TCW Meets Sizzix

An opportunity to work with two different companies products is always fun!  The Crafters Workshop was kind to offer a samples to work with along with Eileen Hull’s Sizzix dies.  I’m lucky enough to be a somewhat familiar with the stencils and products from TCW and the little project I’m sharing here shows a way. 

 

Combining the base shape from Eileen’s new Notepad die, her new damask stamp by Maker Forte, TCW(The Crafters Workshop) stencils and paints and other assorted materials and a technique for creating backgrounds from another mixed media designer, Rebekah Meier, I ended up with my own interpretation and a smaller version of “prayer flags”. 

NOTE:

Here’s a little information on the meaning behind “prayer flags”: Traditionally prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom to everyone. By hanging flags in high places, the “Lungta” (wind horse) will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the (sacred utterances) Mantras. 

There are usually five colors on traditional prayer flags; blue - representing the sky, white - representing the air, red - symbolizing fire, green - symbolizing water and yellow-symbolizing the earth.  All five colors together signify balance. 

Information about traditional prayer flags and creative ideas for making, sharing and using more updated  prayer flags are easy to find on the internet.  

Materials

Eileen Hull Sizzix Notepad die (66588)

Eileen Hull Maker Forte stamp, vintage damask

TCW Stencils, #944s and other assorted designs

TCW Stencil Butter paints

Archival ink pad, brown

Acrylic paint, white

Distress Oxide sprays

TCW Clear Gesso, matte

Brush

Cosmetic sponges

Palette knife

Pellon EZ Steam II fusible web

Printed napkin

White cotton fabric

Iron

Pressing board

Flat braid or ribbon, 1/2” wide 

Verse stamps

Fabri-Tac glue

Stampers Anoonymous Tim Holtz Tiny Text (CMS394)

Create background for the flags

• Add one layer of a decorative napkin to one side of EZSteam sheet. 

• Press slightly with iron. 
• Brush over napkin with the clear gesso and allow to dry well. 
• Cover with parchment paper and press lightly with iron to smooth. 
• Stamp damask background image randomly onto napkin with archival ink. 
• Spray randomly and lightly with distress oxide sprays; dry. 

• Cover and iron the stamped, sprayed side well. When cool, peel the backing sheet from opposite side. 
• Lay a piece of white cotton fabric over the adhesive and iron well to adhere to the fusible.

• Fold and cut four pieces from sheet. 
• Die-cut notepad shape from each piece.
• Using the stencils and acrylic paints randomly stencil parts of the stencils onto the cut flags with cosmetic sponges. 
• Add other design elements if desired using small bottle caps or pencil erasers for circles; the edge of an old keycard or palette knife for lines.  

• Stamp or hand print a verse to add to each flag. 
• Attach the flags onto a flat braid by sewing or gluing.  
• If desired, hang the flags, as a collection or single, to fly near a door or window to catch the wind. If choosing to fly the flags outside, use a protective coating that can give outdoor protection.

TIPS

For ideas and information on mixed media collage techniques a good reference is an e-book by Rebekah Meier, "Paper Art Collage, mixed media layering techniques, from Bella Crafts Publishing.  Another source, if it can be found, is a pamphlet by Rebekah called Techniques for Mixed Media for Fabric Elements, by Fabric Editions, Inc. 

New Large Journal Die Is A Recipe For New Ideas

There has been a new release by Sizzix with a nice variety of designs from Eileen Hull. This post will feature the large journal die. The size brings with so many options for making some wonderful creative projects.  Of course the first thoughts include journal making and book making. Albums for all occasions can be created for personal use or gift giving.  

My first make with this new die was inspired by an old recipe binder that was found some time ago at a second hand store. The original binder is the exact same size as the book that was made from the die.  With a few different adaptations and editions here is a very nice book for any any size collection of recipes.

