Simply Cards & Papercraft №213 2021

WIN £2,137

worth of prizes

Step-by-step guides New releases Techniques Discounts ISSUE 213

Off-the-page ideas for Mother’s Day & more using your floral kit

152 tips & tricks

from our experts!

Follow our guide to spotlight die-cutting

Embrace lettering & create gifts for loved ones

Also inside : Learn a new technique Out-of-the-box die-cutting, X-shaped cards, using stamp platforms & more

Exclusive reader discounts Embossing made easy with your goodies

Save £££s on popular products from We help Sarah Gray Ranger, Crafter's Companion & Crafts Too celebrate Funky

Fossil’s 2nd birthday!

34

Welcome ve My fa ! t projec

Hello T

his month we’re so excited to inspire your crafting and help put your best crafty foot forward this year with our stunning Tranquil Tulips embossing folder, stamps & layering dies.

It’s the perfect year-round crafting companion, and our Design Team is on hand to showcase a range of amazing all-occasion ideas – from Mother’s Day and birthday – to thank you and just because, we’ve got it all.

First up on page 9, we’ve got a striking collection of creations from Claire Rhodes-Brandon – who’s put the layering dies through their paces. Turn to page 34 to see Sam Calcott’s fabulous keepsake creations – bound to wow the recipient. And lastly, but by no means least over on page 71, Nicky’s focussed on getting more from the HUGE embossing folder with her trademark inky goodness.

But that’s not all – we’ve lined up an incredible collection of techniqueinspired features to get your crafty brain ticking. Turn to page 20 to find out more about out-of-the-box die-cutting from Marie Jones, page 50 to check out Christine Smith’s take on spotlight die-cutting, and page 92 to read all about Debbie Simpson’s X card blanks. With step-by-step guides at the heart of every feature you’ll be tackling these techniques in no time.

It’s nearly time for our annual competition – where we scour the nation for potential new Design Team members – and so we took the time to catch up with Sarah Gray – one of the winners in 2017, and owner of craft product brand Funky Fossil – turn to page 86 to read all about her company’s second birthday – and find a 15% discount at www.funkyfossil.co.uk We’ve also delved deeper into modern calligraphy, with Lou Collins over on page 42 on showcasing a range of gift ideas for the loved ones in your life.

We’ve got a double hit from Lou this month – she’s even found the time to showcase stylised lettering on page 60 – so check that feature out too! With her handy template downloads, you can kick-start the new year with a new skill!

With all of this, plus the usual competitions, news, shopping and giveaways plus readers’ letters and cards, I think I’ll leave you to it.

Let’s hope that 2021 is better for us all, Happy New Year!

Becky Becky Higgins, Managing Editor becky.higgins@practicalpublishing.co.uk

“I love making my mum feel special, and after hardly seeing her in 2020, she deserves it! I can’t wait to try this project for Mother’s Day”

Becky’s month “I was thrilled when the team started working with CraftWorld to produce a Cardmaking Collection – it’s on sale now and I can’t wait for you all to see it!”

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73

SCP’s product of the month I’m thrilled to team up with Design Team member Sarah Gray, owner of the fabulous Funky Fossil, to celebrate its second birthday – she’s given all our readers an exclusive 15% discount at www.funkyfossil.co.uk. Turn to page 86 to find out more!

Find more bonus ideas, inspiration and downloads at

www.simplycardsmag.com SimplyCardsPapercraft

simplycards_mag

@SimplyCards_mag

www.craftworld.com

www.tinyurl.com/ybatpu99

3

Regulars

Find this issue’s cover card on page 74

6 What’s new

58 Fabulous freebies

The latest scoop from the world of papercraft

16 Your letters

Take a look at this issue’s extra SVG and digital stamp downloads and boost your craft stash

You share your crafty stories with us!

77 Shopping

19 Shopping We round up our favourite goodies completely inspired by this issue’s Tranquil Tulips set

42

Kick-start a new year with this selection of craft tools to help you get to grips with your crafting!

86 Interview 26, 70 & 90 Competitions Enter for your chance to win fabulous crafty goodies

We catch up with previous Papercraft Magazines Designer of the Year and owner of Funky Fossil, Sarah Gray

30 Fabulous freebies We have over £470 worth of prizes to give away

57 Shopping

97 Next issue Take a sneak peek at the amazing content coming in issue 214

Goodies to help you get crafting for Valentine’s Day

34 86

Sarah Gray: “Cardmaking is a lovely way to share a piece of your own creativity with someone else and make them smile”

4

09

71

Your step-by-step guides

10 Perfect layered die-cuts with our help

Features 9 Using your Tranquil Tulips set Craft for all occasions with Claire’s range of elegant designs using this issue’s spring-like Tranquil Tulips set

20 Inventive ideas Master out-of-the-box die-cutting and create stunning all-occasion cards with Marie Jones and her expert step-by-step guide

46 Technique

78 Tried & tested

Take shaker cards one step further with these fun and fabulous stamped designs

by Sue Hughes

Here’s a handy guide to Gemini’s range of die-cutting machines. Which one will you embrace in 2021?

50 Masterclass

81 Product focus

Give your dies a new lease of life with our comprehensive guide to spotlight die-cutting and expert step-by-step guide

Take a look at the latest die set from our friend Christina Griffiths from our sister magazine Die-cutting Essentials

44 Stretch your skills with modern calligraphy

60 Lettering 24 Spotlight on Follow our in-depth guide to creating your own storage solution for your ever-growing stash of dies

Take your lettering to the next level with Lou’s guide to embracing images and patterns

66 Back to basics 27 Product focus We couldn’t resist getting ready for spring with these bright creations using a selection of our favourite Taylored Expressions stamps

34 Using your Tranquil Tulips set This issue’s tulip set isn’t just for cardmaking – follow Sam Calcott’s example and take your crafting off the page

42 Lettering This month Lou showcases three different lettering projects, all perfect for showing a loved one you care

Sam Calcott helps you step away from your comfort zone with her guide to concertina cards

68 Spotlight on A gift from the heart doesn’t have to be expensive – Emma’s budget-friendly idea is right up our street!

84 Back to basics Stuck with your stamping?

On the fence over whether a stamping platform would help? Take a look at Nicky’s expert guide and see exactly why the SCP team loves them!

Tulips embossing folder

92 Technique This impressive card blank shape is easy when you know how – let Debbie show you through it with her step-by-step guide

98 CraftWorld 71 Using your Tranquil Tulips set Get more from your Tranquil Tulips set and delve into Nicky’s striking showcase of inspiration with our guide to embossing techniques

74 Get more from your Tranquil

Every month we turn to our CraftWorld to offer a follower the chance to appear in SCP – this month the challenge was to create a project for Valentine’s Day

Subscription offer

SAVE upto 60% 32

Subscribe today, save money, receive your magazine direct to your door every month – better still, the more you buy you more you save!

5

What’s

new...

Sit back and relax as Mike, our Deputy Editor, brings you all the latest from the world of papercraft

Funky Fossil 2nd birthday!

The wonderful Funky Fossil is celebrating its second birthday, so we spoke to founder Sarah Gray about what’s in store to celebrate such a fab occasion, “We have lots going on as part of our birthday celebrations, including a free stencil with every order throughout the month (one per customer), giveaways and offers. It is definitely a good time to subscribe to our newsletter and join our Facebook group to stay in touch with all of our birthday events. We also have a bumper new release coming out on 15th January that contains five stamp sets, a paper pad, five rolls of Washi tape and two dies. This will be the first time that we have had Funky Fossil dies and Washi!” Funky Fossil is based in Yorkshire, and has nearly 400 stencils and over 50 stamp sets, all perfect for any crafting occasion. ● Claim your sitewide 15% discount using the code FFBIRTHDAY15 at www.funkyfossil.co.uk. Offer ends 4th February 2021

Floral delights This Diamine Flower gift set is a must for any scriber or crafter who wants to incorporate more ink into their craft. Coming with 10 30ml glass bottles, this gorgeous floral set has shades inspired flowers such as the Bougainvillea, an eye-wateringly beautiful hot-pink hue, a classic Cornflower Blue, Gerbera – an intense orange – and Aster, a stunning sky-toned shade, all picture perfect for year-round creations. ● See more fab products at www.afth.co.uk

SimplyCardsPapercraft

6

All of a buzz Coming with five stunning bee images, and a trio of sentiments including ‘i am little but i bee fierce’ and ‘BE LIKE THE BEE… FLY DESPITE THE RISKS’, the new I Bee Fierce stamp sets from Picket Fence Stamps are perfect for creating and sending cards for your

@SimplyCards_mag

simplycards_mag

bee-loving friends across the miles.

There’s also a stunning Buzz 4x4” Seamless Stamp, perfect for creating a solid foundation to your sweet as honey creations. ● Find more must-have products at www.pfstamps.com

www.simplycardsmag.com

www.craftworld.com

News

Utterly charming From sketching out our designs, marking up those all important measurements, or just jotting down the next on-sale date for SCP, the humble pencil is a mainstay in our crafting stash, so when we saw this stunning charm we had to share it with you. Available from CW Pencils, this artsy charm is crafted from either solid sterling silver or 14ct gold by designer Cass Lilien, and measures 1x1⁄8”, making it perfect for adding to a charm bracelet or as part of a necklace. ● Find this fab charm at www.cwpencils.com

Dear diary…

One of the many things we love about a new year is the excuse to purchase a diary (or two). If you’re a lover of modern diaries then this minimal, flat-lay bound design with coloured edged pages is the one for you.

The Type Planner has a week view with bold black dates with space to write your meetings, commissions or next big craft release date. ● Satisfy your stationery urges by visiting www. presentandcorrect.com

Blog spotlight: Stamp-N-Paradise If you’re a lover of a clean and simple cards, modern makes and creations with a dose of cuteness, then you’re going to love Amy Kolling’s blog, Stamp-N-Paradise. Her blog is a paradise in name, but also in nature, giving you stunning year-round makes, including seasonal inspiration using the industry’s latest products from brands like Reverse Confetti, Lil’ Inker Designs and Technique Tuesday. ● Find out more about Amy’s crafting at www.stamp-n-paradise.blogspot.com

Bold and daring Once again, Visible Image has truly outdone itself with its latest releases!

This new range really does have something for everyone, with both traditional and more contemporary images as well as complementary words and sentiments – make your projects stand out from the crowd

with these designs. If you’re going for a space theme or something more tranquil and inspiring, then this is the range for you.

They’re available to buy now and they’ll definitely brighten up the winter months! ● Find these and much more at www.visibleimage.com

Check out our regular Winning Wednesday posts on Facebook! You could get your hands on the latest craft releases! Go to www.facebook.com/papercraftmagazines

For back issues of our magazines, head over to www.moremags.com or www.craftstash.co.uk

7

Lovely

layering Craft for all occasions with Claire’s range of elegant designs using this issue’s spring-like Tranquil Tulips set

Designed by Claire Rhodes-Brandon

100+ digital downloads to use with your Tranquil Tulips set – the digital sentiments give you more variety for more occasions, where the colour swatches will allow you to die-cut your flowers in various shades, helping you create more realistic flowers with depth and dimension!

Download them tonight from www.simplycardsmag.com

9

HOW TO: perfect the layered tulip using your dies

Special make Extraspecial make

1 Place all of the dies for the flower head, stem and leaves onto the printed card. Using various shades of the same colour will help build dimension.

