Double Mate mini mini album

This tiny little album isn't usually the size that I work on, but boy, was it a fun new adventure! This little album fits inside a candy/Altoid tin and is an accordion album. I had Terry cut it out of DoubleMates Cardstock in Icy Indigo. (It even sounds snowy, doesn't it?) The album came with two covers and I got the layers that go on each fold of the accordion too. The Snowflake? Well it was Snowflake #04 small out of Pearlescent Swirlette. It is just gorgeous!!

This is what it looks like when I opened it up. I used one of the layers and stamped on it and journaled on it. The accordion album is on the right. The Stamps are from Stampendous, out of their Jumbo Tree set. I stamped the swirl using White ink on the right and blue in on the panel on the right. The snowflake is Snowflake #01 in pearlescent swirlette.

I used the Circle Scallop Frame to highlight the single photo on the layout. The snowflakes (Snowflake #01 petite) and frame both were cut from Pearlescent swirlette. The title is done with white rub-ons from Autumn Leaves I did carefully measure and cut the photos, frames and snowflakes so that they would more easily fold into the candy tin and lay flatter when folded.

On the other side of the accordion album, I also placed only one photo. I again carefully cut the photo and the snowflakes, then stamped them. The dark blue cardstock on this layout is the layers that came with the album. I turned them to a landscape orientation instead of using each layer vertically on each fold. I love the DoubleMates cardstock because it is one color on one side and a complementary color on the other. No need for covering the album or changing the color of the cardstock!! It was a little tricky to get the layers just right on this layout. I wanted to cut the snowflakes at the fold so the album would lay better when folded...but it was tricky, tricky. Then I adhered all the pieces together.

This is the back cover of the candy tin. I used Snowflake #01 petite cut from the DoubleMates cardstock. Here you can see that both sides are a lovely color and go together so well. If you are covering mini albums or want tags or other embellishments made, this is a great way to have an embellishment that you could use either side of. Also, this cardstock would work great in an acrylic album because both sides are colored and you wouldn't have to worry about covering up the white backside of a piece of paper!

Got Hockey?

Did you know that Creative Cuts and More carries fabulous shapes? In our family hockey is our all time favorite sport, so I was so excited to get some die cut hockey sticks and pucks. Creative Cuts and More's die cut shapes work great for cards and 3D projects, but they are also fantastic for scrapbook pages.
Check out all of the fabulous die cut shapes and see what amazing projects you can create. As always please leave a comment and share any of your Creative Cuts and More creations.

~Pam

Die Cuts: Heart, Hockey Stick and Puck set, Scallop Square Window Card
Stamp: Studio G

Sweet Felt Star

Design Team member Carla Mayfield is no stranger to cards for boys... she's the mother of three boys! Here's her story of the cute felt star that she received and the card she created:


"Terry, the owner of Creative Cuts and More, sometimes send me random cuts from her extensive collection. I love going through these and thinking up a project for them. Today I wanted to work with this sweet felt star, and I really love how it turned out.

I started with a base of Bashful Blue, then I added a Quick Strip down the side. These were from SU! a year or two ago. For 2009, I am either going to use or get rid of some paper. I used to be a horrible hoarder!! I can tell you that all hoarding does for you is leave you with lots of outdated paper. Join me in using all your new and best stuff in 2009!!

Then I sprayed these two with some Caspian Sea Shimmer Mist. I made this by adding one jar of Radiant Pearls to four ounces of hair spray. It works like a charm!

I then put the sticker on BB card stock and cut the circle. The way I got it in there perfectly is by positioning the die exactly where I wanted it and taping it down. I cut the scalloped circle from Barely Banana and stuck it on the felt star.

Then I grabbed the metal stars with my tweezers and heated then dipped them one at a time into my retired SU! Light Blue embossing powder. I love to use ep this way, and that is why I have 40 or so colors. These stars look beautiful IRL!!

Do you ever get a card three quarters of the way finished and then decide you want the ribbon in an inaccessable place? That's what happened here, so I just took my SU! slit punch and punched a tiny nip out of the top of the card. Now the ribbon loops all the way from the inside to the outside of the card."