Materials

Eileen Hull Large Journal die

Eileen Hull Journal die

Eileen Teacup 3D die

Mat board

Sizzix Big Shot Plus Machine

Double sided adhesive sheets/tape

Decorative papers

Adhesive backed clear covering, matte finish

Elastic

Paper brads

Note book inserts (6" x8")

Leather cord

Hole punch

Tiny stapler

NOTES/TIPS

When the process of making this recipe book began I had not yet have the large journal die in my possession, but only the pieces already cut from mat board.  Also in my stash of decorative papers had found the perfectly "recipe" related papers to use. The related papers had to be applied to the precut mat board and then trimmed carefully around the edges with an Xacto-knife.

As mentioned above, an old find of a binder-like recipe book become the inspiration for the finished recipe book, mainly because the new Eileen Hull die was exactly the same size. 

***The older version contains dividers with food categories along with an envelope that recipe clippings can be placed. At the back of the book there are blank pages for attaching recipe clippings also and followed by lined paper for writing recipes down.***  

The inserts used in the new version are lined notebooks purchased at the near by "Dollar" store with the perfect measurement to fit the large journal. Because these notebooks come with various decorated covers some of the coordinated papers from the stash on hand were used to cover them. To create something similar to the envelope pockets of the old version, a folder was made by cutting  two pieces from coordinating papers or a heavy card stock from the orignal journal die. 

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

• Cover mat board with papers of choice and adhesives of choice. Both sides are covered for this project.   
• Die cut two covers. (NOTE: Be aware if using directional papers.)  
• Cover the front and back cover pieces, both the outside and inside areas with clear laminate material. (A matte finish, clear, transparent, adhesive backed covering was used, example: Con-Tact paper.)  
• Decide how many inserts will be included in the book and complete the construcion of the book accordingly. 
• Double-sided adhesive was applied to the spine to help the hold the spine together. String the spine of the journal with choice of elastic. (NOTE: This book has four individual bands strung in the spine.) 
• For the recipe book closure: Cover two small pieces of mat board with a metallic paper. Die-cut two spoon shapes from the pieces. Attach the two spoon shapes together.  Punch holes into the spoon (Refer to photo.) 
• Place spoon onto front cover and mark the holes onto the cover where desired. Pierce the marks. Add spoon to cover with brads.(NOTE: Longer brads may be needed.)  
• Cut a length of leather flat cording for closure. Refer to photo and pierce holes into the back cover, equally spaced. Pierce through the leather also. (NOTE: There was some difficulty piercing the thinner leather cord, a slightly wider leather strip could be easier, this was what I had on hand.) Hold the leather strip in place with brads. 

• Bring leather cord around the edge of recipe book, thread under the spoon shape and around and loop to close. 
• Create the pocket folders from desired papers and the orignal journal die. Cut 2 pieces with the journal die. Fold over the spine edge on one piece. Slip the unfolded piece into the folded one and allign the holes on the two pieces. Insert small paper brads into the holes. (NOTE: Pierce through the center hole before inserting brad.)  

• The sides of the folder are stapled with tiny staples from the front on each side to help hold clippings. 
• Cover the insert books with coordinating papers using perferred adhesive. (NOTE: Doubled-sided tape strips were used for the project.)  Excess paper was carefully trimmed around the edges with an X-acto knife. Inserts the covered books into the journal. 

• The folders are placed at the center of the book inserts with a strip of double-sided adhesive. 

ADDITIONAL IDEAS:  Cut the labels from card stock and place on the covers of the insert books to categorize. Or make tabs to place on the edges of the covers to categorize if desired. An extra folder can the attached to the inside back cover. 

***INCLUDING A BONUS PROJECT HERE***

Along with the large journal die, another new 3D embossing folder was included in this release. Here is a seasonal card using the sweater design for the background and also the pumpkin to showcase this design.

For the background, a textured brown paper was used along with the sweater embossing folder. To give the background the look of tweed sweater, the surface has a white ink applied to it.

