Getting the Most Out of Your Sizzix Scallop Bag Die

I have the new Sizzix "Bag with Scallops" die cut. My first project with it was just a bag. Well, not an ordinary bag but a Valentine's Day bag complete with candy inside. To add a bit more to that bag I punched a hole in the one panel and added a piece of acetate (transparency) for a window to view what was in the bag. Kind of takes the surprise out of what is in the bag!!! LOL
Then the second thing I showed using the same bag die was a Valentine's Day box. Just click on the links to view either one of them. As with all of the photos on my blog, just click on them for a closer view of the images.

Next I made a smaller box with side flaps. For this one I didn't have to run any more card stock or paper through the machine, just the one! To make this box I first used a piece of chipboard that came in my decorative paper packs by Stampin' Up! That must have meant I used up a package of it!!! I find that highly unlikely, I'm such a hoarder!!! What probably happened was that I had purchased 2 packages and I merged what was left in the one to the new one!!! That sounds more like me!!! LOL

I ran that chipboard through the Sizzix using the bag die. Before you do this you want to make sure that the side you are going to have showing is the side you have face up on the die. You don't want the score marks on the side pieces to show on the outside of your box. You will not be folding those score marks in so if they don't come out on the chipboard it's no big deal. Once you have the pieces cut out you are going to be marking and cutting them down. Using your paper cutter, insert the straight end of the long strip (not the scallop end) in and cut off 1-7/8".

The next score mark that the die made you keep along with the following one. You will score the next line at 1-7/8" from the second score line from the straight edge. And your final score will be at 1-5/8" from the score line you just made. Next to the newest score line you will see the original score line the die made. DO NOT fold it or it will show on the outside. Fold the one you just made. Now you have two choices here. You can either keep the scallop on and work with it, decorating it and probably taping it, gluing it or using a magnet to keep it in place. Or you can cut it off at that original score line. I chose to cut my scallop off and decorate the front of my box. Set it aside.

Now pick up your side panels and cut 2-1/4 off the top of it and then score at 1/4" from the newly cut edge. Fold in the side and bottom scored lines only. Also fold the scored areas in on the long panel, except for the one closest to the scallop if you are keeping the scallop.

If you want to add a window to your box, now is the time to do it. Once you start attaching the sides it is almost impossible to add it. I would also recommend adding the acetate piece as well. Or you can leave it open depending on what you are putting inside.

Next take the side pieces and on the little scored piece cut a little wedge off each side. It will help the lid of the box close better. You will want to do the same thing to the little piece on the long panel (if you cut off the scallop). Cutting the wedge there will help that edge on the lid to go in the box nicer. Did you notice the words on the side of my box??? I wasn't paying attention to what side of the material I as cutting on!!! It's important to pay attention there. Especially if you are using double-sided decorative papers!!! OR chipboard that has wording on it!!!! LOL And the only way to cover it is to cover the whole box. Adding a layer just won't do it, it won't cover it all. But fortunately this box was for demo so I squeaked by on that one!!! LOL

To assemble, begin with the bottom flap of the side pieces. I used Aleen's Tacky glue to affix mine. I wanted something that would hold quickly and hold well. Mostly I was going for the quickly thing. Most liquid glues hold well!!

Once the bottom side pieces are glued into place and the glue is set enough, move on to gluing the sides to the front or the back. You do not want to glue a right side and then the left, you want to glue fronts or backs. Once the pieces are glued and the glue is set you are ready to decorate it up as you like. I used some hearts and ribbon for mine. Inside I added 4 Ghiradelli candies, there is room for 5 but I only had 4. They fit perfectly in the box and I didn't even plan it that way!!! Hmmm, it must have been meant to be!!! LOL

Tomorrow I will show you one more way to get the most out of this Sizzix die!!

Thank you ever so much for visiting today,
Wanda

Thank You for Someone Special!

I made this thank you card for my friend Ann. She is SO good to me. She is SO sweet and SO kind. She is a wonderful friend. She is the kind of person you meet and you know you want her for your friend.

