Have you been looking for a way to entertain your children on a rainy day (or any day for that matter)? Well, kid’s activity bags using Sizzix Bigz dies are the way to go! I have been so excited to make these and I finally got around to it! Since I’m moving to Texas in a short time, I may have to throw out my scraps of fabric and felt, so I wanted to put them to good use before that happens and I am SO glad I did!

First off, I have to rave about the Sizzix Bigz dies. I just can’t get over the fact that you can use your dies for fabric and felt! It really is so fun. You can do so many things with them! I got the Bigz Birds #3 for this project in mind and my daughter is in love with making birds. Can I just say, how cute would these birds be sewn onto a little shirt or onsie? Maybe an upcoming project? Hmmm…..

So, let’s get down to our explanation. Activity bags! Throw some projects in a bag for your kiddos to do when they’re bored/when it’s raining/learning how to count/or just to have fun. I’ve made a little felt pizza for my daughter since she loves to cook and she loves to put all the toppings on. With the Sizzix Bigz dies, it takes all of the work out of doing these bags and makes them 100 times cuter than what I could ever cut out.

For the birds, I used my Cuttlebug to cut out 3 complete sets of birds, so she has a lot to work with. I made different “dresses” out of pattern fabric for the birds to wear. I’ll tell you right now that changing clothes on birds is a LOT of fun! It even won out on the fun-ness meter over Daddy’s super cool helicopter he was flying around the house (which she watched for hours). Without furter adieu….

I also used the super cute Wheelbarrow and Flowers die so we could keep up our numbers learning and count flowers. I used a hot glue gun to adhere the flower centers and the leaves since the pieces were small enough for a little guy to eat. Once again, I cut out the main wheelbarrow out of felt and then made different “dresses” to change on it as well. The same  idea was used for the trees as well. The tree top was the PERFECT shape to use for clouds, so that’s why my blue, fluffly clouds are so perfectly shaped.

Products used:

2000293 – Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine V2

Fabric and Felt

657685 – Sizzix Bigz Birds#3 Die

657697 - Sizzix Bigz Tree & Heart Die

657698 - Sizzix Bigz Wheelbarrow and Flowers

Glue gun

Have fun with it! I know your kids will love activity bags and it will give them something to do if your going on a road trip this summer! Something fun for the car ride! Something for a rainy day! Who wouldn’t need these in their house?

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Stacy

What a fun and exciting way to start Spring off – when Sizzix meets Suga Pop! Kaisercraft paper and the Sizzix Framelits Die Set are seriously the way to go and you’ll love every project you make with them. Just peruse through the sample pictures, I dare you! You may not be able to resist yourself (sometimes like me) and you’ll have to have it all! I had a really tough time deciding which paper I was going to get just because all of the Kaisercraft paper is to die for.

I wanted to make a bajillion cards to show you just how adorable these projects were, but alas, it was way too late (again) and I was able to get one finished before my eyes started to close. I promise to have more finished beauties from these two products in the near future. They’re just so irresistible.

Products used:

658701 – Sizzix Framelits Die Set 9pk with Stamps Word Labels

PK424 – Kaisercraft Siga Pop Paper Pack 12×12

Tim32861 – Tim Holtz Distress Ink Festive Berries

Tim32830 – Tim Holtz Disress Ink Ripe Persimmon

S6-001 – Spellbinders 5×7 Matting Basics A

1/8″ Scor-tape

6046 – Want2Scrap Baby Bling Pink Rhinestone

Stamp Block

Cuttlebug

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Stacy

When we got the Sizzix Ballroom Slippers I thought right away that these would be perfect for decorating our daughters room. Our two year old is such a diva and has a fascination with shoes (especially high heals). We just sat down yesterday and started to play with the die set and these are what we came up with.

What we did was grabbed some of our double sided 6×6 paper pads, ran the dies through our Cuddlebug, and glued everything together; they are so simple and even give you crease lines to fold on. I really liked how the shoe turned out from the Teresa Collins Vintage Finds paper stack. We used double sided paper for most of them because the other side will be seen but they look really nice when you can see the white paper as well.  You can use really anything to finish them off: flowers, gems, or any other accessory to complete these fun filled shoes. We used on some of them Sizzix Summer Florals and Medallions which were really fun to make, Just cut out, fold along the perferations, glue the ends together, and stick something in the middle to hold it in place.

This was a really fun project and we are excited to do more of them to put around our girls room. Hope you have fun with it as well.