2 Hold the dies in place with low-tack tape and run through the die-cutting machine. Build up the flower using the different elements.

3 Repeat with the leaves – bear in mind the main die-cut is best in a light colour – use the darker shades to add the illusion of dimension.

4 Add the stem to the back of the flower head. Attach the leaves to the stem to complete the layered flower.

Thank you You will need Tranquil Tulips set bonus downloads ● white 15cm-square card blank ● white, black, pink & coral cardstock ● acetate ● sequins ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● 3D foam pads ● computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine ● Circle layering dies ● ●

Simply make 1 Cut a 13.5cm-square piece of white cardstock and matt and layer onto

10 10

a slightly larger panel of black cardstock before securing to the card front.

Die-cut several hearts from white and coral cardstock and set aside.

2 Cut a circle aperture from the centre of an 11cm square of white cardstock, place inside the embossing folder and run through the die-cutting machine.

3 Add a piece of acetate to the reverse using high-tack tape, adhere 3D foam pads around the edge of the circle to create a well.

4 Add the die-cut hearts and sequins inside the barrier

of 3D foam pads. Secure a piece of pink cardstock onto the 3D foam pads, trapping the elements inside and forming the shaker element.

5 Matt and layer the whole panel onto coral cardstock, leaving a very narrow border, then layer onto centrally onto the card front.

6 Using the printed colour swatches, assemble a layered flower, stem and leaves and secure in along with the digital sentiment and heart die-cut to finish.

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

You will need Tranquil Tulips set ● bonus downloads ● white 16x13cm card blank ● white, black & Apricot cardstock ● Core’dinations cardstock ● Sand It Gadget Tool ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● ribbon/bow ● 3D foam pads ● computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine ● circle layering dies ●

Hello

Special make

Simply make 1 Cut a 14.5x11.5cm panel of Core’dinations cardstock, place in embossing folder and run through a die-cutting machine.

2 Using the sanding block, gently rub over the embossed cardstock to reveal the core colour. Matt and layer onto a piece of black cardstock, leaving a narrow border, and adhere to the card front.

3 Die-cut two circles, one from white cardstock and one

Special make

from Apricot, with the Apricot circle measuring slightly smaller than the white.

Adhere centrally onto the card front.

4 Stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock and die-cut

flowers from them as shown in the illustrated step-bystep guide on page 10.

6 Affix the finished flowers onto the card front as shown, adding a bow tied from ribbon to finish.

using a smaller circle die, then mount into position using 3D foam pads.

5 Print blue and green swatches from the downloads, then die-cut and assemble the leaves and

You will need

In deepest sympathy

Tranquil Tulips set bonus downloads ● white 13x18cm card blank ● white & black cardstock ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkoad ● 3D foam pads ● computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine ● Tonic Studios Cross Stitch circles ● ●

Simply make

Lastminute make

1 Cut a 11.5x16.5cm card blank from white cardstock, place in the embossing folder and run through the die-cutting machine.

2 Matt and layer onto a 12x17cm piece of black cardstock and secure to the card front, leaving narrow borders each time.

3 Stamp the ‘IN DEEPEST sympathy’ sentiment onto white cardstock and cut out using a circle die. Matt and layer onto a larger circle cut from black cardstock before securing it centrally onto the card front.

4 Print red/pink and green colour swatches from the bonus downloads and assemble the flower, leaves and stem. Secure overlapping the central topper to finish.

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Extraspecial Make

Top tip

If you have difficulty removing the film from acetate, a piece of high-tack tape will lift the film

Lovely day You will need Tranquil Tulips set bonus downloads ● white 13x15.5cm card blank ● white & black cardstock ● watercolour cardstock ● Peacock Feathers Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● brayer ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● 3D foam pads

computer & printer manual die-cutting machine ● circle layering dies

●

●

●

●

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Simply make 1 Using a brayer (or direct from the inkpad) add Peacock Feathers ink to the raised side of the embossing folder.

2 Place a 11.5x14cm piece of watercolour cardstock

into the folder and carefully close it, making sure your cardstock doesn’t move.

Run it through the die-cutting machine.

3 Matt and layer this piece onto black cardstock, leaving narrow borders, before adhering it onto the card front.

4 Die-cut and construct eight flower heads using

the illustrated step-by-step guide on page 10. Layer the elements up to create a large flower as shown.

5 Using 3D foam pads, layer the flower onto a die-cut circle before securing it to the card front. Tuck a few leaves behind the flower and add a flat-backed pearl to centre. Add a sentiment to finish.

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

You will need ● Tranquil

Tulips set ● bonus downloads ● white 11x15cm card blank ● white & black cardstock ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● 3D foam pads ● computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine

Just for you

Simply make 1 Cut a 9.5x13.5cm piece of white cardstock and stamp the sentiment in the bottom-right corner. Matt and layer this piece onto black cardstock cut to 10x14cm, and secure to the card front.

2 Print off the desired colours for the flowers, leaves and stem from the colour swatch downloads.

3 Die-cut and construct three flowers following the step-by-step photos on page 10.

4 Arrange the elements onto the card front as shown, adding 3D foam pads to the back of the flower heads for extra dimension.

Special make

You are loved ●

You will need Lastminute make

Tranquil Tulips set bonus downloads ● white 14cm-square card blank ● white, black, teal & coral cardstock ● vellum ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● 3D foam pads ● manual die-cutting machine ● square & circle layering dies ● ●

Simply make 1 Cut a 12cm-square piece of teal cardstock and layer onto a 13cm square of black cardstock, layering both onto the card front and leaving narrow borders each time.

2 Cut a 12cm-square piece of vellum, cut a circle from the centre, then place in embossing folder and run through die-cutting machine.

3 Cut a piece of white cardstock to 12.5cm square. Create a frame by die-cutting an aperture into the square, then add embossed vellum to the back of the frame and attach to the card front.

4 Stamp ‘You are loved’ onto white cardstock and it cut out using a circle layering die. Secure it to the card front along with die-cut hearts.

13

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

Special make

Thinking of you You will need

3D foam pads computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine

●

●

●

●

Tranquil Tulips set bonus downloads ● white 14x19cm card blank ● white, pink & black cardstock ● Abandoned coral Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink ● blending brush ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● sequins

14

Simply make 1 Cut a 12.5x17.5cm piece of white cardstock and emboss it.

2 Blend Distress Ink around the edges of the reverse/

debossed side of the card.

Matt and layer onto a piece of black cardstock, leaving narrow borders, before layering onto the card front.

3 Stamp the ‘THINKING of you’ sentiment onto white cardstock and cut out using a small die. Matt

and layer the panel onto a larger pink die-cut circle and add to the card front using 3D foam pads.

4 Die-cut and construct five flower heads as shown, and layer them onto the card front using 3D foam pads. Add sequins to finish.

Your

letters Star

Gorgeous greenhouse

Letter

I love your magazine for sources of inspiration. I wanted to make my mother-in-law a special card for her birthday, so I have made her this Victorian-style greenhouse card.

It was made using a Marianne Design Window die, and I cut the fancy side panels off. I then stuck acetate on the inside of the windows and strips on the side to hide the glue marks. I used the Hero Arts Hang On In There stamp and die set and several die-cut leaves to add to the finished effect.

Elisa Moon, by email

Nautical delights I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the Nautical Collection from Sara Davies Signature range from earlier this year. I’d been stuck in a rut and had a complete crafty mind block.

Lockdown sent me into a spiral and created a lot of anxiety for me as I suffered with depression so much so I couldn’t even craft! When I saw your magazine and products I knew it was for me. I've loved anything to do with the sea ever since I was a child, and it gave me the jump start I needed.

I work for the Lennox Children Cancer charity fundraising for children and

Don’t panic if you’ve missed an issue mentioned here – you can order back issue copies from www.craftstash.co.uk

Set the scene their families with cancer, so I make cards and sell them, giving the profits to the fund. I thought you might like to see what I’ve made so far. Now I can’t keep out of my craft room. – so thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sue Walker, Benfleet

Becky says: Oh Sue! How amazing – we’re so happy we managed to kick-start your crafting again – especially with your cards helping to raise money for charity. Every month we send the cards that appear in our magazines to local charities so they can sell them! We hope your Star Letter prize helps boost your crafting once again.

Our Star Letter winner this issue will win these fabulous goodies from Hunkydory, and all other letters printed will win a free gift!* *UK entrants only. Prizes may differ from those shown

16

I have enjoyed using the ‘O Christmas Tree’ stamps from issue 209 and have made a scenic card using the tree stamp, sentiment stamp, Distress Ink and silver glitter. My partner thought I had cut up an old Christmas card and mounted it onto card until I told him it was my make.

At first the edges of the card were plain and my partner suggested it needed something so I used Distress Ink blended around the edges.

I have really enjoyed making this scenic card and really love the colours. Thank you for all of the inspiration in the magazine too.

Louise Pannell, West Sussex

Letters

Masculine makes I loved the new stamps that came with my subscription copy of issue 207 – as soon as it arrived I quickly made this card using my ink and just the stamps. I love how it turned out and I know these stamps are going to come in handy for making those sometimes hard-to-make male cards!

Tracey Rogers, Carlisle

All of this issue’s cards were taken from www.craftworld.com – the new home of online papercraft inspiration

We love

Don’t forget, you can subscribe to our magazine just like Tracey does, and receive your copy of Simply Cards & Papercraft direct to your door every month in case you can’t get to the supermarket!

Turn to page 32 to see this month’s subscription offer and never miss an issue again

Sabzlee, CraftWorld.com

“Really love the Alpine Village stamp set and embossing folder with this issue 211. Here is a card I made from this set”

Tried & tested I was really pleased to see Emma Fuge’s Tried & Tested article in issue 205 using the Stampin’ Up! Peaceful Poppies Suite bundle.

The photo shows my interpretation of one of her brilliant ideas – the sentiment

is from a retired Stampin’ Up! stamp set.

I also loved the Totally Tropical die and stamp set that came with the issue.

Many thanks for such an excellent magazine.

Jeanette Hurst, by email

Lockdown crafting Another lockdown meant more time to spend in my craft room. Christmas was much more homemade this year, rather than battling crowds of people doing last-minute shopping or the impersonal nature of online shopping.

I just love the large size of the Altenew Bells & Boughs stamps and dies for giving impact to your makes. This is my first card using them but definitely not my last. I love the dimension given with these beautifully shaded bells.

I’ve also decorated this gift box with the mistletoe leaves and used them and the other stamps for embellishing my other

Worth

£50

JodieB, CraftWorld.com

“Not my usual style of card but made with the goodies from the latest issue”

Christmas wrapping and gift boxes. The sentiment on my card was definitely well suited for 2020 too!

Thanks for a great gift and hope you all keep safe.

Jayne Kennedy, by email

We love to hear from you so get in touch!

Email becky.higgins@practicalpublishing.co.uk or write to: Letters, SC&P, Practical Publishing, Suite G2 Vitality House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG – don’t forget to include your postal address

“Little late, but I do still love the issue with these stamps from Altenew”

Madison, CraftWorld.com

SimplyCardsPapercraft @SimplyCards_mag simplycards_mag www.craftworld.com simplycardsandpapercraft

17

from

£8.99 Charming Channels Mix & match stamps & dies to create a range of stunning channel cards using the new Card Making Magic collection.