She is the one who gave me the wonderful birthday card that I posted a few days ago. She had made it using Versa Mark and chalks. SO I thought I would give the technique a try. Well, the next time Ann comes over to stamp I think she will be giving me a lesson on this technique. Mine didn't turn out quite as subtle as hers did. And I will get this secret information out of her!!! LOL I do have to confess that I had never done that chalk technique before and it is on my list for the technique pages. I hope by the time I get around to making that page I am better at it!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

It's NOT Fun Being Sick!

A friend of mine was not feeling well so I thought I would make her a get well card. It's NOT fun being sick but it is fun to get cards from those who care about you letting you know they are thinking of you.

I made this card for my friend Sharon who is recovering from pneumonia, the poor thing. I am hoping that she is feeling better now. Maybe receiving the card cured her!!! LOL

This was a fun card to make and I REALLY do LOVE the Stampin' Up! "Fun & Fast Notes set." It covers quite a few occasions. I like sets that I can get a lot of use from.

I used the Pink Pirouette, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock. I colored in the image with markers and added yellow brads to the center of the flowers. I added the strip of ribbon and tied on 3 bows. One just didn't seem to look quite right. Oh and I used the Bella Rose decorative paper. That design was such a soft subtle one that was perfect for a get well card!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers

Here is my card for the Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers. Each week I look forward to these sketches and I am thrilled when I am able to find a few moments to play. Though it tends to get to be late when I find the time but one day a week with little sleep isn't too bad, is it?? It's SO worth it!!!

I needed another thank you card. I was going to make this into a "welcome spring" type card but I really didn't have any use for one but I did REALLY need another thank you card.

I used a Penny Black stamp. It's called "Seeing Your Face" and the words were done using the Stampin' Up! "Holiday Blitz." Now that's another set that I get a lot of use out of. It covers MANY different occasions.

The decorative paper is some retired stuff I had by Stampin' Up! It's always fun when you can use up some of those old papers!!!

I did use the air brush for the sky. It's a lot easier than coloring it in by hand. I LOVE it when I can play with that toy too. It's too bad our son didn't want to take it with him when he moved. We bought it when he was in high school because he was very interested in it but he never used it. SO I get to use it until he wants it back and I hope that isn't too soon!!!

So here is the card I have ready for a friend of mine. It will go out in the mail tomorrow. She doesn't have Internet (I know she is one of the few people I know who doesn't have it) so I don't have to worry about her seeing the card here before it gets to her in the mail!!! She's such an animal lover and I know she's going to like this cute little guy!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Awards

I have received this award from several fellow bloggers. I am saying this from the bottom of my heart that I do appreciate the award but I am unable to play along at the moment.

I thank you all for nominating me, it's quite an honor,
Wanda

Confetti Background Technique

Are you ready for this???? It's a BRAND NEW technique! Yup, you guessed it, I made it up myself!!! The only other person to see this technique so far was Sue!!! Lucky her, huh?? I subject her to SO much stuff!!! LOL And she is the only one who knows how I came to think of this technique!!! And I'm going to just have to keep it a mystery!!! LOL

This is a VERY fun technique too and it's not difficult to do either!!!

Take your cotton ball and using the rubbing alcohol, wet the watercolor paper. You want it wet but not sopping. Take your craft knife and a watercolor crayon and scrap the knife across the crayon allowing the shavings to fall onto the wet watercolor paper. You do not want chunks of the crayon, just thin shavings. You can use as many or as few colors of crayon as you wish. When the background is as you like it then set it aside to dry. To speed up drying time you can heat dry the paper. You can tell the crayon is dry because it won’t be shiny anymore. Use it as a background or stamp directly on it.

See, not that difficult to do, is it??

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Check This Out!!!

Here is the Valentine's Day card I think I'm going to give my hubby!!! We usually don't exchange cards but I am thinking this year I may pamper him a bit. He's been SO good to me and ever SO supportive of me and my quirky ways!!! Personally I wouldn't tolerate it!!! LOL SO this year I'm planning a few fun surprises for him. Yes, including meatloaf. Probably not in a heart shape. I prefer to not to have to touch the meat much so forming it in a heart wouldn't be on the agenda!!! But hey, it's still meatloaf and he will LOVE it!!!

