Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Pre-CHA Sneak Peek #10!!


EDIT: "Thanks to everyone who entered the Spellbinders' 5th Anniversary Party to win my Die Template release. You can no longer enter to win my release. Please check out the links below to enter the contest on other blogs. Check Spellbinders Blog for the announcement of Daily Winners. Grand prize winner will be announced on January 30th."

It’s Spellbinders’ 5th birthday, and I am sure many of you know that they are celebrating by sharing LOTS and LOTS of new dies via Sneak Peeks on the blogs of various designers (see the complete blog roll on the sidebar to the right). And can you say PRIZES??? Every day there is an opportunity to win the dies that are been showcased PLUS all the dies that have been showcased up to that point! Each day an additional die is added to the daily give-away list for a grand total of 16 dies on the 16th day of reveals! Who DOESN’T love FREE????

You still have until 1/14 until 11:59 CST to visit and enter Jeni Calkins' release at Mixed Media Madness.

Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. This contest is sponsored directly by Spellbinders Paper Arts. Please read the post to find directions for entering the contest. If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us.

For those of you who have been religiously following our peeks (and for those who haven’t!), here is a list of the remaining peeks. Be sure to check them ALL out!!

Jan. 15 Beth Pingry - Cookies for Breakfast
Jan. 16 Keri Lee Sereika - Pink Lemonade
Jan. 17 Sally Lynn MacDonald - Inky Heart
Jan. 18 Donya Schroeder - Donya Schroeder
Jan. 19 Linda Duke - Linda's Works of Heart
Jan. 20 Trudee Sauer - Follow Your Bliss

Winners will be announced on Spellbinders Blog

When I was sent the image below and told that it was the die set that I was going to feature here on my blog, I was STOKED out of my MIND!! These little flowers are the dang cutest things EVER!! I see SOOOO many possibilities with them!! Cards, layouts, borders, altered items . . . the images in my head are endless!!



DIE NAME: Flower Bouquet Miniabilities
DIE SKU # S4-200
MSRP $19.99

How stinkin’ cute are these??? I see everything from fun and whimsical to classy and elegant with these little flowers! They are all approximately 1" to 1.25" wide and tall (the little flower with the heart in the middle is the only one that is out of proportion . . . it is about 1" tall and 1.25" wide).

Now, it’s time to play!! I made three different projects here. The first is a little more on the “over-the-edge” side, while the other two are quite simple. I wanted to be able to showcase different ways you could use these flowers with reverse stenciling, regular stenciling, and just plain ol’ cuttin’ and embossin’!





With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought making a framed wreath in a heart shape would be fun! I started by selecting the three dies from the set of 8 to use as elements in the wreath.









First, I cut/embossed all of the pink and white flowers. I used a technique known as “reverse stenciling.” Basically, you need to ink up the die BEFORE you run it through the Wizard. That way, all of the ink on the die will transfer to your finished image . . .



Don’t forget that you need to both CUT and EMBOSS the die in order for this technique to have it’s full effect, so each flower will need to run through the Wizard twice (I know, I know, that’s a lot of cutting/embossing, but well worth the effort!)

For reverse stenciling, pigment or chalk inks work best. You basically are going to need to use an ink with a slow drying time. This will allow you the time you need to cut and emboss while the ink is still wet so that it will transfer to the paper. Spot (meaning small) inks work the best, but you can use full-sized ink pads (a little harder to maneuver, but not too difficult). Another way is to use an ink refill and squeeze some of the ink onto a sponge and dab the die (as I did here with the silver ink).

Next, I did the same reverse stenciling technique with the little white and silver flowers (the ones with the heart in the middle). This will take a little patience and some time, but you will be happy you did it.





The black and silver flower square is done a little bit differently. I cut/embossed the image like usual. Before disengaging the cardstock from the die, however, I used a silver gel pen to trace the holes in the die onto the cardstock. A totally different look using the same little dies. I love it!!




I then cut out the second largest heart from the Spellbinders Classic Heart die set. This is an important element, as it serves as a base for your wreath and allows you to make a true heart shape (mine would have been VERY wonky if I had not had this!). If you don’t have the heart dies (and you DO need them!), any heart shape that you cut out will work just fine. Then, arrange your little flowers around the edge of the heart to form the wreath. I started with the little white/silver flowers, then added the black/silver flowers.


It is important at this point to use some glue dots or other adhesive to stick the black flowers to the white flowers on the points where they make contact. After doing so, transfer the flowers to the cardstock base underneath the entire wreath (in this case, the Berry Red cardstock, cut into a 10" x 10" square). I literally used a spatula to move the dies over. A few of them didn’t quite make it, but I had enough of the wreath intact to be able to replace them where they belonged once the wreath had been moved over. Center the wreath on the base cardstock and adhere (you will basically have to slide little glue dots or some other adhesive under the flowers here and there to hold them in place). Don’t worry too much about adhering each and every flower . . . when you place the white/pink flowers down with pop-up glue dots, they will help to hold the rest of the wreath in place.