Designer, Christina Griffiths, brings together thoughtful sentiments, with snowdrops, daisies, rambling roses & butterflies to create an intricate focal panel.

FREE DELIVERY OVER £15

www.craftstash.co.uk or call 0161 327 0035 Free delivery applies to UK mainland addresses only. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions or codes. Products shown available at CraftStash whilst stocks last. Prices correct at time of print. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw this offer without further notice. CraftStash, Suite G2 St Christopher House. 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK2 6NG. customer.service@craftstash.co.uk Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

CERTIFIED REVIEWS

Shopping

Shopping

Bloomin’

marvellous Claire’s fab floral collection has inspired us to pick our favourite floral products to help you add to your stash or wardrobe this spring

Turn to page 9 to find the rest of this fabulous feature

SAVE* 10%

Hunkydory Flourishing Florals Deco-Large Floral Blessings £1.99, www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk

Altenew Fuchsia Soiree 6x6” paper pack £8.49, www.craftstash.co.uk

Joanna Sheen Signature Dies Floral Display die £8.99, www.joannasheen.com

SAVE* 10%

SAVE* 10% Creative Expressions Paper Cuts Spring Hare die set £13.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

RHS Tulipa Cultibars print from £10, www.rhsprints.co.uk

Julie Hickey Floral Border stamp set £8.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

Cath Kidston Floral Foldaway Overnight Bag £50, www.cathkidston.com

Crafter’s Companion Spring Garden A6 rubberstamp set £4.99, www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

One Line Botanical Flower print £6, www.moonshineprints.co.uk

Get 10% off selected items at www.craftstash.co.uk ends 4th February 2021. For full terms & conditions just enter the code SCP21310 at the checkout! *Offer see www.craftstash.co.uk Prices and conversions correct at the time of going to print

19

Think outside

the box Designed by Marie Jones

O

ut-of-the-box die-cutting is a method of partial die-cutting using nesting dies that leaves a portion of the image outside the shape of the die, but still attached to the die-cut. You can use any nesting die and this technique is perfect if you have images that are a little too large for your dies.

Simply stamp and colour your image using your chosen medium – I have used

20

Master out-of-the-box die-cutting and create stunning all-occasion cards with Marie Jones using her expert step-by-step guide

watercolour markers here.

Position the die over the image where you would like it to cut, leaving part of the image outside the edge of the die.

Take a pencil and draw two small lines on the inside edge of the die up to the stamped image so you know where you need to cut to. You can draw a pencil line around a section of the outside of the die to help you reposition the die when you are ready to cut. Now cut

from the side of the card straight to the pencil line on both sides and carefully cut around the section of the image between the pencil lines.

You can cut a little beyond the pencil lines to make it easier to fit the die back in place. Take the die and slide the cut-out area of the image on top of the die and use the pencil lines marked on the outer edge to help align the die correctly place. Use low-

tack tape to secure and then die-cut. Remove the die and you’ll see that the section that was on top of the die has not been cut and is still attached.

You can then die-cut a larger nesting shape to create a matt for topper for your card design, it really is that simple!

I hope you’re feeling inspired to have a look through your stash of dies and stamps and see what you can make using this technique.

Inventive ideas

You’ll need

Hello

● white

17cm-square card blank ● watercolour cardstock ● white, pink & turquoise cardstock ● Crafter’s Companion Strawberry Cupcakes stamp ● Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Aqua Markers ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● low-tack tape ● 3D foam pads ● pencil ● ribbon ● gems ● glitter ● glue pen ● manual die-cutting machine ● Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Seventeen dies ● Crafter’s Companion Sara Signature Flutterby Simplistic Sentiments die

Simply make 1 Matt a 16cm square of white cardstock onto pink cardstock, wrap it with ribbon and attach to the card front.

2 Follow the step-by-step guide on page 22 to create a cupcake topper using label dies and mount it onto the

Happy birthday

card using 3D foam pads.

3 Die-cut the sentiment from turquoise cardstock, layer it in the top-right corner of the card front and tie ribbon around the

panel as shown.

4 Use a glue pen to add glitter accents to the topper and embellish the design with gems to finish.

Use nesting dies so that you can create a matt for the image

Top tip

You’ll need white 10.5x15cm card blank watercolour cardstock ● white & lilac cardstock ● Crafter’s Companion Sugar & Spice stamp ● Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Aqua Markers ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● low-tack tape ● 3D foam pads ● pencil ● gems ● manual die-cutting machine ● nesting oval dies ● ●

Simply make 1 Follow the step-by-step guide on page 22 to create a floral topper using oval dies and mount it onto the card front using 3D foam pads.

2 Stamp the sentiment onto a 3x10.5cm border of white cardstock, matt it onto lilac cardstock and attach across bottom of the card front. Add gems as shown to finish.

21

With love

You’ll need white 15cm-square card blank ● watercolour cardstock ● white, pink & blue cardstock ● Crafter’s Companion Teatime Cake stamp ● Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Aqua Markers ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● 3D foam pads ● low-tack tape ● gems ● pencil ● manual die-cutting machine ● circle nesting dies ● Crafter’s Companion Sara Signature Flutterby Simplistic Sentiments die

HOW TO: achieve the out-of-the-box die-cut effect

●

1 Use black ink to stamp the image with onto watercolour cardstock and colour using watercolour markers.

2 Place the die over the image and draw a pencil line on the inside of the die where it meets the edges of the image (this is the area that will be ‘out of the box’).

3 Before moving the die, draw a pencil line around some of the outside edge of the die as a guide when placing the die when you are ready to cut.

4 Carefully cut around the area of the image between the pencil lines from Step 2, cutting a little past the lines to help when replacing the die.

5 Align the die back over the image with the cut section on top of the die, using the pencil lines as a guide, and tape in place.

6 Die-cut, remove the die and rub out any pencil lines.

Die-cut a larger shape from coloured cardstock and matt the image on top.

Simply make 1 Matt the card front with pink cardstock, follow the step-bystep guide (right) to create the topper, and mount it onto the card front using 3D foam pads.

2 Die-cut the sentiment from blue cardstock, layer it below the focal topper and embellish the design with gems to finish.

22

Inventive ideas

You’ll need

Life is sweet

● white

13x18cm card blank cardstock ● white, fuchsia & black cardstock ● Crafter’s Companion Macaroons stamp ● Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Aqua Markers ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● Spun Sugar Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink ● ink-blending foam ● low-tack tape ● 3D foam pads ● pencil ● ribbon ● gems ● manual die-cutting machine ● M&C Boutique Nesting Rectangular die set ● Crafter’s Companion Die’sire Essentials Flowers for all Occasions 4 dies ● watercolour

Simply make 1 Matt a 12x17cm of white cardstock onto black cardstock, wrap it with ribbon and attach to card front.

2 Follow the step by step on page 22 to create a

Anyone for tea?

macaroon topper using stitched rectangle dies.

Affix it to the card front.

3 Stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock, matt it

onto fuchsia cardstock and attach to the card front using 3D foam pads.

4 Die-cut a selection of flowers from white cardstock, ink the

edges with Spun Sugar ink and arrange the flowers onto the design as shown.

Embellish the card front with gems to finish.

You’ll need

Simply make

white 13x18cm card blank ● watercolour cardstock ● white, fuchsia & black cardstock ● Crafter’s Companion Teacups stamp ● Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● Worn Lipstick Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink ● ink-blending foam ● low-tack tape ● 3D foam pads ● pencil ● ribbon ● gems ● manual die-cutting machine ● Spellbinders Nestabilities A2 Distress Edges die set

1 Layer a 2x18cm border of white cardstock onto turquoise cardstock, wrap it with ribbon and secure it to left of the card front.

2 Follow the step-by-step guide on page 22 to create a teacup topper using rectangle dies.

Ink the edges and mount it onto the card front using 3D foam pads.

3 Stamp the sentiment onto a banner of white cardstock, ink the edges and secure it below the focal topper using 3D foam pads. Add a bow to the ribbon border and embellish the design with gems to finish.

●

Simply shopping Crafter’s Companion products are available to buy from www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

23

In-depth guide to:

storage solutions Follow our in-depth guide to creating your own storage solution for your ever-growing stash of dies

Use a spare piece of 1mm greyboard as a spacer when attaching the pieces together

24

Spotlight on

You will need ● pink

Designed by Helen Griffin

cardstock ● silver glitter card ● Reminisce Oh Baby Girl 12x12” paper pad ● vellum ● 1mm-thick greyboard ● cream ribbon ● hot-glue gun

● pearls ● pink

Pony Beads Sizzix Bigz 3D Flowers die ● Sizzix Thinlits Meadow Leaves die set ● manual die-cutting machine

Create joining strips from pink cardstock measuring 1” across, with lengths of 9½” (x6), 5⅛” (x4), 8”(x4), 6⅛” (x4) and 5⅛” (x2)

●

Create the following matts from patterned paper: front 9¼x5⅞” and 9x5⅝” (x2), back 9¼x7¾” (x2), base 9¼x4¾” (x2) and sides 7¾x4¾” (x2). Mark 5¾” up on the side matts to make the diagonal cut

HOW TO: master creating off-the-page storage solutions

1 Trim two 8x4⅞” side pieces of greyboard and measure 6” from the bottom, then draw a diagonal line from the top corner to the opposite corner as shown. Repeat, on the opposite way on the other side piece.

2 Prepare joining strips as above and score at ½” down the centre. Fold and apply double-sided tape either side of the score line. Cut a 9½x5” greyboard piece for the base and assemble as shown, with a 1mm gap between the box’s other pieces – a 9½x6” front piece, 9½x8” back piece and the side pieces from Step 1.

3 Bring the side and front pieces up and attach them together with the strips. Add the back in the same way.

4 Add strips to the outside and inside joins, then add strips to the top edges too so that all edges are covered.

5 Glue patterned matts onto all sides – inside and out.

6 Trim the side pieces by making a mark 5¾” from the bottom and trimming diagonally. Do opposite sides on the other piece.

Add strips to the outside of the box first and then work on the inside

Top tip

Pretty buttons can be used for feet instead of beads

7 Add a ribbon and bow, then die-cut flowers and leaves from patterned paper, vellum and silver glitter card, then adhere as shown. Add pearls to the centres of the roses.

8 Add feet to the bottom of the box using pink beads and a hot-glue gun.

Simply shopping The Sizzix dies used here are available from www.sizzix.co.uk

25

Competition

WIN

Over

£350

a Stix2 Fabric Spray bundle

I

f you love colour, being at one with your creativity and getting messy with paints, then you’re going to love this prize package from Stix2, who are giving you the chance to win one of six fabric spray paint sets, worth £59.99 each!

Whether you’re mad about mixed-media makes or love

incorporating textiles into your projects, this prize package is a must for any crafter.

All 10 of these fab sprays work on a variety of mediums including on both light and dark cardstock, plastic, glass, and a variety of fabric including canvas, and they come in 60ml bottles.

The prize package has all 10

worth of fantastic prizes to be won!

shades currently available from Stix2, giving you the chance to experience the whole collection of eye-catching hues, perfect for any make in your crafting calendar, including those tricky masculine makes.

