Monday 28 September 2015

Sizzix | Diorama card

How to assemble the Diorama Card


I love 3D cards so I have always like Diorama cards. Now there is a die that allows you to create 5" square dioramas very simply!



I used the Card, Diorama Gatefold -  Sizzix Thinlits Plus Die Set 15PK - 660845. If you don't own a Big Shot Plus, fear not, as this die will fit through the standard 6" Big Shot.


First die cut the front, using the base card die  and one of the spare dies to create a window. I used the smaller one.


The large die already sores perfectly to either side.


To create the middle part, I die cut using the base card die and then I used the intricate die to help me position the circle die in the perfect place.


Once die cut I had a perfect circular aperture. you can of course use different dies for this, just make sure to secure them in place with tape.


Finally, die cut the base card die using no apertures for the back (blue). As a base, its also a 5" square gatefold card.


If you would like a simple diorama, with two pieces like on the photo would suffice.


To create a middle one though, you will need to trim the edges of each side. I trimmed 1 1/4 which is half way.


Then, it all works as it should.


To glue the part, fold the core lines, aline the the edge of the middle piece to the score edge of the base and glue.


Press well to make sure it's well bonded. Turn over and do the same with other side.


Then repeat the same process with the front panel.


 Make sure that all elements are well glued and that they fold flat.
Then it is time to decorate! Just make sure that you glue things to just one layer.


I hope you have fun creating with this Diorama card!

Thursday 24 September 2015

Craft Conversations with the Pros: Marion Emberson

Today is turn to ask the Craft questions to another of my dear friends: Marion Emberson.


 When and how did you start in the craft industry? 
I officially started 12 years ago with the opening of my shop Sugar and Spice Crafts, although I'd been making for many years.
Was it full time? Part time? 
I went straight into full time in to running the shop.
What type of job did you have at first? Did you started as a creative straight away?
As soon as the shop was up and running, I started teaching classes.
How do you describe your job nowadays?
Just recently - June 2015- I closed the shop to concentrate on other opportunities. I consult and design for a couple of craft companies.

Clear stamps designs by Marion for Personal Impressions.



What would you do differently?  
I wouldn't change a thing as the experience I gained from running the shop has led me to hold these current positions.

Be true to yourself and don't try to do anything that isn't you.
Is it hard to work full/part time in the craft industry? Can you name your major challenges you face?
The hardest thing is keeping on top of all the products and trends, as they are forever changing, although if you hang in there, they come round again :) 
Out of everything you do and have done, what is your favourite?
I absolutely love teaching, I love sharing and learning from the students, we all have so many different ideas from the same product.



 Your proudest moment and achievement?
A was a guest presenter on QVC UK for two years, and although a little bit stressful, I loved it.
 What is your favourite project type (mini albums, cards, layouts, home decor...) and colour? 
Well colour has to be …..Teal….and anyone who knows me reading this would expect no less ! 
I really do love Pocket Scrapbooking, Card Making, Mini Albums, Home Decor, Scrapbooking - I've probably listed them all, it depends on the product as to the project, if that makes sense.


Where you go for inspiration?
Pinterest although I've kept all of my US PaperCraft and Creating Keepsakes mags and like to have a flick through and once a seed is sown…well…
What is next for you?
I've been teaching here and in the US to both consumers and retailers but this year I'm actually teaching at 4 stores in the US, I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully I'll be able to do more of that, if they'll have me back !


 And finally, Do you remember when we first met? Any good/bad impressions?
You're asking a 51 year old menopausal woman, I can't remember yesterday, but I do know it feels like I've known you for many years, in fact, yes, I have known you for many years, but I have no idea where we met, probably a trade show. You're an inspiration to me and I bow down to you. I think I got my clean and simple style from you….So thank you for that :) 

You can find Marion here:

Saturday 19 September 2015

Big Shot Starter kit | Back on | Available now


Good news, the standard Big Shot Starter Kit is back!
All the dies and the embossing folder are the same designs, but the two Sizzlits including the intricate butterfly have been transformed in to Thinlits and Framelits so it will be easier to use.


This is one of the cards that I made originally for the kit.
I cant wait to play again with the Big Shot Starter Kit.