Now what I want you to check out on this card is the background!!! I call it "Confetti Background." It's a new technique that I came up with and thought you should see it in "action!" Tomorrow I will be posting the technique page for the next set of 20 pages and the instructions for you to give this a try too!! It is really very easy and fun to do!!!

This card was made using the Stampin' Up! "Love You Much" set. I have a lot of cards made using this set and I think it's time to find a different set to play with and let the rubber on this one cool off!!! LOL

The colors I used on this card are Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Whisper White and Watercolor paper.

I added some dots with the white gel pen and some paper piercing in the corners of the stamped image. The heart inside the "Love" is raised up on a Dimensional. The little flower is punched out and added to the white card stock using a brad. I tied on a bow and then taped it all together.

It was fun to make, especially that background!!!! Stay tuned tomorrow to learn how to make your own "Confetti Background!"

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Look What Sara Makes!!

Sara over at "Sara's Creative Adventures" made this new header for me. She's not only a talented stamper but is wonderful at making blog headers too!!! I just LOVE it!!! Didn't she do a fabulous job. If you want one you'll have to discuss the details with her... designs, size, price, etc.

It's so fun to have a unique looking blog!!! I would LOVE to learn how to do these but I just don't have any spare time to learn something like this right now.

While you are at Sara's blog take a look at her beautiful creations, you won't be disappointed!!!!

Sharing What They Make!

Here are a few cards that were made by a couple of great gals that come to my home to stamp once a month. They are such creative people. Thank you Ann and Leah for allowing me to share your creations with this fabulous stamping community!!!

Ann made the cute "Love" card using the Stampin' Up! "Love You Much" set and the Dotted Swiss Cuttlebug folder. Didn't it turn out cute??? It's such a sweet, simple and clean looking card.

And Leah made the one with the heart from "Doodle That" set and yes, I still have that set. I just LOVE it and am not ready to part with it yet. As long as there is room on the shelves for them I will keep them!!! The layout Leah used is one of my favorites. I especially LOVE it because you can use a small stamp that normally you would find difficult to work with. And you don't have to use a lot of layers to build up the card to accommodate the small stamp. Isn't this card adorable???

And the last card was the birthday card that Ann made for me. I was just in awe of it. She used Versa Mark on the image and chalked in the colors. Isn't it just wonderful??? It's so soft and sweet looking. The image is from the Stampin' Up! "Upsy Daisy" set. One I have not had much time to play with myself. But I'm hoping to get some time to play with them next week.

I thank them for sharing hteir creations with me and you!!! And I thank you for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Candy Box!

Hubby is such a chocolate freak!!! SO while I was out shopping the other day I saw these Russell Stover Caramel hearts and I bought them just for a project like this. At the time I bought them I didn't have this die but once it arrived at my front door I knew what my first project with it would be!!!

I usually don't buy him candy for Valentine's Day but I REALLY wanted to make some decorative boxes and put them on my blog and this was sort of like killing two birds with one stone. I got to make my box and he gets candy for Valentine's Day!!! Lucky guy. Hon, if you're reading this you now see that this candy WAS going to be for you!!! But you snuck a peek and oh well, so sad for you!!! LOL

Now a bit about this box. I cut a piece of 12" x 12" card stock in half. I ran the half through the Big Shot with the Shaker Box die and it comes out all scored and ready to put together. Even the window is in it!!! You just have to stamp on it, add a piece of acetate and put it all together. I used the Stampin' Up! wheel "Spunky Spots". It's one of the simpler dies I have worked with. There were no pieces to assemble. It comes out of the machine ready to use!!! This one was a LOT of fun and I can see myself getting a LOT of use out of it, especially for craft fairs this fall. Of course I'll be sure to show you what I make with it for the craft fairs!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

From Bag to Box!

In the new Stampin' Up! catalog there is a new die cut for the Sizzix Big Shot!!! It's the "Bag with Scallops" on page 195. I made a bag using it. Click here to see it.