Expect stunning hues including Bahama Blue – instantly transporting your makes to tropical climes,

Bright Orange – which looks amazing on darker cardstock, Bright Pink and Bright Green – guaranteed to make your projects really standout from the crafty crowd and many more. There’s also a black and white to help deepen and lighten shades, should you want to customise, or use them on their own.

Head to www.stix2.co.uk for stash essentials and so much more!

How to enter For your chance to win one of these prize packages enter online at www.simplycardsmag.com by 25th February 2021 We promise we’ll always keep your data safe and will never share it with or sell it to other companies for marketing purposes. Our full privacy policy is available at www.practicalpublishing. co.uk/privacy. The competition is operated by Practical Publishing International Ltd. For full terms and conditions, see www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/competitions

26

Express

yourself

We couldn’t resist getting ready for spring with these bright creations using a selection of our favourite Taylored Expressions stamps

Designed by Faye Wynn-Jones

Kindness You will need white 10.5x14cm card blank stamping cardstock ● Taylored Expressions Brimming with Love stamp set ● Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Background stamp set & die ● Taylored Expressions Rectangles & Scattered Floral stencils ● Copic markers ● Espresso Truffle Memento inkpad ● ●

Tiara & Tiki Torch Catherine Pooler inkpads ● gems ● iridescent glitter ● 3D foam pads ● Taylored Expressions Blender Brush set ● manual die-cutting machine ●

Simply make 1 Stamp the image onto stamping cardstock using Espresso Truffle ink.

2 Colour the image and

carefully trim around the edge, leaving a narrow border.

3 Use the blender brush to apply Tiara ink through the rectangle stencil onto the card front.

4 Leaving the rectangle stencil in position, use Tiki Torch ink to add flowers to the card front through the floral stencil.

5 Stamp and die-cut the sentiment into a banner,

then attach the vase image and banner using 3D foam pads.

6 Add gems around the vase and glitter to the flowers to finish.

The sentiment stamp stamps all the sentiments at once, so keep the unused ones for other projects!

Top tip

27

Thinking of you

You will need white 12cm-square card blank stamping cardstock ● Taylored Expressions Cutting Edge Flowers stamp & die set ● Taylored Expressions Hearts masking stencil ● Espresso Truffle Memento inkpad ● Tiara Catherine Pooler inkpad ● Copic markers ● gems ● iridescent glitter ● 3D foam pads ● Taylored Expressions Blender Brush set ● ●

Simply make 1 Stamp the image onto stamping cardstock using Espresso Truffle ink.

2 Colour the image using alcohol markers and carefully trim around the edge, leaving a narrow border.

3 Using the heart stencil, Tiara ink and blender brush, create a yellow heart directly in the centre of the card front.

4 Stamp the sentiment across the heart, as shown.

5 Use 3D foam pads to affix the floral panel down the side of the heart, adding gems and a touch of glitter to the flowers to finish.

f you are unsure about stencilling directly onto the card front, create a panel the same size as the card blank and attach this to the card front instead

Top tip

You will need white 12cm-square card blank ● stamping cardstock ● Taylored Expressions Flip the Floral stamp & die set ● Espresso Truffle Memento inkpad ● It’s a Boy & Something Borrowed Catherine Pooler inkpads ● Copic markers ● gems & sequins ● iridescent glitter ● Taylored Expressions Blender Brush set ● Taylored Expressions Sending Script die ● manual die-cutting machine ●

Sending birthday wishes

Simply make 1 Stamp the image twice onto stamping cardstock, using Espresso Truffle ink. Colour the image using alcohol markers and die-cut.

2 Using It’s a Boy ink and a blender brush, add colour directly to the centre of the card front. Apply Something Borrowed ink to a separate

28

piece of white cardstock, then die-cut the sentiment three times, stacking them together.

3 Stamp the sentiment in the darker shade in the centre of

the card front as shown, then add the die-cut sentiment above it.

4 Attach the two image panels to the card front, embellishing with glitter, sequins and

gems.ss a sentiment onto Blackberry Bliss cardstock and cut out, leaving a narrow border around the words.

Add this across the feathers to finish.

Product focus

You’re a star Espresso Truffle Memento inkpad ● Something Borrowed Catherine Pooler inkpad ● gems ● Taylored Expressions Blender Brush set ●

Simply make

Top tip

Apply blue ink only to the section of the card that is not going to be covered with the image. This saves ink and time!

You will need white 10.5cm-square card blank ● stamping cardstock ●

You will need

Taylored Expressions Cutting Edge Stars stamp & die set ● Copic markers ●

Taylored Expressions Scattered Stars stencil ● iridescent glitter ●

1 Stamp the image onto stamping cardstock using Espresso Truffle ink, then colour in. Use the die to trim the top of the star panel, then trim to fit the bottom half of the card blank. Stamp the sentiment in brown ink on the bottom of the panel.

2 Blend Something Borrowed ink directly over the top of the card front. Splatter water onto the card front, leave for a few seconds and then blot dry using kitchen paper.

3 Using the same blue ink and the star stencil, add stars to the top of the card front.

4 Attach the main image panel to the card front then add gems and glitter to finish.

Congratulations

white 14x10.5cm card blank ● stamping cardstock ● Taylored Expressions Cutting Edge Balloons stamp set ● Taylored Expressions Ovals & Set the Scene Clouds stencil set ● Espresso Truffle Memento inkpad ● It’s a Boy & Something Borrowed Catherine Pooler inkpads ● Copic markers ● gems ● white gel pen ● iridescent glitter ● 3D foam pads ● Taylored Expressions Blender Brush set ●

Simply make 1 Stamp the image onto white cardstock using Espresso Truffle ink.

2 Colour the image using alcohol markers and carefully trim around the edge, leaving a narrow border.

3 Using It’s a Boy ink, a blender brush, an oval stencil and

Top tip

Keep the oval stencil in place when adding the second layer of ink (the clouds) to the card front

a cloud stencil, add colour directly to the centre of the card front.

4 Stamp a sentiment on the card front using Something Borrowed ink.

5 Attach the image panel to the card front using 3D foam pads. Add gems around the clouds then embellish some of the balloons with white gel pen dots and glitter.

Simply shopping Taylored Expressions products are available from www.diestodiefor.com

29

Fabulous freebies

GIVEAWAYS Enter for your chance to win a fabulous crafty prize!

Sticker Kitten Unicorn Fairground collection

Over

£470 worth of prizes to be won!

Worth £30 each

3 to give away If your stash is longing for a super-cute collection to be added to it, then look no further than the Unicorn Fairground by Sticker Kitten. Coming with a selection of paper packs, ephemera and stamps with hot-air balloons, a carousel and a gorgeous unicorn, along with a selection of sentiments such as ‘celebrate’ and ‘have a super fun day’, this stamp is brilliant for all ages any time of year. ● Love this collection? See so many more at www.stickerkitten.co.uk

Paper Nest Dolls stamps 5 to give away For those of you who love adding a dose of cute into your makes, then this Paper Nest Dolls prize package is a must enter! Five winners, will each receive a $20 gift voucher to spend on the Paper Nest Dolls website, which is packed with adorable images for cards and gifting all year round. ● Visit www.papernest dolls.com for more from Paper Nest Dolls

Crafter’s Companion Gemini bundle 1 to give away Crafter’s Companion is giving you the chance to win its brand-new Gemini Midi machine, which is perfect for crafting on the go or for those of you who have a small craft space. The prize also comes with a storage bag to keep your machine in during those rare occasions you’re not crafting, as well as a plastic folder and shim to get you crafting straight away. ● Head to www.crafterscompanion.co.uk to see more from the Gemini range

Worth £31 each

Worth £100

Groves scissor & storage package 3 to give away Three of you could win this glorious prize package from Groves featuring a range of stash essentials. The bundle includes fab pair of floral scissors, and a trusty storage caddy with super-cute teacups, teapots and tea bags on, this is prize perfect for all you tea fanatics. ● For more information contact, groves@ stockistenquiries.co.uk

Worth h c £16 ea

Visible Image stamp collective

Worth £36 each

3 to give away Our friends at Visible Image have given us three stunning prize packages for you to win. The prize features a trio of stamps – the Rise and Shine set, which has a gorgeous shining sun; the Midnight Sky set, a glorious array of space-themed stamps and sentiments, and the amazing Phoenix Rising set, a must-own stamp set for sending hope across the miles. ● See more from Visible image at www.visibleimage.com

To enter For your chance to win one of these prize packages enter online at www.simplycardsmag.com by 25th February 2021 We promise we’ll always keep your data safe and will never share it with or sell it to other companies for marketing purposes. Our full privacy policy is available at www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/privacy The competition is operated by Practical Publishing International Ltd. For full terms and conditions, see www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/competitions

30

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Clever

Designed by Sam Calcott

34

keepsakes This issue’s Tranquil Tulip set isn’t just for cardmaking – follow Sam Calcott’s example and take your crafting off the page

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

You will need

Thinking of you

Special make

Tranquil Tulips set coloured cardstock ● patterned paper ● black inkpad ● ribbon bow ● manual die-cutting machine ● ●

Simply make

Lastminute make

Origami pouch gift card holder

You will need Tranquil Tulips set white 300gsm cardstock ● patterned paper ● black inkpad ● scoreboard & bone folder ● manual die-cutting machine ●

1 Cut any size square from a piece of pattern paper, the size used here is 20cm square.

2 Fold in half on the diagonal, making sure all the points line up.

3 Next fold over the left- and right-hand corners to create the shape shown.

4 Fold down one layer of the top corner and slip it inside the front folded piece. Add adhesive to secure, you should now have a little pocket to fill.

5 Stamp the ‘THINKING of you’ sentiment onto white cardstock, die-cut and assemble your layered tulip from coloured cardstock and affix in place. Add a bow and die-cut hearts to finish.

Pen pot

●

Using a strong 300gsm cardstock will help make this project more sturdy!

Simply make 1 Cut the following panels from white cardstock, one 21cm square; one 21x15cm and one 21x10cm.

2 Score all the pieces along the longest side at 5cm, 10cm, 15cm and 20cm and on the short side at 5cm. Fold and burnish all the scorelines.

3 Cut up the scorelines along the long edge on each piece to the first scoreline only.

Remove the small rectangle in the bottom-right corner of each piece.

4 Remove the small rectangle in the bottom right corner of each piece. On each box, add glue to the tab and adhere to the other side to form a tube shape.

5 Fold in all the base squares and adhere. Glue the three boxes together as shown and decorate with patterned paper and layered flowers.

Special make

35

Special make

Extraspecial make

HOW TO: create an origami napkin fold box

1 Mark the centre point of a 20cm square of lightweight card and mark the centre.

2 Fold all four sides in carefully to meet in the centre point as shown, creating a large square in the centre.

Use a lighter weight card or paper for the Napkin Fold part.

Happy Mother’s Day You will need Tranquil Tulips die set white cardstock ● coloured cardstock ● patterned paper ● scoreboard & bone folder ● metal stylus & ruler ● manual die-cutting machine ● ●

3 Now fold in each corner to the centre point as shown, you’ll notice a scoreline square created in the tip of the fold. Push in the sides as shown.

