Thinking outside the box!

It's been a crazy few days for posting and blogging for Crafters Companion's 8th Birthday and tomorrow morning Sara will be launching some new boards that fit onto the Ultimate Pro. (They can also be used separately)
On the two boards are 4 boxes......A Milk Carton, A Takeaway Box, A Gable End Box and A Popcorn Box. There are lots of embossing shapes to use along side the boxes incorporated into the boards.
There is also a CD called Sweet Treats full of the most delicious papers, so bright and cheerful, all designed by Ross at Crafters Companion. He has done a fabulous job, just wait till you see them all.
 
My sneak for today is of  Poppy made from an upside down popcorn box.

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Just look at those colours so vibrant.

 

 All the papers are from the CD except the face.

 

 
 

I used the bird shape and wings to make the arms, the front panel was also on the board and the bonnet was made using a couple of dollies off the CD

 

 

 

Yesterday I posted a couple of boxes

 made using the gable End box

 

 

 

 

The cot was made by using the moustache shape to make the rockers and the canopy. The quilt is a tag from the CD.

 

 

Hope you enjoy the shows.

 

Margaret xx

 

 

Bebunni hits your screens today.

Well today is the day that Bebunni has a staring role on Create and Craft.

This sneak peak is of an 8x8 card made using items from a maxi kit which is a new section on the CD. Although they make great scrapbooks they can of course be used for cards.

 

 

I used a mask and distress inks to add detail to the topper and a doily mat.

The flowers were rosettes which I made into flowers by tearing around the circle then rolling.

I edged them with a bit of the distress ink.

 

I hope you enjoy the shows.

 

Birthday Boxes

You know what they say about buses..... well there is another new release from Crafters Companion to celebrate their 8th Birthday.

It's new boards for the Ultimate Pro there a 4 fabulous boxes for you to make and from the things the design team have managed to created with them you are only limited by your imagination.

There is also a CD called Sweet Treats and it is certainly that. The papers are bright colourful and make you feel happy just looking at them. Ross at Crafters Companion designed them for Leann and he has done a fabulous job.


My first sneak peak is of the milk carton.

 

I printed out the paper onto Neenah card (I picked a different design for the inside)

 

I then stamped the outside with some of Sheena's Little Bit Sketchy Stamps.

The tag from the CD I framed with a Spellbinder Die.

The grass border was cut from the spot paper on the CD using the Diesire Icicle Die.

 

 

The scalloped top is an embossing feature on the board. Then I added a few flowers. Just imagine what you could put in there, sweets it would even take a scarf, gloves etc what a lovely way to give a present.

 

Tomorrow how to make a cradle from a takeaway box.

Intruducing Bebunni

Hello again.  I know it's been a while but I have had an amazingly busy summer preparing for my niece's wedding, which was fabulous.

I'm now back to the world of Design Team crafting and this weekend is the start of a very exciting week for Crafters Companion it's their 8th Birthday so lots of fabulous new things for you to see.

The Pick of the Week on Friday is the release of a new character to the world. Bebunni, a very cute rabbit, we are so lucky that we got to play with him first but you will be seeing him on the high street soon.

Today my sneek peek is of a chipboard scrapbook which is one of the sections on CD2.

 

All you need to do is print off the pages cut out the aperture and decorate with lots of lovely embellishments which are also on the sheets.

 

I have left the apetures blank as I think Dawn may be giving this away to someone who emails the programme.

 

My previous sneek peeks were of an easel card for an 18th Birthday. It's really nice to have some big birthday images on this CD. I have also fallen in love with the patchwork paper on this CD, I have already told Leann it's my most favourite EVER!!! Just wait till you see it up close.

 

Yesterday I sneaked a  side stepper card with an acetate tent at one side which I suspended a second topper from. The colours of this art work is beautiful. This card was made from the card companion section.

 

So tomorrow at 12 noon you will get to see all the cards and projects the design team have created. Can't wait to see the studio I bet it will look beautiful.

More tomorrow so bye for now.

 

xxxx

 

Leann is embossing on Friday

 

Leann Chivers will be on Create and Craft on Friday morning with Embossilisious Folders.

