A Christmas Star Shines

To continue with the theme of "little and small" good things, and one more share of "Comfort & Joy" for Eileen Hull's Fan Club.

So on "Christmas Eve Eve" here's an idea for making a small star book before the holiday celebrations start!

Materials

• Tiny book die
• Glitter paper 
• Decorative papers, assorted (3)
• Ribbon, closure
• Double sided tape, 1/8" or 1/4"
• Various flat embellishments

• From chosen papers, cut a cover.  ( I used a gold glitter corrugated card stock because it was sturdy but still flexible.) Insert pages are cut from decorative paper sheets. 
• Cut the papers for the inserts with the tiny book die and the trim accordingly to create the folded pages. NOTE: I cut papers for 5 pages. This is a tiny book and thinner papers work best when layering them for the star effect. Cut papers one at a time, instead of stacking together, so the crease does not cut through. ***On mat board it would create a score line for folding that you don't need for this project.

Sizes for the papers for the folded inserts are:

Make 5 sets with 3 layers

3” x 4 7/8”

3” x 4 1/4”

2 3/4” x 3 3/4”

• Use a scoring tool to crease down the center of the cover piece (The fold line will run down the center between the 2 original scoring lines.) 

There are many places to find instructions and ideas for making star books online. If more detailed instructions are needed refer to finding videos online on You Tube or other sources.

• Each of the three cut papers for each of the five sections will go together the same way. The sides edges can be glued or use double sided 1/8" tape to connect them all. 

• When all five sections are complete, connect each of the five sections with either tape or glue along the outer edges, before adding the layered five page section to the cover.  

• Decorate the pages as desired with flat embellishments like small die-cut images or stamped words or verses. 

The book can be opened to form the shape of a star. The ribbon tie can be used to hold the book open as well as a closure.  A tiny clip can be added to help in holding the book open if so desired.  By using a flexible type of cardstock for the cover will make the opening of the book and folding the covers back easier.

Small Packages & Making Treats For Giving - Comfort & Joy 2021

Brown Paper Packages, tied up with string!  

Some of the ideas shared here are repeats from past blog posts and Facebook posts. With new members to Eileen’s fan club I felt it was worth sharing the ideas once again. Gift giving surely happens during the holidays but the ideas here can be used year round for any and all tiny gifts. 

There are some dies still available that would make perfect containers for giving small gifts. There are a couple that may have been discontinued but by showing what I have used, even from older dies I hope to give the followers to this group the idea to always look at Eileen’s dies in a different way, for that matter all Sizzix dies.  

Create packages using gift wrapping paper to cover the mat board or thin poster board. I used spray adhesive to add the wrapping paper to the base boards. Spray well for good adhesion. 

Most of EIleen's dies are meant to be cut from mat board and for three of them that is what I used. These three containers are made with mat board that is covered with holiday wrapping paper before die-cutting.  NOTE: Always look at the larger boxes or containers with “different” eyes and don’t be afraid to alter them to find various uses. 

IDEAS & TIPS

Each of these were used to give some homemade treats as cute little handmade gifts for neighbors or any holiday visitors. They can hold about a dozen little cookies. 

Fill cellphone bags with spiced nuts, seasoned cracker mix, other homemade candies to be placed into the sweet holiday containers made from the Sizzix dies.

A small gift holder is made using a tiny shopping bag die from an older Eileen Hull release.  Here the design is cut from a thin poster board that is also covered with wrapping paper.  Two sizes are shown here, the original and a slightly larger one. The original size can be used for tiny gifts but by taking the main shape and altering the pieces slightly, it becomes a larger bag.  

The final container is also a older Sizzix die (but not Eileen’s) that has been one that I’ve used over and over for gift giving.  This is also made from layering wrapping paper over thin white poster board before die cutting and constructing.

Use various other dies to create tags or labels for your gift giving.

Others shapes like the Vintage Pickup Truck can make a fun container for tiny gifts or small bags of treats.  

To make interesting little boxes or containers, always “think outside the box”!

INFORMATION ON DIES USED

Eileen Hull dies:

Gift Box #664345

Treasure Box #663634

Loaf Pan #659873

Shopping Bag #658055

Other die was called Box #3 (will try to find the number) 

***As an added bonus to this post on making packages for gift giving, I’ll be including  some recipes for treats to make to fill those packages.***

MINI DOUGHNUT HOT BUTTERED CHEERIOS

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 cups Cheerios or Cinnamon Cheerios cereal
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

In large skillet, melt butter over low heat and stir in vanilla.  Add cereal; cook and stir 5 minutes. Transfer cereal to large bowl. Add sugar and cinnamon; toss well to coat. Package and gift!