Materials

Eileen Hull 3D Sweater Embossing Folder

Eileen Hull Large Journal die (label strip)

Various Sizzix thinlit dies (pumpkin, leaves, flower)

Big Shot Machine

Blank card/envelope

Decorative glitter paper

Orange cardstock

Brown texture paper

Printed paper/Vellum/Kraft

White ink (Blends-Coconut)

Felt scraps

Raffia ribbon

Brads

• Cut a background layer 1/4" smaller on each side as the card size used. 
• Cut a piece of textured brown paper for the next layer.  
• Using the sweater 3D embossing folder, emboss the brown paper following directions for embossing. 

Using a white ink (NOTE: I used Eileen's White Coconut Blends), to shade the embossed brown paper. 

• Cut a pumpkin like shape from a orange piece of card stock: emboss with the sweater folder also.  
• Die-cut leaves from green felt scraps.  
• Die-cut flower shapes from yellow felt scraps.  
• Cut a stem from kraft colored paper scrap. 
• Die-cut label shape from a pattern paper and vellum.  
• Stamp a verse onto the vellum piece. Layer onto the pattern paper piece. 
• Refer to photo position of layers and elements to finish card.

Circles Have No End ... To Ideas

 

The theme for this months blog is “Four Seasons Crafting with Chapter 3 Dies”, I chose to use the Ornament Box die. Sunflowers seem to be perfect for Summer and Autumn decorations. Using the simple circle shape set my mind searching for ideas. What different ways can this shape be used? Can any of the other shape designs on the die be used? Combining three of the shapes included on this die brought a out the sunflower garland. ***An added bonus of two other ideas are also included using the circle cut in simple ways. 

TIPS & NOTES: 

(Please read these tips and notes before beginning the project.)

Before listing the steps to make the sunflower garland here are some tips on materials and process that I used.  The garland can be made with any amount of flowers needed for a short expanse to a larger one.  The projects colors lend itself to the summertime and autumnal seasons but using a different color pallete with the same instructions can make lovely decorations for any season.  

Being a lover of paper, of course papers can be used to make these flowers, but it’s always fun to experiment with other materials to combine for texture and uniqueness. After paper my “go to” is always fabrics! 

Crepe paper is used for some of the petals but petals can also be cut from coffee filters that are colored by dying them with inks or diluted paints. The coffee filters are stronger then tissue paper. Make sure the grain of the crepe paper is running vertically on the elongated oval die shape before cutting out the pieces needed. 

The zig-zag design on the die is used for added embellishment around the centers of the flowers. A light weight cotton print was backed with a light weight cotton fusible fabric to help keep the shape to these pieces. (This is optional but wanted to use/show as many shapes from this die as possible.) A ready made rick-rack or other trim could also be used as an extra embellishment. 

The leaves were cut from two shades of green felt using a shape from a nested set of thinlit dies by Sizzix (likely retired now), use another leaf die or make a paper pattern, trace and cut your own leaf design. 

These steps can be altered as needed or desired for your own look or interpretation.

Materials

Eileen Hull Ornament Box die

Leaf dies

Sizzzix Big Shot 

Fabrics 

Felt

Fusible adhesive

Crepe paper, yellow/gold 

Coffee filter, colored with ink or paint (optional)

Metallic mesh ribbon (optional)

Ribbon 

Corrugated board

Double sided adhesive

White craft glue

Ribbon or cording 

Iron

Pressing board

Instructions:

• After choosing fabric for the circle centers of the flowers, adhere a fusible interfacing between two layers of the fabric. 

• Cut the circle shape from the layered fabric for each of the flowers needed.  
• Cut circles from a mesh ribbon for each flower.

• Glue the mesh circles over the fabric circles, by applying glue around the outer edge.
• From the crepe paper, using the narrow oval shape on the die, cut 18 pieces for the petals of each flower. (If using an additional type of material for the petals cut half the amount (9) from each). 