Resipe:

658346: Sizzix-Ballroom Slippers

658340: Sizzix-Summer Florals

658339: Sizzix-Medallions

4500628: Graphic 45-Sunflower

4500634: Graphic 45-Deja Vu

6×6201: My Minds Eye-A Mothers Love

VF1010: Teresa Collins-Vintage Finds

13417435: Bo Bunny-Serenade

2170: Want2Scrap-Orange Rhinestones

2294: Want2Scrap-Gun Metal Pearls

2228: Want2Scrap-Amber Rhinestones

2292: Want2Scrap-Coral Pearls

Ribbon

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Heather and Doug

I love seeing a picture of a finished project and then getting all of the goods to make the project! The Sizzix English Garden Card really is great for any occasion. I didn’t put a specific occasion on mine yet either since I didn’t have anything coming up. I could use it for a wedding, a birthday, a baby shower, anything! The other thing I loved about it was that it was so easy to make! It uses the Sizzix Sizzlits dies and they are so great to cut ANYTHING with. Really, anything at all. For this card, you don’t even use all of the pieces, and I almost made a second card with all of my leftovers….if I didn’t have to go to bed. Get your favorite cardstock out and get crafty!

Products Used:

2000293- Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine

658502 – Sizzix Sizzlits Die: Flower , Daisy

658506 - Sizzix Sizzlits Die: Vintage Doily

658508 - Sizzix Sizzlits Die: Roses Flower

658517 – Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folder: Doily and Roses Set

Cardstock/ Patterned paper

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Stacy

I love making things to give away and this mini petal Easter basket is a quick and easy little gift for co-workers, friends and family members! My kids are all grown now, and they are all “watching what they eat”, so I thought this would be a perfect size to give each of them for just a little treat this Easter.  Definitely not enough to ruin their healthy living lifestyle, but enough to satisfy their sweet tooth!

This project was easy. I actually ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot Pro machine just because I wanted to use a 12 x 12 piece of paper, so I could fit 2 baskets per sheet, but this die will work in most of the manual die cutting machines, if the opening is approximately 6″ wide, such as the Cuttlebug or Big Shot machines. All the folds lines are made when the die is cut, so it is easy to crease. All you have to do is glue the tabs.

The handle was cut from the left over paper with my paper cutter to approx. 3/4″ wide and glued on the inside. I added the flower on the side and filled it will a bit of Easter grass and candy! So simple! Of course, you could use this for parties, bridal showers or other occasions with or without a handle!

All you need is:

Heavy paper or cardstock. I used First Edition Spring Drop 12 x 12 Paper Stack, but any will do.

Adhesive

DC0243 Quickutz Petal Container

DR0295 Quickutz Bloom

Button

Die Cutting Machine (click HERE to see all that we have available)

Have a very Happy Easter!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

These Sizzix Fringe and Frolic Flowers are the cutest applique dies I have ever used! Seriously, so easy to use and so much fun! I bought these so I could make some really fast and cute bows for my daughter. I finally got my fabric out and went to work. I made 3 bows in about 40 minutes (with interruptions from kids). Really, all you need for this project is your die cutting machine (I use the cuttlebug), fabric, scissors, needle and thread, and some hot glue. I’m also going to make a little bouquet for my daughter to play with, so look for that in the future. Since I made bows, I did use some hair clips that I had lying around. If you need some, you can get a box of 200 at your local beauty supply store.

The pink flower and the blue/yellow flower were make from one single cut. The black and white bow was doubled up (meaning I cut two per color). I used two different colors on all three bows. After they’re cut, roll them up stitch the bottom with your thread. Try to stitch close to the flower because you’ll want to cut the excess material off of the bottom. Then, glue to your hair clip. So fun and so cute!

Also, I feel like fabric is a little better to use. The blue/yellow flower is made from felt and it was less forgiving and less bulky.

Products used:

657220 – Sixxiz Big L Borders Fringe and Frolic 3-D

Cuttlebug

Fabric or Felt

Ribbon

Hair clips

Hot glue

Needle/thread

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Stacy

Christmas is over and now it is time to look forward to scrapbooking the New Year! New Year’s Eve is a great time to take pictures at parties and family get togethers. Our family likes to play board games or watch a new movie and get sick on junk food before starting our New Year diet the next day.

You can find a great assortment of dies and embossing folders HERE in our New Year’s Eve Theme section. You’ll find it all from confetti that you can cut and use at your party to clocks that remind us that the new year comes after midnight.  Provo Craft, Quickutz and Sizzix have designed fireworks, drink labels, and Martini glasses- all are symbols of bringing in the New Year with a bang!