PRETZEL TURTLES

Ingredients:

• Rolo Candies - 50
• Mini Pretzels - 50
• Pecan Halves - 50

Preheat oven to 300. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay pretzels in a single layer onto parchment. Top each with a Rolo candy in the center of the pretzel. Place into the preheated oven until the chocolate and caramel soften. (About 4 minutes) Remove from oven and press a pecan halve onto each Rolo candy. Chill in refrigerator until chocolate is set. Package and gift! 

CANDIED PECANS

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. (Important to preheat, so maple syrup caramelizes.) Add pecans, maple syrup, vanilla and salt to pan.  Stir constantly, 2 to 5 minutes, until syrup caramelizes.  Spoon onto parchment paper and spread evenly to separate clumps and allow to cool well, about 30 minutes. 

Felt, Flannel, Fabric

That time of the year has arrived! The tools created by Sizzix designers are my “go to" tools on a regular basis, but during the holiday season they can lend themselves to loads of festive creativity. 

In this latest post I will share a few seasonal  ideas with some of the newest tools designed by Eileen Hull for Sizzix. There will be a couple holiday ideas from last season that will also be included.

Using the winter sweater 3D embossing folder to make a felt wrap for my reusable drink container. Two layers of felt are used. The top layer that is embossed, is first coated with a white layer of shimmery white paint. After the strip is dry it can be embossed with the 3D embossing sweater folder. Using a found template for the cup wrap, both felt layers are cut out and glued together (can also be sewn around the edges). Join the ends of the wrap and glue. Two strips of felt are cut for top and bottom borders. 

The circle from the ornament box die is used for the double sided, fabric/flannel ornaments for a banner or tree decor.  Two different fabrics can be fused together, or use one design for both sides. Die-cut the circle shapes. Embellish with the zig-zag design cut from fabric scraps or foiled papers. Cut the ornament top from a thick metallic paper.

The larger tree from the pickup truck die becomes three-dimensional ornaments.  Made with fused flannel, three die-cut tree shapes are folded in half and glued together. Add them to trees, garlands or gift packages. Here they are added to a simple fabric banner made from torn strips of cotton fabric and ribbon that are tied to cording. The little flannel trees could be decorated with tiny embellishments or some glitter or snowy paint. 

SOME LAST YEAR IDEAS

Bells made from the teacup die.  Make single bells or string them together for a garland of bells. Fold three or more and create dimensional bells.

An angel created from the spoon shape from the same teacup die.

A snowman banner from the snowman box die.

Mitten banner.

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.

Ah Nature - Let It Be Your Inspiration

 

How can a "theme" like nature not be inspiring?  For this months post, it was suggested to use any of Eileen's dies to create a nature themed journal, other then the dies specific for journals. It seems my idea could not be made without the use of those journals dies! The thought behind this project was to make a version of a "star book" with a few twists. Like many of the projects I create, sometimes there is a need to change, or a want to change things up in the "making process". Crafting can sometimes bring a flow of ideas and then it does it's time to “go with the flow”!

This post will share more of the process with tips, hints and hacks to use as you create your projects with any or all of these versatile dies for any theme.  

Materials

Eileen Hull die, Folio Journal

Eileen Hull Notebook Journal

Eileen Hull Waterfall & Tag Thinlit 

Eileen Hull Journal card Thinlets Flower, Leaves, Hearts

Eileen Hull book plate Thinlit

Sizzix Thinlit Alphabet, #665182

Mat board

Decorative textured papers

Water color papers

Assorted decorative papers

Card stock, neutrals

Rinea solid foil, merlot

Double sided adhesive sheets

Double sided adhesive tapes

Gel Medium, matte

Verse stamp

Stamp ink, black permanent 

Distress inks, assorted, coordinating colors

Fabric strip 

Fine jute cording

Rubber bands

Paper brads

Brush

Dried naturals (optional)

BEFORE STARTING, PLEASE READ

The process of cutting and assembling the book will be given throughout the explanation of this project for the most part. Tips and hints used for this journal will follow the symbols *** and typed in italics. 

