I am not left-handed

Class: Wonderful Day Waterfall Pop-up Layout

I am blessed to have a loyal group of students at Scrapp'n Savvy who sign up for my class every month. Last month I taught the You Make my Heart Sing Mini-Album with the waterfall heart feature. We were talking in class about what other pop-up dies would work well in a waterfall, so I decided to show a couple of options with this month's class. (This class is this Saturday, May 18, 2013 - there are a few spots left!)

"Wonderful Day" is a Layout class where I've used a waterfall technique with my brand new Pop 'n Cuts Square Base die to make a decorative-edged waterfall complete with a couple of pop-ups.

We will make the full spread in class - everything you see here. You'll also have a full sheet of alphabet stickers (used for the word "day") in your kit. I only added a few photos to my sample layout to give a feel for how it will look with photos, but between the background and the waterfall, there is room for many, many photos! I suggest documenting a "wonderful day" when you were quite the shutterbug!

The title embellishment cluster features a few of my dies (Bigz Butterflies & Labels, Movers & Shapers Heart and Flower, Bigz Frame & Label, Bracket). You can choose a different second word for your title if you prefer - anything that you find wonderful, like family, life, garden, father, mother, son, daughter, granddaughter, DVR . .  you get the idea!

The decorative edge of the new Pop 'n Cuts Base die, plus the included flourish piece, really dresses up the look of the waterfall feature. Pull the tab at the right to engage the waterfall.

The first set of pages in the waterfall will reveal the first pop-up, a combination of two brand-new Journey Pop 'n Cuts dies - the Funky Label Insert and the Butterflies Movers & Shapers set. I've also strung some of the ribbons from the Label & Ribbon Movers & Shapers set as banners.

Keep pulling the tab and the first section will close and slide under and the next section will open. This is a picture/journaling spread - fill it however you like!

 

Keep pulling and the final spread will open, featuring the Spinning Platform die with the new Funky Label Framelits on top. The beauty of the "oldie-but-a-goodie" pop-up die is that it will spin the item out of the fold to lay flat and you can therefore use photos and rigid items on the platform without worrying about folds through people's faces.

Here is a Vine video showing the waterfall in action:

 WHAT TO BRING LIST:

• Scissors & Trimmer
• Tape Runner or favorite paper adhesive
• Mini-glue dots
• Scor Tape or Red Liner Tacky Tape
• Fine line glue pen (see that black flourish? Enough said!)
• Pop-dots/foam squares
• Tiny Attacher Stapler & staples
• Brown ink and blending tool (I used Vintage Photo)
• 12x12 page protector (if you want me to show you how to alter it to hold the waterfall)

See you then!

Pop[up] Spotted: Accordion Album Inspiration

Next week I'm heading to Massachussetts for The Collins Rep Group's Spring 2013 Education event. This event is for retailers to gather education ideas to use in their stores. I will be teaching a Pop 'n Cuts class using the new Journey collection, shipping in June, 2013.

There is also an evening with Make 'n Takes. Retailers can make their way around a large ballroom making quick projects from all the manufacturers. With the popularity of the Accordion Album and companion Frame & Label Bracket dies, this is a set of dies that I'd like to see in every store with a display sample to show how the dies work. My Make 'n Take will be this simple Accordion Album project. Retailers can choose to make the album in the red color scheme or the yellow. Bazzill provided my favorite cardstock for this album - the ultra sturdy and smooth Card Shoppe, which now comes in 12x12 size, meaning you can make a 4-page album from one piece of cardstock! AWESOME! The patterned papers are from the new Bazzill Mac collection, by Heidi Lynn Schreiber. The "Celebrate" greeting is a Hero Arts stamp.

This project also incorporates two of the upcoming Journey dies - the Funky Label Framelits (robot and Celebrate panels) and the Heart & Flower Movers & Shapers (the robot's heart) 

Now, the title of this post promised some "spots" and spots you shall see! I'm going to dedicate this post to the Accordion Album die, which is back in stock at retailers if you act quickly. Check with your local store first - we really need to support our local retailers or we aren't going to have any! Just sayin'! 

