New Ideas Released With A Re-Release of Fabulous Dies + More

 It's another release time from Eileen Hull Designs! It's also been slightly a different release this time around! With Eileeen traveling and teaching in various places across the pond, the re-release of three dies and a new addition of stencils and matching thinlits became available to some. Eileen is back from a whirlwind trip and we are here to show off mor ideas using the latest release.

Now to get on with ideas I chose to make -

Since the Treasure Box, Stacking Drawer Box and Notebook dies were released awhile ago, I did have a few samples that were made previously that I'm sharing. With the original pieces I went for showing more ideas of using various materials to create and cover the shapes.  

From the older samples to the recent ones using the Treasure Box die.

Most recent Treasure Box makes

With the Stacking Drawer Box, the individual box can be used in a variety of ways. As single compartments alone or placed inside other boxes or creating a larger drawer holder. Here I made eight drawers and constructed a larger surround to hold them. These two elements then are hinged together. 

Makes using the Notebook Die from the collection.

More inside views 

New Year, New Ideas with New Releases

There's a saying ... "better late then never" ...  so this may be late but I will be sharing one project that is complete with the newest releases by Eileen Hull for Sizzix.

Chapter 1 brings a new scoreboard die with many cuts that can be used in several ways, even on their own or with other previous dies. Versatility is one of the features I enjoy with these projects. 

For this first completed project I was determined to just all of the new elements from this chapter release and feel like I acomplisheed that. 

It all began with the new  Scoreboard Plus die, Frame Pocket Journal. Mat board was covered with Sizzix cork paper on one side and a patterned paper on the other. 

Two cover pieces and two flaps were cut to construct the Pocket Journal.  One flap becomes the front, closing flap; the other flap becomes a pocket on the back of the journal to hold a variety of tags. On the front flap a line of adhesive flat pearls trim the edge. From a solid color card stock, perforated square letters are cut using the new Tiled Alphanumeric (666043) thinlit die to spell out a title. Each of the tiles is backed with a small square of leftover embossed metallic paper for some color and adhered to the lower front as a title. 

A couple of pieces of the cork roll were also embossed with the new Tablecloth 3-D folder. The top of each pieces was colored with some ink and some Luster Wax to bring out the impressions. They were cut to fit the top and bottom of the journal and adhered into place.  A button is attached to the top for part of the closure.  A length of elastic is colored with ink and added to the bottom through the middle hole and knotted for the closure.

For the inside of the journal two pockets are cut from mat board covered with metallic card stock in two coordinating colors. Each of these metallic covered pockets were embossed with the 3-D, Tablecloth (666154) textured impression folder.  Then construct the pockets and adhere into place inside the journal. 

Two fold-outs from a vellum type paper are added next to each pocket. 

Using the Library Pocket ATC Card & Tabs (666151)new thinlit dies, two accordian style books were created to fit into the 2 inside pockets. 

Cut six library pockets from a double-sided card stock. Construct the library pockets. Cut 10 of the straight sided tabs to hinge the library pockets together.  Repeat to create a second accordian book with other coordinating paper. 

Cut ATC cards from coordinating card stock for each pocket (Cut 12). Cut 12 rounded tabs for each of the ATC cards. The tabs are cut from cork paper. Each is attached to the ATC cards with tiny staples. These can be adhered in an fashion.  Tags can be cut from prepared card stock or individually made. Punch a hole at the top of each and add a bit of ribbon. 

Use the  ideas above to create themed journals for someone special or a special occasion. With this project, all but one of the new elements from this new Chapter 1 release was used in its creation. 

Cards For The "Spooky" Season

Sharing some card making with the help of Eileen Hull's new Skinny Mini Card Box and other Sizzix tools.

Two card boxes are made using mat board covered on both side with coordinating, decorative card stock. Handmade cards and envelopes are made for each box. This new box is the perfect size for holding mini slim style cards.  Four seasonal cards, with envelopes are made for each box. NOTE: The box can likely hold 4 to 6 cards with envelopes. 