At this point, you will be ready to add the white/pink flowers. I used pop-up glue dots to give them added dimension. I then added some rhinestones to the center of the flowers for some added “pop.”

The “forever” sentiment was typed up on my computer and printed out. (I used the third smallest Classic Heart die template and cut the sentiment out once it hat been printed). Just place the sentiment in the middle of your wreath and you are NEARLY done!

The last step on this wreath was just a little finishing touch . . . I intertwined some silver cord amongst the flowers . . . I think it adds just the right amount of sparkle, don’t you? This close-up shows the details a little more closely!

Supplies

Tools/die templates: Spellbinders Wizard, Spellbinders Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200 – MSRP $19.99), and Classic Heart (S4-136)
Ink: Colorbox Warm Red Chalk Ink, Encore Silver and silver gel pen
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, and WorldWin DoubleMates Berry Red
Accessories: 10" x 10" Square Frame, Pop-Up Glue Dots, silver cord, flat-backed rhinestones, CK Wistful font, sponge

This next project was easy and fun! (My teenage daughter fell in love with these!) I also am proud to announce that this is a totally GREEN project!! I used soda pop cans as the medium for the cut/embossed flowers. I also used a cereal box for “chipboard” to back the largest flowers on which I adhered the little Flower Bouquet Miniabilities. Cute and environmentally friendly! Cool beans!!

The Wizard cuts through soda pop cans like they were buttah!! No problem at all! And the embossing detail really jumps right out at you!

Supplies

Tools/die templates: Spellbinders Wizard, Spellbinders Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200 – MSRP $19.99), and Shapeabilites Nested Flowers (S4-159)
Paper: Brushed Gold and Bronze Cardstock (manufacturer unknown) and WorldWin Elan Metallics Obsidian cardstock
Accessories: Soda pop can, cereal box, jumbo paper clips, gold and silver ribbon (manufacturer unknown), Pop-Up Glue Dots, ZipDry by Beacon

For my last project, I made a card I have affectionately been referring to as the “Mod Squad” card! (I swear I think Peggy Lipton had a pair of pants that inspired this baby!) I used a sponge to stencil the flower petals before I removed them from the die. The background paper was created by placing the die, with the flat side down, on the paper and sponging around all the edges . . . inside and out! Yet another fun way to create a totally different look!

Supplies

Tools/die templates: Spellbinders Wizard, Spellbinders Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200 – MSRP $19.99), Labels One (S4-163), and Classic Scalloped Circles Small (S4-125)
Ink: Hunter Green, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, WorldWin Treasures Sherwood Green and Prism Prismatics Majestic Purple Dark and Majestic Purple Medium
Accessories: black gingham ribbon, hardware, ¼" and ½"circle punches, Pop-Up Glue Dots

One of my favorite things about Spellbinders dies is that they are universal . . . which means you can use them with ANY die cut machine and still get professional-looking projects. Here are a few links to some tutorials that will help you see not only how to use the dies in the Wizard, but other machines as well: Check out this link on Spellbinders’ site:

Wizard Tutorials

Now, for all the details on the BIG CONTEST!

Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Sneak Peek Party Drawing Information
Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each of the 16 Spellbinders Sneak Peek Blog reveals as stated in the “Rules”. This name will be drawn to receive the die being revealed and any other dies listed as a part of said blog give-away. These entries must follow all rules stated below to be valid for the drawing.

Entrants visiting all 16 Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peeks Blog reveals and correctly entering their information into the 16 separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of all 28 NEW RELEASE dies debuting at the Winter Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim, California, on January 25-28, 2009!

Rules

Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek die give away must adhere to all of the following rules:

1. Participant must click on the provided link on Reveal blog to enter each individual drawing on sneak peeks between January 5 and January 20, 2009.
2. Participant must type in the subject line the name of the die being revealed.
3. Participant must send their entry for this blog before 12:00 midnight Central Standard Time on January 15, 2009.
4. Participant is only allowed to enter each of the 16 Spellbinders sneak peek blog give away drawings one time per sneak peek. Participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same e-mail address from January 5th through the 20th and plan accordingly.
5. Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.
Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peek Grand Prize drawing, must enter the drawing from all of the 16 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.

Please note:
*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.
*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.
*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications(close up this paragraph)other than to contact the winner.
*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage SpellbindersPaperArts.com and sign up SpellbindersPaperArts.com for their newsletter.