I took a piece of decorative paper. Cute paper isn't it?? I got it at Target in the Dollar Spot and let me tell you, you REALLY get what you pay for. This paper is SO thin and very difficult to work with because of that. Stampin' Up! has such quality decorative paper. It's thick enough to hold a shape and it's double-sided!! But I had to use this paper because it was chosen by someone special and they wanted me to make them something with it. SO I came up with this fun box to fill full of Valentine's Day candy!!!

I did use the bag punch believe it or not!!! And here is how I did it. I took the paper and cut it so it was 6" x 12". I ran it through the Big Shot with the "Bag with Scallops" die. Then I took the other piece of paper and I cut it so it measured 3" x 12". I ran the piece through the Big Shot using the same die but I only cut out one more piece that had the scallop on it. I didn't need any more side pieces.

Now here is the tricky part!!! I folded the scallop piece at 2-3/4" from the scallop. Then I folded it again at 1-11/16" from the last fold. And the final fold was at 3-3/4" from the last fold. What was left goes on the bottom of the box. You may have to trim a little off the end, you don't want it hanging out the front of the box.

When I assembled the box I taped the newly folded piece to the scallop piece. The original scallop is hidden under the top part of the lid. You will see this once you fold the box. I did take a piece of card stock and cut it to fit and taped it to hide that inside scallop.

For the sides I just folded the edges in and the bottom piece in and taped them in place. To help in taping them you want to tape the bottom flaps on first and then either the front or the backs on. You don't want to tape a right side and then a left side. It can get off kilter doing that. It's best to tape fronts and backs. Once the sides were put on the bag now formed a box just by adding that extra scalloped piece and folding it in the right places!!!

For that little white scallop edge I just took a piece of white card stock and put it on the die and ran it through. I only needed the scallop so my piece of card stock was not very big.

I used the scallop punch and made a pink scallop. I used the 1-3/8" circle punch and made a Real Red circle and the words "Be Mine" I did on the computer and punched them out using the 1-1/4" punch. I sponged the edges and then taped it together. I tied a bow at the top and it was ready to fill with candies!!!

If you wanted to add a window in the box you would have to make the flap shorter and you would punch the window in before you tape the box together.

WOW, and this time I didn't take the photo head on!!! It's easier to see the 3D effect of it if you take the photos at an angle!!! It only took me 2 years of blogging to realize this!!! LOL

So now I have a die cut that I can use for boxes or bags!!! Dual purpose!!! Gotta LOVE that!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

For The Birds!!!

As I was coming in the garage today I saw this bag of wild birdseed. It was just sitting there minding it's own business!!! You see where this is going?? LOL Since the city cut down all the trees in our backyard there is no where to hang the bird feeder thus the bag of seed in the garage. Now we do have trees in the front yard but no feeders on them. But come spring that will change!!

Anyway..... After seeing the seeds this stamp came to mind!! I thought it would be fun to make a shaker card using bird seed. I did have to double up on the Dimensionals behind the card stock. A single layer was just too thin and the seeds would bulge on the acetate, they were just not free enough to move around.

There is one thing I would have done differently and probably will change now that I see the card on the computer. It's the hat. I think it needs something at the top. I could punch out a small circle or I could hunt down a tiny pom pom. I think I'll punch a circle, it would be SO much quicker than digging in the mounds of craft "stuff" I have around here!

I do like the colors of this card. They are very bright and cheery!!! This card would be good for male or female and even a kids card!!!

I can't believe that I am actually ahead in my birthday card making this year!!!! It's a first for me!!!

If you'd like to learn the Shaker Box Technique just click here and you'll be taken to my post that has the directions.

Thank you ever so much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers

Here is my card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge (SC) at SplitCoastStampers. This was a VERY fun layout. It was a bit of a challenge for me. I knew I wanted words in the #4 spot but the #3 spot cried for wording too. SO I opted to use a tiny cupcake there and I think it all worked.

I actually purchased a small photo album so I could put the sketch challenges in it for easier reference. I just print them out (the ones they post now print out the size of a card) and I put them in the album. Then when I'm looking for a layout I just flip through the pages. Oh my, I REALLY sound organized. LOL I am not. This New Years thing of putting things away when I'm done with them fell to the roadside the second day. I'm surprise it lasted that long!!! LOL
Some habits just don't give up without a fight!!! LOL

Anyway, back to the card. I used the Stampin' Up! "Crazy for Cupcakes" set. The words I did using the computer. The black background is the "Faux Alligator" technique. I think I posted it as "Faux Leather" on the SplitCoast site in my gallery!!! I will have to check and go back and change that. I just thought that technique would look good with these colors!! I LOVE doing that technique. It's fun to do and it's just amazing to see when it's done!!