First up, Donna Gibson's absolutely AMAZING Parisian album. She has close-up shots of each panel set on her blog post, so don't miss the opportunity to click and drool. She even decorated the back of the album! For this album she used both the Album and Frame & Label dies and linked together 6 panels of the album.

While you're falling in love with Donna's blog, make sure you also check out her Be Yourself Doublehigh Album Card. This is a perfect illustration of how versatile this die is. You can use it standard height (see above) or double height (see below) by following my Doublehigh Accordion Album tutorial. You also get to pick how many panels you link together. Donna used 6 panels for Paris and 2 panels for Be Yourself. 

Speaking of doublehigh albums, this project by Anna-Karin Evaldsson made my jaw drop doublefar! You simply must click over and see a close-up of that globe. Everything about this project is amazing!

Kelly Booth shows yet another adaptation of the album, which is to fold the inner panels with the same valley fold as the outer frames. This creates a fifth panel (the back of the first panel) for the front of the album. Click on over to see the fifth panel, featuring more of her incredible Copic coloring!

Shelly Hickox and I have decided we have synergy, which I always thought meant "loves to procrastinate with text messages and Scramble games" but apparently it means we feed off each other (creatively, not zombie-ly) and have been known to come up with similar ideas.

A while back and unbeknownst to either we were simultaneously working on versions of the Accordion Album cut from a clear material to achieve a floating effect.

My project was a belated birthday card for Kelly. I chose to keep the outer frames as the "clear" part of the album and added the Tim Holtz Pediments die on top of the album. 

Shelly also used clear panels in her Time Machine Birthday card, but used the inner panels as the clear parts, even adding another pop-up die to the mix to give her even more clear platforms for her gears.

The other great thing about synergy is that it is contagious! After these two clear projects were posted there was a wave of great clear album projects and clever adaptations showing up on blogs worldwide! 

Wendee Deal's It's Spring card

 

Helen Cryer's Butterfly Card

Torrey Moseley's Heavy Metal Album

Sandy Diller's Dad Green Album

Fran Sabad's Wonderful Mother Album (notice she used clear paneling to make the hearts float and line up when the album is closed!)

Well I could go on spotting all day, but I've got to finish up some class kits for tomorrow's "You Make My Heart Sing" Album class. What will you create with the Accordion Album and Frame & Label, Bracket dies? 

Have a crafty weekend!

CLASS: "You Make my Heart Sing" Pop-up Mini-album

This Saturday, April 13th, I will be teaching this pop-up mini-album class at Scrapp'n Savvy in Spring, TX. There are some seats left if you're interested. The cost is $35 and includes all materials to make the project as shown.

Optional after-class purchases to decorate your album further will include a coordinating alphabet sticker sheet and a paper with journaling cards and captions.

If you'd like to make more of these albums in other colors you can also purchase Karen Burniston products after class including the Echo Park Interactive Chipboard Album, the Pop-up Heart die, the Photo Wheel die, the Love Sizzlits Set and the Heart & Wing Movers & Shapers set. 

 

The front of the album features a waterfall card with a bit of a twist - I've used the Pop-up Heart die three times to make it a pop-up waterfall feature. I am never a fan of things "flopping" in mini-albums, so there is a heart twist closure to keep the waterfall secured to the page when not being used. Simply spin the heart out of the way before pulling.

The chipboard album has built-in pull-out pages, making it the perfect choice for a pull-tab pop-up. I simply attached the end of the waterfall's pull tab to the album's tab so that pulling out the page will also engage the waterfall. Each of the three waterfall spreads features a pop-up heart with room for photos, journaling and embellishments. I did a modest amount of decorating of my album to show some ideas, but the choices are all yours for how to combine your photos, journaling, stickers and embellishments. Your kit will include the embellishment sticker sheet that you see featured on my pages.

Inside the album are two more spreads to hold photos and journaling, plus the pull-out pages. 