• Fold each of the petals in half. 
• Slightly crease the folded edge and glue the fold in place.  
• When glue dries, shape the petals by slightly pulling out from the center. 

• Glue the 18 folded petal shapes around the edge of the fabric circles.
• Space evenly around to fill and slightly overlapping if necessary. 
• Cut leaves from green felt, two large, one small. 
• Cut a circle from corrugated to back each flower.  
• Apply a double-sided adhesive to a green fabric and cut circles to match the amount of flowers made.  
• Apply the adhesive backed circles to one side of the corrugated circles.  
• Glue leave in place on the back of each flower (refer to photo for placement).   
• Lay a length of ribbon along the top of each flower and attach with glue to hold in place. (Space the flowers apart as evenly as possible.) 
• Glue the green fabric covered circles to the back of each flower.  
• Cut 3 zig-zag shapes for each flower. These are glued around the center of the flowers for added embellishment. (Refer to photo below) Overlap the end of each zig-zag shape slightly. Adjust the curve of these pieces to the circle shape. 

Close-up of petal, trim, leaves

Half Moon Felt Garland

Cut circles from felt.  Fold each in half and press in the fold. On a length of thin cord, glue the half moon shapes along the cord.  Leave a small space between each.  Loop a strip of torn fabric between each. It these to the length desired. Embellish the felt pieces with embellishments if desired or leave plain. Refer to photo for placement of components.

Tiny Notes

Cut four circles from decorative, double sided papers. Fold each circle in half. Place the four together as shown.  Hold in place with some small clear pieces of tape on the inside.  Apply a 3” square of solid paper onto the inside center, along the folds. Make a band from a strip of the paper to wrap around the tiny note card. Tuck one in anywhere with a special message! How nice to find a little note in a lunch bag or box, a backpack pocket, a coat pocket and more.

Summer Travel - What To Take Along

Summer travels are happening again this year! Many have already taken to the road or other means of traveling to various destinations. 

A few years back I created two journals from Eileen Hull's Journal die for two of my grandchildren to take on a road trip with their parents to points west of where they live. It was meant to be a way for them to right down thoughts of places they would be going to; but also as a keepsake to place anything interesting that they found.  Here is a photo of the journals made for them. 

The journal die was also used to create something similar for two friends that where traveling to Scotland several years ago for the same purpose. Unfortunately I deleted the photos I had of them but they were easy for them to tuck in a backpack or travel bag for taking and keeping notes or information of the  places they were visiting.

For this latest journal I used many of the same ideas, but with the addition of some of the newer dies from Eileen, I made some additions.

Materials

Eileen Hull Journal die

Eileen Hull Notebook die

Eileen Hull Folio Journal die

Folio  page, pocket and flower dies

Eileen Hull Homemade Alphabet die

Sizzix Label die

Big Shot machine

Matboard

Adhesive, of choice

Old map

Card stock

Clear vinyl adhesive sheet

Elastic

Inserts for writing

Chalk tape

NOTE: To make this journal, covered completely outside and inside with an old map, I used Thermoweb Heat n Bond Ultra, iron on adhesive.  Of course double-sided adhesive sheets can be used or a spray adhesive also. Anyone not familiar with using Heat n Bond as an adhesive in crafting projects, it takes a little practice to getting the heat setting on the iron and the pressure needed to adhere different materials together. I also used another product from Thermoweb after the map was adhered to the pieces of matboard called Thermoweb vinyl. This material was applied to the covers, outside and inside and the separate inside box that was created also. After applying, the excess was trimmed carefully with an Xacto knife. Hint: A clear covering product like contact paper can also be used.

