Monday, February 18, 2019

Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month | February 2019


Hello, crafty friends!
I have something very new and exciting to share today. The lovely folks at Spellbinders sent me their Amazing Paper Grace February Die of the Month to work with and I have some project ideas to share using it. If you are not familiar with the Spellbinders Club Kits, I highly recommend checking them out. HERE's a link to all their Monthly Club Kits. Their kits are truly value for money and I have really enjoyed working with them. 

I have TWO projects to share today using the APG (Amazing Paper Grace) February Die of the Month, so without further ado, let's get started:

I have always been a big fan of Becca Feeken's dies and designs. They are so intricate and exquisite and can really dress up any project without doing much. I wanted to create a Card which would be perfect to use as a Wedding Card. This Enchantment Tall Flip and Gatefold Card Die Set can be used to create a variety of projects and are designed in signature Becca style.

My card measures 5" X 7". To create this card, I first started by die-cutting the main card panel. I cut two die panels and folded them in half leaving a 1/2" inch space on the side of the paper to glue this to the card base. This has to be done, because the largest frame die cuts only one one side and scores on the other as these dies are designed to create Gate Fold Cards. HERE is a video by Becca Feeken explaining how to use these dies.

After adhering the two side panels of the card on to my card base, I created a belly band to hold the card close. I have used a 12" X 2" piece of cardstock to create the band and scored it at 5" approximately to fold. 

Then, I die cut the center piece using a patterned paper and stamped my sentiment on it. I also added gold foil cardstock behind it to help accentuate it. I die cut a border from the Shadow Box Ribbon Threader Etched Dies using gold foil cardstock to add some detail to the belly band.

The white and blue flowers were made using the flower dies included in the Enchantment Tall Flip and Gatefold Card Die Set. I lightly coloured and embossed them to give them a more natural look. I also adhered some mulberry flowers, fillers, and rose buds to complete my cluster.

Here is how the card looks when opened. There is enough space to include a message for the recipient.


My second project is an Envelope cum Card. This piece can again be gifted to someone at their Wedding or any special occasion. I have tried to keep this one simple and elegant. Trust me, this looks really glamorous in real life.

The concept behind this project was that I wanted to create a card which was shaped like a Clutch Purse, since this particular die is shaped like a handle when used individually. It's perfect for making small gift bags and hence, an elegant purse too!

You can see the gorgeous gold foil in this picture. I created this handle like shape for the clutch by partially die cutting the die twice from cream cardstock to give it some thickness, and once from gold foil cardstock to accentuate it. I adhered all the three layers one on top of the other.

I went with a dainty floral arrangement on this one. I die cut the flowers from the flower dies included in the Enchantment Tall Flip and Gatefold Card Die Set. I lightly shaped and coloured them and grouped them together with some mulberry rose buds and die cut leaves to give it a complete look.

I have used the corner dies included in the set to create inserts for my project, both on the outside flap as well as inside the card.

I also used tiny magnets for the closure of this card. These magnets are super strong and give the project the proper look of a clutch purse while serving a more practical purpose.

When the card is opened, the top half can be used for writing a little note to the recipient or you can stamp a sentiment in the centre like I did. The bottom half has a pocket in which you can either place a gift card or add some money depending on who you are looking to gift it to!

Here's a closer look at the corners and the sentiment. I have used gold foil cardstock for die cutting them. I feel it gives it a very regal look.

I also wanted to some pretty little details to the bottom half of the pocket. I die cut a flourish from gold foil cardstock using the die included in the Shadow Box Ribbon Threader Etched Dies. I also added a die cut ribbon using dies from the same set and adhered it to my card for a finishing touch.


That's it from me today. I hope you enjoyed seeing my projects. I really loved creating with the APG February Die of the Month. This is truly a very versatile set and I would recommend checking out the other inspiration projects using this die set on Becca's blog. There's so much one can do with it!

If you liked my projects and found them inspirational, please leave a comment letting me know. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Have a great day!

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Spellbinders February 6th Blog Hop | Shadow Box Collection


Hello, everyone!
I am so excited and honoured to be joining Spellbinders for their Blog Hop today featuring dies from the exquisite, Shadow Box Collection by Amazing Paper Grace. 
You should have arrived from the incredibly talented, Nichol Spohr's blog.
If you have not arrived from Nichol's blog, don't worry, because I do have the full blog hop list at the end of the post. 
I have made TWO projects for today's hop, so let's get started!

First up, I have a Mini Photo Frame cum Fridge Magnet to share. This Photo Frame is really very simple to make. You can also easily convert it into a Fridge Magnet by adding magnets at the back side of the frame.

To create my frame, I first started by die-cutting the panels for my Shadow Box using the Adjustable Shadow Box Frame with 1/2" Border Etched Dies. I used pre-cut strips measuring  2-1/8" X 4" to create the main frame. Once those were cut and assembled, I adhered a patterned paper on the back side of the box to create my frame.

