How To Use A Cut File Without A Silhouette Machine

Hi all,

Today I have something to share which blew my mind when I found out.

You can use a cut file without a cutting machine!

I found out during a National Scrapbook Day challenge where the use of a cut file was required. You can print the cut file on your computer and use it as a printable.

What I chose to do was open an A4 document in Photoshop, add the mandala design twice and have it overlapping the edge both times. I printed it onto A4 cardstock.

This layout was the perfect opportunity to use up some of the Papermania Neon collection that I adored a couple years ago. I traced around the edge of the mandalas with PVA glue and then added the glitter. This was quite time consuming as I could only add one colour of glitter at a time but I was so pleased with the result.

I also used neon paint in pink and yellow to fill in some areas of the mandalas. I added neon gems, 3D pearl effects and neon tassels too. 

I printed my photo to 3x4" and mounted onto neon cardstock. I added neon glitter strips around the layout, sequins and neon buttons to finish off.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Using Up Old Stash!

Hi all,

Been sort of out of action this week - my right ear is playing up so I can't hear well, or hear myself properly to record videos, or go out as it's so disorienting! But I have a doctor's appointment later this morning so fingers crossed it just needs flushing out and it's nothing worse. I have made a few things this week though, just waiting on decent weather to get some pictures taken. Anyway...

If you're anything like me you've probably got some collections laying around from years ago that you never use because you don't like the theme or the style but you can't sell/give them away because they're just odds and ends... But you have to use up old stuff to make space for (and justify buying) new stash!

So, I picked out a box of die cut toppers from my shelf. This box had, Papermania Sew Lovely, Vintage Notes, Craft Collection as well as another haberdashery collection that came with a magazine years ago and some other bits and bobs. I challenged myself to use up as much as I could.

This first card uses up pretty much all of the haberdashery bits I had. I did make another but I'm saving it for another blog post, but this is my favourite anyway.
To start with I just picked out the large mannequin die cuts and just added more and more until I found a layout I liked. Then I had to take it all off again to stick it down! I adore this card, it's got so much going on and I loved making it.

Then I made a layout with Papermania Vintage Notes. This collection was always a bit pale for me... but I had the bits left and I used every one. 

It's an 8x8" layout and I used a picture of Nathan and I in Newcastle a few years ago, our friend Sam took the picture and they told Nathan to look into my eyes, and his expression looked so funny and I burst out laughing... Thankfully his hat has since gone to the charity shop! 

Thanks for stopping by! Why not challenge yourself to use up some old bits too?

Emily xx

Docrafts PDT End Of Term Blog Hop

Hi all,

On the Docrafts PDT we're having a final blog hop as the current team.

We found out the results today and I didn't get back on the team. I'm disappointed but I guess it's a silver lining as now I'm free to use whatever products I want and apply for other teams. It's not so bad as I'm not the only one to not get back on either - but a very well done to Julie and Mags though for getting back on!

For this blog hop we're sharing our favourite makes from the current PDT term, with the option of making something using up the last of our current kits.

So, here's my favourite layout I made, using the Neon collection. I remember having it planned weeks in advance and as soon as my kit arrived I got on with it. I was so pleased with it, even more so when it was featured in Creativity magazine.

Another favourite memory from this year's team is when I was sent these beautiful cards for my 21st birthday by my fellow members!

And now for something new using the Geometric Neon collection. As you can tell, I love me some neon....

Just a couple of cards I put together.

I'm going to miss this team, I've made some great friends and we are all going to stay in touch on facebook. 

Check out their blogs:

Heather https://heathermitchelldesign.wordpress.com/

Mags https://thetaglady.wordpress.com

Julie http://newnanny.blogspot.co.uk/

Michelle- http://scrapthology.blogspot.co.uk/

Katie http://whatkatiedid2.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah http://stickerkitten.co.uk/

Amy https://amysureycreations.wordpress.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Die Cut Cards!