On the final interior page is a Photo Wheel. I thought it would be fun to cut the front of the photo wheel from Bazzill Plastic Paper (also available for purchase at the store) so all the photos are visible, but then when you spin the wheel one photo is highlighted in the window with a white frame.

The back of the album also has a pull-out and space for more photos. This album can hold a lot of memories! 

The papers are all from Echo Park's For the Record 2 "Documented" collection, by Lori Whitlock. I love this collection and how gender-neutral it is. Decorate your album with photos of anyone (or anything) that makes your heart sing!

Here is a Vine video showing the waterfall in action:

 

Please bring the following items to class:

• Scissors
• Trimmer
• Tape runner or favorite adhesive for attaching paper to chipboard
• Big Bite or 1/4" chipboard hole punch (for punching the holes back - we can share)
• Crop-a-Dile (small hole for a jump ring - we can share)
• Craft Knife and Cutting Mat
• Red liner tacky tape (any size, but 1/4" will be the easiest)
• Glue dots 
• Tiny Attacher stapler and staples
• Paper piercer
• Pop dots
• Two pairs of pliers (if you have them) to open and close a stiff jump ring
• White Sharpie or paint pen (if you have one) to highlight the photo wheel window frame. I will bring mine to share.

Hope to see you there!

UStamp with Dawn and Friends Big Shot Roundup Project #2: Amour Dress Card

 

My second project for the current UStamp with Dawn and Friends event has been posted to the site. Members can log in and get access to the PDF supply list/instructions plus a private video tutorial for how to create this card using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Pop 'n Cuts Card Base plus the Dress up Framelits.

This card is a standard A2-size, meaning it will fit in a regular envelope. When the card is closed the dress is flat. Open the card and the dress expands. Here is a quick Vine video to show this card in action: 

This is the third time I've been a guest designer for Dawn's events and I have enjoyed every one of them. I have already agreed to design for her next event as well. What's so nice about these worldwide online events is that a new project is posted every 12 hours but you can log in at any time and view/download/save any of them. There is a photo gallery where you can upload your own versions of the projects and live chats where you can interact with the other students and designers as well as meet new friends and win fabulous prizes!

The majority of the designers and students are Stampin' Up! demonstrators, who find the projects very helpful for re-teaching to their customers. For example, Cyndi is registered for the event and taught my first project, the Floating Framelits Card, to her customer, the fabulous Shelly Hickox, and together they made this gorgeous version of the card, including taking the idea further with additional techniques.

You do not, however, have to be a demo to join this event. You just have to love Stampin' Up! products (and who doesn't?) and love being inspired by cool ideas! 

Amped-up Pop 'n Cuts Class - Scrapbook 'n Such

For National Scrapbooking Day Weekend, May 3-6, 2013, I'll be heading to Scrapbook 'n Such in Wichita Falls, TX to teach a Pop 'n Cuts card class, plus I'll be doing several demos of Sizzix dies and machines, including the eclips. 

I am sending a set of original cards to the store, but in the meantime, here is a video preview of the class projects so you can see them in action.

 

We're going to do three "amped up" Pop 'n Cuts cards with dies that are available now (and you can purchase after class) and then one bonus card using dies from the new Journey collection, and you can pre-order those dies.

The first "amped up" card will be the Star birthday card, showing how to use the "stand-up" Pop 'n Cuts inserts for a horizontal cascading effect.

*NOTE* You are always welcome to bring coordinating inks and blending tools to "grunge" up your cards. Typically I show them "clean". Ink colors that would work well for this card would be a medium blue or green.

Next up, the Floating Floor for the Frame Pop 'n Cuts insert.

For the frame card I used a little Vintage Photo distress ink on the edges - bring brown ink if you like this look.

For the final "amped" technique, I decided to make a "Hello" version of my mirror card. This is a fun technique for use with any of the word Pop 'n Cuts inserts. By purposely die cutting the piece backwards and then orienting it upside-down, the word will read correctly when viewed in the mirror, which is suspended into the background of the card. The effect is fun - a "floating" word.

