Super Size

Okay, so I hope you're all loving the new kinetic dies from Crafters Companion, they really do give your cardmaking the WOW! factor - especially if you can super size the designs.

These next two cards do exactly that, they take the concept and have some fun with it.  The first uses the stairway die, and although it looks complicated to do, if you have a big format die cutting machine it really is fairly straight forward.  If you don't cut an A4 sheet of card down, and start with the worker die in the bottom right corner (looking at the card in portrait), then after you have cut this you just need to re-lay the worker die so that it overlaps the cuts already made, but extends them (if you lay the die over the top and gently move it around, it finds the cuts all on its own), tape it down & cut again, you may need to do this a couple of times to get to the top of the card but it really is worth it.  You can now accommodate words up to 10 letters!

This next card takes the shutter card concept and doubles up so you can get a large design in the centre, great for really special occasions, or just those really special people!  I just created this as two shutter cards and joined them in the middle with a card piece at the back (using my ribbon as a design piece to hid the join), but you could just double up on the length of card and cut the worker die at either end so that it is made from one piece of card.  The decorative edge sets are great for this type of card and just finish it off beautifully.

Well, I hope you can get to watch todays shows (9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.), sadly I'll be slaving away at the office but hey ho, there's always catch up!

TTFN

Rach

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And now for something completely different

OMG! I am really excited by this, following on from the Kinetic Dies Crafters Companion released earlier this year (the circle and diamond swing card dies), they are now releasing a Shutter Card die and Stairway Die!!!  How awesome is that?  I know myself with the shutter card that they are a real pain to do, even with a scoring board (the number of times I've scored the wrong line), so to be able to produce stunning results every time with just a pass through my Gemini, is just mindblowing!

This first card was made using the shutter die and Decorative Edge Set 2 for the edges.  The papers and embellishments all came from Sara's Signature Shabby Chic range, love, love, love this card!

This next card was made using the Stairway die, which makes a fabulous card just using the die and cut in panels that come with it, the fun only stops when you run out of 5 letter words (though I have found a way to extend it, which I will show you soon......).  But even that doesn't have to stop you, the stairs could have a cascade of butterflies, or whatever your heart desires, this really is a showstopper card to make but the secret is in the fabulous dies - again, a quick pass through the machine and all the hard work is done for you.

I suppose you'd like to know when you can get your hands on these lovely designs - well you only have a day to wait, they launch on Hochanda at 6 p.m. tomorrow, 19th July.

Well, I must be off, see you again soon & I'll show you how you can extend out these lovely dies.

TTFN

Rach

x

Ssshhhh!!!! it's the C word!

Well, I know it's been a while again, but at least I'm back crafting - Yay!!!!

And as you know Christmas sneaks up quickly on the unsuspecting, so us crafters have to be ultra prepared!  Crafters Companion is going all out again this year to help with this and have some amazing launches in July on Hochanda - Have you seen Sara's latest signature range!!!! O M G! it's to die for (& already been added to my collection as they're being super quick with deliveries - just as well because I have absolutely no patience for these things!).

Anyhoo.... I was given the pleasure of working with some new Foil Transfers and Foils designed specifically for the festive season, and to whet your appetite for the launch tomorrow, I thought I'd show you a couple of my offerings.

This first make is a candle jar (I've used a battery operated candle so it's perfectly safe) and a washed out salsa jar - recycling too - go me!

The transfers don't go on very easily to the jar, but I think this adds to the rustic nature of the make, I've added some gems to the centre of the snowflakes for added sparkle and then some ribbon and tags - you could even colour the jars on the inside with some alcohol inks to give different coloured glows, or you could use a larger jar and a string of lights.

My second make goes back to a traditional card shape and would make a lovely quick (ish) card for Christmas - the sentiment is from the Foil Transfers, and I've used Matt Silver foil for both of my makes.  some of the snowflakes have been covered with Stick-it and then foiled over the top to continue the look.

Whether you go for something simple or a bit more complex, these foils and transfers really add another dimension - they are great fun to work with & not at all like the old transfers which were really annoying and didn't always stick down properly.

Well, I hope you can be there for the launch of these as the one day special on Thursday at 6 p.m. as you really don't want to miss out, what with these and the other launches, I think I'm on beans for the rest of the month, well year!

Take care & TTFN

Rach

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