• The inside pocket box is made from cutting the Notebook die and three of the end pieces from the Folio Journal die.
• To form the box, one of the end pieces is attached to the bottom of the box with double-sided adhesive tape.
• The two side pieces are trimmed slightly at the top to be even with the box and attached to each side with double-sided adhesive tape. 
• Elastic was threaded through the opening along the edge of the box that will be closest to the journal spine; threaded through the bottom, middle hole and center hole, then knotted.
• The signature inserts were purchased and inserted with elastic to each side of the box insert. 
• Corner pockets are cut from card stock, covered with the iron-on vinyl (if desired) and attached to the corners with double-sided adhesive tape.
• Letters and labels are cut from black adhesive backed chalkboard tape.
• Add your choice of closure ... pack up and hit the road for an adventure!

Creating With The Unusual

Thinking outside the box can be challenging but it helps to stretch ones imagination. There’s bound to be failures but many times it opens up creative possibilities.  Visits to any variety of shopping establishments for the the “usual” purchases can take on something entirely different with an open mind and willingness to experiment.

Besides always first searching through the items I have collected and are on hand, one of the other places I find a good spot to visit are the area “dollar” stores.  That’s exactly where I found o few items to experiment with for this very project. From a package of two manila , padded mailing envelopes comes the end project of this unconventional, padded folio.  

• Open up the mailing envelope by cutting it open along the sides and bottom. 
• From the two pieces cut two covers from the die. NOTE: I did not use wide (3 hole) spine. I trimmed it to 2. Also cut a spine from mat board and trimmed to a 2 hole spine to add strength. Though the spine was not used in this project for individual inserts, adding this extra piece as a re-enforcement will help if an additional inserts is desired.
• Before reconstructing the die-cuts into a new padded folder it's best t0 remove a little of the plastic bubble lining from around the edges. This will help hold the edges together with adhesive tape or glue.

A new padded folio journal was created from the two pieces. 

The procedure is as follows:

• Using the instructions from the tutorial by Jennie Atkinson, I made four folded folio inserts to fit the front and back covers and two more inserted to the insides. I created a large one for the back cover, a tiny one for the front following the size specifications from Jennie.The inside two are slightly smaller then large one. A big "THANKS" to Jennie for the instructions and inspiration!
• Here is a link to Jennie's YouTube video showing the process - VIDEO LINK
• For the small version, the measurements are:  6 x 6 patterned card stock scored at 1.75” all around and then cut as per the original tag book. Final size is 2.5” square.
• The two inside folder folios begin with paper cut to 9 3/4" square, scored at 2 3/4" on all four sides. One folder was cut in the same way as the original instruction. One was cut with the corner square cut diagonally and folded over. (Refer to photo)
• Inserts were made with the bookbinding die three of the folders, for placement in the center of them.  
• Use the new thinlit die to create a waterfall insert in the fourth folder.  

Front cover small folder folio/open

Back cover large folder folio/closed

           

Back cover large folder folio/open

                   

Inside Right folder folio/closed

Open folder folio

Inside Left folder folio

                                     

Open folder folio

Materials

Eileen Hull Sizzix die, Folio Journal

Eileen Hull Sizzix thinlit, Bookbinding & Label

Eileen Hull Sizzix thinlit, card, Waterfall & Tags

Big Shot

Padded mailing envelope

Adhesive tape

Glue

Decorative papers (I selected papers from Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Farmhouse Garden collection)

Assorted embellishments from the same collection

Various other decorative papers 

Various others embellishments

Woven edge seam binding

Distress ink and applicator

Decorative edge scissors, pinking

Velcro, thin clear fasteners, 5/8”, 3/8”

New Dies, More Ideas with Folio Die

 A new release of Eileen Hull dies for Sizzix is here once again. This latest project here is made by combining the two new dies that were designed to coordinate with the FOLIO die and the other thinlit sets. 

The combination of all the dies gave me the opportunity to create a sweet little booklet to give as a gift. 

