A Cut Above - stepping up die cutting

For the topic of Stepping Up Die Cutting I created a card inspired by Kristina Werner's card using a Loni Stevens card template for the Silhouette Shop. I created something similar in the SCAL software for the Cricut - not as cool as Loni's, but for my first attempt at welding, I think I did okay :)

A Cut Above

The second part of A Cut Above is about the Silhouette machine. I don't have one of these so I'm adapting the lessons to my Cricut where possible. In the first day of class we got a free download from Ali Edwards - these are fantastic for cards. All different sayings in her amazing handwriting! I was able to convert the photoshop file (not the Silhouette Studio file) into a cut file for the Cricut. Here's the simple card I made with it. I had all the butterflies sitting on my craft table from a previous project which made this card even easier.

A Cut Above - Embossing with wafer dies

My first attempt at embossing with wafer dies was not too successful, but I think I fixed it up enough to call it good enough. I had to run my card through the Big Shot so many times adding shim after shim because I couldn't get the outside of the shape to emboss clearly. Then the inside started to cut through my card stock so I stopped trying. I had my die positioned with masking tape so it would stay where I wanted it and then when I went to remove the tape it tore my card. So I turned the card inside out and now I have an embossed frame shape rather than the debossed look I was going for. I ended up using a stylus to clean up that outer edge and make the shape show up a bit more. And one more thing that went wrong - my shim shifted and left a mark across the bottom of the card about 1/4" up so I used my Simply Scored board and created a 1/4" border around the whole card. I even messed up the stamping! This was one big learning experience! The butterfly is a Stampin' Up! digital image from the Wonderful Wings digital stamp set and I colored it with Copics. I just realized that I forgot to draw in the antenna. Oh well...

A Cut Above - Other than Paper, part 1

I love the topic of day 5 because it focuses on die cutting materials that are not paper or card stock.  I've always loved doing this.   As an Architect and Interior Designer I have access to all sorts of fun finishes from large paint samples to upholstery fabric and wall covering so I'm always on the look out for something I can die cut and use for my cards.  In fact my very first upcoming published card that will be published in the Sept./October 2012 Paper Crafts magazine has a die cut that I cut with something other than paper, but I'm not giving away what it is.    Anyway, I did two cards for this topic.  In the first one I used a really cool retro vinyl upholstery fabric in white.  I can imagine this on some retro 60's chair.   It's difficult to see in the photo and looks like paper, but it's not.  I'll post a photo of the fabric because it's easier to see what I used.  

Here's my card:

and here's the vinyl fabric:

InLinkz

A Cut Above - Other than Paper, part 2

Here's my second card.  Nichol showed a great card made with ribbon scraps and a star die.  I've done this before with a butterfly die, but today I gave it a shot with a really old Sizzix die I have with hearts. I haven't used this die in years so I was happy to take it out and get some use out of it.

A Cut Above - Partial Die Cuts

Another card from my A Cut Above class.  This one I made for the "partial die cutting" technique.  The top heart was only cut part way through the card stock and then scored and folded.

InLinkz

A Cut Above class - Window card

Here's a little gift card I made for the Window Card Assignment.  I used a rolled flower die for the flower in the center.  I didn't do such a great job rolling that flower - need to practice a little or maybe a lot!

A Cut Above - Shaped Cards

I made this card for the Shaped Card Assignment in the A Cut Above class.  It was inspired by the beautiful card that Nichol Magouirk made in one of the class videos, although I layered mine up a bit differently.  I was planning on having the Soft Suede card stock frame popped up with dimensionals, but my daughter was using them for a school project and left them two flights up and I was too tired to go up and get them.  I was tired because we were up until midnight working on said project last night.  So I just glued the frame down flat.  Anyway, I hope you like it.

All supplies by Stampin' Up!
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Background Stamps: En Francais, Netting
stamps: Field Flowers, Fabulous Phrases
Dies: Framelits - labels
Ribbon: Twill Tape
Brad: Mini Brads - brights

A Cut Above class

I'm taking A Cut Above over at Online Card Classes.   It's on die cutting with manual die cut machines and electronic.  I've used both for many years, but am really interested because the second week in on the Silhouette and I don't have one, but am considering getting one.  I love these classes because they motivate me to create and Jennifer, Kristina and Nichol are fantastic.  It's not too late to sign up!
First assignment - create a card with a die cut (manual) embellishment.

{hi}

Here's another card I made with the paper I created using the Hip & Handsome Overlays. I also broke out my Cricut machine again to cut the tree. The trunk I freehanded with scissors. It was totally a coincidence that the angles of the paper lined up perfectly with the zig-zag trim. I love when that happens!

Did you know...

that you could win a Silhouette Cameo and Heat Transfer kit over at the Idea Room?

go leave a comment to enter!

diggin' digi downloads!

Hi there! I am having so much fun with digital downloads lately. Today's card features some patterned paper I created myself using a digital overlay. I have to say I struggled a bit trying to figure out how to manipulate the colors of the pre-designed overlay, but I got it and made the chevron paper! I also used the Stampin' Up! Wonderful Wings digital download for the butterfly. I love that I can scale it to whatever size I want. Then I just printed it, colored it up and hand cut it out - super easy.


Digital Elements - Stampin' Up Hip and Handsome Overlays, Wonderful Wings

Card Stock - SU Basic Gray and Pool Party

Ink: SU Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray

Stamps: SU Apothocary Art

Dies: SU Framelits, Label, Little Leaves

Ribbon: SU Lucky Limeade

Punch: SU Eyelet Border

hybrid card making

I've been experimenting with digital elements lately. I had done a bit of digital scrapbooking in the past, but never used digital elements for cards. Mostly, this is because I really don't like a flat printed card, unless it's for a mass mailing such as Christmas cards. What I have been doing is printing out papers and other digital elememts and using them traditionally (paper) and this has been eye opening for me. For one thing, I love the instantaneous delivery and no shipping costs - can't beat that. This totally offsets the cost of the printer ink in my book. And...I can print only the small amount that I need if I plan ahead - less waste!
So here are a couple of cards I made using digital patterned papers. These are part of the new Stampin' Up! Collection called Summer Smooches which is available for purchase (real and digital) in April as a preview for the next full catalog (June 2012-May 2013).