how to get the most from your dies....

I'm always looking for more ways to use my dies.... the majority of them are a big investment and I need to ensure that I get my moneys worth!!

So, after re-doing my storage for my plastic stored dies I had loads of plastic wallets left over, so I had the idea of creating my own stencils and masks.... so I started by cutting the acetate so that I had flat sections to work with and selected the below die....

I tried to cut the pictured die using the acetate - but, it wouldn't cut.... I tried it with loads of shims, tried to cut thro' the pieces but it just wouldn't work.... not sure if its me or that the die is too thin and intricate to cut acetate.... not one to give up, I found some more packaging and cut out some snowflakes using the alterations die...

the heavier die worked well.... using the acetate and some texture paste I added some snowflakes to a tag..

I then painted the tag using acryllic paint

ummmm - I then added my mask again and painted my snowflakes, gave the tag a spritz of glimmer mist and added some stamping...I then stamped out Father Christmas and a saying onto cardstock, coloured and inked the edges then added same... the tag was finished off by adding some ribbon, a tassle and pearl and gold edging.

TFL

New Dies Coming Soon...

We have some beautiful new dies in the shop at the moment and they will be going online very soon. However, we couldn't help but open one to use for the crop last weekend, and since the pack was open, I just had to bring it home to have another play! :-)

So here's how I created this pretty flower, using white tissue paper and some yellow and green scraps.

 

First I cut all the pieces I needed, which included 9 of the petals.

 

I then used a watered down solution of inks. I used ink blending solution to weaken the colour and then brushed the colour onto just the edges of the petals. I used just plain blending solution brushed on the rest of the petal to allow the ink to fade up into the petals slightly.

 

When dry, I constructed the flower using glossy accents as a glue.

 

and here's how it looks 'in action' on a project. This is a quick art journal page I made using the flower as the main feature.

'Introduction to Altered Art' Workshop...

Have you seen our next advertised workshop on the website? No? Well for a bit of a change we are going to be holding an Introduction to Altered Art Class where you will be provided with all the materials to come away with two altered pieces just like these below.

 

This first is an altered clipboard, and hosts a multitude of different techniques using a range of mediums from inks, pastes and powders.

 

 

That measuring tape strip is even my by hand....

 

...and the second piece we will be creating is this gorgeous altered book with the inclusion of handmade flowers and a Prima stamped doll. You will learn how to structure your book (provided for you) ready for decorating, and techniques such as paper piecing, painting with inks and die-cutting.

 

During the four hours we shall aim to complete both projects. All materials needed are supplied, although you are welcome to bring some of your own tools if you prefer.

 

This is not just open to avid crafters...we are welcoming people of all abilities. This class is an 'Introduction' to Altered Art and although it is crammed full of techniques, we shall be covering everything from the basics up :-)

 

The workshop will be running on Thursday 14th November from 10am. To book your space please visit www.papermaze.co.uk and reserve under 'Workshops'

or call the shop on 01473 892195 Tues, Wed or Fri 9.30-3pm.

 

Refreshments will be provided, although you will be required to bring your own lunch.

We look forward to seeing some new faces there!

Keeping it Real

Hello, it's Lisa here today with another Project Life page.
I'm keeping it real with this one.
Nothing fancy, just life.
Afterall, that's what this project is all about.

 

I've kept to the one colour scheme for this week.

Red, green and white.

 

 

I used up some of my Project Life cards backing them on to some Bazzill scraps.

Then finishing off with a little touch of black journal pen.

 

 

I always think that these Project Life pages are perfect for using up bits and pieces.

This set of Amy Tangerine Thickers matched perfectly.

So I've used these throughout the page.

 

It didn't take hours, but the page looks effective and I'm keeping up to date.

 

How are your pages coming along?

 

Lisa x

 

 

September Kit...part 2

Hey, It's Anna back with my second layout using the September kit...

 

 

Can you believe that our 5 year old took this picture of us together?

Some close up pictures... 

 

Remember you can find the September kit on the website here, the October kit is now availible too here.

 

Thanks for looking, see you all soon!

 

Anna x

OCTOBER CROPPING

Tomorrow is our monthly crop at Otley Village Hall and this month's kit has been designed by Lou, so be prepared for some misting and inking!

She has used Kaisercraft papers and some of the new Sizzix dies that we have instore to create this gorgeous page!  If you fancy joining us, we're at the hall from 10am until 5pm.  Tea and coffee are on tap and there's a 10% discount in the shop.

another way with prima dolls

Hi its Carol with you today showing you my latest prima doll creation:-

The stamps are too big for the normal sizes of card blanks so the only way is to create your own...the original set of dolls came on a tag base so using this as a template I made my own card base...