For the three cards shown, your kit will have everything pre-cut so we can finish all three cards. I will demonstrate the steps for how I die cut each pop-up and you will receive full supply lists and instructions for recreating the cards.

For the BONUS card, you will be some of the first to play with the new Journey collection dies, which will ship in June. This Father's Day card uses the Chair Pop 'n Cuts Insert, the Foyer Textured Impressions Set, the Heart & Flower Movers & Shapers set and the Wavy Labels Framelits Set.  You will do the embossing in class and the other pieces will be pre-cut. Coloring your embossed scene is optional and will not be done in class. Chalks or markers will work great for coloring. I used Copics on my sample:

Please bring these tools and supplies to class: 

• Scissors & Trimmer
• Tape Runner (or favorite paper adhesive)
• Mini glue dots
• Fine line glue pen
• Scoring tool & ruler (I recommend an embossing stylus if you have one)
• Tiny Attacher (if you have one)
• Needle-nosed pliers (if you have them) - helpful for working with jump rings
• Sanding block
• Coordinating inks and blending tools or sponge
• Optional: markers or chalks for coloring embossed scene (this can always be done at home later)
• Camera or smart phone for taking photos of all my sample cards (I bring A SUITCASE FULL OF SAMPLES!)
• Recommended: print out photos of these cards to refer to during class. You will receive small color photos on your handouts, but full-size photos would be even better!

Would love to see you there!

Scrapfest Louisiana Class Photos

Tomorrow and Saturday I'll be teaching a Pop 'n Cuts Card Class at Scrapfest in Covington, Louisiana.

Here are the four cards that we will complete in class:

Card #1: Intro to Pop 'n Cuts

Card #2: Amped up Frame Card with Floating Floor

Card #3: Amped up Star Card with Cascading Stars

Card #4: Amped up Hello card with Mirror technique

Please bring these tools and supplies to class: 

• Scissors & Trimmer
• Tape Runner (or favorite paper adhesive)
• Mini glue dots
• Fine line glue pen
• Scoring tool & ruler (I recommend an embossing stylus if you have one)
• Tiny Attacher stapler (if you have one)
• Needle-nosed pliers (if you have them) - helpful for working with jump rings
• Sanding block
• Coordinating inks and blending tools or sponge (I used Vintage Photo on the Frame card)
• Camera or smart phone for taking photos of all my sample cards (I bring A SUITCASE FULL OF SAMPLES!)
• Recommended: print out photos of these cards to refer to during class. You will receive small color photos on your handouts, but full-size photos would be even better!

See you tomorrow!

 

SU Project for UStamp with Dawn & Friends - Easter Pop 'n Cuts Card

I was a last minute addition to the current UStamp with Dawn and Friends online event, Grow Creative Love as a guest designer.

If you want access to the supply list, PDF instruction sheet and private video tutorial for this project you would need to go to UStamp with Dawn and Friends to purchase access. I can't remember exactly how many projects were posted by the amazing designers Dawn has assembled, but it was a lot! 

Easter Pop 'n Cuts card using Stampin' Up! Products

I've been invited to guest design at a future UStamp event this year, so I'll post the particulars when I know more.

Heading to California tomorrow and will be teaching all day at Stampers Corner on Saturday. The classes are sold out but there is a free demo from 1:00-2:00 pm if you want to stop by and see Pop 'n Cuts dies in action.

Stamper's Corner, Elk Grove, CA Pop 'n Cuts Class February 2013

Hello California! Did you know that the time difference between Elk Grove and Houston is actually a week? So it's February 1st here! 

What? Not buying it? Ha ha.

OK, a mere week later than promised, I'm posting the cards for the February 23rd class at Stamper's Corner.

We're going to do three "amped up" Pop 'n Cuts cards with dies that are available now (and you can purchase after class) and then one bonus card using dies from the new Journey collection, and you can pre-order those dies.

The first "amped up" card will be the Star birthday card, showing how to use the "stand-up" Pop 'n Cuts inserts for a horizontal cascading effect.

*NOTE* You are always welcome to bring coordinating inks and blending tools to "grunge" up your cards. Typically I show them "clean". Ink colors that would work well for this card would be a medium blue or green.