4 Once the sides have been pushed in you should have four squares showing on top.

36

5 With the squares on top, fold each corner of the square sections back on itself as shown.

Sam’s created a video tutorial to help you follow this step-by-step guide – find it and much more by visiting her blog www. mixedupcraft.com or going directly to it at https://tinyurl.com/y497ngzb

Video

6 Open the shape back up and using cutting knife, cut four lines from the centre point to each corner of the square section.

7 Cut a 20cm-square piece of white cardstock for the base, score along each side at 5cm.

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

Just for you ●

You will need Tranquil Tulips set white cardstock ● coloured cardstock ● pink & black inkpad ● ribbon ● 3D foam pads ● hole punch ● scoreboard & bone folder ● manual die-cutting machine ● ●

Simply make 1 Cut a 23x19cm piece of white cardstock, score along the 19cm side at 13cm and 18cm and along the 23cm side at 5cm.

2 With the 1cm tab on your right-hand side, cut up all the score lines to the first line only. Remove the small 1cm rectangle in the bottom-right corner.

3 Add glue to the 1cm tab and adhere to the other side. Fold in the base piece and adhere.

4 Emboss the whole image using pink cardstock and lightly ink to enhance the design and layer onto the bag front.

5 Hole punch four holes, two on either side of the bag along the top and thread with ribbon to create handles. Add a stamped sentiment and layered die-cut tulips to finish.

Cut a slightly bigger circle and hole-punch the centre, use these to reinforce the handles

Special make

8 Cut up the scorelines as shown, add glue to the tabs and adhere inside each other to form the base of the card.

9 Using the origami piece, add glue to the back of the triangular pieces and adhere to the inside of the base.

10 Cut a piece of 15.2cmsquare cardstock for the lid, score all four sides at 2.5cm, fold and burnish and assemble in the same way as the base.

11 Cut six pieces of 4cmsquare patterned paper, cut in half on the diagonal and decorate all the triangular sections of the napkin fold.

Finish with a matt layer for the lid die-cut tulips.

37

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

You will need

You are loved

Tranquil Tulips set ● white cardstock ● coloured cardstock ● black inkpad ● ribbon ● hot-glue gun ● 14cm-diameter wicker wreath ● manual die-cutting machine ●

Lastminute make

Simply make 1 Using a 14cm-diameter wreath, die-cut and arrange the tulip dies and adhere with a strong glue.

2 Cut a strip of white cardstock long enough to attach to each side. Stamp your chosen sentiment onto white cardstock and use a hot-glue gun to affix to the centre of the wreath as shown.

3 Cut a length of ribbon and adhere to the top of the wreath on the back so it can be hung by the recipient. Finish with a decorative bow.

Hope you’re better soon ●

Extraspecial make

You will need Tranquil Tulips set ● white cardstock ● coloured cardstock ● black inkpad ● ribbon ●

38

Simply make 3D foam pads ● scoreboard & bone folder ● manual die-cutting machine ● circle nesting dies ●

1 Cut a 28x14cm piece of white cardstock, score along the long side at 4cm, 14cm, 18cm and 28cm and along the short side at

10cm. Fold and burnish all the scorelines.

2 Along the long side, cut up all the scorelines to the first line only. Remove the bottom narrow right-hand corner section.

3 Using a 6.5cm circle die, lay half of it over the front section and die-cut, use the piece you cut away as a template to cut the other side.

4 Add glue to the 1cm tab and adhere to the other end of the cardstock. Fold in the base and adhere together.

5 Cut six of the 6.5cm circles along with a slightly bigger one to create the handles, layer three on top of each other to create two strong handles. Adhere to the bag follow the curve of the circle as shown.

6 Cut a 10x8cm piece of pink cardstock and emboss using the folder, cut the inner circle design and lay it around the handles.

7 Cut a strip of 10x3cm white cardstock, stamp the sentiment onto it centrally and embellish with pearls.

Mount onto the bag front.

Finish with a layered die-cut tulip.

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Designed by Lou Collins

Downloads Our templates will help you master your lettering skills and recreate these projects for yourselves! Download them from www.simplycardsmag.com

42

love

This month Lou showcases three different lettering projects all perfect for showing a loved one you care

Lettering

Valentine’s day

You will need white 7”-square card blank ● black & white cardstock ● assorted Ecoline Brush pens ● black brush pen ● white gel pen ● wet glue ● clear gems ● water & paintbrush

Beginner

●

Simply make 1 On white cardstock, scribble four or five different brush pens. Spritz with water, allowing colours to run together, using a brush to move them around if needed. Set aside to dry.

2 Once dry, cut coloured cardstock into a heart shape and glue flat onto the card base front.

3 Sketch your wording over the heart using a pencil, and trace the lines with a black brush pen.

4 Add small white highlights to the letters with a white gel pen.

5 On scrap black paper, write ‘HAPPY’ and ‘DAY’ with

white gel pen. Once dry, cut out and adhere to the heart to complete the phrase ‘HAPPY Valentine’s DAY’.

6 Add clear gems and faux ink splatters around the image using the pens as shown to finish.

Intermediate

Happy Mother’s day You will need Goldline watercolour paper Ecoline Brush pens ● VersaMark embossing pen

black fine-line pen water ● paintbrush

silver embossing powder heat tool ● small frame

●

●

●

●

●

●

For a looser and more arty heart effect, paint directly onto your card base – this will give you a rougher edge

Top tip

Simply make 1 Cut watercolour paper down to fit the frame.

Lightly draw a pencil heart in the centre.

Dampen the paper inside the heart, right up to the edges with water and a paintbrush.

2 Whilst the paper is wet, using Ecoline pens randomly add colours, allowing the ink to spread – manipulate if needed with a damp brush. Set aside to dry.

3 With a pencil, lightly sketch words inside the heart. Trace over a few letters at a time, with the brush end of an embossing pen.

4 Whilst the ink is wet, sprinkle silver embossing powder on the letters and heat-set. Repeat for the rest of the letters, a few at a time. Draw around the heart with a black fine-liner pen to finish.

Lettering

With a brush pen, you can press down onto the nib to create a teardrop shape. Two of these next to each other make a neat heart!

Advanced

HOW TO: create your own word art

Heart word art You will need white Bristol Smooth cardstock ● Ecoline brush pens ● coloured fine-line pens ● pencil ● ruler ●

1 Create a paper square.

Sketch a heart, using guidelines such as a centerline to make it as symmetrical as possible.

2 Lightly draw grids inside the heart, varying the sizes of each space.

3 Using a pencil, write your desired words in each of the boxes using different fonts and styles for each.

Simply shopping

4 Write over the words with brush pens, vary the styles/colours, spacing them evenly around.

44

5 Resume filling each box, working from the larger to smaller, using brush lettering and capitals.

6 Once you’ve completed the words, fill in any gaps with small hearts using the same pens.

Our friends at Under the Rowan Trees provided the materials to create this stunning trio of makes, head to www.undertherowantrees. co.uk to see their fab product range

Stamped

shaker cards Designed by Sue Hughes

Take shaker cards one step further with these fun and fabulous stamped designs by Sue Hughes

A

s a crafter, there is no better feeling than giving a card that brings joy and delight to the recipient. I am sure many of you will agree that shaker cards do just that.

They are also great fun to make and can be customised to suit almost any occasion.

A really great way to get more from your co-ordinating stamps and dies is to create fun stamped shaker cards.

The technique can easily be adapted to make use of a wide variety of stamps and die sets. Many stamp sets provide us with similar images in a set that can all work together in one card. Alternatively, you could use the same image more than once and simply change the colour for added interest.

The technique for these cards varies slightly from the more traditional shaker card, as shown by the step-by-step guide on page 48. Here the 3D foam tape is placed around the stamped image to create a frame and the sequins are sprinkled inside. The co-ordinating die-cut panel is then placed on top of the image. This will help you to accurately position the image to ensure that it is fully visible through the aperture. It is worth mentioning that it’s a good idea not to add too many sequins for these designs so that the stamped image will be the focal point of the card and the sequins just add a fun embellishment.

46

Simply shopping Clearly Besotted products are available from www. clearlybesottedstamps.com

Technique

You’ll need

Head over heels

● white,

pink & blue cardstock ● My Favorite Things Sweet Stack 6x6” papers ● Clearly Besotted Stamps Head Over Heels stamp set & dies ● Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad ● Copic markers ● acetate ● sequins ● 3D foam tape ● manual die-cutting machine

Simply make 1 Attach a 14.5cm square of pink cardstock to a white 15cm-square card blank.

2 Stamp each of the hippos onto separate pieces of white cardstock and colour using markers. Place 3D foam tape around each of the hippos, 0.5cm away from the outline of the images. Trim the excess cardstock from outside edge of the tape.

3 Layer a 13cm square of hearts patterned paper onto a slightly larger piece of blue cardstock. Place one of the co-ordinating hippo dies in the top-right corner and cut out to create an aperture.

Place the second hippo die in

the 3D foam tape around each of the hippos and sprinkle sequins inside each. Position the co-ordinating apertures over each image, ensuring the whole image is visible through the opening, then press firmly to secure. Attach the panel to

the bottom-right corner of the panel and cut out. Place the third hippo die on the left-hand side and cut out.

4 Cut three 5cm squares of acetate and attach to the reverse of each opening.

5 Remove the backing from

Thanks

You’ll need white, blue & pink cardstock Hunkydory Splendid Stripes Perfect Background Stamping paper pad ● bird stamp ● Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad ● Copic markers ● acetate ● sequins ● gems ● 3D foam tape ● manual die-cutting machine ● ●

Simply make

This design would be perfect for a male or female recipient – simply alter the colour scheme

Top tip

the card blank using 3D foam pads.

6 Stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock. Trim to size and layer onto pink cardstock. Attach in the top-left corner of the card front using 3D foam pads.

1 Layer a 13.5cm square of blue stripy paper onto a slightly larger square of pink cardstock. Attach to a 14.5cm-square white card blank.

2 Stamp the swallow image onto white cardstock and colour using markers.

Place 3D foam tape around the edge, 0.5cm from the outline of the image, ensuring there are no gaps.

Trim any excess cardstock

from outside of the tape.

3 Stamp ‘Thanks’ in the bottom-right corner of a 12cm square of white cardstock. Stamp several small flowers in a random pattern onto the cardstock and colour using markers.

Layer the panel onto a slightly larger piece of blue cardstock.

4 Place the swallow die 3cm from the top-left corner of the stamped panel and cut out to create an aperture.

Attach an 8cm square of acetate to the reverse of the opening.

5 Remove the backing from the tape around the stamped swallow and sprinkle sequins inside.

6 Place the aperture over the swallow, ensuring the image is fully visible through the opening, and press firmly to secure. Attach the panel to the card front using 3D foam pads to finish.

47

HOW TO: create a stamped shaker panel

1 Stamp a large flower onto white cardstock and colour using Copic markers.

2 Add 3D foam tape around the edge of the flower, 0.5cm from the outline of the image, ensuring there are no gaps.

Happy birthday You’ll need

Simply make

●

●

3 Trim the excess cardstock from outside of the tape, then sprinkle sequins over the image as shown.

white, pink & blue cardstock ● My Favorite Things Sweet Stack 6x6” paper pad ● Clearly Besotted Stamps So Much to Say stamp set ● floral stamps ● Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad

4 Layer a circle of blue hearts paper onto a slightly larger circle of white cardstock.

Place the die to co-ordinate with the stamped flower in the centre of the circle and cut out to create an aperture.