Dawn's "Berry Best"

We have a gorgeous sample to share today, created by Dawn Lusk. She's something of a stamping celebrity as a member of the SplitCoastStampers Dirty Dozen DT. We're delighted that she gave us permission to share this with you.


The base of her creation is the Slash Folder with Tag #05, cut from Bazzill Smoothies cardstocks. See the darker blue portion? She embossed it with a Cuttlebug embossing folder before assembly. The little dots mimic blueberries. Creative genius, wouldn't you say?

The colors, sentiment and images all work so well together! Thank you, Dawn!

Candy Box Creations

We've got more guest designer goodies to share with you today... this time from Kitty Franken who does her crafting in the Netherlands. She decorated two Candy Boxes for us, and they're both very cute!


Her boy-themed candy box was cut from clear acetate and decorated with stickers and ribbons. She used similar stickers and ribbons for her girl-themed box, but that one was cut from solid cardstock.


It's so much fun to imagine all the possibilities with this versatile box shape. It'd make a wonderful party favor for candy-linked holidays like Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. Don't forget how pretty it would look all dressed up for a wedding favor or a little goody for baby shower guests.

Stay tuned for more terrific ideas!

Scrapping with Chipboard Die Cuts

Isn't this a gorgeous layout? It's the work of our April 2009 guest designer Irene Tan from Malaysia. She was kind enough to include instructions on how she created it!

1) Use a pattern paper as the base for this page. Distress it suing the scissors distressing technique and ink it with distress ink. Mat it onto a card stock.

2) Add a strip of pattern paper on the left of the page. Ink it's edges with distress ink first before attaching it to the page.

3) Use a clock masking template and some distress ink to mask the clock image on the upper left of the page. Later, sprinkle some water on it to get the water distressing effect.

4) Distress the edges of the photograph using the scissors distressing technique and use a sanding block to distress it's borders. Add it to the page.

5) Use another mask and some acrylic paint to mask on the upper left corner of the photograph.

6) Cut out another small strip of patterned paper and create ruffles with it. Place it vertically on the lower left of the photograph. Hand stitch a vertical line on the left of the page.

7) Treat some die-cut chipboard hardware (Photo Holder #01 and Photo Holder #02) and frames (Circle Scallop Frame and Nameplate #01) from Creative Cuts & More with the "Creating your Faux Metal Pieces" technique. Add the photo holders with some brads on the upper left and right of the photograph. Add the handle vertically with brads over the paper ruffles.

8) Print quote on vellum & attach it to the lower right of the photograph. Paste the Circle Scallop Frame over it and dress it up with some liquid pearls.


9) Add the negatives of some Prima felt flourishes on the bottom of the photograph. Ink it with distress ink and dress it up with Stickles. (Tip: try to recycle some of the negatives from your felt embellishment)

10) Add the "My Mom" title to the Nameplate and attach it to the page with brads.

11) Add some flowers randomly on the page and dress it up with some Stickles and liquid pearls.

Sources:
Die Cuts: Chipboard shapes from Creative Cuts and More (Circle Scallop Frame, Nameplate #01, Photo Holder #01, and Photo Holder #02)
Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle
Inks: Ranger Distress Ink
Others: Ranger Liquid Pearls, Ranger Stickles, Tim Holtz idea-ology Mask, Making Memories Acrylic Paint, vellum, brads, Helmar glue, Glue Dots and other adhesives.

This is a Mother's Day gift that she created for her mom. We're sure her mom will love it!

Happy Easter!

Want to add a bit of elegant detail to your next card? Try Paper piercing! You don't need any special tools to do this, a push pin and a mouse pad will work just fine. To pierce the boarder on this card I printed a digital border stamp on plain paper and taped it to my card and poked holes every 1/8" or so. Then I poked a freehand design around the window.

I used the Circle Window A2 Card from Creative Cuts and More for the base. I used Digital stamps from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff and the vintage clip art is from Vintage Image Craft. I hope you have a lovely Easter spending time with friends and family, I know I will!

Apron Thank You Card

Here is a super easy card for those of you who love to give out Starbucks gift cards. The apron die cut has a flap that folds up creating a pocket, just big enough for a gift card and a small note if you like. Double Mates card stock was used here, which comes in a variety of colors. Each color has a dark and light side, great for cards where you see both sides of the card stock at once. This card would also make a great Father's Day gift. Just change up the colors and add a "home improvement store" gift card inside.

Thanks for looking!
Pam

Recipe:
CC&M "Apron Card": card stock color "Emerald Isle" Double Mates
Eyelets: Eye-Lets Etc.
Ribbon: unknown
Oval & Circle Punches: Stampin' UP!
Chipboard Letters: "Thickers" by American Crafts

Tip: Double Mates card stock works great for window cards too.

Make a Spring Star Book!

Hello Folks! Today I want to share with you how easy it is to make a lovely spring decoration for your home using little more than some die-cut cards, stamps, cardstock, silk flowers and your sewing machine. If you ever wanted to make a star book before but were intimidated by the cutting and measuring, now is your chance because it is easy.

You will need 5 window card kits (green and blue parts) from Creative Cuts and More (Why not get 10 and make one for a friend too, you get a discount when you buy 10!), 5-8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheets if cardstock (the red sheets), stamps small enough to fit inside the window card opening(About Art Accents), Killer Red tacky tape and stuff to embellish and hang your creation. I used ribbon yarn so I could add a lot of texture at a low price!

First center the window part of the card over the cut cardstock and stamp an image in the window (I embossed it with white EP) then place the back part of the card behind it making a sandwich with the center piece. Add a small piece of killer red tape to the middle edge of each layer of the sandwich and stitch around as shown. Avoid putting tape where the stitching will be. Make 5 of these signatures (Fancy word meaning a group of pages in a book).

Attach each signature together at the outer sides with killer red tacky tape. Punch holes on the inside layer fold and tie long ribbon yarn to hang it with. Use hot glue to add flowers and buttons to your creation.

Add more ribbon if you like.

Teeny bopper album

I just completed an album for my teenage niece. I hope she likes it...(I guess I won't know unless I get it sent to her! ;o)

However, here is a peek at what I have been working on. I combined a 6x6 Album in Acetate and a 6x6 Album in Chipboard to create this one. I also chose to use patterned paper from the DCWV Nonsense Line. The notebook-looking paper is from Making Memories. For the page on the right, I used a Tag Pocket Card with Tag. On the fold-down flap of the tag pocket, I used my Fiskars border punch to add some pizazz. Before adhering the pocket together I used an EK Success Whale of a Punch (circle) to punch a hole on the bottom left of the front of the pocket. On the tag that is inserted in the pocket, I punched a flower with my Fiskars punch and adhered it so it can be seen through the hole. To add some pattern, I used a stamp from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps to stamp the library pocket (front and back) and the insert tag. I outlined the stamped image with a Gelly Roll clear marker to give it just a hint of bling.

This is a view of the back side of that Tag Pocket Card. I not only stamped it with a floral/flourish in Versamark ink, I also stamped a butterfly (yep...from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps) and a small crown image and colored the image in using Stardust Gelly Roll markers. The sentiment is from a rub-on set by Me and My Big Ideas.

The page on the right was done on one of the chipboard pages. I added a Purse A2 Card with Layer die cut from Creative Cuts and More. It's a darling little purse and you can get it with a little tag that can be inserted in the middle. (see picture below) I wanted another little place to "hide" photos and journaling, so I adhered it to the page and it flips open. The flourish stamp is from Stampendous and the flower is a Fiskars punch.

For the last page I have to show you, I used a cute little Coin Purse Card with Clasps. I adhered a small mat and stamped a journaling block. (stamp from Autumn Leaves) I then made a pocket on the chipboard covered album page and that made a place to insert it to keep it in it's place on the page. It just slips out so it can be opened to look at.

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you enjoyed the peek at my newest creation!

Angie

How's everything in your bowl?