Next up, the Floating Floor for the Frame Pop 'n Cuts insert.

For the frame card I used a little Vintage Photo distress ink on the edges - bring brown ink if you like this look.

For the final "amped" technique, I decided to make a "Hello" version of my mirror card. This is a fun technique for use with any of the word Pop 'n Cuts inserts. By purposely die cutting the piece backwards and then orienting it upside-down, the word will read correctly when viewed in the mirror, which is suspended into the background of the card. The effect is fun - a "floating" word.

For the three cards shown, your kit will have everything pre-cut so we can finish all three cards. I will demonstrate the steps for how I die cut each pop-up and you will receive full supply lists and instructions for recreating the cards.

For the BONUS card, you will be some of the first to play with the new Journey collection dies, which will ship in June. This Father's Day card uses the Chair Pop 'n Cuts Insert, the Foyer Textured Impressions Set, the Heart & Flower Movers & Shapers set and the Wavy Labels Framelits Set.  You will do the embossing in class and the other pieces will be pre-cut. Coloring your embossed scene is optional and will not be done in class. Chalks or markers will work great for coloring. I used Copics on my sample:

Please bring these tools and supplies to class: 

• Scissors & Trimmer
• Tape Runner (or favorite paper adhesive)
• Mini glue dots
• Fine line glue pen
• Scoring tool & ruler (I recommend an embossing stylus if you have one)
• Tiny Attacher (if you have one)
• Needle-nosed pliers (if you have them) - helpful for working with jump rings
• Sanding block
• Coordinating inks and blending tools or sponge
• Optional: markers or chalks for coloring embossed scene (this can always be done at home later)
• Camera or smart phone for taking photos of all my sample cards (I bring A SUITCASE FULL OF SAMPLES!)
• Recommended: print out photos of these cards to refer to during class. You will receive small color photos on your handouts, but full-size photos would be even better!

I am sending a set of original cards out to the store for display, so you'll be able to stop in and take a look at them if you're on the fence about signing up. Don't worry if you don't like my color choices - come to learn all the techniques! That's the real take-away of a Pop 'n Cuts class - learning all the tips/tricks for these dies.

Would love to see you there!

Card Class - Amped up Pop-ups!

This Saturday's class at Scrapp'n Savvy will feature three cards using pop-up dies with an added technique or twist. As a bonus, students will also get to make a bonus card from my CHA class featuring the next release of Pop 'n Cuts dies - the Journey collection, which will be available in stores this June.

First up, let's celebrate this season of Love using the Bigz Raising Platform die with the added technique of using the platform to raise up attached items. In this case, I've used the Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes die, which he was nice enough to design as a near-spiral just for me! (Or so I tell myself) The papers ar We R Memory Keepers "Crazy for You".

 

 

Class Project #1: Love Card

Other dies being used on this card include the Love Sizzlits Set (Love & hearts) and the center of the Ornate Plate die (front label)

The other projects will use Pop 'n Cuts dies. For this project, the Pop 'n Cuts Star Insert is used three times to create a cascade of pop-up stars. This also converts the Star Insert, which would typically be made as a vertical card, into a horizontal card.

Class Project #2: Star Birthday Card

The other dies being used on this card are the Pop 'n Cuts Base Die, the Party Sizzlits Set (stars, streamer) and the Bigz Frame & Label (front label). Papers & Cardstocks are Bazzill.

The last "amped up" card uses the Frame Pop 'n Cuts insert with a version of the Floating Floor technique behind the frame. By using a floating floor, I was able to move the Flagpoles away from the frame for more dimension.

 

 

Class Project #3: Thinking of You Card

 Other dies used on this card are the Pop 'n Cuts Base Die, Hello Sizzlits Set (vine), the Heart & Wing Movers & Shapers set (hearts) and the Label & Ribbon Movers & Shapers set (banners). For the front of the card I used Eileen Hull's Hydrangea & Borders die. Papers and cardstock are all Bazzill.

For the Bonus Card, students will get a taste of dies to come!  