5 Die-cut a slightly smaller circle of acetate and attach to the reverse of the opening.

Remove the backing from the 3D foam tape around the image and sprinkle sequins inside.

6 Position the aperture over the stamped flower ensuring the image is fully visible through the opening, then press firmly to secure. Attach the panel to the card blank using 3D foam pads.

48

Copic markers ● acetate ● sequins ● 3D foam tape & pads ● manual die-cutting machine ● circle & scalloped circle nesting dies

1 Place a large circle die to slightly overlap the folded edge of a white 13cm-square card blank and cut out. Cut the same die from white cardstock and attach to the card front. Trim 0.5cm from the bottom so it stands up.

2 Attach a slightly smaller pink scalloped circle to the card blank.

3 Follow the step-by-step guide below to create the stamped shaker panel.

4 Stamp the sentiment onto white cardstock and trim to 9.5x1cm. Trim in to a fishtail banner then score at 1cm and 1.5cm from each end and fold to create a extra dimensional banner.

Attach to the top of the card front to finish.

Technique

You’ll need ● white,

blue & pink cardstock ● Hunkydory Splendid Stripes Perfect Background Stamping paper pad ● Avery Elle Butterflies stamp set & dies ● Clearly Besotted Stamps Brushed Sentiments stamp set ● Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad ● Copic markers ● acetate ● sequins ● gems ● 3D foam tape ● manual die-cutting machine

Simply make 1 Layer an 11x19cm piece of pink stripy paper onto a slightly larger piece of pink cardstock, then attach to a white 12x20cm card blank.

2 Stamp three butterflies onto separate pieces of white cardstock and colour using markers. Place 3D foam tape 0.5cm from the edge of each butterfly ensuring that there are no gaps. Trim most of the excess cardstock from outside the tape.

3 Stamp ‘HAPPY Birthday’ in the top-left corner of a 9x19cm piece of blue cardstock then layer onto a slightly larger piece of white cardstock. Place the co-ordinating butterfly die in the top-left corner and cut out to create an aperture.

Cut another butterfly aperture towards the bottom-left and a third in the centre as shown.

4 Cut three 7x5.5cm pieces of acetate and attach to the reverse of each aperture.

Remove the backing tape from the 3D foam tape around each of the stamped butterflies and sprinkle a few sequins inside each.

5 Position the apertures, one at a time, over the stamped butterflies ensuring the image is fully visible through the opening, then press firmly to secure.

Attach the shaker panel to the card blank using 3D foam pads.

6 Embellish the blue panel with silver gems of varying sizes to finish.

Birthday butterflies

Best wishes

You’ll need white, blue & pink cardstock My Favorite Things Sweet Stack 6x6” paper pad ● Clearly Besotted Stamps April Showers stamp set & dies ● My Favorite Things Birdie Brown Greetings Galore stamp set ● Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad ● acetate ● sequins

Copic markers 3D foam tape ● manual die-cutting machine

●

●

●

●

Simply make 1 Attach a 15.5x10cm piece of pink cardstock to a 16x10.5cm white card blank.

2 Stamp a medium and a small umbrella onto two separate pieces of white cardstock and colour using markers. Place

3D foam tape around the edge, 0.5cm away from the outline of each image. Trim any excess cardstock from around the edge of the 3D foam tape.

3 Layer a 14.5x9cm piece of multicoloured stripy paper onto a slightly larger piece of blue cardstock. Place the die to co-ordinate with the medium stamped umbrella

2cm from the top-left corner and cut out to create an aperture.

Place the die to co-ordinate with the smaller stamped umbrella in the centre, 2cm from the bottom and cut out.

4 Cut an 11.5x7cm piece of acetate and attach to the reverse of the panel to cover both apertures. Remove the backing from the 3D foam tape around each of the stamped umbrellas and add a few sequins to each. Position the apertures one at a time over the co-ordinating umbrella images and press firmly to secure.

5 Attach the shaker panel to the card blank using 3D tape. Layer an 11.5x1.5cm piece of blue hearts paper onto a slightly larger piece of pink cardstock.

Attach at the bottom of the card blank.

6 Stamp ‘BEST WISHES’ onto white cardstock. Trim to size and layer onto a slightly larger piece of pink cardstock. Attach in the top-right corner of the card blank using 3D foam pads.

49

Try something new with…

Spotlight die-cutting Give your dies a new lease of life with our comprehensive guide to spotlight die-cutting with our expert step-by-step guide

S

potlight die-cutting is an extremely useful technique for creating clean and simple cards, and it works brilliantly with stamps that come with co-ordinating dies. Using the stamp and die

50

combination creates a great focal image on your card and can really help the foremost images stand out. You can however also use just dies for this technique.

The most common effect

using just dies is to feature a camouflaged word within the sentiment; you cut the word directly from the background, then stack more of the same die-cut word underneath to give the required height.

I’ve designed all the cards in this feature within the same style to demonstrate the different kind of images that can be used with this technique and to show that you can use it to highlight specific images

Masterclass

Designed by Christine Smith

from a cluster of images. The great thing is that any brand of co-ordinating stamps and dies works! Whether the die gives a wide border or cuts right up to the image, because we’re cutting the image straight from

the background, the size of the border is irrelevant and not particularly noticeable as it is camouflaged among the background.

This technique can still be done with solid dies, just simply

cut a template from scrap paper, line it up around the image, place the die in the negative space and cut.

However you choose to try out this cool technique, I’m sure you’ll be looking at your dies and

stamps differently, especially if you like creating one-layer cards, as applying this technique will allow you to introduce subtle dimension into your designs.

51

HOW TO: create spotlight die-cutting

Sending love

1 Stamp the image using Archival Ink. Watercolour the background using a tones of blue watercolour paint and leave to dry. You don’t have to be too neat, this will add to the overall effect.

2 Once dry, add extra detials using a background stamp.

Ink the stamp randomly and press onto the cardstock in a few different areas.

If your co-ordinating dies are solid (that you can’t see through), cut the die from scrap paper, place this over the top to get the perfect placement, then slot the die into the negative space and die-cut

Top tips

You will need white 14.5cm-square card blank ● white cardstock ● Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Butterflies stamp & die sets ● Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals stamp & die sets ● Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set ● Spellbinders Happy Grams #4 Tammy Tutterow Nothing But ●

3 Watercolour the main image, leaving it to dry slightly between colours. For extra opulence, add copper watercolour paint. It can create a nice effect to load up your brush with metallic paint and ‘splash’ some in the background.

4 Use the co-ordinating die to cut the coloured image.

Be careful where you place the low tack tape when die-cutting – we want to keep both pieces.

52

5 Add the background panel to the card front, then raise the die-cut with 3D foam pads to create the spotlight die-cut look.

Love stamp set Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink ● Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad ● Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen ● Golden Sunset Nuvo Glitter Drops ● Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue ● paintbrush ● Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint ●

6 You can see the dimension that the 3D foam pads give.

This also enables you to tuck a sentiment banner underneath the edge if you wish.

3D foam pads manual die-cutting machine ● Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Complete 5x7” Card and Box die set ● Tonic Studios Will’s Hand Miniature Moments Love die ● ●

Simply make 1 Follow the step-by-step guide (left) to create a watercoloured background and image, and to create the spotlight die-cut effect.

2 This card design has quite a few raised images, however this time there is no masking involved, all the images are stamped separately from one another.

3 Create the sentiment using word and flourish dies and stamping. Add highlights to the scripty word and flourish using a clear Sparkle pen.

4 Add Nuvo Glitter Drops and gold gel pen highlights to create a butterfly trail to finish.

Masterclass

Amazing birthday

You will need white 14.5cm-square card blank ● white cardstock ● Spellbinders Spring Love Stephanie Low Feather Fireflies die & stamp set ● Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set ● Lawn Fawn Smitty’s ABCs stamp set ● Hero Arts Lia Griffith Irregular Arrow stamp ● Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink ● Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad ● Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen ● Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint ● Golden Sunset Tonic Studios Nuvo Glitter Drops ● 3D foam pads ● paintbrush ●

manual die-cutting machine ● Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Mix and Match Friendship die set ●

Simply make 1 Follow the step-by-step guide on page 52 to create a watercoloured background and image, and to create the spotlight die-cut effect.

2 Complete the design using a combination of alphabet stamps and word dies; the raised die-cut is a great place to tuck a stamped sentiment underneath to add to the impression of depth and dimension.

3 To add subtle shine use a clear Sparkle pen to coat the word ‘amazing’.

4 Add Nuvo Glitter Drops to embellish the card to finish.

To get the desired background effect, use a reasonable amount of water and allow the colours to move by themselves

Top tips

Sweet friend

Christina Collection Layered Butterflies die set ● Creative Expressions Crafts Dies

by Sue Wilson Mix & Match Friendship die set

Simply make

You will need white 14cm-square card blank ● white cardstock ● Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals stamp & die sets ● Spellbinders Happy Grams #4

By Tammy Tutterow Nothing But Love stamp set ●

Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint ● Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink ● Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad ● Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen ● Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue ●

Golden Sunset Tonic Studios Nuvo Glitter Drops ● paintbrush ● 3D foam pads ● Post-it notes ● gold gel pen ● manual die-cutting machine ● Sizzix Framelits Hexagon dies ● Card Making Magic The ●

1 Follow the step-by-step guide on page 52 to create a watercoloured background and image, and to create the spotlight die-cut effect.

2 To create the shaped card blank, place one cutting edge of a hexagon die over the fold of the card blank and die-cut.

Trim the stamped panel using the same die.

3 Stamp the images you want in the foreground first, then stamp them again onto Post-it notes and carefully cut them out. Use these to protect the original images while you stamp more.

4 This design features multiple spotlight die-cutting, and this works best if you only apply the technique to the images at the forefront.

5 Die-cut the sentiment and a butterfly from white cardstock and add highlights using the Sparkle pen.

6 Embellish the card front with Nuvo Glitter Drops and use a gold gel pen to add a trail behind the butterfly as shown to finish.

53

You will need white 17x12.5cm card blank white cardstock ● Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals stamp set ● Spellbinders Nothing But Love Stamp Set Happy Grams #4 By Tammy Tutterow ● Spellbinders Snail Stamp and Die Set from the Earth Air Water Collection By Stephanie Low ● Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink ● Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad ● Tonic Studios Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen ● Golden Sunset Tonic Studios Nuvo Glitter Drops ● Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue ● Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint ● paintbrush ● 3D foam pads ● Post-it notes ● manual die-cutting machine ● Creative Expressions Craft Dies

by Sue Wilson Mix & Match Friendship die set

Thankful for you

● ●

Simply make 1 Follow the step-by-step guide on page 52 to create a

You inspire me

watercoloured background and image, and to create the spotlight effect.

2 Stamp all the images you want in the foreground first, then stamp them again onto Post-it notes and cut them out. Use these to protect the original images while you stamp more.

3 This card features two different types of spotlight die-cutting – the snail is achieved by the method shown in the step-by-step guide on page 52 while the word is die-cut straight from the background but, instead of adding 3D foam tape,

more words are cut from white cardstock and layered.

