Spring Has Sprung, Plus A New Dies & New Ideas

Chapter 2, 2023 Eileen Hull/Sizzix collection has sprung!

The new set will work with so many of the other dies designed by Eileen.  

There are three dies in the set: the Card Case, Mini-Slimline & Tickets and Journaling Card, Envelope & Windows. NOTE: Buy all three dies and get FREE SHIPPING on your order in the US PLUS save an additional $10! Cost to buy dies individually is $122- buy the bundle and pay only $112. Outside US, I will deduct $10 from shipping.

The Card Case is a Bigz XL ScoreBoards die. This die is specially designed to cut and score thick material up to 1/16" like matboard, chipboard, leather, felt and fabric so your finished project is nice and sturdy. The finished Card Case die measures 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" and has an adjustable spine that goes from 1/2" to 2 1/2". This is the perfect size journal to hold your 3" x 4" journaling cards, as well as other small items like wallet photos, ATCs and ephemera. There is a swing out flap on each side where you can add pockets or small insert books- you decide what combination you want to do. Make the spine thick or thin- your choice!

Here are a few photos of how I used Eileen's new dies:

The projects below ae made from various materials that I enjoy incorporating in most projects I make with Eileen's dies. Though paper is a wonderful material to use, I guess the challenge of what other materials can do is something I enjoy! These projects use other dies for embellishments and other purposes from collections of Eileens's and others from Sizzix. They co-ordinate well and show the versatility of Sizzix dies.

Muslin covered and stenciled card case

Inside fabric card case

ATC cards and pockets

Card case made from acrylic package and rice paper

ATC cards and pockets

The Journaling Card, Envelope & Windows die has 6 pieces- an envelope, 3" x 4" Journaling Card, three window cutouts (use with envelope to remove and back with glassine like a window envelope) and a tab. The Envelope measures 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" and fits perfectly inside the Journal! Or use it by itself and add your favorite ephemera pieces.

Double Envelope Holder

Envelope Holder with Journaling Cards

Envelope Book

Journaling Cards for Envelope Book

The Mini-Slimline & Tickets die design is similar to the Snail Mail die, which was very popular for creating faux postage stamps. There are four dies in the set- one is the size of a mini slimline card and one is a mat that may be placed behind the perforated piece. The other two pieces are a row of tickers and mat that goes behind that. When you fold over each perforated piece and tear it, it creates individual faux postage stamps and tickets! Die cut the piece from patterned paper for an amazing background- just add a sentiment and let the paper do the work.

Birthday card set

Birthday card / Set of four

Thank you cards

Thank-you cards / Set of four

MORE INFORMATION 

****There's a giveaway too! Comment in the Facebook and YouTube streams and tell us which of Eileen's other dies would work well with this collection. You have until April 10 to post your comments.

****Watch my YouTube channel to see die assembly and project ideas! Eileen does two livestreams each week on Facebook and YouTube-sharing more ideas on how to to use these dies in lots of different ways. 

****You are invited to join the creative community Facebook group, the Eileen Hull Fan Club, where you'll find special events and exclusive content. Follow Eileen on Instagram at @eileenhull!

There are lots of samples so, make sure to read the blog and be watching social media to see all the makes! LIST OF HOP STOPS:

Eileen Hull Designs << you are here
Pam Bray
Jennie Atkinson
Sarah Lizzie
Lisa Hoel
Susie Bentz
Tonya Trantham
Jenny Marples
Maggi Harding
Karen Bearse
Sue Eldred
Sharon Curtis
Teresita Arvelo
Madeline Arendt
Cheryl Bodkin-Waters

 

 

Wordsoup, Tags & Pockets

This month one the Eileen Hull Blog the subject has been "Wordsoup, Tags & Pockets".  With the release of the Chapter 1 collection from Sizzix this topic lends itself well.

Included in this collection is the:     Frame Pocket Journal

                                                             Library Pocket & ATC Card Die

                                                       Alphnumeric Die

                                                       Tablecloth 3D Embossing Folder

                                                 

Anyone journaling knows the first aspect of this process, of course is using words to express yourself.  

The other components from the collection also add the ways to express with "words". 

Projects that I made using this Chapter 1 collection designed by Eileen, can for the most part, fit this subject.  Here are some images of how "words, tags and pockets" speak out!

The first project with the Chapter 1 Frame Pocket Journal contains two pockets on the inside that hold to accordian style booklets made with the Library Pocket thinlit die that holds ATC cards made to be tags.  On the back of the book and extra pocket is made using the flap to hold more tags.  

For another project the Frame Pocket Journal makes a smaller book, by cutting one cover and cutting it in half.  A few Library Pockets were made that hold some tiny tags and inserts to the inside. 

***Make simple tags using any dies available cut from neutral colors or patterned papers and add words or quotes either hand printed or in any other form to the tags. Use the letters from the Alphanumeric thinlit die to spell out words too! 