(If you use an e-mail client that does not work with this pop-up box, you may copy and paste this address to send your entry to: ContestDay10@spellbinders.us)

For questions regarding the contest, please send an e-mail to: ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us

For more Spellbinders product release information go to www.SpellbindersPaperArts.Com

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today! I had SOOO much fun creating these projects with the darling Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200) die templates! Just one more set of dies to add to your wish list, right???

81 comments:

Judi Markel said...

I love the projects you did with these new dies from Spellbinders. You did a great job. These are going to the top of my wishlist. Thank you for sharing these projects.

Hugs
Judi

Michelle L. said...

Wow, those flower dies are awesome, and so are your projects. Thanks for sharing!

liannallama said...

oh, fantastic! Thanks for showing all the ways to do these--I love your projects!

Anonymous said...

I really love the projects you made with the flower dies.

Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne S
Alberta Canada

Margie Higuchi said...

You're right! These flowers are stinkin' cute...ah, another one on my wish list! Heehee!!!

Heidi Blankenship said...

Wendy, all of your projects are Fabulous!! I LOVE the heart shaped wreath, it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Your "Green" Flower book marks are Fantastic and your card is very pretty too! I love all of your step shots. Thanks so much for sharing! Can't wait to see you soon!

Sharon Harnist said...

Great projects, Wendy -- I especially love your framed art! It really shows off these little dies so well.

Anonymous said...

The Mod Squad?! OMG... memory lane!
Great projects.
- Mary Garvey

There She Goes Clear Stamps said...

These are fabulous projects Wendy! I love those dies, sooo cute :)

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

What fabulous dies! I love the awesome flowered heart.

pbo said...

Beautiful projects!

Anonymous said...

Very Cool. I'm new to you blog. I just read the whole entire blog. Back to front cover. Love the reverse stenciling. Beautiful stamp cabinet.

LaNA

Marianne said...

They seem very versatile, and I love what you did with them !!! Thanks for the details of 'reverse stenceling too'...will try that out today !

Janine said...

Love your heart - lots of work but stunning

Jami said...

WOW - these projects are all amazing. I LOVE your green clips though - I never thought to use soda cans with the spellbinders!! So cool!
hugs, Jami

BPB said...

Frame with the heart is a great.
You have a big talent , Wendy.

Salute - Lengow.

Jan Castle said...

You did it again! The wreath is beautiful!!!!!!
Jan

Loving Textiles said...

DIE NAME: Flower Bouquet Miniabilities
DIE SKU # S4-200


how versatile re these dies!!! they are great. Love what you have played and produced.
Thanks for the inspiration
Pam
phicks92@yahoo.com.au

ribenaruby said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful wreath project.

Kittie said...

Gorgeous, Wendy girl! I have been anxious to see what your projects would be. Those adorable little flowers are right up your ally.

Sue said...

Love these little flowers! And yes, I remember Peggy Lipton having those pants as well!!

Kathynruss said...

These are the first Nesties in the new release that I have got to have as soon as they are available. You've done marvelous things with them, especially your forever frame. Gorgeous!

Jenn said...

great projects, Wendy!

Anonymous said...

This new die set is sooo stinkin' cute! I adore what you did with it. Your projects are very inspiring!
Karen M.

StampinCathy said...

Wow all your projects are just AWESOME! Love this die and love all your creative ways you used it. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

Nicole S. said...

These are so fabulous. I especially love your second project--the flower bookmarks with the paperclips--they are so adorable yet so simple. Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Your projects are wonderful - especially the frame...wow. Thanks for sharing your creativity!

Jeni Calkins said...

I love the book marks and the wreath is gorgeous with all the perfect details.

Karen G said...

Love what you did to create the heart. These have so many possibilities like you said and you just opened the door. Can't wait to see more.

Vicki said...

wow, I loved your projects...the heart was especially beautiful. You are very talented!

Beth Pingry said...

Adorable as usual Wendy!

Dottie K. said...

Wow I love that frame. It's beautiful. Of course you're other projects are great also. Thanks for sharing. :)

Monika/Buzsy said...

Your projects are fabulous! Love the heart shape frame made with those pretty 'flowers'. Very creative. TFS!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous projects! I especially love the wreath.

Lastel said...

These dies are awesome as are all your projects ! I have sent in my entry !

Kacey Elliott said...

WOW - that sure was a lot of work - but so worth it! You created some beautiful projects, thanks for showing us how you made them!

Unni said...

Sooo many cool things you made out of these dies.... Wonderful :)

Hugs from Unni

Marilyn Nimmo said...

How creative you are! Love those projects.

Carla said...

VERY cool projects, Wendy!! You rocked these dies, and made them irresistable!!

Bethany Paull said...