My card today is made using the Floral Frenzy Folder.

 

 

 

I used the packaging as it was too nice to throw away.

I coloured the inside of the folder with Tim Holtz Stormy Sky Distress Ink before I embossed the card.

 

The apeture was cut using a Die Sire Die called Ornemental Flower. The flower I then quartered for the heart corners. I cut another from the contrast card and I also embossed a piece to cut 4 flowers. I love this Sentiment which is from Sheena Douglass's   Little Bit Sketchy Stamps, called Only Words From The Heart. I stamped this with Stormy Sky and then Embossed with Clear powder.

 

Below is another card made using Floral Frenzy as well as Petite Dot.

 

Again using a Sheena stamp this time from Through The Rain.

The Die is from the Magic Mirror Die Sire set.

 

Hope you can catch the shows.

 

Margaret xx

Angel Whispers Pop Out Tutorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To make this popout A5 card you need to Print the following.

I printed everything onto light printable card  160gsm

3 Borderless A4 Landscape sheets of backing papers in coordinating designs

 (A tutorial for borderless printing is available on the Crafters Companion web site, even if you cannot do borderless printing it will show you how to reduce the white edges. You will need to trim off any white edges and adjust the size of your card accordingly) Borderless Tutorial

1 sheet of Card Companions

1 sheet of Sentiments

2 sheets of Borders

1 sheet of Tags

1 sheet of Ribbons

1 A5 insert with verse

 

I also used

Coordination card

Lace and Ribbon for trimming tag.

Stickles glitter

Using the A4 card you want for the outside score for a A5 card and fold in half .

Do the same with the card you have chosen for the inside of the apeture. Score on the wrong side.

 Now take the card that you have chosen for the pop out.

Score on the front for a A5 card as before.

Then on the reverse side score both sides for a gatefold card.

Fold so that yours looks like the ones below.

 

 

Depending on what shape you have chosen for your Card Companion you need to cut an apeture from the pop out sheet. I used a Diesire die laid halfway across the fold.

The apeture needs to be slightly bigger than the topper.

 

 

 

There are several apeture shapes on the Ultimate Pro which you can use.

Cut out the apeture carefully keeping the piece whole as you are going to need it later.

Assembling the card

Lay the open card base front side down on to your mat.

Take your apeture lining card which you scored in half.

Stick the lefthand side onto the base card with a wet glue, I used collal all purpose as you need to be able to move the card to get a perfect fit.

Once this dries it strengthens your card.

DO NOT STICK THE RIGHT HAND SIDE DOWN.

You are now ready to attach the apeture piece.

Open the card so that the lining paper is facing up.

Stick the two outside sections, making sure you match the edges.

Again I use wet glue so that I can move the card around but it is important that you remember only glue the outside panels and do them one at a time.

 

Fold the insert in half and then try for size in the back section of the card.  Trim if necessary.  Stick in place.

On the plain side Stick the aperture you cut out and put one of the small toppers on, add a bow if you wish.

 

Making the hanging decoration.

 Take the large topper and mat onto Coordinations or as I did cut a smaller shape using a die and stick this on the back of the topper.

Cut a piece of ribbon to suspend the decoration on and stick it to the back using the small topper.

 

Suspend the decoration from the centre bend in the card.

Decorate the inside panels as required with,  borders, ribbons, sentiments etc

Now complete the front of the card.

I cut the circle mats from the square design, then folded over top.

I stuck this to the bottom corner to form a pocket, so make sure you only put glue near the curved edges.

 

 

Mat the tag and any sentiments that you want to use onto Coordinations card.

Trim around them with decorative scissors. Position as required.

Decorate the tag with ribbon and lace, I added stickles glitter to the tag and large topper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trim with embellishments. Your card is now complete.

 

 I hope you enjoy making this card, it's one of my favourite designs.

The gallery below shows other versions  I have made using this design.

Happy Crafting   

Margaret xx

 

 Frou Frou CD
 

 
















Angelica and Friends Luxury Card Kit

 

















Winter Paintbox Poppets CD

Leann's Toilet Bag Step by Step Instructions.

