Hop By To A New Release Coming Your Way

Let's hop right into a new season with new ideas, new inspiration and NEW releases from Eileen!

A NOTE FROM EILEEN - 

I'm so happy to introduce this brand new collection of mine from Sizzix! As always, I try to create designs that may be used together but also stand alone. There are four pieces in this set.

The Storage Box is an XL ScoreBoard die measuring 4” square, the largest square box yet! This box is constructed with a removable top and may be used in many ways, such as organizing desk and office supplies, as a gift box, storing craft supplies and packaging for baked treats.

The Mini Book is one of my favorites because you can create a book using this die in an evening, and use up your scraps in the process. This book measures 3 3/4” x 2 1/4” and comes with a strap/handle and tiny label for the book cover. It also makes a great bag topper if you fold it in the middle and also will hold a business card. 

There is a new Thinlits called Faux Postage- the full panel is designed to fit on a 5” x 7” card and creates a fun postage stamp effect. You can also cut (or tear) each stamp apart and use the individual pieces as a miniature work of art! This coordinates with similar dies: Snail Mail (A-2 card size) and Mini Slimline (6” x 3”).

The Lace 3D embossing folder is so amazing! It’s a new LARGE size measuring 8 1/2” x 5 3/4”. It works great on bigger journal covers, card backgrounds and on home decor pieces. This is created from vintage lace that I have collected and there are so many ways I want to use this!

***There’s a giveaway too- join us on the live and hear how you can win…

You can find these dies in your local scrapbook stores- if they don’t carry them, ask them to order.

 PS, can also be found in her Etsy shop and show her your support! 

Now onto how I chose to use the new dies ...

THE STORAGE BOX 

Basket made using the larger part of the storage box

Box made using two of the smaller top sections of the storage box

View of the top of the box

Storage box made from distressed corrugated board

Yellow box topped with a hand felted flower and vintage wooden button

Box made with 2 tops, covered with balsa wood and crepe paper rosette flower

NOTE: This new die has already become one of my favorites! It has so many possibilities like  most of Eileen's box dies. Beside being a great base box to decorate it has functional uses in many ways.  Made a few bottom bases and the tops out of plain mat board for holding tools, brushes, pens and such!  

TINY BOOK

Tiny "bits and pieces" book

Inside of book

Front, back covers and spine with dangles

Password book - embossed foil 

Inside embossed foil password book

NOTE: The "bits and pieces" book has a tab hinged spine inside, with scrapes making pockets and tucks to hold tiny bits using the "faux' stamps" die that embellished with tiny bits.

The  Password book cover is kmade from foil that is fused with iron-on adhesive, which makes the foil sturdy, but still flexible, and able to be embossed.  Plus, who doesn't like a cute tiny 

book!

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

Foil embossed pouches hold a collection of felt flowers

NOTE: The pouches or pockets are die-cut from foil that is fused together. After die-cutting they are embossed with the 3D Lace large embossing folder. There is a light coat of black Luster Wax applied to the surface.  Felt flowers and leaves are die-cut from older Eileen Hull dies and create a colorful addition to the pouches, along with a little butterfly.  These can be made as single little door knob hangers or to  hang anywhere.  Make two or more for a shelf or window banner. 

A single "welcome" banner/flag to hang on a door, in a window or on a wall

NOTE: THe welcome sign starts with a felt background cut using the cover of the large journal die (this must be cut using the Big Shot Plus machine). The next layer is fused foil that is painted with white paint or gesso, then embossed with the 3D Lace folder, and finished with Rose Gold Luster Wax added to the top. All elements used are ALL various dies from Eileen. The background, behind the wreath is the tiny book die coered in a simple print paper. Leaves are fabric, that was fused togerther with a iron-on fusible. Added extras are yellow felt flowers, pink hearts, white paper fences and paper houses, finished off with the word "welcome".

Card fronts using the Faux postage thinlit parts

NOTE: This faux postage thinlit is becoming another favorite! Use as one whole cut or tear into smaller sections or individual pieces and let the creatiity flow!

Hope these projects help give some inspiration on what is possible with Eileen's dies. I like to challenge myself with new materials to use with her dies. Some of the projects here show that!  Think outside the box and give something a try, it doesn't hurt ... it may lead to a better idea, something new and different,  but most of all your creating ... go for it and have fun!  I'm looking forward to being inspired by everyone.

Chapter 3 Release Time - Let The Ideas Flow

It’s that time again!  Eileen has new Sizzix products out and let the creativity begin!  There are two scoreboard dies, one intricate thinlit die and a 3D embossing folder in this release.  Here are images of each new item!

Now to share ideas, that I had the so much fun creating with the new Chapter 3 collection. 

Starting with the card caddy die, here are four ways I used this die.

Card Caddy x 3

Card Caddy & More

Card Caddy Banners

The skinny mini book box die is another versatile die and here are three ways I used it.  

Skinny Mini Sewing Box

Skinny Mini Double Card Box

Skinny Mini With Shadow Box Frames

After making these seven initial projects as samples for Eileen’s new release, I continued with a few more ideas.  

Skinny Mini Thinlit Candle Surround

Card Caddy Holiday Idea Box

Skinny Mini Folder Holder

In the next few weeks I’ll share more details on a couple of these projects. NOTE: Most if not all of the projects created, I have used new and older design elements from various collections of  Eileen Hull's for Sizzix. Some projects also have various other components from all from Sizzix added for embellishments. 

Link to Eileen Hull’s Sizzix Hub: LINK

Link to Eileen Hull Designs blog: LINK

Leftover/Unused Die-cuts Become Something New

 

There are several unused die cut pieces that I keep handy in a container as well as an array of unfinished and unused embellishments. 

Since the majority of elements for the vintage truck and the camper (minus just a couple) were available in my stash, plus with the 4th of July only a few weeks away, I felt it called for some new summer holiday decor. 

The basic main, precut pieces were were painted either with red paint and blue paint.  All tires were painted black. The hub caps, the camper door and window were colored by rubbing them with silver Luster wax. The lower decorative strip on the camper is covered with metal tape.  

Once the truck and camper were constructed, a piece of styrofoam was cut to place into the open area of each piece.  Several star shapes were die cut from gold card stock. A toothpick was glued between two star shapes and they were used to fill the truck, along with several paper flags.  A large leftover rosette from an older project was glued to a popsicle stick and placed into the styrofoam inside the camper. The missing pieces were the hitch element, so I found a way to attach the ring element from the folio die to both the truck and camper.  A screw fits into the small end on the one on the back of the truck; while a small elastic band, attached to campper piece can be connected over the screw to hold the two larger pieces together.

Another photo view of the display, this time along with some of the other "leftover" and unfinished projects projects on the left side. Determined to get the one Pass Book and two wrapped journals finially completed this year to add to my red, white and blue decor items.  On 

On the right side is a near complete work in progress!  Inside the fabric covered book (Folio Journal Die) is another version of the shadow box frames.  Will share them all soon!

Happy Making to All!

Info & Tips for Creating with Shadowbox Frame Dies

 

Working with the newest release of dies by Eileen Hull for Sizzix has been a fun! Different from most of Eileen’s scoreboard dies, but still with loads of creative opportunities.

Thinlit dies vs. Steel rule

With this post I will share sample ideas and some learned tips since working with them, but not typical instructions and steps. As with anything new, be it ideas or tools, there is a "learning curve". That being said fit’s been enjoyable and a bit addictive working with the new dies. 

The important part to note is that they are constructed from heavy weight papers and not mat board.  I have been doing some experimenting with various types of papers to construct the frames and sure that more will continue.

The first project that I created with the frames were three graduated sized squares to hold dimensional arrangements.  The ideas for dimensional designs or arrangements are endless. Stay simple by matting photos into the frames for displaying in groups, or get creative with dimensional creations.  The basic frames were made from watercolor paper and then collaged with old dictionary pages. This process came with some learning and tips to share. 

Collaged Shadow Box Trio 

The next project was to use them to assemble a hinged, fold out photo display. This can be kept simple too with just photos or add a bit of dimension into the frames. More ideas using similar construction are in the works now.  

Embossed Accordian Frames

Hinged Accordian Frame

Inked frame components

Embossed, inked, shaded components

Decorative dividers for inserts 

While working with these thinlit dies and assembling the frames, I have learned a few tips that I would like to share. NOTE: We may all interpret directions slightly different, and find our very own methods that may differ somewhat from actual directions. Find what works for you! Remember the learning never stops!

I feel one of the first thing really needed when constructing the frames, of any size, should be to understand the weights of different papers.  I’ve used different weights, from 90# to 140# for most of the frames. These weights are considered heavy weight papers.  A few papers that would be good to use are:

Sizzix papers (approximately 90#)

Bazzill papers (approximately 100#)

Distress watercolor card stock (118#)

Distress heavy stock (110#)

Watercolor papers by various companies (90# to 140#) found at craft or art supply stores  

Links to a site that help explain the weights of papers: 

Found on Scrapbook.com website - YOUR GUIDE TO PAPER WEIGHTS

For the frames I have created so far, I have used papers from 65# to 140#. 

I have also experimented with thin paper board like white poster board sheets from craft stores and gift boxes and cereal/cracker boxes. Materials like this would probably be considered as extra heavy weight. I likely wouldn’t use anything heavier then the cereal boxes.  Of course if using such materials they would have to be covered by either painting, inks, mixed media finishes or with collaged papers. NOTE:   Another tip that may be helpful - if using something extra heavy - after cutting the four pieces, it may help the folding by going over the score lines again using a scoreboard and scoring tool. I found this step useful. 

Gesso covered frame from packaging

Frames from heavier packaging materials 

Thin poster board, covered with decorative paper

Frame from file folder

When using a paper with a patterned design, I have found it necessary to be aware of the direction of the design before cutting the four pieces needed to make the frames. An all over design can be cut without a worry. There are designs were we immediately know the pattern direction and others that may not be as easy to notice.  Here are some examples and how to cut the four frame pieces: 

Assorted patterned cardstock

Cardstock with all-over pattern

Obvious directional pattern paper

Directional print pattern paper

Another experiment was with embossing the papers before constructing the frames. Here again some experimenting took place.  I found better results when using embossing folders that are not the 3D, thicker folders.  It seemed to me that they distorted the paper pieces making them difficult to fold properly.  The folding lines do disappear from the deep embossing; you can replace them with a score board and bone folder.  Give it a try and see what results you may have. I cut the four pieces needed for the frames before embossing. Also the coloring  (by ink or paint) was added before the embossing.  NOTE: Highlights can be added after embossing if desired. Use inks, dry brush paint or metallic rubs.

Embossed frame pieces vs. plain

Difference of embossing folders

Again remember that frames may be made from plain papers or file folders or gift boxes/cereal boxes can be painted or use texture paints alone or with stencils to add design or texture to the frames. Collage with bits of thin papers and gel medium.  Gesso was added to any packaging with printed designs before decorating with any method desired. 

Frames made from various 85# cardstock

***The next thing that I will be experimenting with is making different size frames by slightly changing the measurements of the frame pieces. That can be accomplished by trimming from the straight edge of the four cut frame pieces. ***

STILL TO COME ... Two ideas still in the works will combine the Book Box die with a frame and the other will use the Folio Journal with two frames.

Book Box die with Shadow box frame insert

Folio Journal with two shadow box frames inside