If you have time head on over to SplitCoastStampers and give their challenges a try. There's a new one every day!!

Thanks SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blog Candy WInner and a Confession!!!

Before I post the winner of the Blog Candy I have to confess something here. Back then when my husband bought me flowers for Valentine's Day and for the 6 weeks of not smoking, I didn't remain a non-smoker. I was totally obsessed by the not smoking thing. It was HORRIBLE to say the least. I spent my days thinking of where I was going to go buy a pack of cigarettes. Then I thought about where I was going to go hide to smoke one. And where I was going to hide the cigarettes I bought. Oh not to mention getting the smell off my clothes. And don't forget the breath mints!!! It was SO overwhelming that I just started in again. But there is good news here. In 2001, on Christmas Eve I had my last cigarette!!! We were at my husband's niece's farm (he's got nieces and nephews close in age - he was a late in life child) and she had kittens. Well, there were around 8 of them and they were just over 4 months old. It was one of those very little snow on the ground extremely cold Minnesota winters. The kitties were all huddled together in a corner of the 1/4" finished garage. But there was this one kitten that was away from the group. He came near me and cried. Of course I picked him up. He looked like a round ball with a head, legs and a stick tail. His hair was drawn to tightly against his body to stay warm. The whole night I kept telling my husband I wanted that kitty. Even our son and my mother-in-law got in on it!! LOL Ok, here is where the not smoking came into play. I told him that if he let me have that kitty I would quit smoking. That is how bad I wanted that kitty!!!! SO on our way out the door that night he said to me "pick out the one you want." My eyes welled with tears, I glanced over at this beautiful fuzzy white and orange one and proceeded to pick up the grey stripped tabby that I fell in love with the minute I saw him. I was told that if I started smoking I had to give the kitty back. Well, it's been 7 years now and I have not had even a puff and I still have the kitty. He's the free kitty that has cost us a LOT of money in vet bills because of crystals in his bladder. Poor baby. He's a VERY nice cat and he was worth the "deal" I made to get him. I'd do it all over gain if I had to!!!

SO, there you have my true confession!!! LOL

Ok, onto the lucky Blog Candy winner and that is..... poster #3

Lisa Bohler and here is her comment:

"Last year, my husband (a pastor) had a board meeting on Valentine's Day...who thought that was a good idea? All of these men sitting at a meeting on Valentine's day! I would just like to stay home and either spoil my husband with back scratching and he spoil me with a foot rub."

Now after reading a lot of these comments about making heart-shaped meatloaf I am actually considering that. Though I'm not too sure about the heart shape part. I prefer not to handle raw meat and if I do I do it quickly!!! LOL As for meatloaf, I rarely make it and I use rubber gloves!!! LOL I REALLY don't like the feel of raw meat. And if I do make this meatloaf for Valentine's Day it would be totally out of love because I do not care for meatloaf!!! Hubby LOVES it and it would be a nice thing for him on Valentine's Day. I'd just make a small one and then there would be ground beef left to make a hamburger, which is my favorite!!! LOL And since the day is on the weekend I will have help with the dishes so that makes me happy. He gets meatloaf and I get help with the dishes. It will work!!! LOL

Anyway back to the Blog Candy, Lisa please email me with your snail mail address and I will get the package sent out to you. I always email back to let the winner know I got their address. If you do not hear back by 2 days it could be because of glitches somewhere along the way, they happen. In that event just leave a comment on any post on my blog with the information. I will reject it so it's not published.

Now for the rest of you who entered.... there is more Blog Candy to come. The next Blog Candy is the "Chatty Cathy" one. It's for reaching 1,000 posts!!! Then I think I am caught up on the blog candy for a little while.

Thank you all for playing along and stay tuned for more!!!
Wanda