Choose papers for the covers and inside pages. ***Because of the Nature theme, the papers I chose where natural and organic looking. 

Cover the mat board for covers with double sided adhesive on both sides before adding you the papers and die-cutting the pieces. ***Because of the texture of the papers, the use of double sided adhesive gives a good bond. A wet adhesive could warp the mat board (but the warp may give the project even more of a natural look!)

Cover watercolor paper with a lighter weight paper for the pages, adhering with gel medium and allow to dry well before die-cutting the pieces needed. ***The papers used were more the weight of rice papers. If only white is available color with inks or dyes, use sheets of torn tissue paper, use sheets of paper towels that were used for wiping up paints or inks. Collage torn scraps to the watercolor paper.

Die cut the mat board pieces for the covers with the Folio die.  Die cut the watercolor papers for the pages with the Notebook die. ***When cutting the 2 cover pieces, the entire cover does not need to be cut since it will be trimmed at the end with that joins the covers and Six pages were cut for the narrow book that I made. (The explanation for this will be referenced further on.) Refer to photo showing what parts will not be needed. 

When cutting the inside watercolor sheets, only the collaged or decorative paper side will be seen and these are all folded down the center of the die cut piece. The top folded edge will need to be glued or adhered to hold with doubled sided tape. 

To go along with the Nature theme, four of the inside pages will have a reference to the four seasons. ***On one side of each of these pages, 5 cuts from other light weight decorative papers were made  with the Waterfall die in coordinating colors. Fold the papers in half and place the folded edge just to the inside of the lower edge of the waterfall die, hold in place with washi tape to keep it from moving, cut shapes. Tag shapes are cut from a solid neutral colored card stock.  They can be inserted into the pocket that is created when the decorative papers are cut on the fold. **Refer to photo for cutting.**  

For the opposite side of the page, die cut letters from an alphabet die for each season and add to the top with gel medium. Later a poem, verses, photos or quotes can be added onto the page as well as the tags if desired. 

Each of the page inserts will be adhered together except for the ones at the front and back of the book remaining unattached. ***Connect one to the other with either glue (and clamping till attached) or use double sided adhesive tape on edges of top, front side and bottom to hold together. (Do not add any adhesive to back/folded spine.) 

ASSEMBLING THE COVERS AND ADDING PAGES

Pierce or punch a small whole into the center of both front and back covers to push a paper brad through.  

Use rubber bands to attach each of the pages to the back cover. Add a strip of double sided tape down along the inside and outside of the narrow spine of the back cover.  Remove backing paper on each.  Add each page, with rubber band at center fold, to the book spine with the bands fitting into the top and bottom slots. ***Carefully place each rubber band onto the spine so they line up next to each other on the adhesive front and back. Press the bands into the adhesive strip on both sides of spine to hold in place. **(They will overlap each other at the area of the slots on the top and bottom.)**  

To add the front cover, align the holes of the front and back covers on the spine. Add one paper brad into the added center hole to the inside and spread the ends to hold together.  Add a paper brad into the top and bottom holes from the inside spine to the outer spine and spread the ends open to hold the covers in place.  ***Before adding the covers, the inside pages may have to be clamped into place firmly with binder clips or similar to compress the pages tightly. This should help in adding the covers with the paper brads. 

View of open book and pages

FINISHING THE FRONT COVER

For additional texture, if desired, add a few pieces of dried natural elements to the cover with gel medium. Layer interesting elements to the center of the front cover.  This project used a scalloped cut (Journaling card) of Rinea merlot foil sheet, topped with a Book plate cut in a heavily textured brown paper, finishing with a stamped verse as the top piece.  Flowers and leaves are cut using the dies from other Journaling cards. Color added with inks and glued to the cover.  Add  closure of any type to the book.  ***The closure for this project is a strip of torn cotton fabric that coordinates with the colors of papers for this project.  It’s layered between the pieces on the front cover in a way to have it wrap around the opening of the book and back, then tied in a bow at the side spine.  

TIPS & MORE

The double sided tapes used are 1/8”, 1/4” and 1/2”.

Using mat board for pages would made them too thick to place in a one thickness spine, making a heavy weight watercolor paper a better choice and also sturdy.  

Using mat board for the covers makes a sturdy book but not easy to turn back on itself and tie like a normal “star book”.  An idea to make this possible would be to use something different. A heavy canvas, paper leather or heavy interfacing could be flexible substitutions for the covers.