I then coloured the base using acryllic paint and then using a contrasting colour stencilled over the top..

Washi tape was added to the sides and then a wax pencil ran over the top to add colour..... the doll image was stamped and then coloured using watercolouring pencils - the image was then stamped again then paper pierced....the flowers are prima flowers which were sprayed with dylusion inks...with prima bling added to the middles and prima swirls added at each end.... doodling was added around the edges..

One problem with these large cards - envelopes! make your own or wrap with pretty tissue paper and ribbon or lace...

TFL

Autumnal Layout Workshop

Next week, on Wednesday 16th 10am-12pm, we shall be holding a scrapbooking workshop at our shop in Otley. Here's quite a big peek at the layout we shall be recreating....

 

As you can see, we shall be using natural elements on our page...this will not be one for an album!!

 

Plus...I shall be revealing how I make these very realistic looking leaves from white cardstock!

 

There are still some places left, so please contact us either via email, facebook page or telephone to enquire.

enquiries@papermaze.co.uk

www.facebook.com

01473 892195

Project Life

How are you going with your Project Life folders?
Are you one of those that always keeps up to date?
I'm not I'm afraid, but I knew when I started this, that for me to keep it up I would need to take a very laid back approach. No weeks numbers for me, I just scrap my pages as I want to.
I have a few weeks missing, but hey! It's no big deal in the whole scheme of things.

Here is a page that I made for the beginning of September.

 

I've gone with a teal, red and orange theme for this week. I do like to try and stick to a rough 3 colour combo. I find this way everything ties in nicely.

 

I've used some Project Life Cards which you can find on the site here.

I love using these. There's no preparation or cutting required. So quick and easy.

I did round off the corners with a corner punch though.

 

I love to add bits and pieces to my pages, like these little wooden embellishments here.

Either use them as they are or add some colours using inks, pens, paints or/and glitter.

 

 



 I'm also a big fan of using up scraps on my Project Life pages.

 

I have a few 12x12 sticker sheets from various Echo Park Collections like this one here.

 

 

I've used quite a few of the stickers but still have some leftover. These are perfect to add to your Project Life pages.

I love all the alpha stickers that come with them. They are so handy.

 

I do hope you are enjoying Project Life. It's so fun to look back on the album : )

If you haven't spotted it, we do have a dedicated section on the online shop now for Project Life full of cards, page protectors and albums here.  

 

Happy Scrapping.

Lisa xx

 

 

 

September Kit...

Hi all,

 

Its Anna here with you today to show you the first layout that I have made using the September kit. You can see the contents of the kit or purchase one here.

 

I really liked the sheet of perforated die-cuts so I decided to use them as the base for this layout. I chose 3 that I wanted to keep showing the wording and covered 3 using show old photographs of my brother and I when we were younger.

 

I added some MME sticjers, twine and a petaloo flower to finish.

 

A simple but hopefully effective way of using the kit to document some pictures of my childhood.

 

I'll be back soon with another layout using Septembers kit.

 

Anna x



PRODUCT FOCUS - CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS GILDING WAX

Hi, its Carol with you today sharing a product focus on the Creative Expressions metallic gilding wax which is now stocked in store.

These pots of wax come in 16 colours and all weigh in at 10ml there is also a solvent blending solution (also in store).

The product is a hard wax based product and can be applied using your fingers, cloth or brush - its great to add shimmer and hi-lights to embossed pieces and also to colour cardboard, chipboard, metal and those resin items you bought ages ago and still have in your stash.

Once dry buff up the wax with a dry cloth to release the shimmer and shine.

Here I've used the wax on its own to colour a chipboard bird and branch.... I have found with my pots of colour that some are softer and easier to apply than others.... the ultramarine and deep red here have blended really easily whereas the amethyst and patina were really solid in the pots and took alot more product to add colour to the pieces.

On this sample I've used another chipboard bird and branch, but, this time I've used the blending solution to paint the wax onto the chipboard - with the blending solution each pot was easier to apply and the more product painted onto the chipboard the brighter the colour and the more shimmer became apparent.

Here you can see both birds together - you can see that there is a definite difference in the colours between pure wax and blended wax.

Here I have dry embossed a piece of black card and using the pure product applied with a cloth have added colour to the card - the cardstock was smooth and the colours glided on quite easily and blended together really well - the edges were edged with red not sure if the photo has shown it that well.

My last picture shows a metal embellishment which has had colour added by using a paintbrush...

Pop along to the shop to see the colours available and have a play.