to download the free patterned papers!

My favourite 10 Sizzix Bigz dies

A few months ago I was asked in Facebook by a crafty friends which were my favourite Bigz dies. As you may know, as part of the European design team I have been blessed with many dies to use in my projects. Also, I have designed a few collections though mostly they have been Thinlits and Framelits dies.

Bigz dies are by far my favourite technology in terms of quality of cutting, though the space they take and the fact that you cant see through them, its off putting for some. But, if you really love die cutting then Bigz dies are the most versatile of them all.

Making a list of my top ten seemed difficult first. But I managed to do one, and there are a lot of Tim Holtz dies!

1

I know I am biased because I designed it, but I found this is the Bigz die that I use the most not only in my crafting but for workshops and everything else. The large heart is the shape that I use the most, I just find it the right size for many different projects.

2

Now, Alphabets. To me if you find an alphabet you lie the look of it you should invest on it. Nothing more useful. Trust me. And both Blocktalk are gorgeous fonts and perfect sizes for so many different things. Invest in both if you like die cutting!

3

I actually prefer lowercase than upper, but I find myself using both equally. I wouldn't be without either of them.

4

5

This large tag is fab for so many different things. Big enough for a card blank and mini albums as well as plain old tags.

6

I think I love all the Frameworks dies, but these two are the ones that I like the most. Though I have used Courtyard probably more.

7

Honeycomb pattern, whats not to love?

8

Delicate leaves, perfect for so much!

The following I love, but  they have been discontinued, so it may be difficult to find.

9

This one I love. Again, you can do so much, from mini albums, to cards to boxes... 

10

Instead of the Tattered Florals, I actually prefer the Tattered Poinsettia. With its matching embossing folder, I find it its one of the best poinsettias dies out there and very easy to create amazing realistic flowers.

I have many more dies that I love, but these are the ones I have use over and over out of love.

What are yours?

New blog post for Craft Asylum

Today I share a new blog post for Craft Asylum. Click here to see it and read all about it.

A guest blog post at Paperartsy

I do love Paperartsy! Some may be confused as my style is not a first sight a match with theirs. But, I love their ethos about quality and doing their own thing. Besides, their Fresco paints have been a firm favourite in my studio as have been their Grunge Paste or it was through them that I discovered Treasure Gold. And, not so surprisingly, I have been using their products for a long time. 

So, it is a great honour and pleasure to do a guest post in their brilliant blog.

You can check my post here.

I hope you like it!

New blog post over at Sizzix!

Today I share a layout made using the latest collection of Craft Asylum for Sizzix, Tribal!

A decorated candle for my grandma

My grandma's name is Lucia, so I decided to make her a little present for her.

I wrapped around the pilar candle some lace and some jute hessian and on top I placed a length of lace. I love the contrast between the coarse texture of the hessian and the soft delicate lace.

I then die cut the heart out of canvas using one of the latest Sizzix dies from the Craft Asylum Tribal collection. Using one old alphabet rub on, I added the initial and then I placed a pearl in the centre. Finally I tried to sew the edge without much luck. But I love the texture left behind!

I hope my grandma likes it!

A tribal flower for my husband

Today is the 5th of May, which means its my husband's birthday. He does love flowers as long as they are not very girly, ie no pink or light pastel flowers for him. 

To celebrate his birthday I made him this one:

Not very girly!

I used a single die from Craft Asylum for Sizzix collection called Tribal. I die cut two flowers of each size, coloured them up with distress inks and then scrunched them upo a bit.I made a cut between two petals and glue the petals that were next to the cut. Finally I threaded them through the wire. I used a centre from an artificial flower that I had.

Simple but effective!

Craft Asylum Candy box and mini card

Today I share a card and a decorated mini gift box over at the Craft Asylum blog.

Check them out here.