To give my frame a more ornate look, I die-cut two square frames from the Adoria Square Shadow Box Frame Die Set, one from patterned paper and the other from Cream Cardstock, and adhered them on one top of the other.

Next, it was time to embellish my Photo Frame. I used the Cinch and Go IV Etched Dies to create the flowers. They were die cut from Pink Foamiran sheets and then shaped and coloured lightly. I added two clusters on either side of the frame to balance the design. The leaves were cut from Green Foamiran sheets using the leaf die included in this set.

For the center of the frame, I die-cut a lacy oval from the Grand Dome 3D Card Etched Die Set. I die cut it from Gold Foil Cardstock to give it a rich look. I also stamped an inspirational message in the centre, but you can always add a picture if you'd like to personalize your project. This would make for a perfect gift to give to your loved ones.

And here's a look at my complete project. I also added few filler flowers and pollens to the flower centres to give the florals some dimension.


The second project I have created is a layered card. This card measures approximately 6" X 6", and is all about layers!
To create this card, I first started with a 6" X 6" card base. Next, I matted some Pink Cardstock over the base, and then adhered another layer over this, which was cut from patterned paper.

I wanted to create this card in very soft, romantic hues, so I kept my color scheme limited to pink and gold.  To create the focal of my card, I die-cut the intricate oval frame from the Lisette Oval Shadow Box Frame Etched Die Set from Baby Pink Cardstock. I die cut this frame also from Fun Foam in order to give it some dimension. Next, I die-cut another frame from the same set using Gold Foil Cardstock, which was again layered on Fun Foam.  For the sentiment, I die-cut an oval from Baby Pink Cardstock and stamped my sentiment on it, and mounted this on Fun Foam again.

The flowers and leaves on my card were made using the Cinch and Go IV Etched Dies. I die-cut them from Watercolour paper and inked them using Archival inks. I soaked them in water for a few seconds, and then shaped them using Flower Shaping Tools. Lastly, I dried them using a Heat tool so that the petals would retain their shape. I created two floral clusters on either side of the framed sentiment to give my card design some balance.

To further accentuate the look of my card, I added four die-cut corners. These were die-cut from Gold Foil Cardstock and are from the Callista Rectangle Shadow Box Frame Etched Die Set. I really loved working on this card and it was fun to put together!

Giveaway:
To celebrate this release, Spellbinders are giving away a $50 gift certificate to 3 lucky blog readers – selected from the comments across all of the blogs in the hop. Giveaway closes on Sunday, February 10th 11:59 pm EDT. Winners will be announced in their blog hop post the following Monday. Winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes.


Blog Hop List:
                            Hussena Calcuttawala (You are HERE)

I hoped you liked my projects. I would love to know if you have a favourite. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.
Have a great day!

Friday, February 1, 2019

Spellbinders Guest Post | Shadow Box Collection by Becca Feeken


Hello everyone,
I am so thrilled to share that I am a guest blogger on the Spellbinders blog. Today, I have THREE projects to share with you using the Shadow Box Collection by Becca Feeken. I am sure most of you must have seen this stunning collection during Creativation 2019, but those of you who haven't seen it yet, do click HERE to see the full collection.

The Shadow Box Collection by Becca Feeken is a series of etched dies that help create beautiful shadow boxes and beyond. It has it all, from adjustable shadow boxes to layered scenery to accent embellishment, that will help make wonderful creations. These sets can be used alone, within the collection and some match with her 3D Card etched die sets in the 3D Vignette Collection.

I have a trio of projects to share today, so let's get started!


My first project is a dimensional card I created using the Adjustable Shadow Box Frame with 3/4" Border Etched Dies. To create this card, I first die-cut the 3/4" Border Dies from some patterned paper to create a square shadow box on the front of my card. Did I mention how easy peasy it is to construct a shadow box using these dies? These are a total game changer and I love how they have been designed with so much thought and precision.

Once my shadow box was ready, I adhered an ornate square frame die cut from the Adoria Square Shadow Box Frame Etched Dies. I die cut it from gold foil cardstock to add a regal touch!

Once the base of the card was ready, it was time to embellish my card. I first die cut a border from the Filigree Shadow Box Easel and Pocket Etched Dies from metallic white cardstock and adhered it on the bottom half of my card. Next, I created a cluster of handmade blooms by die cutting the flowers from the Cinch and Go IV Etched Dies from white cardstock and then colouring them using dye inks in shades of pink. The leaves were also die cut from white cardstock and coloured using green dye inks. I added a little sentiment tag to go along with the flower bunch.

I also added a small flower cluster on the other side of the frame to balance the design. I find these tiny flowers really pretty!

And here's how the card came together. This would be perfect to give to a couple for their engagement or wedding!