It began with a collection of coordinating decorative patterned  papers and card stock.  Die-cutting and layering the pieces and altering the folio as the base can create some fun projects. With this collection, the versatility and the ease of using these dies can result in so many interesting combinations. The Folio covers are cut without the fold and extra flap. All but one binding strip was removed for the spine to make the booklet. A single folder/page was constructed for placing in the middle of the booklet. The inside page contains the waterfall cuts.. The outside, front and back folder covers has the corner pocket attached to hold tags. The inside covers (front & back) of the main booklet have the binding die with tags attached. The booklet is finished off front and back with the Mandala die. The front shows a white shiny mandala adorned with flowers and leaves. The back cover has a black foil mandala cut and adhered with a button at the center for part of the closure. 

This blog hop will show ideas of all types to help with inspiration to start creating. This post will not be sharing a step by step tutorial of the process I used, but will be at another time.  Use this link from Eileen Hull Designs to see the post and read about the projects or use the individual links to each participant of the blog view each individual post here. 

Additional Photos of Folio Booklet

Material List

Dies: Folio journal, scoreboard die

         Mandala, thinlit die

         Folio Page, Pocket & Flowers, thinlit dies

         Card, Waterfall & Tags, thnlit dies 

         Bookbinding & Label, thinlit dies

Decorative patterned paper, several coordinating sheets

Card stock, coordinating solid colors

Double sided adhesive tape, various widths 

Spray adhesive or adhesive sheets

Ribbon, to cover spine

Seam binding

Cording, thin black leather

Elastic hair band

Button, flat for closure

Gel medium, matte 

Brush 

Embellishments 

IDEAS

Mother's Day is soon approaching and this little booklet would make a special small, personal gift card or keepsake for any mother, a new mother and grandmother.  Add photos, quotes, memories, gift cards onto or into pockets, the various tags or folded binding.  (NOTE: I have made my own folded accordian style binding for projects, and I'm really liking this new design.)

Think beyond Mother's Day to upcoming graduations, weddings, special birthdays or celebrations. This is basically a four page booklet made from coordinating decorative papers and some basic card stock. It can go from simple to extravagant as anyone likes. Any combination of the Folio Die with the other elements are a great start to very personalized projects.

***A MESSAGE FROM EILEEN***

Welcome to our Chapter 2 Release Party! Today we are sharing Folio Journal accessory dies- the Waterfall & Tags and Book Binding dies and the new Bigz L Camper ScoreBoards die! Use these elements in different size journals, cards and layouts!

Check out all the different ways to use these dies on our Blog Hop. Click through and leave a comment on each of the designers' posts and be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate in Eileen's Etsy Shop! 

Join us on Facebook Live and YouTube Live for an up close and personal look at the team's projects. I will also demo how to use the dies during the show. Really hope you can join us for this fun event- prepare to be surprised! Thanks for joining us!

NOTE: There is also another Eileen Hull die design in this latest collection being released.  It is a 3D Camper on a Scoreboard die to allow the use of heavier materials.  A new project coming soon using this die in a special way. 

Here are images of the three newly released dies from Eileen Hull -

List of Blog Hop Participants

Julia Aston

Madeline Arendt

Jennie Atkinson

Karen Bearse

Susie Bentz

Sarah Lizzie Dodd

Sue Eldred

Maggi Harding

Lisa Hoel

Jenny Marples

Elizabeth Robinson

Tonya Trantham

Mitsyana Wright

Cheryl Waters

Spring Foward with Cheery Ideas

Spring brings with it more sun, more daylight, longer days, green grass, budding trees and plants ... what's not to love! 

Here are a few little projects, old and new, to show the versatility of Eileen Hull's dies and other Sizzix dies. 

I'll begin with the basket created with the older LOAF PAN die. The die-cut piece was then  embossed and filled with little felt flowers made from another Eileen Hull thinlit die.  Wire handles are added that are made by using the TWIST & STYLE tool by Eileen also. You can find a link to the older blog post here (LINK).

Next comes one of my very favorite dies, the GIFT BOX! This die makes a great square box that can be refigured in so many ways.  Here I used it to create a square basket to hold some spring flowers. I covered poster board with fabric before cutting the shapes. The scalloped edge is also from the die and made with more poster board covered with white fabric.  The basket handle is twisted strips of torn, green fabric, again made using the TWIST& STYLE tool. 