TIP: Make sets of cards for different seasons or occasions.  Add the handmade cards in a a lovely Skinny Mini box to match the occasion.  These would be a great idea for gift giving. 

MATERIALS

Skinny Mini Book Box die,

Mat board (2 pieces per box)

Snail Mail thinlit die

Decorative papers (2 designs per box)

Double-sided adhesive

Plain white card stock 

Contrasting, solid paper for middle layer

Various decorative papers for top layer

Stamps

Inks

Small, decorative dies for embellishments

Alphabet dies

White copy paper (for envelopes)

Paper trimmer

1/8” doubled sided tape

Scissors

Making Process 

• Create the box(es) with coordinated papers and mat board with Skinny Mini Book Box die

Making Layered Mini Slim Cards

• Cut card stock weight paper for base of cards, measuring 6 7/8” x 6 1/4”
• Middle layer, measures 5 7/8” x 3 1/4”
• Top layer, measures 5 5/8” x 3”

Paper sizes for layers

Layers

• Cut all the papers for each card.
• Use a scoreboard and bone folder for adding the center fold to each card. 
• For layered papers, some ideas are to trim the edges of the layers with decorative scissors, tear the edges or machine stitch around the edges. 

Adding extra embellishment layers with various materials as:

• Stickers
• Paper cut-outs
• Stamped images
• Buttons
• Ribbons

When creating card fronts on any size card, feel free to use a variety of materials for adding layers and interest.  Here are some ideas:

Extra Space Storage Caddy

One of the newest dies designed by Eileen Hull for the latest Chapter 3 collection is one called the Card Caddy.  It is a scoreboard die that, makes it possible to create substantial holders with many purposes.  Here is a version with extra storage to be used on a desk or craft table.

View inside storage caddy 

The very first project I created was a mail caddy. It’s constructed by making three caddies and connecting them together. The design of this die is open to many combinations for books, albums and various holders.  

The project for this post uses my original idea but taken to an expanded look. 

By connecting finished caddies together, you are able to configure some lovely decorative containers for many different storage needs.  Make them to fit you color scheme for a crafting area.  The side pieces that close the caddy sides, can be used to make dividers; add one or more or none.  A handle can easily be added for carrying if desired.  

Let the making begin...

• It all starts with choosing papers for covering the mat board. 
• Cover each side of the mat board with coordinated papers of choice with double sided adhesive. (NOTE: it is possible to cover the mat board with papers or using napkins and collage medium. This process may cause the mat board to warp but it can be straightened by pressing between parchment paper and heavy books.)

• Cover 5 pieces of mat board for each of the 5 caddies. One extra piece of mat board may be needed for the side pieces for each caddy, or extra dividers if desired. 
• Die-cut the caddy shape  and sides from covered mat boards.

• Construct the caddy boxes, adding the two sides to each. (NOTE: Some of the paper layers on the tabs can be carefully removed, if desired.)

• Complete the construction of FIVE caddies. (NOTE: three for the center section, two more that will be the end caddies on each side.)

The 3 center caddies. Add one more on each side. 

Finishing the storage caddy

• (Refer to top view photo for caddy alignment and handles.)
• Add twisted wire handles, if desired.

• Add embellishments of choice, such as fibers, ribbon, trims, flowers, etc.
• Add feet to the bottom corners, if desired. 

IDEAS:

Instead of covering the mat board with decorative papers on each side, try napkin collage, old magazine page collage, painted mat boards with stencil designs, texture paint on the outside facing side, gel print the boards, fabric cover the boards boards on one side. Cover one side of mat boards with vinyl contact sheets  to give a protective surface to the inner side of the caddy boxes.  

The width of one finished caddy is slightly wider then the width of three caddies glued together. When connecting them, as in the project shown, then extra width is not really noticeable because of the embellishments wrapped around the entire piece,  if desired, trim a scant 1/8” from each side of the die-cut piece before creating the caddy box.  

Materials Used

• Mat board 
• Coordinated Decorative papers
• Double-sided adhesive sheets or roll 
• Heavy duty glue (Beacon 3-in-1)
• Extras for embellishments 
• Ink
• Wire

Make Unique One-Of-A-Kind Coverings With Gel Prints For Sizzix Die-cut Shapes

Original Phone Stand

Stand with phone

Original gel printed tapes

Time to share a fun technique!  The new Eileen Hull Phone Stand @Sizzix can be decorated in a number of ways. One of the samples I created was done with a technique using a gel press plate and clear adhesive material.  While playing around with one of the many ways to pull prints from a gel plate, I experimented with something a little different from the technique that uses clear packing tape.  With nothing wider in clear tape available then the 2” rolls, I thought to give clear contact paper a try.  I had two type in my possession, one clear and glossy and one clear with a matte finish. Why not give them both a try!

Cut strips from the roll of contact adhesive paper slightly wider then the width of the phone stand. Two strips should be enough to cover the phone stand.  

*** Through the photos, my hope is to show the steps taken when using this technique the best way I can. All gel prints are a series of layering designs on the plate but when using the tape or contact paper the images seem to make the layering more visable. This alone gives the pulled prints a different look. ***

To make the design on the gel plate use the steps that follow - 

NOTE: The most important thing to remember and do is to add the layers of design and WAIT for each application to dry COMPLETELY before moving on to adding more.

• Gather all materials before beginning. Set up an area for the gel plate with everything you may use within quick reach. NOTE: I use a smaller gel plate as a palette for any paints that will used be better applied then directly to the larger plate, such as brayering small areas, sponging areas of stencils, adding extra design elements in specific areas.

• Masks from die-cut designs are placed randomly onto the gel plate. NOTE: Masks are cut from waxed paper with the Eileen Hull Heart Mandala thinlit die.  On a small separate gel plate, apply some paint. With a small brayer, add paint randomly around the masks on plate. NOTE: I left some areas without the first color of paint. With a second color of paint, place some drops around the plate in open areas. Spread the drops with the brayer to mix slightly with the first color. Allow to dry; remove the masks from the plate. 

• The next layer uses designs from a variety of stencils and other colors of paint to build the design. Again, allow to dry before continuing with more layers if desired.

• The third layer is randomly stamping in different areas of the gel plate with word stamps or other images using an archival ink in black or neutral shade. NOTE: Some images were stamped with Oxide inks. Allow to dry well.

• The final layer is adding small elements for design purposes. I used the end of a wide plastic straw for circles and the tips (prongs) of a small cocktail fork for tiny dots.  Step away and let the paint dry well (30 to 40 minutes).

• Place the strips of clear contact adhesive over the gel plate. If any areas of the plate are uncovered, use strips of packing tape to cover the entire plate.  Press down the layers of clear adhesive to the plate well by hand or burnish it with the side of a bone folder. 

• Pull the tape/contact paper up from the gel plate. Pull slowly, if necessary place back down and burnish more if needed, (some bits of paint just may not come up with the tape, that’s OK).

***As with pulling prints from a gel plate with any materials you must be willing to except the images. ***

To finish the strips for using on projects -

• They can be layered onto paper surfaces of all types like old book pages,  by applying a coat of gel medium first to hold them in place. 

• For a more transparent look, brush the back side with mica powders before adhering to projects. 

• NOTE: the tape/contact paper will have only small sections that still keep its tackiness, but not really enough, making them strips lose much of the sticking ability.  Another way of adhering the pieces are needed. For the phone stand, double-sided adhesive tape was used. 

Gel printed strips are now ready to be cut and applied to the Eileen Hull Phone Stand die-cut shape. 

Materials 

Eileen Hull Phone Stand die

Eileen Hull Heart Mandala thinlit die

Sizzix Big Shot

Gel Press Plate

Brayer

Paints

Permanent ink pad

Stencils

Stamps

Sponge applicator 

Clear contact paper/Packing tape

Mica powder(s)

Brush

Double-side adhesive tape or Gel Medium