This is the bag I made for Leann Chivers when she launched the Frou Frou Collection.

Many of you requested instructions to make your own.......So here they are.



You may have heard Leann talk about "My Louise " Louise Welsh her friend of many years (and now mine) who also works at Crafters Companion. I created a second version of the bag for her, to prepare the step by step instructions, but you can design your own by choosing different papers and toppers.



You will need.....

A piece of light coloured cotton fabric big enough to cut out at least 5 A4 sheets.
                    
3 sheets of Fabric Transfer Inkjet Paper
(If you are not using Serif to create the front, you will need an extra sheet to print a topper)
                            
14 inch zip
 
Bias binding

Lace and Ribbon for trimming  
 
First we need to do the printing.
 
Serif Version   

Choose A4 Landscape Layout
        Page 1
Drag a background onto the layout.
From the embellishment section chose a topper and drag onto the page and resize as desired.
Place this about an inch from the top.
Add any other items and any text.
Remember group the text as soon as you insert it, so that you can resize easily
 
You now need to flip the text so that it prints correctly onto the transfer paper.If you have chosen a backing paper with text you will also need to flip that as well.
                                
(Click the text then on the righthand side on the arrange tab choose the icon  that looks like two sails. Text should be reversed. )
 Once you are happy with the layout Save.
                        
Insert a  Page 2
Drag the same background onto the layout.
 
      Print 1 copy of page 1 and 2 copies of page 2

Remember you are printing onto the plain side of the paper so make sure your paper is inserted into the printer correctly.
 
Printing from the CD
        Print 3 pages of A4 landscape backing paper.
            Print the topper page you have chosen.
If you have added text or chosen a paper with text you will need to go to the properties section when you click print and find your mirror option, this reverses everything so that when ironed onto your fabric it comes out the right way.


You are now ready to transfer the images onto the fabric.
 
Follow the instructions on the Transfer Paper but it is important that you do not remove the paper until the fabric has cooled as when it is still warm the image will lift from the fabric.
 

   
Cut around the pages leaving a 5/8 border for the seams.
(Non Serif version.) Cut out your chosen topper.
 
Cut a further piece the same width but long enough to fold up to make the pockets.
 

 Turn over one edge and make a hem. Then decide how wide you want the pockets and stitch down towards the fold.Stitch a 1/4 inch seam down both sides to hold in place.   Press flat.
 
 
 
 
 
Now with the right side of the fabric facing the right side of the zip stitch a 1/4 inch seam. The zip should overhang the edge.Do both sides.
 
 

Now attach the pocket to the back section. 

Right side of the bag facing the right side of the pockets.

Stitch along the zip seam line.

 

 

Turn over the top of each side enclosing the edge of the zip in the flap so that you have a neat top. The pocket section should now be on the inside.

 

 

Stitch along the top to form a tuck either side of the zip as shown below.

 

 

If you have a seperate topper (non Serif version ) position on the front section not too low or it will end up on the bottom.

If you are adding lace around the topper do this now as it will be easier to stitch.
 

                                                                                                                                                                               

With right sides together stitch a 5/8 seam along the bottom.Trim one edge down to 1/4 inch.Turn under the other edge and stich along fold.                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                   
Cut 2 side pieces from the remaining A4 piece.    
 4 1/2 inches wide.

With wrong sides together centre the side piece against the bottom seam.    As the picture shows stitch a 5/8 th seam across the bottom but leave a 5/8 gap each side.

Snip the seam where the stitching stops then pin the seams up both sides. Before you stitch the side seams you need to shorten the side pieces. Turn the top over about 1/2 inch below the zip. Trim off the excess and stitch a hem. Now stitch the side seams.

 

Trim the seam down to 1/4 inch and machine the bias around the seam. I stitched mine on the outside and slip hemmed it on the inside

Fold over the bias tape at the top to neaten the edge. Finish the bag by making a pocket for the end of the zip and thread a length of ribbon through the tag, either tie a knot or stitch together. this will make it easier to pull .














I hope I have made the instructions clear enough and you are able to make your own version of Leann's bag.
I'd love to see your finished results

Margaret.