So remember to grab your camera and take lots of photos to document the passing of 2012 and bring on 2013!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Cut multiple shapes at once with fun Quickutz Punches! These punches are unlike most punches where you can only punch one shape at a time. You can easily cut multiple shapes at once with one pass through your die cutting machine!

Quickutz Punches are Cookie Cutter dies which means they are trimmed to just around the cutting edge of each die.  They are wafer thin and will use the same sandwich formula as the smaller Quickutz dies, however, you may need extended plates if you only have standard plates, as these dies are similar in length to Border Dies.

They come in a variety of shapes from Circles and Squares, to Skull and Crossbones! I have included a few examples, but you can see all of them HERE!

DC0386 Evergreen Punches:

DC0385 Holly Punches:

DC0236 Heart Punches:

DC0371 Skull & Crossbones Punches:

Use them individually to create multiple projects, or use them all together to make borders on cards and layouts! However you use them, you will find these fun and easy to use, and you won’t have hand cramps from pushing on a traditional punch! Now that’s a plus!

They are also easy to store since they take up very little space. You can also use them in most manual die cutting machines, such as the Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts, Prove Craft Cuttlebug, Sizzix Big Shot and Spellbinders Grand Calibur. (Please note that the Evolution is back ordered and not available to order until February 2013.)

Want to know how to use this type of punch? No problem! I will show you how in the video below. You won’t believe how easy they are to use!

I hope this will give you a new option for punching shapes if you are not able to use regular bulky punches!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

The day has come that we have all been waiting for- the Evolution Die Cutting Machine by Lifestyle Crafts is now available and is shipping! WHOO-HOO!

The Quickutz Evolution is the new 6-inch wide iniversal die-cutting, embossing & letterpress tool from Lifestyle Crafts. The Evolution universal craft tool allows you to die cut, emboss, and letterpress! It’s lightweight, portable, and compatible with all leading brand dies and embossing folders. This tool is perfect for scrapbooking, card making, home decor, and all craft projects! See HERE.

I couldn’t wait to get mine out of the box and start playing with it to see what it would do! Uh, pretty much everything! The only sandwich formula I am still trying to work out is for Spellbinders M-bossabilities, but when I figure it out, I will let you know!

I have been busy, busy making sure there is a video for the most popular products that are compatible with the Evolution, so you will have step by step instructions available. They are listed below.

The Evolution includes:

- Evolution tool
- Sturdy Metal Handle
- Large 6 x 13″ Cutting/embossing platform
- Mat A for cutting thin metal dies
- Mat B for cutting thick metal dies and embossing
- FREE Bonus Nesting die ($24.99 value!)

It is also compatible with the Genius Ultimate Platform System! This is awesome!

Some of the Evolution features I particularly liked right off were that is has a nice sturdy base, rubber feet to prevent sliding during use, large handle for carrying and holding machine in place, easy turn crank.

Honestly, I totally enjoyed using this machine! This would be a great gift for any scrapbooker or cardmaker you know!

You  can click on any of the links below to watch the videos using the Evolution with various products. I hope these will be helpful for you!

How To Use Spellbinders Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Sizzlits Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Quicktuz Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Framelits Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Embosslits Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Embossing Folders In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Cuttlebug Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

How To Use Bigz Dies In The Evolution by Lifestyle Crafts

FYI- If you are going to use Sizzix Bigz Dies in the Evolution, you will need to purchase a second GEN-MAT-B Embossing Mat ( B mat). You can find that item HERE. This mat can also be used with the Genius Ultimate Platform.

If you are in the market for a new die cutting machine, this one is definitely worth checking out!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Every body loves a sale and we are having a huge Labor Day Sale Aug. 31- Sept. 3!  Hundreds of items have been marked down, so you won’t want to miss out! These are fantastic prices that will enable you to get those items you have been longing for!

Now, I know the men will be hitting the home improvement stores for the tools they need, so ladies, now is your chance to shop for the tools you NEED for scrapbooking and card making at reduced prices! Whoo-hoo! Let’s go shopping!

We offer slashed prices on dies, stamps, paper, bling, design cards, embossing folders and accessories from many manufacturers like:

Quickutz        Spellbinders        Heartfelt Creations         JustRite Stampers       Tim Holtz       Hero Arts     

DCWV      Making Memories     Provo Craft Cuttlebug      My Min’s Eye      Want2Scrap    Sizzix

I can’t even begin to name everything there is in the sale! You will have to check it out for yourself. Remember, you don’t have to get dressed or put on your makeup to catch our sale-BONUS! It’s come as you are and don’t wait. Some of these items are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

All of us have preferences on which die cutting machine works best for us as an individual, but we all like being able to use all of the dies in our particular machine, which is why I did some playing and am going to tell you how to use Sizzix Pop N Cuts in various machines! They are really a cinch to use in all of the machines and they give you such great pop up cards!