Thursday 17 September 2015

Craft Conversations with the Pros | Elina Strömberg

Today we go North to ask Elina Stromberg the Craft Questions. I met Elina last year and is another of those crafters that are really passionate about what they do. I really enjoy her work and her company!
Elina, when and how did you start in the industry?
I've been making different kinds of crafts as long as I can remember: Paper crafting, card making, drawing, knitting, crocheting, sewing, weaving, and many things more. I got to know scrapbooking in 2009, which got me more involved in paper crafts: I opened my blog, attended paper crafting and mixed media classes, and learned to use a larger variety of tools and techniques. Workshops and crops also introduced me to a growing group of paper craft in hobbyists, industry influencers, teachers and designers both locally and internationally.
I've been a member in several design teams since 2010: some of those teams have been inspiration/challenge blogs, some of them promoted a retail business, and in some teams I have supported an industry manufacturer. To some design teams I have applied myself, and some have contacted me directly with a cooperation proposal.

Was it full time? Part time?
Crafting and designing has never been a full-time work for me. My academic background is in business and IT, and work full time as IT manager.

What type of job at first? Did you started as a creative straight away?
How do you describe your job nowadays?
I still consider designing and creating my hobby, even if the related tasks do require a lot of time to be allocated. My day job ensures me financial stability, and even if I don't have as much time for crafting as I would like to have, I'm glad that there's no true financial pressure related to my creative work.

Is it hard to work full/part time in the craft industry? Can you name
your major challenges you face?
There are thousands and thousands of talented people in the industry, and there's a lot of competition. In addition, a successful creator/designer needs to be a true multi-talent: Not just a designer of projects that really stand out, but also a photographer, photo editor, writer, web designer, marketer, social media master, ... Despite of the value the design team is bringing only a few companies are paying for the services of their design teams. This is a generally accepted thing in the industry which makes it even more difficult for a part time crafter to become a full time professional creator.



Out of everything you do and have done, what is your favourite?
Together with my colleague I have already twice organised an international crafting / mixed media event in Finland. Our weekend long 'Creative Journey' event was sold out on both times, and the feedback from the event participants has been heartwarming positive.

Your proudest moment and achievement?
There have been times when I've been teaching scrapbooking or mixed media to people who had no prior experience in the subject. However, receiving enthusiastic feedback from those people after the class is always very encouraging; if someone has got a kick off to a new hobby from my class, that's something I consider an important achievement.
Being part of the core editor's team for a Finnish paper crafting magazine was really great, too. There were many people that thought our idea of a paper crafting print magazine was too ambitious. But that pushed us to really give our best, and seeing our first magazine in the local news stand was a memorable moment!

What is your favourite project type (mini albums, cards, layouts, home
decor...) and colour?
Scrapbooking and cards. I cannot pick just one favourite colour, as I like many bright colours a lot: Yellow, orange, gold, green, chocolate brown, ...

Where you go for inspiration?
Inspiration can be found everywhere i.e. in home decór magazines, blogs, DIY books etc. However, I think that the easiest way to find lot of inspiration is Pinterest.


What is next for you: (both what you are doing next and what you Would
like to do next)
I will continue my work in my current design teams, and hopefully many crafters will be inspired by my projects. I do have dreams and plans that hopefully someday will get real: Designing my own series of stamps and/or patterned papers would be a dream come true!

And finally, Do you remember when we first met? Any good/bad
impressions?
I had been following your work pretty closely for some time, and I was so very happy when I finally got the opportunity to meet you face-to-face at Sizzix blogger's meeting a year ago. You are such a wonderful, warm hearted, lively, inspiring, and energetic person!
Paula's version: 
I remember seeing Elina's projects on the Sizzix blog for the first time and thinking wow, she is clever! And then i got to meet her in person and immidiately really liked her. Elina is a very friendly and grounded person, one that I could spend hours and hours cahtting and photographing!

You can find Elina Strömberg online here:


To read previous Craft Conversations, click here.

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Taller | Lady Mua (Palma, Mallorca) 26 de Setiembre



Vuelvo a dar un taller en Lady Mua Palma (Mallorca) 26 de Setiembre a las 10:00!