Hi all,

I was lucky enough to win over £80 of Xcut dies in the docrafts December Club Prize Draw.
Two of the sets I already had so I have mailed them to a couple of friends. :)

Here are some things I made using them!

This first one is cut directly into the blank card, and some Geometric Neon paper stuck behind.

This one uses the beautiful swallow die, and sentiment set.

And finally a card using the Folk alphabet die set and Geometric Mono collection.

I left the bottom part of the letters out of the die cut sandwich so only the top part was cut. I then cut along the in-between sections of the letters to remove the top part of the cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Geometric Mono ATCs

Hi all,

I've made some little cards using the note cards that came free with Docrafts Creativity mag issue 67, along with Geometric Mono ribbon. The paper is from the Forever Friends collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

London Geometric Neon Layout

Hi all,

Here's a layout I made using the Geometric Neon collection from docrafts.
I took the picture on a beautiful evening on the south bank in London last August. I thought the bright blue of the sky and river went so well with the blue and grey in the neon paper.

I did lots of layering on this layout, including using an envelope - the rings and string add some extra detail and texture.

I took inspiration for the layout from those big american companies like Crate Paper and My Mind's Eye. They use lots of layering and co-ordinating embellishments too. I wanted to show how you can achieve this look with more affordable products you can pick up at your local Range or Hobbycraft.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Decopatched Star Boxes

Hi all,

I finally finished off some star shaped boxes so I'm going to share them today.
They are from the Bare Basics range, decorated with Papier Patch deco sheets, all from Docrafts.

I'm glad I finished these as I got to use up the last few stickers on sheets that had been sitting in my sticker box for a While..

The first one is the larger one, it's decorated with apothecary print paper which I painted with pale pink Distress Paint once the sheets had dried so the black of the paper wasn't as harsh. I then added Madame Payraud stickers and an accordion flower.

The star boxes are hard to decopatch because of their awkward shape.

Here's the second one, the smallest one. They are so easy to decorate because they don't need a lot to look pretty.

I think they would make nice little gift boxes if you put a nice jewellery set in with some pretty tissue paper.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Decopatched Star Button Box!

Hi all,

For as long as I can remember, my mum has been keeping her buttons in either an old sandwich box or a takeaway box.

And I did have a set of three star shaped boxes from Docrafts...

So I decorated the largest one and it's now full of buttons!

It took a full pack of Docrafts Papier Patch papers to decorate the box with it being a funny shape and all but the end result is so pretty!

I finished it off with some decoupage from an older Docrafts collection (Sew Lovely) that had been sitting in my stash for a Long Time.. and then some painted wooden embellishments from the new Bare Basics range.

I trimmed the lid with Craft Collection Pastels trim. I love trims with little bobbles on.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Conisbrough Castle layout

Hi all,

Here's a layout I made using pictures from a visit to Conisbrough Castle, a ruin just the other side of Doncaster. The first wooden castle on the site was built by the Normans but then this stone structure was built around it. We visited at the beginning of October when it was still warm out... Oh, how I miss those warm days!

I made the background by drawing vertical and horizontal lines with a biro and then colouring the spaces in between with watercolour pencils and then going over them with water to activate the paint. The rest of the layout uses the new Docrafts ranges - Bare Basics butterflies and ricrac, Creativity Essentials Alphabet and Forest stamps, and the XCut steel embossing folder and adhesive chalkboard sheets.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily

Christmas Gift Tags!

Hi everyone

Suffering a bit of crafter's block lately...

But today I made some gift tags using my Christmas supplies from docrafts to try and get back into it...

First I die cut some tags from kraft card.
Then I went around each edge with a small amount of PVA glue and sprinkled white glitter and let it dry overnight.

Then I decorated each one.

Now I'm not sure what to do with these... If I actually use them as gift tags they might get thrown away and they're too nice for that!

Anyway, until next time...!
Emily xx

Mini Thank You Cards

Hi all

This week I have been making some smaller cards. They are 10cmx10cm and great for a smaller greeting such as thank you. You could also use them as larger gift tags. They're super simple and quick to make.