4 Complete the sentiment as shown and add subtle highlighs to ‘thankful’ using the Sparkle pen.

5 Add Nuvo Glitter Drops to embellish the card front to finish.

You will need white 14.5x10.5cm card blank ● white cardstock ● Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set ● Hero Arts Lia Griffiths Irregular Arrow stamp ● Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Butterflies stamp & die set ● Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink ● Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad ● Tonic Studios Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen ● Golden Sunset Tonic Studios Nuvo Glitter Drops ● Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue ● Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint ● gold gel pen ●

paintbrush 3D foam pads ● manual die-cutting machine ● Tonic Studios Will’s Hand Miniature Moments Inspire die ● ●

Simply make 1 Follow the illustrated step-bystep guide on page 52 to create a watercoloured background and image and to create your spotlight die-cut effect.

2 Add the ‘YOU inspire ME’ sentiment using a combination of alphabet stamps and word dies, adding glitter highlights to ‘inspire’ using a clear Sparkle pen.

3 Embellish the card front with Nuvo Glitter Drops and add a hand-drawn butterfly trail using a gold gel pen.

For a co-ordinating die that cuts very close to the image, place a scrap of paper over the top of the finished image, then place the die into the negative space and cut

Top tips

54

Grooming Marvellous Collection

Clare Rowland s

from

£8.99 Celebrate your furry friends with the ‘Grooming Marvellous’ collection from the super talented Clare Rowlands of Daisy Mae Design.

Hand-drawn Stamps

FREE DELIVERY OVER £15

Whether you’re an animal lover, or know someone who is, this exciting range features stunning handdrawn stamps & sentiments that promise plenty of tail-wagging fun. Recreate a pamper day suitable for any pet with fun designs & witty phrases including ‘Sending bubbles of love’ & ‘You had me at woof!’

If your pet is more familiar with pilfering than pampering, there are versatile designs for this too! The Grooming Marvellous range cleverly varies scale and style so you can easily build texture & create unique makes suitable for a range of recipients & occasions throughout the year.

www.craftstash.co.uk or call 0161 327 0035 Free delivery applies to UK mainland addresses only. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions or codes. Products shown available at CraftStash whilst stocks last. Prices correct at time of print. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw this offer without further notice. CraftStash, Suite G2 St Christopher House. 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK2 6NG. customer.service@craftstash.co.uk Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

CERTIFIED REVIEWS

Shopping

Shopping

Be mine

Lou’s love-themed lettering has us feeling affectionate, so we’ve chosen a selection of our favourite products to help show loved ones we care Turn to page 42 to find this rest of this fabulous feature

SAVE* 10% Xcut Love Heart die set £12.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

WOW! Ruby Romance embossing glitter £2.75, www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk

Mulberry Looped Heart Keyring in silver £95, www.johnlewis.com

Hunkydory Moonstone Heartfelt Love die set £14.99, www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk

30 personalised Love Hearts sweets package £12.99, www.swizzels.com

Love Gemini Floral Sentiment stamp & die set £7.99, www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

SAVE* 10% SAVE* 10% Xcut Paris in Love die set £12.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

Emma Bridgewater Personalised Pink Hearts Cocoa Mug, from £23.95, www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

Fire Red Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Kiss £5.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

Get 10% off selected items at www.craftstash.co.uk ends 4th February 2021. For full terms & conditions just enter the code SCP21310 at the checkout! *Offer see www.craftstash.co.uk Prices and conversions correct at the time of going to print

57

Striking

snowdrops

Designed by Helen Griffin

Take a closer look at this issue’s bonus SVG cutting files and digital stamps – perfect for year-round crafting

Milk carton giftbox

by Helen Griffin

You will need bonus digital stamps bonus SVG digital files (optional) ● white, violet & purple cardstock ● gingham patterned paper ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● alcohol markers ● mini peg ● ribbon ● gems ● 3D foam pads ● scoreboard & bone folder ● circle punches ● computer & printer ●

58

●

electronic die-cutting machine (optional)

Simply make 1 Trim an 81⁄4x51⁄2” panel of white cardstock, with the piece of cardstock in a landscape orientation score at 2”, 4”, 6” and 8”.

2 Turn the cardstock once and score at 1½”, 3½” and 5”.

Fold scorelines and snip into the bottom gaps. Assemble with glue.

3 Trim four squares of gingham

patterned paper to measure 1¾” square and two pieces to measure 1¾x1¼”.

4 Punch two layering circles from violet and purple cardstock and stamp the sentiment onto one.

Layer together.

5 Print the snowdrop images onto white cardstock, colour, cut out and mount onto the sentiment using 3D foam pads.

6 Add the sentiment to the front of the milk carton. Tie

Download the digital stamps & SVG cutting files from

www.simplycardsmag.com a bow from ribbon and glue to a mini peg before securing to the top of the box. Add gems as shown to finish.

Fabulous freebies

Personalised frame

You will need bonus digital stamps bonus SVG digital files (optional) ● white & purple cardstock ● alcohol markers ● gems ● 3D foam pads ● white photo frame ● photo-editing software ● manual die-cutting machine ● Simply Made Crafts Album Alphabet dies ● electronic die-cutting machine (optional) ●

Simply make 1 Print the digital stamps onto white cardstock, cut out the images and colour as desired using alcohol markers, adding depth and dimension with shading.

2 Cut out the images, layer the buds on top using 3D foam pads, then adhere 3D foam pads onto the back of the main image, trimming if needed.

3 Using photo-editing software, place the digital script image repeatedly onto the workspace so it can be printed onto purple cardstock in white.

4 Die-cut the desired letter from white cardstock twice, colour one letter to co-ordinate with the image and stack up the die-cuts as shown to create a shadow effect.

Secure the elements onto the printed panel and add to the frame to finish.

by Helen Griffin

Birthday script

by Stephanie Wincott

Designed by Stephanie Wincott Simply make

For those of you who don’t like hand-cutting, we’ve provided you with SVG cutting files to go with the main snowdrop digital image and buds – test them out with your electronic machine and digital stamps!

You will need bonus digital stamps bonus SVG digital files (optional) ● white, coral & orange cardstock

alcohol markers 3D foam pads ● script embossing folder ● photo-editing software

computer & printer electronic die-cutting machine (optional) ● manual die-cutting machine

●

●

●

●

●

●

1 Using photo-editing software, repeat the script digital stamp into workspace, and add the sentiment underneath, before printing directly onto white cardstock.

2 From the printed sheet create your 10.5cmsquare card blank.

3 Print the snowdrop cluster and flower heads onto white cardstock and cut out. Colour as desired, being sure to add depth and dimension with shading.

4 Adhere the snowdrop cluster onto the card using 3D foam pads.

Adhere additional flower heads on top of the snowdrop cluster using 3D foam pads.

59

Stylised letters Designed by Lou Collins

Take your lettering to the next level with Lou Collins and discover how to add images and patterns

O

nce you have a grasp on brush lettering, you may like to start progressing and experimenting by adding colours and patterns to your letters. A really fun way to create themed lettering is to add an image into the letters themselves.

Sometimes it looks as if this style of artwork must have been edited digitally, but it really is simple to achieve by hand, as I will show you here in this step-by-step guide.

For each piece I always plan and sketch ďŹ rst. Adding pattern to some letters can be time consuming, as I found with my ‘Paradise’ project, but this is where it is a good idea to pick just one or two key words from your quote or sentence and use a mix of fonts instead.

60

Once you have the word spacing planned out in pencil, brush-letter over the word in a very pale grey pen. This will be your guideline for colouring in.

I have used Karin markers for all of my projects. This is because they are extremely easy to use and very blendable.

Even once the ink has dried on the paper, you can still go back and reinvigorate it and for blend with a little water.

Lettering Find out more about Lou at: loucollinsdesigns

loucollinsdesigns

loucollinsdesigns

You will need smooth watercolour paper (I recommend Daler-Rowney Aquafine Smooth) ● Karin markers in various colours ● small paintbrush ● small round paintbrush ● black fine-line pen ● white gel pen ● white opaque ink or paint ●

Download

You can download templates to help you master these projects from

www.simplycardsmag.com

Exclusive reader savings!

*Offer ends 4th February 2021.

For full terms and conditions visit www.craftstash.co.uk

Too much water for colour blending can make the colours run where you don’t want them. It is better to start with less rather than too much.

You can always add more If you do add too much water, dip the corner of a sheet of kitchen towel into the wet area and you will see it gets soaked up very quickly

Paradise

1 With a ruler and pencil, draw horizontal lines over the grey brush lettering to section where each colour of your sunset will start and finish.

You will erase these later.

2 Colour each section in with Karin markers, leaving a small gap between each colour where possible. With a small paintbrush and some clean water, begin blending each of the colours together.

3 Once all the background of the letters are blended and dry, use a pencil to sketch your palm trees. These could be simple and quite solid shapes, or more detailed with many thin leaves. Using a black fine-line pen will make the detail easier to achieve. Go over the trees only where the letters are, then erase any pencil lines once the black ink is dry.

4 Add in your extra words to complete the quote.

I drew a horizontal line 1” from the top and bottom of ‘paradise’ and fit my other words between these and the edge of ‘paradise’.

Do this first in pencil and then trace in pen when you are happy with the spacing.

We’ve teamed up with our friends at CraftStash to offer our readers a 10% discount* on the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pen 20-pack. Visit www.craftstash.co.uk, add the items to your cart and enter the code SCP21310 at the checkout

SAVE 10%

61

Lettering

Also using Karin markers...

Starry night

I created a water-effect background for my mermaid piece using Karin markers

1 Simply draw some curvy lines and swirls in three or four blue/green colours where you’d like your ‘water’ to be.

2 Brush clean water over the lines to blend them and create a watercolour look. Be careful not to get this water too close to your finished lettering.

1 Sketch everything in pencil but this time there is no need to create the pale grey lettering first if you don’t need to. This stage is optional. You may simply just sketch your words in pencil instead.

2 With a small round brush and clean water, trace over one letter at a time. Be sure to still use a thicker line for your downstrokes, and enough water for it to still be damp for the next stage, but not a puddle that could run over the page.

3 Dip the very tip of your Karin markers into the wet letter. Use purple, blue and black for the galaxy effect. You can then use a damp paintbrush to move this ink around more if needed.

4 Allow the blended letters to dry, then use a white opaque ink or paint to flick small dots or stars all over them. It doesn’t matter about getting the flicked ink on your paper as it should not show.

2 With a damp paintbrush, blend together the two colours, carefully adding a little more water as needed and keeping between the lines. You should get a blue colour where they meet.

3 When this ink is completely dry, use a white gel pen to draw scales over the coloured letters.

Mermaid

1 Once you have laid down your grey pen, colour just the tops of each letter in purple and the bottom in a green. You will be surprised by how little ink you will need here.

62

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HOW TO: create an advanced concertina card

Clever

concertinas Sam Calcott helps you step away from your comfort zone with her guide to concertina cards

1 Cut a piece of 30x15cm pink cardstock and score along the 30cm side at 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, and 25cm.

Fold all the scorelines so you have a valley, mountain, valley, mountain and end with a valley fold.

2 Cut a piece of white cardstock to 20x15cm and score along the 20cm side at 5cm, 10cm and 15cm. Fold all the scorelines so you have a valley, mountain and end with a valley fold.

3 Mark white cardstock with a pencil along the middle scoreline at 5cm and 10cm.

Using the screw hole punch, punch two holes out over the pencil marks.