What are Pop N Cuts you ask? The Sizzix Pop N’ Cuts are scrapbooking dies that can be run through your die cutting machine or Sizzix Big Shot to create pop up cards,invitations,greeting cards, and other craft projects you can think of. Simply run the die through the machine with your Sizzix pop n’ cuts base kit (657802) and you are on your way. YOU WILL NEED THIS TRAY kit in order to use ALL POP UP INSERTS!

Why are these dies so cool? They are interchangeable! Meaning you will be able to store your Sizzix pop n cuts in a very small amount of space.And what do we mean by interchangeable? well Karen Burniston designer for Sizzix says, “It starts with your base die which comes with the one die is all you need to make the outer portions of your CARD! Then the open space in the base includes a magnetic plate so that when you put your inserts inside and cut them you get a fantastic easy to assemble single piece pop up card.” Then when you are ready to do another card you simply take out the pop die insert and put in your other one and you are ready to go. See video below for demo!

The Big Shot and Vagabond machine will require the same sandwich formula as any Bigz XL die. Here you can watch the video using the Sizzix Vagabond Machine by Tim Holtz.

In this next video you can see how to use these dies in the Provo Craft Cuttlebug. So easy! You will want to use 2000201 Cuttlebug Cutting Mats B 6×13″ for your sandwich formula.

In this video you can see how to use this Bigz XL die in the Epic Six Tool by Lifestyle Crafts. You will need to purchase either 655267 Sizzix Extended Cutting Pad or 2000201 Cuttlebug Cutting Mats B 6×13″ to make your sandwich for this die.

Here is a short clip showing some of the new releases for the Pop N Cuts at CHA 2012 Summer Show. Lots of fun in store in those little packages!

I hope you have enjoyed the videos and have learned a lot regarding the Pop N Cuts dies. They are a lot of fun and amazingly simple to use! All that is required is a little imagination!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

You can make so many fun, new cards using the new Spellbinders dies! These dies are absolutely gorgeous and make it so easy to create a beautiful card for any occasion. A lot of these dies will give you a different look depending on which size product you choose to use. For example, I used the Resplendent Rectangles on two of the three cards and I just them! Each size is different, so you can get so much use out of them and make each piece different!

Card #1: I started with using the Kimberly’s Card Cuttlebug embossing folder in the background. Embossing folders give so much texture to a card! Then I used the Resplendent Rectangles to give a little more depth to the background, layered on those OH so adorable Blossom Five flowers that I use and love so much, and then gave the card a little frame focus by adding the Quickutz Botanical. After a few embellishment pearls and a cute stamp saying I was done!

Products used:

Cardstock/paper

DC0318  Quickutz Botanical

S5-147 Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles

S4-370 Spellbinders Blossom Five

4039 Beautiful Bling Strips Sleek Strips Pearls White

Find Joy in the Little Things stamp

Card #2: Here’s that Blossom Five die again! Can you tell that I can’t get enough of it? Just wait…it will be on my new layout! I used the Blossom Five for the background to my Spiral Blossom Four flower. Add a little foliage around my flowers, a bling in the center, the resplendent rectangles as the background for my saying and we’re done!

Products used:

Cardstock

2001311 Juli’s Garden Embossing Folder

S4-346 Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Four

S4-370 Spellbinders Blossom Five

S5-129 Spellbinders Foliage Two

MC-1 Multicolored Bling

“Thinking of You” stamp

Card#3: And last but not least the gorgeous Cherry Blossoms! I used the Kimberly’s Card embossing folder in the background for a second time and layered it with the Cherry Blossoms. This die is so gorgeous that I felt like keeping it simple and sticking to the one die.

Products used:

SA1017 Teresa Collins Sweet Afternoon 6×6 paper pad

SA1018 Sweet Afternoon paper and accessory kit (Sticker sayings)

2001225 Kimberly’s Card Embossing Folder

SA-378 Cherry Blossoms

4039 Beautiful Bling Strips Sleek Strips Pearls White

I hope you get some fun new ideas for your card making!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Stacy

Okay all you bargain shoppers, we are having an Inventory Reduction Sale! (Click HERE) We have over 130 products on sale at reduced prices that will make your head spin! This is your chance to get some of those scrapbooking and card making supplies that you have been holding out for! CHEAP!