The idea came from this card I made for some relatives.

So I thought I'd make a few and then they're ready to go, and I finally got around to making them.

I just used coloured card, embossing folders and some older docrafts collections.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Christmas Tree Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

Just a quick post from me today, a Christmas layout using Papermania Folk Christmas.

Decoupage is normally something reserved for cardmaking but I think it can work really well on a scrapbook layout too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily x

More Christmas Cards

Hi all

The Christmas card making is in full swing now. Not quite time for Christmas shopping yet, although I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it yet...

This first one is an easel card using foiled decoupage. This robin is my favourite (have I mentioned I'm a wildlife nut..). I wanted to echo the foiling so I die cut some snowflakes from silver mirror board and stuck them around the decoupage and on the bottom part of the easel card. The papers and ribbon are from the Papermania Letter To Santa collection.

For this next card I did a bit of layering using the Papermania Folk Christmas collection. I was glad to use this decoupage, it keeps the card nice and simple without sentiments everywhere. There really aren't enough 'Merry Christmas' sentiments in Christmas papercraft collections...

I cut an aperture in a small rectangle and threaded ribbon though it and finished off with snowflakes before sticking on backing papers and putting the decoupage on top using 3D foam.

And finally a stamped card. I'm not very good at stamping, I can never seem to get the pressure right... So this was my second attempt. I finished it off with some adhesive gems for subtle sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I can inspire some of your Christmas cards!

Emily x

Cambridge Floral Stamped Layout

Hi all

Another project made using the docrafts Papermania Folk Floral collection.

In the spring we spent the day in Cambridge, and in a park were lots of flower beds, I couldn't resist photographing them.

The Folk Floral stamp set features lots of little flowers and leaves so you can arrange them however you wish on your clear block before stamping.

Then once stamped and the ink is dry, just colour in! Easy peasy.

To find out more, head over to the docrafts website where you can see a step by step guide (X) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Fireplace Shadow Box Christmas Card

Hi all,

I've been crafting with the XCut Fireplace Shadow Box die set. It's not the most versatile product in the world, but I wanted to try something a little bit different.

So I made a card. But not just any card. A card that can be used as a Christmas decoration!
It's an easel card. I assembled the die cuts and then taped the top edge to the edge of a 13.5cm square card blank.
The collection I used is the Papermania Pocket Full Of Posies range. I didn't want to do a red and green traditional theme, instead I used pale blue, hot pink, blue-green and pale beige. And yet the card still feels very cosy.
Instead of backing the fireplace with paper or card, I used vellum.
I ordered LED tealights on ebay (2 for 99p! Bargain!) and put one in the gap when the card is stood up.

The tealights even flicker like a real candle. Made a little video.

Thanks for stopping by!

Folk Floral cards

Hi all,

Been trying to up my cardmaking game lately...
I struggle for inspiration - a lot of cards on Pinterest are very simple and I like to have plenty going on...
So I had the idea of a card being a mini scrapbook layout, and had a play with the Papermania Folk Floral collection...

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily x

Christmas In September

Hi all,

Docrafts sent me a box of Christmas goodies for the Project Design Team so I eased myself into the festive spirit by making some Christmas cards. I'll admit I'm not the best cardmaker, but I think this time I've done well (thanks to Pinterest!).

This first card is using the Papermania Jolly Santa collection.

And the next two using Papermania Folk Floral - my favourite new collection from docrafts. I love the bright colours!

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Folk Floral Planner

Hi all

Here to share something I've been wanting to make for a while - a flip planner.

When the Papermania Folk Floral collection arrived for me to play with,, courtesy of docrafts, I knew that this project was perfect to use with the collection's decoupage papers and die cut embellishments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To make it, I cut out 6 A5 rectangles from cardboard, covered them in decoupage paper, added a calendar, and finally co-ordinating embellishments.
To find out more head over to the docrafts website where there's a step by step (X)
Until next time...!