Your heart frame is incredible! Although the cute bookmarks are more my crafting speed. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with the ADORABLE new dies.

Sarah said...

That is one wickedly wonderful heart!! Awesome job!!!

Karen said...

SHUT UP!!!!! Wowzers my friend, these are amazing projects. Your tutorial on how to do it is fabulous! I bow to you! I love love love that forever wreath and the soda pop can clips - too clever and stinkin' cute! Love ya!
Karen

Anne said...

Truly gorgeous, Wendy!

Lenoria said...

Your design with these are great! I love these - added these to my hvae to have list!

Steph Ackerman said...

I love your projects, that heart and flowers is wonderful. I too remember Peggy Lipton of the Mod Squad - not too many people do!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, these little flower dies are really cute! You showcased them fantastically!

Bree said...

These Flower Bouquet Miniabilities are so cute... as are your projects! This set certainly looks like it is going to be fun to use!

Anonymous said...

Great job, Wendy! Fun projects and fun ways to use the new Flower dies. I particularly like the heart wreath - so beautiful!! It looks like a lot of work, but maybe for that special person in one's life it would be so worth it!

Donna C said...

TFS all these wonderful techniques . I love these little minis and your ideas are so inspiring !!!

BrendaLea, the Prpldy said...

Love those tiny dies! I can see tons of possibilities too! And I also love what you created! Great Job!

Valonda L. said...

Great job. I especially love the "forever" art piece. This looks like a really great set of dies.

Angela said...

Wow! I LOVE this little dies! The forever frame is lovely! I really love how you showcased these dies.

mitch1066 said...

oooh these are my favourite new release so far!!I love the fact that you used cereal cardboard and pop cans!!!

Holly's Hobbies said...

Your photos and projects look great, Wendy! Way to go! See you soon,
Holly

Jen said...

WOW WOW WOW!!! I'm new to your blog and WOW am I excited I found you. Terrific projects!! THanks so much for sharing!!

stampingtink said...

I never would have though about using dies in this way! What great projects! Thanks so much for sharing them! I love them all!

Sam said...

wow, I just love that Forever card. So so pretty and ingenious!

I am now off to email my entry!!

Marlis said...

I love these dies. And your projects are amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.

Shirley said...

Lovely projects, Wendy and great die set. I really like the one with the heart! Gorgeous art~

Dawn said...

fabulous Wendy!!!

Keri Lee Sereika said...

Wendy these projects are all AMAZING!!!! I adore your take on these dies! Well done!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful projects you made with these dies. Thanks for the great instructions for the techniques.

Betsy

Cazzy said...

Wow, what a bright blog! Thank you for all the great tips on using the dies, your projects are lovely.

Cazzy x

Marisa said...

This is an amazing project!! Totally gorgeous outcome too!

CraftyViolet said...

Love your ideas. I learned today, from your blog, that Spellbinders will cut soda pop cans (I don't drink pop but my SIL sure does) and that you can put ink on the dies before cutting to colour the paper - who would think???
Thank you

Violet

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Oh my gosh! I think these might be my favorite so far!!!

Erika M. said...

Your projects are just adorable! I can't wait to be able to purchase the new die sets.

Deb said...

Wow Wendy! Your projects are all wonderful, and your patience is astonishing! I'm amazed! That wreath is simply gorgeous!

Patty (SCS-pepperrn) said...

Oh Wendy, this are all fabulous! Thanks for the beautiful crations and ideas! Now if I could just win them!! LOL!!

Patty

scrappintlc said...

So elegant. Love them.

Ida said...

Wow your wreath is so beautiful! Love the flowers in the pot and what a pretty card. Great job with your projects.

Anonymous said...

Wow That Wreath is STUNNING!!!! This is my first visit to your blog, and I only got here because of the contest, but your work is gorgeous! Glad I found you!
Diane Cooper
diane7@rogers.com

Stampin_melissa said...

Totally awesome!! You did a fantastic job!

Kim P said...

The projects you do are amazing...calls for some good fine motor skills. Might be good therapy for me! ;-)

KarenB said...

These are SO cute! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

I just love these! They are so cute, and I can see myself using these in lots of different projects.

Tamara said...

Wow! your wreath is gorgeous, and thanks for the info about pop cans. I had not idea I could use my dies to cut through pop cans. I can't wait to get home and try it.

Wendy said...

The flower dies are so awesome!

Chelsea said...

Just thought I 'd let you know that I loved your example!!! It's lovely and showed how versatile these dies can be!

Nancy Jensen said...

I just love the projects you made with these new little dies. Good job!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I love so many of the new spellbinders but in Sheboygan WI our hobby stores do not carry very many so its hard to get these new ones, that I would love to have, OH well maybe someday. mmgstmaper