We have items from the following manufacturers:

Quickutz, Spellbinders, DCWV, Sizzix, Want2Scrap, Provo Craft Cuttlebug, My Mind’s Eye, Teresa Collins, etc.

You will find everything from dies, paper and stamps, to bling! Now, who doesn’t need more bling? I sure do! Well, maybe I don’t NEED it, but at these prices I can afford to GET it anyway!!!

Some items are also on clearance that and only available while supplies last, so you don’t want to wait to long or you might miss out! You wouldn’t want to do that now, would you?

Speaking of clearance, we also have our fantastic ON CLEARANCE section you will want to be sure to visit each time you shop with us, as our clearance items change frequently. Don’t we almost always visit the clearance section at the department store first before shopping the rest of the racks? It seems to make sense that if we shop there first, we always get more for our money, which makes for a more fulfilling shopping spree! I love getting lots of stuff and knowing how much money I have saved by bargain shopping!

Please remember as you are shopping these sections that the VIP Coupon is NOT valid on sale or clearance items as they are already discounted.

Have fun shopping our web isles! I can guarantee you can shop for hours and never get sore feet! Wink, wink!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Want the latest in paper crafting fashion? Well, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders are in and walking the crafting runway! We are keeping up with the latest trend in embossing folders and let me just say…. these are STYLIN’! See HERE for the most recent arrivals.

Provo Craft has a folder style for everyone! From A2, 5×7, borders, folders w/matching border and sets. Take your pick!

You also have your choice of theme. Wedding, Spring, Summer, Christmas, Big Top and much more!

These Embossing Folders can be used in the Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Big Shot Pro, Vagabond, Epic Six Tool, Evolution and Grand Calibur Machines.  Some machines may require adapter mats (sold separately) to accommodate embossing folders.

For more information on these and other embossing folders, see HERE. For some easy tips and Techniques with embossing folders click HERE.

Here are a couple card examples using new Cuttlebug Embossing Folders.

Products Used:

Thank You Card:

2001227 Cuttlebug African Batik (A2)

MS-003-00093 DCWV Serenity Mat Stack

MS-003-00094 DCWV Serenity Solid Cardstock Mat Stack

657911 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK Tags, Fancy

657908 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK Rectangles

CR-03710 JustRite Stampers Anchors Away

Sentiment Card:

2001270 Cuttlebug Nathanial’s Penwork (5×7)

FAB150 Teresa Collins 8×8 Linen Paper Pad from Fabrications Collection

MS-003-00094 DCWV Serenity Solid Cardstock Mat Stack

657911 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 5PK Tags, Fancy

CR-03710 JustRite Stampers Anchors Away

Brown ink pad from  Stampin’ Up

For this card I embossed the front of my card, then rubbed my ink pad right over the embossed area to bring out the design from the pattern paper. This folder has the matching border included. I did not do that for the embossed strip, but it is an option.  You could also use embossing powder and a heat tool for some added flair.

I hope you have enjoyed our blogs this month on embossing folders. They are such a great tool to create beautiful cards, scrapbook embellishments and other projects with ease! I’m sure you will agree that they enhance class and elegance to your particular style.

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Have you tried Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms yet? If you have not, you really should give these little babies a whirl! They are so much fun to use and so easy, kids can do it! (We won’t discuss the fact that kids can do a lot more than us when it comes to some things nowadays.)

The set contains 3 spiral flowers and 3 leaf dies. Cut and emboss the spiral flowers and roll into beautiful tiny roses! Ink them, spray with Perfect Pearls or Glitter Mist, distress them, or leave them as is. You decide! They are beautiful on just about any project you can think of, and have I mentioned they are fun?

I whipped up this card and matching box with using the Bitty Blossoms in no time at all!

Products used:

DCWV Chateau Lavender Mat Stack

DCWV Chateau Lavender Cardstock Mat Stack

DCWV Le Tres Chic Cardstock Mat Stack (Click HERE for DCWV products)

S5-086 Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms

CL-03735 JustRite Violette Vintage Labels (Just a Note sentiment)

656546 Sizzix Scoreboards die Box w/Scallop Flap & Flowers  (I didn’t use these flowers on this project)

I used my Cuttlebug and extended plates with the Scoreboards die

If you would like to see how easy it is to use the Bitty Blossoms, you can see it in this video!

Well, what did you think? You would use the same technique with other spiral flowers.

Hope you all have a great Memorial Weekend! We will be closed for the holiday, but back on Tuesday! See you then!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie