In the build up to Father's day I created these quick and easy gift card envelope using my Xyron Creative Station. I used my Permanent Adhesive cartridge to add adhesive to my cardstock before die-cutting some delicate and detailed words. By adding the adhesive first and then cutting my words, I avoid a mess trying to get adhesive onto my words afterwards. So quick and easy!

Here’s how…
Step 1 – Take some white cardstock and add colouring using inks and mists.
Add the permanent adhesive cartridge to your Xyron Creative Station.

Step 2 - insert the coloured cardstock face up through your Xyron – remember the adhesive is added
to the bottom part so whatever you want to be visible needs to face upwards.

Step 3 - Remove the plastic piece from the front of your coloured cardstock piece.
Position the die you want to use to cut your words onto the coloured and now sticky backed cardstock piece.

Step 4 - Send the die and cardstock through your die-cutting machine to cut the words.

Step 5 - Carefully remove the cut word from the backing sheet.
TIP:
The die-cut word is now cut and has adhesive on it – you can simply adhere it to your project.
This is an amazing way to add adhesive to those delicate and detailed die-cuts without adding glue after cutting them – no mess and no fuss.

TIP: Do not worry if the word does not cut right through the plastic backing at the back. All you need is for the die to cut through the cardstock.
You want the adhesive on the back of the cardstock that makes adhering ithe words really easy.

I love how the Xyron makes my creative life so much easier – I don’t have to battle with delicate die-cuts and glue – the Xyron does it all for me!

Fancy a bit of a vintage layout, then the new Kaisercraft paper range is just for you. Perfect for those old photographs that need a little something special, and even some colour without being overwhelming.

When I first saw this range I had my doubts, but the more I used it the more I realised how versatile it is. I have made several layouts with it and they are all totally different from each other, each with its own unique feel and look.

For this single page I layout I used some of the papers and cut different width strips and lined them all up in different heights on the left hand side of my layout. I wanted to use an enlarged photo on the right hand side so this made the most sense. The paper strips offers some colour – a beautiful golden yellow, gorgeous patina turquois and then some old red.

On top of the strips I layered some clock circles cut and punched from the patterned paper. I used 3 clock circles, and then added a fourth circle element cut on my Silhouette machine. Notice how even though I added a fourth element how they balance each other out. The two cream clocks, and then the two black circle elements. I still kept my cluster closely together and added other elements to break things up a bit, like the die cut element, sewing and diamanté.

As a finishing touch and to add some pattern to the background, I added stamping and stencilling.

And in the end I really love this layout – old and yet new at the same time. Perfect for vintage memories and the men in your life – it all depends on how you use the paper stash t create the mood and feel you want to convey.

We hope you love this range as much as we do!

Up oin the Chiswick blog, I am creating with the Xyron Creative Station and Repositionable Adhesivemaking my own stencils. Head on over to the blog to see more...

http://www.chiswick.co.za/uncategorized/making-stencils-using-the-xyron-creative-station/

Such an amazing product that can be used with all my die-cuts turning them into some pretty amazing and useful scrapbooking tools. I am lost without it.
Happy Thursday everyone!

I am up over on the ImagineCrafts blog with this little altered serviette project.
I love the versatile ink range by Tsukineko making it easy to alter home decor project, fabric and paper.

Hop on over to the blog for the full step x step on how i created these...

White is such an amazing blank canvas – from cardstock to canvas to fabric. White enables you to create and alter whatever you can dream up. For those special afternoon tea time treats on the patio I altered some white linen serviettes to make them a bit more special.

Imagine Crafts Featuring Tsukineko

Other Supplies: Stamps: Silhouette: Dina Wakeley, Stars Unknown, Serviettes, Clothing Iron

The more I use my collection of dies, the more I fall in love with them if that is even possible. I mean I really love the designs, but sometimes it is just an effort to pull out all the bits and pieces and actually use them – do you sometimes have that feeling? I know you do!

So in an effort to love my dies more and use them more, I have opted to keep my Cuttlebug machine on my desk permanently and that have made all the difference.

I started using my dies more and I love the simplicity they add to a layout, project life pocket and card – making such a huge impact. And the best part, you don’t need to do much to them to make them come into their own right.

For this layout I created a really busy background using inks and patterned papers. I wanted to add some soft flowers, but that didn’t work with the background so I opted for some die cuts to dress up my layout and finish it off.

step 1- I used the beautiful Prima flower die cuts and cut 3 large flowers out of smooth white AC cardstock. I left them white as is. To make the delicate cuts release easily from the die, I used Quick release paper between my die and cardstock.

step 2 - I then cut some yellow flowers using yellow smooth cardstock. I cut the yellow flowers in half since I was only tucking them under my packaging piece used for my photo matt.

 step 3 - Cut the ‘locked’ die out of smooth white cardstock and ink the edges using brown chalk ink and a sponge dauber for a distressed look. TIP: to create an old world distressed and rusty look on my key hole die, I could have used a combination of embossing in silver and black dye inks, but I wanted it to be clean and fresh and uncomplicated.
 step 4 - Adhere two strips of patterned paper to your background cardstock. Add a layer of white gesso to the papers to make the ink adhere better to it. TIP: Gesso creates ‘tooth’ for ink and mist to adhere better to paper and cardstock as well as other surfaces like canvas, wood, metal, plastic.
step 5 - Position your photo matt, in this case my packaging piece and the die cut elements onto your prepared background to determine the correct placement. I tucked the flowers under the top left and right hand corner and then adhere them using two large brads. TIP: By leaving the die cuts loose on your layout, you create movement and dimension.
 step 6 - Add mists and colour to your background using Prima Colour Blooms.
 step 7 - Once all the inks are dry, adhere your photo in place. Adhere the ‘locked’ key hole die on the left overlapping your photo. I cut a second lock out of grey cardstock and adhere it in the keyhole. You can also just back the keyhole bit with patterned paper behind the opening to add colour and dimension.
 step 8 - Add a second colour to your background using a second colour of mist as an accent colour. Finish off with additional embellishments.
 PS: to minimize the buckling of my layout after adding all the inks, mists and mediums, I adhered it to a piece of grey chip using my Tombow glue stick making it really smooth and firm.