Sizzix Steel Rule Dies Part 2

 Hello! Hope you've all had a great week!

The 1st of this series was "How many ways can you use a steel rule die?" You can find that post here. Todays post is all about 

"What can you die cut with a steel rule die?" 

 My finished project today is a canvas!

 Here are a few steel rule dies. 

 The materials for die cutting are anywhere from tissue wrap, metal foil sheets, fabric, burlap, plastic, card stock, grunge board, chip board, etc.... I think a good rule of thumb is...if you can cut it with scissors you can cut it with a steel rule die.

 The first thing I did for my project was to cut several butterflies from all different kinds of materials. 

 Paint the canvas with several light neutral colors of Distress Paint.

 Add Remnant Rubs directly to the canvas. 

 Add some bits and pieces of the rubs throughout the canvas. 

 I colored my tissue wrap butterflies with Distress Stain. 

Here are the fabrics I die cut and then I colored them with Distress Stain as well. TIP: When die cutting fabric use a piece of card stock on top of the fabric. This will help you get a clean cut.

The bright pink butterflies is Grunge Board colored with Distress Paint. The other pink butterfly is plastic colored with Alcohol inks. The purple one is regular card stock colored with Distress Stain.

These are some of my favorites. The Mirrored paper is colored with alcohol inks and then rub ons were added. The Turquoise one was die cut then embossed, colored with alcohol inks then sanded. 

To the centers of all the butterflies I added a game spinner with a brad then adhered them to the canvas with Claudine Hellmuth's Matte Medium. 

Whether you are die cutting something very thin or very thick a steel rule die makes it as easy as 1...2...3....

Have a great Memorial Day weekend. I'm sure we will have a big BBQ with the family! 

I hope you make some time to be creative!

Thanks for stopping in! 

I'd love to hear what you're up to this weekend!

Richele

If you're look for some goodies...check out Inspiration Emporium for all your crafty needs!

Eclectic Elements at Quilt Market!!

Hi bloggers!

I'm back from International Quilt Market in Portland.....It was so exciting to be at there for the first time in my life!! WOW! The show was so inspiring! So much amazing talent!! 

I can't believe I'm here for the debut of Eclectic Element fabric by Tim Holtz! 

Here's the Convention Center, notice the typical Portland weather. 

I found the booth and it was a flurry of activity getting things all set up! 

Tim loved the quilt. 

This is the Coats booth with all the lovely projects. Looks AWESOME don't you think?

The booth had that vintage feel and the projects were unbelievable to showcase the new fabric.  There were pillows, tote bags, journals, birdies in a nest, quilts, the apron and even an upholstered chair. There was something for every kind of sewer/crafter.

The Sizzix booth was adorned with lots of inspiration from Debi Adams, just look at all these incredible projects.

 And here is the quilt I made! Don't you just love the vintage feel! 

Here's is the back! The way the fabrics go together is....heaven!

The fabric will be available in July! I can't wait for more. I have so many projects I want to make. What will you make?

A HUGE thank you to Tim, Paula and Mario for including me in this amazing journey!

Love being at Quilt Market with you all!

xoxo

Richele

Sizzix Pop 'n Cuts Thank You Card

Hi Bloggers! I'm over on the Sizzix Blog today with a fun and easy Pop ' Cuts Card you're going to love.

 The card features Karen Burniston Pop 'n Cuts dies, Brenda Walton Summer Florals die and a Tim Holtz Alteration die. 

See the full tutorial on the Sizzix blog.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! 
Do you have plans to be creative?
Richele

Eclectic Elements Fabric!!

Did you here the BIG NEWS? Tim Holtz has fabric! 
The collection is called Eclectic Elements, 100% cotton perfection! 
You can read the announcement on Tim's blog.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about this fabric line!! But I'll try! It all started when I received an email from my friend Paula Cheney just a few weeks ago. 

The email read...

I know this is a stupid question...but richele do you sew?

Paula

Not stupid I actually used to teach quilting classes...why???

Richele

The next thing you know we are on the phone coordinating and planing... it was going to be a little tricky because I was leaving in a few days for a 10 day vacation in Oregon to visit family. 

The package arrived in Oregon a few days after me.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

LOOK AT ALL THIS ECLECTIC ELEMENTS FABRIC GOODNESS! 

The feel and weight of the fabric is amazing and it's just like the paper we have loved for quite some time!

The next email to Paula...

Oh my! These are beautiful! I was trying to pick my favorite but I can't. I love them all! I'll get you some pics as I start to sew.

Richele

 So I started cutting.....and cutting....and cutting...

...and I sewing ...and sewing ....and sewing...

Next email to Paula

I'm off and running sewing!!! 

Loving the fabrics...THANK YOU Tim for always putting a smile on my face... I feel like a school girl all gitty with excitement.

Richele

Here is the first block!

I'm now quilting.....and quilting....and quilting...

I can't wait to show you my finished project! 

Actually I'm still working on it but you will see it soon!

You're going to LOVE it! 

To see more of the Eclectic Elements journey check out what my friends are up to...

Tuesday, May 14th - Tammy Tutterow  

Wednesday, May 15th - me!

Thursday, May 16th - Chelle Fowler

Friday, May 17th - Paula Cheney

Thanks so much for coming by.

Richele

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments!! 

Sizzix Steel Rule dies Part 1

Hi bloggers! I've been thinking about this question for a post for a long time! 

How many ways can you use a steel rule die? 

As you will see many ways! I chose one of my favorite dies and used it in several different ways. Let's get started. 

A steel rule die is a die that is just that, a die made with a steel rule that cuts through a variety of materials. The possibilities are endless as you will see. I've used the same die, the Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Mini Butterflies and Shapers die for all the cards. 

CARD #1

Focus - Die cut and use the paper butterflies for embellishments.

Cut several banners, a background piece and the Hello. Ink the edges of all pieces with Vintage Photo Distress Ink on an Ink Blending Tool. 

Adhere or pop dot all the pieces to your card. 

CARD #2

Focus - Using the die cut out shape as an element on your card. 

 Die cut the Butterfly from your background piece. Cut your messages and hearts from the paper. Ink all the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink on an Ink Blending Tool. Adhere some dictionary print under the area where the butterfly will be. 

Stain the Crinkle Ribbon by applying Distress Stain directly to your Craft Sheet and adding some H2O. Dry the ribbon with a Heat Tool and crinkle it as it dries.

Once the ribbon is dry add a little Vintage Photo Distress Ink using an Ink Blending tool. 

Tie a big bow around the background piece and pop dot to the base card. Pop dot the messages and elements to the card.

CARD #3

 Focus - Using the die cut as a paper stencil. 

 Die cut the Butterfly from a piece of scrap card stock. Position and tape the stencil down where you want the butterflies. Cut a piece of blending foam into some small squares. Apply a little Distress Paint to your Craft Sheet. Pick the paint up with the little piece of foam and use an up and down motion to color the Butterflies. Let dry.

Stamp some script on the Butterfly with the Stencil still in position using Sepia Archival Ink. You may need to mask off your background depending on how large your stamp is.  Use good pressure to get a good image. 

Tie twine around the card with an Enamel Tag that has the word "Wish" Rubbed on from the new Remnant Rubs.

CARD #4

 Focus - Using the die to create a mask for the butterflies.

Place the mask onto a piece of Manilla card stock for the background. With Distress Ink on an Ink Blending tool add ink as desired. The mask material is nice because it's clear and you can see the color develop as you ink. Stamp the flowers with Jet Black Archival ink.  Ink the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink on an Ink Blending tool.

Use Vintage Photo Distress Ink and stamp the honey comb. Carefully pull off the mask. If desired use the outside portion of your mask to color the butterflies a color. Tie twine around the background piece with a Word Band. Adhere the piece to your base card. Paint some Foliage with Distress Paint and adhere to card. 

 CARD #5

 Focus - Using the die to create a foam stamp. 

 To create your stamps, die cut the Butterflies from thick foam. For the ease of handling I adhered a bingo piece to the butterflies using Matte Medium. Let dry.

Apply Distress Paint to your Craft Sheet. Pounce the stamp into the paint. Stamp the images onto the background paper. 

Ink the edges of all the pieces with Vintage Photo Distress ink on an Ink Blending Tool. Adhere the elements to the base card. Tie twine around the card. Paint the Foliage with Distress Paint, let dry and adhere to card. 

I love the versatility of steel rule dies! 

The possibilities are endless!

All the papers used for the cards are with the NEW Cosmo Cricket, Sweet Disposition 8" x 8" Mini deck. Such a cute collection. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Richele

How do you use your steel rule dies??

Head over to Inspiration Emporium for lots of crafty goodness! Just click on the links below.

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