Haremos uno de estos calendario de cumpleaños. 

Crearemos un calendario de cumpleaños, se trata de un PhotoDisplay en que cada miembro de la familia y amigo tiene una página distinta. Estas páginas están colocadas por orden de cumpleaños (los de enero primero en orden, luego los de febrero...).
Así cumple funciones de marco de fotos pero también te recuerda quién es el siguiente que va a cumplir años. Además, si se saca del marco es un mini álbum.
Un proyecto que está a mitad camino entre un mini album y HomeDecor cargado de técnicas de troquelar. Ademas será una oportunidad para usar la nueva Big Shot Plus y algunos de su troqueles de gran formato. 

En cada página del calendario se utiliza una técnica distinta y se añadirán las fotos que tu traigas.

recomiendo traer las fotos, 8 x 5 cm  (unas 10-15 mas o menos). Cada una retrato de una persona, horizontales y verticales (o paisaje y retrato). Las mías son en blanco y negro.

Para agilizar el curso del taller se recomienda que las alumnas traigan las siguientes herramientas:
  • Tijeras
  • Cutter
  • Base de Corte
  • Regla
  • Lápiz
  • Goma
  • Adesivos preferidos (liquido y celo de doble cara siempre van bien)

Para más información o para inscribirse escribe un e-mail a angels@ladymua.com o pasa por la tienda.

Que ganas tengo!

Monday 14 September 2015

New tutorial step by step for Sizzix | A pretty card made with a box die!




Last time I was here with an showing how the  the Sizzix Thinlits Plus Die Set 13PK - Box w/Fancy Lid 660841 makes lovely bows. Today, I will show you that you can use the decorative panels as well for cardmaking. 
For this card, even though this is a Plus die, all the elements will fit through the regular Big Shot.

I place the die on the front of the card and secure it in place with low tack tape. Then I run it through the Big Shot and made sure from the back that all those lines were cut. Because it is such a detailed die, you may need to run it through a couple more times.


I cut a square piece of paper and layered in the inside. I then added a die cut bow from the same set.


I stamped the message using a sharp black in on a die cut banner (from the 660836
Sizzix Framelits Plus Die Set 16PK - Banners #2 ) and attach it so it overlaps.


I used the circles from the Bow set to add interest to the centres of the flowers.
And it was done. Very quickly but with quite a lot of detail!

Good Luck, The Craft Channel


Good luck to everyone involved at The Craft Channel!

(Specially to my good friend Dawn Bibby!)

Saturday 12 September 2015

At the Craft Channel Launch


Last Thursday I attended the Craft Channel launch event for magazine editors, bloggers and designers.


Invited by the lovely Dawn Bibby who is going to be one of the main presenters and craft expert.  Very much the masterminds behind the channel, Julian Ballantyne and Debbie Greenwood did speak very eloquently at the launch about the exciting new possibilities for the channel.


It was so nice to see Dawn. We have been very much in contact the last few years but seen each other rarely as we live quite far apart.
I have to say that Dawn looked very excited and happy!


Goodie bags were given out with lovely things inside.


And Paul Wayne Gregory was there demonstrating how easy it is to hand finish truffles with his homemade kits soon available from The Craft Channel. They are as delicious as they look!

One of the things that has made me very excited about this channel previous to the event was this video showing Becky make a amazing quilled version of the Craft Channel logo. Well, it is as beautiful in real life!


The detail is incredible!


And there she is Becky Seddon at the studio ready to film a show full of gorgeous woodlands creatures designed by her.


Some of the guests recorded a little VT. Of course I volunteer without thinking! Somehow I don't think they will use my piece!
After the launch event, I stayed a bit longer in the company of Dawn, Wendy Rhodes and Becky and made a couple of cards with the new products from Dawn (left) and Becky (right).


The studios look so nice! Amazing quality.



And looked who I found filming! The uber talent that is Andy Skinner. Can't wait to watch him!


If you are wondering how to watch The Craft Channel, well here you have some options. I will be tuning in online (as I watch all my telly) at www.thecraftchannel.com this Monday 14th of September at 8am!


Dawn, Julian and the whole team, I wish you all the very best!

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