My next project is a Gift Box with a twist. I have used the Shapeabilities Adjustable Shadowbox Frame with 1" Border Etched Dies to create a Slider Gift Box which can hold some chocolates, jewelry, candles, or more!

I made this slider box by first creating a 5" X 7" frame (cut two 5-inch straight edge border frame and cut two 7-inch mitered edge border frame. Fold the frames into a tube and adhere, place adhesive on tabs and create the frame, then adhere a paper on the back-side of the frame to create a box). To create the slider portion of the box, I took two sheets of 6 1/2" X 7 1/2" paper, and scored it at 3/4" inch on either side, and glued both the papers on the two sides.

The flowers are die cut from the Cinch and Go IV Etched Dies from white and pink Foamiran sheets and coloured in the middle using two shades of pink dye inks. I LOVE using them with Spellbinders dies to create my own floral embellishments. The leaves were die cut from light green Foamiran and slightly embossed to give them some dimension.

Here is how the shadow box frame and the cover looks like when opened.

I added two chocolate bars inside to show the depth of the box. The gorgeous, intricate frame that you see on the top is die cut from the Callista Rectangle Shadow Box Frame Etched Dies. I also added few accent pieces to the rectangle die cut frame to further enhance it's look. The oval aperture was cut using the oval die included in the Lisette Oval Shadow Box Frame Etched Dies, and fit perfectly with the large frame.

I also die cut some borders from the Shadow Box Ribbon Threader Etched Dies and adhered them to the sides to hide the seams which were created while adhering the two strips of paper. I die cut the ladder dies from patterned paper and cream cardstock so that it would work perfectly with the color scheme of my project.


My last project for today is a card in which I have combined dies from the Shadow Box and 3D Vignette Collections.

This card took me some time to make, as it is very detailed and dimensional in nature. I die cut four of the Grand Arch 3D Card Etched Dies and stacked them one on top of the other using double sided foam tape.

Next, I die cut the Layered Friends Forever Café Scene Etched Die from white cardstock, and adhered the die cut canopy and the itty bitty pieces over it. I die cut them from light pink and gold foil cardstocks so that there would be some visual interest on my card. Then, I die cut the dresses of the girls from patterned papers so that I could add it to their silhouette die cut images. All the dies used for creating this scene on the card are from the Layered Friends Forever Café Scene Etched Dies set.

The sentiment is also a part of the same set and has been die cut from gold foil cardstock. To complete the card, I added loads of little flowers on either sides of the card. These flowers were die cut using the flower dies included in the Layered Sweet Birdie Thanks Scene Etched Dies and Layered Friends Forever Café Scene Etched Dies set. I die cut them from the same patterned paper sheets I used for die cutting the dresses of the girls. The leaves were cut from green Foamiran and tucked in here and there to complete the floral cluster.


Here is a look at the final card. This is absolutely perfect to gift to your best friend or your girlfriends!


Supplies Used:
S4-980 Adjustable Shadow Box Frame with 3/4" Border Etched Dies
S4-981 Adjustable Shadowbox Frame with 1" Border Etched Dies
S4-982 Cinch and Go IV Etched Dies
S4-983 Layered Friends Forever Café Scene Etched Dies 
S4-984 Shadow Box Ribbon Threader Etched Dies
S4-986 Filigree Shadow Box Easel and Pocket Etched Dies
S5-388 Layered Sweet Birdie Thanks Scene Etched Dies 
S5-389 Callista Rectangle Shadow Box Frame Etched Dies
SF-390 Adoria Square Shadow Box Frame Etched Dies
SF-391 Lisette Oval Shadow Box Frame Etched Dies
S6-138 Grand Arch 3D Card Etched Dies 
PE-100 Platinum 6 Die Cutting and Embossing Machine - 6" Platform
T-001 Tool' N One
T012 Tool and Accessories Main Attraction

Other Supplies: Neenah Solar White 110 LB cardstock, Cream Linen Textured 12 x 12 Cardstock, American Crafts Colored 12×12 cardstock, Papericious 12 X 12 The Wedding Collection, White 80 LBS Cardstock Sheets, Gold Foil Cardstock, White Fun Foam; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, Double Sided Foam Tape, Glue Gun; Stamps: Papertrey Ink Mega Mixed Messages Greetings; Inks: Altenew Cherry Blossom Mini Cube Set, Altenew Green Meadows Mini Cube Set, Versafine Onyx Black Ink Pad; Foamiran Sheets (White, Green, and Peach), McGill Inc. Paper Blossoms Tool kit, Pollens, Micro Rose Buds, Ribbon.


I hope you liked my projects and found them inspirational. I loved working with this collection and do have a couple of more projects to share in the coming days. I would also like to thank the Spellbinders team for having me here on the blog and letting me share my work with you all. If you liked my projects, I would love to hear what you think of them. Thank you so much for stopping by!