Here is a fun easy card that you can send to a friend! I filled a Ziplock bag with hair gel, blue ink and dried hot glue drops and adhered it behind the window on the Fishbowl Window Card. I stamped a fish (Stampin' Up!), plant (Heidi Grace) and a crab (Rubber Soul) on a light blue panel and adhered it to the back of the baggie. Inside I stamped: How's everything in your bowl? (Studio G)



Note: the inside sentiment and the fish stamp had words and text so to only stamp the part I wanted I colored the desired image with a black brush tip marker and stamped, It's a great way to get more stamp for your money!

Hoo's Creative?

Jennifer Beason, that's hoo! She took the CC&M Short Puff Box and made the cutest little owl imaginable!


Supplies:
Creative Cuts & More - Die-cut puff box
Basic Grey - Patterned papers and brads
Technique Tuesday - Chipboard photo turns
Doodlebug Designs - Paper ribbon
Maya Roads - Chipboard wings, mini tag and stick pins
Prima - Flower
Other - Feather, twine and printer
Tools - Scalloped border punch and circle punches.

And the instructions, in Jenni's own words:

1. First, cover front and the top of the puff box with the black polka dotted paper.
   
2. Use glue to put the box together
3. Use a scallop punch and cut four strips of patterned paper about four inches long.
4. Glue the scalloped strips to the box starting near the bottom and working upward.
5. Next cut a triangle out of patterned paper and add a strip of the decorative paper ribbon to one of the edges. Fold the beak in half to get a centered crease, then unfold it and glue it to the center of the box, just above the top row of scalloped strips. (Make sure the beak sits up slightly and is not laying flat.)
   
6. Cover the 2 large photo turns with patterned paper. Then use a small circle punch to cut circles to go around the round part of each photo turn. Use a punch to cut 2, 1 inch circles out of patterned paper, then adhere them to the photo turn.
7. Embellish the eyes with some chipboard circles and brads and attach them to the box.
8. Cover the chipboard wings with patterned paper then adhere them to the box for the ears.
9. Cut apart a flower to create the claws of the owl. (I used three petals for each one.) Glue the petals to the bottom of the box.
10. To finish off the box, I printed out my sentiment then adhered it to a mini tag, tied the tag to the box with some twine then added a stick pin and a feather to embellish.

This is definitely an example of an out-of-the-box box, isn't it? Great work, Jenni!

Pretty Spring Hat

Megan Peacock is at it again! Take a look at this fun twist on the CC&M Exclusive Hat Card... she mounted it to a 5x7 piece of cardstock decorated with patterned paper. Pretty cool! As you can see, the hat is adorned with a pretty blue Flower #6 die cut. She added texture to the flower with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.



This project feels like Spring, doesn't it?

Shoes (on a Box)

What a fun first project for us to feature from March 2009 guest designer Jennifer Beason! She started with the Baby Shoe die and went to town! These shoes are so well-decorated, they look real! See the seam stitching and the corduroy brads? We're in love!


And, perhaps the best part? She used them atop a very pretty gift box!


Great job, Jennifer! We can't wait to see what else you have in store for us this month!

Bunny Ears

Oh what a cute idea for Easter from Megan Peacock, another of our talented guest designers. She used multiples of the adorable Rabbit die to indicate chocolate bunnies being eaten ears-first. Isn't she clever? Those little pom-pom tails are the perfect touch!


Hoppy Easter!

March Customer Challenge..."Love/Wedding"

The Creative Cuts and More Design Team had a fantastic time showing you all of our "wedding" themed projects during our first ever blog hop. Hopefully we have inspired you to create some stunning projects of your own.

NOW for our "March Customer Challenge", we would like you to run with our "Love/Wedding" theme and show us all of the fabulous creations you can make with the die cuts from Creative Cuts and More. You will have plenty of time to order from the Creative Cuts and More online store, design and post your projects to your own blog or gallery. Please, don't forget to leave your link here on this post. The deadline is April 15, 2009 11:59PM MDT!

Now you are probably wondering...is there a prize...YES three prizes!!