The second piece in this photo used the Eileen Hull 3D VASE die-cut to hold the handmade, paper mache primitive bunny. 

Here is the latest little projects made using Sizzix dies.  The little bunny pins are made using the oval shape from Eileen Hull's TINY BOOK die.  The ears are cut from a leaf die-cut from the FOLIO PAGE & FLOWER thinlit die set.  The tiny felt flowers, leaves, bow and hearts are other various Sizzix dies.  Again I layered a muslin fabric to a sheet of kraft colored card stock to cut the oval and ears. I sealed the edges of the fabric shapes with some clear gesso to keep the edges from fraying too much.  A pin tack was glued to the back side of the oval.

Also the TULIP were made from a different Sizzix die and the sculpture foam. All placed on a TAG cut from another SIzzix die. These were made as little gifts to give to a few friends that I was recently able to finally see, actually in person, in a safe setting after months and months of FaceTime or Zoom meetups!

NOTE: Some of the dies used in these projects are not available through Sizzix any longer. They may possibly be found by searching online.

Other Ways With Thinlit Dies

The newest scoreboard die by Eileen Hull is the Folio Book die which is another wonderful addition to her collection of creative dies.  Along with the main folio die are different thinlit sets. The first of these are the Mandala motif and a set called page pocket and flowers. These thinlet dies were used for this card design and will share some of the uses in this post. 

NOTE: This card uses a gel press print that was previously created along with several others on a day spent playing with gel printing and stamping. The print was large enough to use the majority of the print as elements on the outside, inside and envelope. Again, I chose to include a bit of fabric. A torn piece of homespun muslin becomes the first layer on the card front. The inside message also has a small piece of fabric as a layer. 

The flower embellishment instructions can be found it the previous post from this blog called, "Working With Cereal Bags".

Here are the steps to create the card:

• Prepare the fabric for the layer on the front and inside. Iron and reshape if neccesary. 
• Tear the the gel-print to fit. Tear the paper randomly or use a tearing ruler or deckle edge decorative scissors. 
• Make a mask/stencil with the mandala design. TIP: I used the release paper from iron-on fusible to make my mask. It is a thin paper, but the coating on it works well for cutting and stenciling with paint. 
  
  
  
• Use the mandala mask/stencil to add the design as a shadow to the print. The design can also be used on the inside of the card if desired.
• When all components are ready, position them to the front of the card. TIP: They can be put in place with glue, double-sided adhesive tape and even stitched on with a sewing machine. 
• Add a strip of coordinating washi tape onto the front, vertically, before adding and embellishment of choice.

For the inside of card: 

• Use the mandala mask if desired to stencil the pattern onto the inside of the card if any fashion.
• Stamp a sentiment/verse onto paper or other material.
• Layer the stamped image onto a torn piece of fabric.
• Layer these onto a torn piece of the gel print paper.
• Run a strip of the washi tape horizontally across the inside.
• Attach the three layered piece over the washi strip. 
  
  
  
  
  

Additional ideas:

• Add a corner pocket to the card using the pocket thinlit.
• Cover a square of card stock with a coordinating washi tape.
• Die cut the corner design from the tape covered paper piece.
• Use a bone folder to go over the crease line at the 2 sides to help with folding them in.

Attach the folded corner design with double-sides adhesive or glue to a corner of the card. Use the pocket to insert a gift card, check or personal note. 

• Add a strip of washi tape and a strip left from the gel-print to the envelope flap.  

Materials 

Dies - Thinlit die set, Folio page pocket and flowers

          Thinlit die, Mandala

Big Shot

Washi tapes

Fabric scrap, muslin 

Metallic paint

Sponge applicator

Blank card with envelope

Card stock, off white

Verse stamp

Double-sided adhesive tape or glue

Any extra embellishments of choice