Class Project #4: Bonus Thanks Card (Journey Collection)

Dies used on this card (the dies will be available in June) are the NEW 5x5 Square Pop 'n Cuts Base Die, the Funky Label Pop 'n Cuts Insert, the Funky Label Framelits and the Heart & Flower Movers & Shapers set. I've also used the Eileen Hull Heart Flowers die (available now).

If you are a student, here's what you should bring:

• Scissors & Trimmer
• Tape Runner (or favorite paper adhesive)
• Mini glue dots
• Fine line glue pen
• Scoring tool & ruler (I recommend an embossing stylus if you have one)
• Tiny Attacher (if you have one)
• Sanding block
• Brown ink (I used Vintage Photo Distress ink) and a blending tool or sponge
• Recommended - print the photos above (click to make them bigger) so you'll have them for reference in class
• Recommended - watch the assembly video for the Raising Platform die for a general understanding of how it works.
•  

See you on Saturday!

Christmas Circle Album Class PLUS winners!

On December 1st I'll be teaching an interactive Christmas Circle Album at Scrapp'n Savvy in Spring, TX. The first two sessions sold out so we've added a third. Call the store if interested.

I enjoyed creating this class with one of the Interactive Chipboard Albums that I designed for Echo Park. The paper line is Very Merry Christmas by Jessica Sprague for Echo Park. There are also several of my new Hearth & Home Sizzix dies worked into the class.

Speaking of the new dies, here are the winners of the GIVEAWAY, chosen by random number from members of my mailing list who left a comment on my last post. If you are not already a member of my mailing list, fear not a full in-box because I am absolutely terrible at sending out e-mails. But when I do, I will often give the list a chance to win a prize, so just hunt up the blue button in the left sidebar and sign up!

Peg and Nancy each get to pick two dies from the Hearth & Home collection - either Pop 'n Cuts inserts, matching accessory Sizzlits, or Bigz dies. I'll be contacting you both by e-mail for your addresses. Congratulations!

Peg Smith - I'm So excited these products are in the stores now!! A must have for me is the ALBUM ACCORDIAN FLIP 3D. I haven't been this excited for a long time! You're work is exquisite! 

Nancy Walker - I just love all the new Pop 'n Cuts Hearth and Home series dies. I have a few now, but I would love to add the ribbon tree insert to my collection. I hope Santa is listening!

Here are more photos of the class. 

The first interior spread has a chipboard flap on the left page, held down by a small circle of Velcro. Open the flap to reveal the pop-up Poinsettia:

Turn the page to the second interior spread and notice the Accordion Album on the right page, held down by an oval-shaped closure.

Spin the oval to release the album and use the tab on the right to pull it open:

I didn't photograph the back of the album, but it offers more real estate for photos and journaling. Plus, each page has a pull-out section, so you'll be able to cram a ton of memories into this album!

There are some accessory items (optional purchase) that you can buy at the store to further embellish your album with matching stickers, etc. and you'll also have some leftover paper.

Here are the tools and supplies you'll need in class:

• Scissors and Trimmer
• Adhesives - whatever you most like for wallpapering paper to chipboard. Some wet glues that I like for this are Tombow's blue mono and Zip Dry (but you have to work fast). I also have used a tape runner, but you'll use a lot, so bring a refill. Some of my instructor friends swear by Yes Paste.
• Other adhesives - small pop-dots will be great to elevate the layered wreath. You'll also want a strong tape, like tacky tape or Scor-tape, for attaching the Accordion Album. I always like having mini glue dots in class - very helpful for flourishes, etc.
• Stapler and staples (you'll use this to keep the templates attached to the papers while cutting)
• Crop-a-Dile or 1/4" chipboard hole punch. 
• Paper piercer
• Craft knife and sanding block - these are helpful for making adjustments to the edges of the album
• Clean brayer - optional, but this can be great if you're using wet glue to wallpaper the pages.
• Adirondack Metallic Paint Dabber - Pearl (Karrie will have these for sale in the store)

Hope to see you there!