A PROJECT IN THE WORKS

After creating these projects I was inspired to try making another. It is not completed as yet, and I apologize for that, but thought I would at least share the process of my plan.

The plan is to create several Library Pockets using various papers and maybe some other types of materials.  Then  create ATC cards for each, that will hold a card with a word or quote for the pockets.  They will contained in a box that can be made with either the Gift Box die or the bottom portion of the Treasure Box die.  The collection would be a box of inspirational, meaningful words and quotes. 

So I got to collectiong materials for the box, the pockets and cards.

The container was made from the Treasure Box die. I added fabric to one side of the mat boards (this will be the fronts), and a neutral paper to the opposite side (this will be the inside), before die-cutting the the pieces.  

After cutting, the box is assembled. The edges of the box were painted carefully with white paint.  All the edges of the box and the fabric were lightly distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

Using the LIbrary Pocket and ATC Card thinlit die, I cut 24 sets from a variety of decorative papers for the pockets and used manila folders for the insert cards.  NOTE: The Treasure Box can likely hold up to 36 or more pockets and cards.

I used scraps from the leftover papers to add some embellishments to the cards. 

Once all the cards are complete with some background decorations, more layering can happen. I'm planning on using torn bits from old dictionary pages with definitions or images that correlate to the words chosen for each ATC. 

Ideas: Add either handwritten, typed or ready-made verses or words to each card.  On the back side of each card add meanings or thoughts or other expressions for each verse or word used.

The box needs a few more decorative embellishments to finish its look. Once the entire project is complete i will be happy to share the finished piece. 

Sizzix Dies Meet Gel Press Printing

It's fun and  interesting when opportunities happen such as this collaboration with Eileen Hull's dies and the wonderful creative products from Gel Press.  Working with amazing products, and the willingness and desire to have some fun experimenting, is a great part of why I have always enjoyed crafts and making things.

I'm not new to the the gel printing process, but have only scratched the surface of what the process is all about. The more I experiment, the more fun and creative it becomes.  I would consider myself more a novice on the topic of gel printing, but an eager learner and one to almost always be up to giving something a try. I just went for it with this opportunity. 

Here is the finished project made with Eileen Hull's newest large Journal die. I will describe in a condensed version the process that I used for making prints on fabric and deli papers to create the covers of the journal and the inside signature folders.  I was pleasantly pleased with the results of the designs on the fabric for the covers, that I chose to keep embellishments very minimal. I love the way the designs from the various stencils appear on the fabric. NOTE: The one thing about gel press printing is that many times it's best to not expect perfect print pulls and go with what you get!

I knew that I wanted to work with fabric for the covers. Never having used fabric in the past for gel printing, I researched a few videos and other information I could find to help give fabric printing a try.  

The printing process began by gathering all the materials I thought I would like to use. In the past I had only worked on small gel plates and a variety of papers for printing.  For this project I worked with a 12 x 12” plate from Gel Press giving me the opportunity to print fabric squares to use for covering the larger journal covers. The other prints I made with the deli paper and the large gel plate could be used as whole sheets or cut into smaller forms.  

In the past printing experiences I have usually used acrylic paints but have also worked with other mediums like distress inks, distress oxide ink and alcohol inks.  For the prints made here I used a combination of acrylic paints and distress oxide inks.

Stencils were the other tools I used for the adding the majority of the designs.  

When putting the journal together, large paper brads were used on the spine, plus some glue, to hold the covers together.  A strip of leftover fabric is glued to the inside spine to hide the prongs from the brads.  Some batting was added to the outside, mat board covers to add some softness to the appearence of the finished journal.  Just for a tiny touch, a simple multi-colored ribbon was added for a closure to tie near the spine of the journal. 

Gel Press prints on fabric 

Front and back covers-outside

Front and back inside covers

Outside Book Spine 

Inside Book Spine

Inside the journal there are five signature folders made from sheets of decorative 12 x 12 card stock.  NOTE: I used papers printed on one side only for two of the signature folders. 

Two of the folders are covered with others prints pulled from the gel press plate with cotton fabric squares. NOTE: I used a fusible adhesive to apply the fabric to the card stock.

The remaining three signature folders are made using a double-sided decorative papers. Gel printed sheets made with the deli paper are used to decorate them. 

Seven  journal inserts - 5 folders, 2 notebooks

It was a fun to be a part of this collaboration.   

Links to information on everything Gel Press:

Gel Press YouTube

Gel Press Facebook

Gel Press Instagram

Gel Press Pinterest 

Materials

Eileen Hull Full size Journal

Gel Press Plate

TCW stencils

Acrylic paints

Distress Oxide inks

Brayer 

Mat board

Cotton fabric squares

Deli paper sheets

Decorative card stock 

Gel medium 

Adhesive sheets

Fusible iron-on adhesive

Fabric glue

Large paper brads

Bias tape/ribbon

Elastic

Assorted tiny embellishments (buttons)