First place will receive: $15 gift certificate to CC&M

Second place will receive: $10 gift certificate to CC&M

Third place will receive: $5 gift certificate to CC&M

All three winners will be able to use their gift certificates towards any of the many products on the Creative Cuts and More website.

What are you waiting for... click on over to Creative Cuts and More and get your Diecut Diva groove on!

We Have a Winner!

Thank you so much to our Design Team and to all our Blog Hoppers for making our first-ever Blog Hop such a huge success! We couldn't have done it without you.

Our winner for the $15 Creative Cuts & More Gift Certificate is

Heidi has left a new comment on your post "Blog Hop & New Dies!":

Ok, this was fun. I have never done a blog hop before. I loved everyone's ideas and different ways they did the wedding dress boxes. My favorite thing I saw, had to be on the last blog with the red and white cake boxes. I loved the colors, the way there were alternating, and two layers of them. What a fun way to decorate for any type of party....adorable, usable, and giveawayble (if that is a word! LOL).

Thanks for doing this!

Heidi, please send us a quick message with your e-mail address so we can issue your prize.

Thanks again everyone! Stay tuned for more great samples!

Blog Hop & New Dies!

Welcome to our first ever BLOG HOP! At the end of this post, we'll describe our hop and tell you how you can win blog candy at each blog in the hop!

We're so excited to show you all the fun projects we've been creating with love & weddings in mind -- and it's been even more fun because we have four new dies to show off: Dress Box, Tuxedo Box, Chair Box, and A2 Scalloped Border Card.

Here are Deb McNett's interpretation of the Dress Box which she had cut from Crystal White Stardream Metallic Cardstock and covered with lace, and the Tuxedo Box cut from Onyx Stardream Metallic Cardstock.


Next up is an entirely different take on the same two boxes from Andrea Ruccolo. Her Dress Box is cut from Ice Gold Curious Metallic Cardstock and Tuxedo Box is cut from Onyx Stardream Metallic Cardstock.


This wonderful ensemble of wedding items was created by Judy DiScipio. What creative ideas! In addition to favors, she created some beautiful cards. One card is the Creative Cuts & More exclusive Shoe Card.


Diane Koerner made this beautiful cake using multiples of the Cake Slice Box. They were cut from Papaya Blast Bazzill Smoothies Cardstock. (Note: You can also choose to purchase the Cake Slice Boxes by the set.)

Our next samples are cake slices created by Kat Salmon, cut from Aqua Bazzill and Lagoon Bazzill respectively.


Next we have two fun samples from Deb Oberg, who served as a Guest Designer during the month of February. Her Tuxedo Box was cut from Black Tie Bazzill Bling.

And this favor box from Deb is one of our exclusives, the Peek-a-View Box cut from Anthracite Stardream Metallic paper. It is adorned with Flower #6 Small cut from Kunzite & Amethyst Stardream Metallics and Lavender Velvet paper. Beautiful!

We hope you've enjoyed looking at these samples! We have even more for you! Each of our blogging DT members have additional samples posted on their blogs now, and they're each offering BLOG CANDY! Start here at Hop #1 with Angie Pearl.

At the end of the hop, Pam will direct you back here for the chance to win one more prize. Leave a comment on this post with the name of your favorite new die or your favorite project you saw during today's blog hop. Entries will be accepted through 11:59PM Mountain Time on Thursday, March 5th and the winner of a $15 gift certificate to Creative Cuts & More will be posted the following day.

Now that you've seen all of our wedding-inspired projects, we'd like to see yours! Check back later in the week for details on our upcoming customer challenge.

Thank you & Happy Hopping!

Get Ready!!

We've got some wonderful eye candy and blog candy in store for you! Well be unveiling four brand new dies and dozens of ideas.

Where: Blog hop starts right here at Diecutdiva.com
When: Monday, March 2nd

See you then!

2 Sketches 4 You

Creative Cuts and More is proud to be the sponsor if this week's challenges at 2 Sketches 4 You. Their designers made some wonderful samples with our products. Click here to see them.

The 2S4Y blog has details on how to participate in their challenge. Who knows? You could be the lucky winner of a $20 gift certificate to our store.