Happy birthday You will need

Simply make

white & navy cardstock ● The Paper Boutique Ocean Breeze paper pad

1 Cut a piece of white cardstock to 30x15cm. Score along the long side at 15cm.

Fold in half to create the card base.

2 Cut navy cardstock to 30x15cm. Score along the long side at 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20cm and 25cm.

3 Fold each scoreline so you have a valley, mountain, valley, mountain and a valley fold.

●

4 Cut six pieces of 4.5x14.5cm pattern paper and stick onto each panel of the navy cardstock.

5 Add glue to the back of the left panel and stick inside the left side of the card base.

6 Fold everything down and add glue to the back of the last panel then close the card so the last panel sticks to the card base.

7 Embellish and decorate as desired to finish.

4 Using the pink cardstock mark with a pencil along the middle scoreline at 5cm and 10cm, using the screw hole punch, punch two holes out over the pencil marks.

Back to basics

Designed by Sam Calcott

Just for you You will need ● white

& pink cardstock Addicts Ahoy There paper pad ● ribbon ● screw holepunch ● scoreboard ● Paper

5 Cut another piece of 30x15cm pink cardstock and score along the 30cm side at 15cm, fold in half to create your 15cm-square card base. Using the pink folded piece of cardstock, add glue to the back of the first panel and stick to the edge of the card base, do the same with the white folded piece and stick it right next to the pink piece as shown in the pictures.

6 Thread the ribbon under the pink piece and through the underside of the white piece so you have both ends of the ribbon to pull through.

7 Add glue to the last panels of the pink and white piece, squash them both down and close the card making sure everything is all lined up.

8 Pull the ribbon taut and tie in a bow. Cut six pieces of 4.5x14.5cm patterned paper and stick onto all of the panels. Embellish and decorate further as desired.

Did you know?

Since joining the Practical Publishing family, Sam has designed and released her own range of products! Her fabulous Made To Surprise stamps, embossing folders & dies are available exclusively at www.craftstash.co.uk

67

In-depth guide to:

Valentine’s Day A gift from the heart doesn’t have to be expensive – Emma’s budget friendly idea is right up our street!

Add shape to the die-cut pieces with a bone folder so they wrap around the curve of the jar

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Spotlight on

You will need Crumb Cake & Whisper White Stampin’ Up! cardstock ● Stampin’ Up! Jar of Love & Pick A Pennant stamps ● Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay, Pineapple Punch & Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Up! inkpads ● Jet Black StãzOn inkpad ●

Designed by Emma Fuge

jute twine white shrink plastic ● brush ● masking tape ● PC & printer ● 3D foam pads ● glue dots ● folk art chalk paint & paper

empty jar heat tool ● bone folder ● Stampin’ Up! Playful Pennants & Everyday Jars Framelits dies ● nesting heart dies ● manual die-cutting machine

●

●

●

●

Simply make:

1 Clean and dry an empty jar then add masking tape to the areas you do not want to be painted.

2 Paint the jar and lid with contrasting colours and leave to dry.

3 Remove some of the paint using a sandpaper sponge for a distressed look.

4 Die-cut a heart-shaped frame from Crumb Cake cardstock using two dies – one slightly smaller than the other.

5 Stamp the bunting and sentiment onto white cardstock and die-cut.

6 Stamp the jar with black ink onto white shrink plastic, then stamp the ribbon and bow with Crumb Cake and Bermuda Bay ink on top. Die-cut and heat until it shrinks.

7 Add 3D foam pads to the embellishments and sentiment and secure to the front of the jar.

8 Tie a piece of twine around the neck of the jar, leaving the bow at the front.

Secure the centre of the bow with glue dot for it to remain in place.

9 Print or write your personal messages on paper, then cut out, roll up and tie with twine.

Die-cut small hearts from co-ordinating cardstock and place inside the jar to finish.

69

Competition

WIN

Over

£500

a classic Lawn Fawn package!

O

ur fabulous friends at Lawn Fawn are giving you the chance to win one of six gorgeous all-occasion bundles worth £85 each, perfect for revitalising your stash, with some classic Lawn Fawn products you’ll be using time and time again!

It includes products

that epitomise the Lawn Fawn brand with super-cute stamps of the Dandy Day – a gorgeous set with a selection of mice and dandelions with sentiments of ‘SENDING WISHES’ and ‘I THINK YOU’RE DANDY’, and Birthday Tags – perfect for creating unique gift tags for any age and time of year.

worth of fantastic prizes to be won!

The bumper bundle also comes with a Meadow Backdrop Landscape panel die, complete with stitched exterior border details, grass, a butterfly in signature Lawn Fawn style, a tree stump and flowers for those crucial scene-building details.

There’s also a Lemon Lawn Trimmings for adding

the perfect finishing touches to your gifts and projects, a glitter pen (because no project is complete without a spot of glitter), a 6x6” Really Rainbow Petite paper pack and a Stamp Shammy, for making your stamps squeaky clean after a mammoth crafting session.

Get your dose of cuteness and much more at www.lawnfawn.com

How to enter For your chance to win one of these prize packages enter online at www.simplycardsmag.com by 25th February 2021 We promise we’ll always keep your data safe and will never share it with or sell it to other companies for marketing purposes. Our full privacy policy is available at www.practicalpublishing. co.uk/privacy. The competition is operated by Practical Publishing International Ltd. For full terms and conditions, see www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/competitions

70

Everyday

embossing Get more from your Tranquil Tulips set and delve into Nicky’s striking showcase of inspiration with our guide to various embossing techniques

100+ digital downloads to use with your Tranquil Tulips set – the digital sentiments give you more variety for occasions, where the colour swatches enable you to die-cut your flowers in various shades, helping you create more realistic flowers with depth and dimension!

Download them tonight from www.simplycardsmag.com

Designed by Nicky Gilburt

As lovely as you are

Special make

Lastminute make

Keep the points of the pencils very sharp so they can get into all the tightly embossed corners of the tulips You will need Tranquil Tulips set bonus sentiment downloads ● white 12x14cm card blank ● white & orange cardstock ● Bundled Sage Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink ● colouring pencils ● sequins ● ink-blending tool ● 3D foam pads ● computer & printer ●

●

●

●

72

manual die-cutting machine circle nesting dies

Simply make 1 Emboss white cardstock in the folder, then place a die-cut circle of paper over the circle on the panel.

2 Use an ink-blending tool to apply Bundled Sage ink outwards from the circle

mask, using only a light touch towards the edges.

Trim the panel so the circle is positioned slightly above the centre and affix to the card front.

3 Die-cut a 5.5cm-diameter circle from white cardstock and emboss it in the folder so that it picks up the pattern. Use pencils to

colour all the detail, then layer onto a larger orange circle and affix to the card front using 3D foam pads.

4 Select a sentiment from the downloads and change the colour to green, then print onto cardstock, cut out and add to the card front.

Embellish with sequins to finish.

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

You will need Tranquil Tulips set ● white 12.5cm-square card blank ● white & orange cardstock ● Tangelo & Morocco Memento inkpads ● colouring pencils ● ribbon ● 3D foam pads ● manual die-cutting machine ● 7cm circle die ●

Simply make 1 Lightly ink the inside-front of the embossing folder with the Tangelo inkpad, keeping it level and only adding ink to the raised embossed lines.

2 Carefully close the folder over a piece of white cardstock and emboss in the die-cutting machine.

3 This faux letter-press technique transfers the ink onto the cardstock within all the debossed lines. Wipe

any remaining ink from the embossing folder.

4 Trim the panel to a square with the circle towards the top. Add ribbon and a bow around the bottom half, affix to a square of orange cardstock, then onto the card front.

5 Die-cut a white circle and stamp the sentiment in the centre using the Morocco inkpad. Affix over the circle on the card front using 3D foam pads.

6 Emboss another piece of white cardstock, then select eight tulips to colour, some with leaves.

7 Use two shades for the flower head and two for the leaves. Cut out around the embossed lines, then arrange around the circle using 3D foam pads to create a frame.

Thinking of you

Extraspecial make

For the best faux letterpress print, put the embossing folder through the die-cutting machine with the non-hinged end first, so the cardstock can’t slip

Top tip

Happy Mother’s Day -●

Special make

Top tip

Make this design easier if you wish by simply embossing coloured scraps of cardstock

You will need Tranquil Tulips embossing folder, stamps & dies ● white 14.5x13cm card blank ● white & green cardstock ● Tulip Red VersaFine Clair inkpad ● pearls ●

Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, Crackling Campfire, Festive Berries & Bundled Sage Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● ink-blending tool ●

3D foam pads colour swatch downloads ● computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine ● ●

Simply make 1 Emboss two pieces of white

cardstock in the folder, then cut all fully embossed areas into 2cm-wide strips.

2 Use the ink-blending tool to apply at least six different shades of ink to the strips then, once dry, trim to 4cm and 2cm lengths. Add 3D foam pads to the back of each one.

3 Create a mosaic pattern on white cardstock, then once you are happy affix each element in place. Trim the edge then layer onto green cardstock, leaving a narrow border, and affix to the card front.

4 Use the colour swatch downloads to die-cut the three sections of the tulip, and use green cardstock and the colour swatches for the three leaf sections.

5 Assemble over a spare piece of embossed cardstock and layer onto green, trimming a narrow border.

6 Stamp the sentiment using Tulip Red ink onto white cardstock and trim into a strip. Affix to the card front, add the tulip topper, then embellish with pearls.

73

Simply make

Just for you

Special make

Special make

1 Blend several shades of Distress Oxide Ink, from light to dark, over a piece of cardstock to fit the embossing folder.

2 Emboss the cardstock with the coloured side facing upwards (with the coloured print on the folder) using the appropriate sandwich for your machine.

3 Rub a sanding tool all over the panel to lift the top layer of ink, working in circles and applying even pressure until the embossed lines are all white.

4 Make die-cut stencils of the tulip heads. Blend Distress Oxide Ink, from light to dark, through each one to create your own easy layered stencilled tulips.

74

While you have your handmade stencils and inkpads to hand, why not make lots of stencilled tulip heads to use on other projects?

Top tip

5 Create another tulip outline stencil, position accurately over the image and fit the die into the aperture, before die-cutting. Repeat for each tulip.

6 Die-cut and colour stems and leaves, then arrange on a white die-cut circle. Add a heat-embossed sentiment, colour with ink, then add a bow and pearls to finish.

You will need ● Tranquil

Tulips set 12.5x16cm card blank ● white cardstock ● Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, Crackling Campfire, Festive Berries, Bundled Sage & Mowed Lawn Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● clear embossing ink ● white embossing powder ● pearls ● ribbon ● ink-blending tool ● sanding tool ● heat tool ● 3D foam pads ● manual die-cutting machine ● circle nesting dies ● white

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

Hope you’re better soon

You will need Tranquil Tulips set ● white cardstock ● Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, & Festive Berries Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● Tulip Red VersaFine Clair inkpad ● gems ● ink-blending tool ● 3D foam pads ● manual die-cutting machine ● circle nesting dies ●

Special make

Simply make 1 Create a circle card blank by die-cutting folded cardstock.

Cut a second circle the same size, blend Festive Berries ink around the very outer edge and Spiced Marmalade ink around the centre, then affix to the card bank, covering the fold.

2 Use 12cm and 8cm circle dies to cut a frame, then cut a 5.5cm circle for the centre of the card. Emboss both pieces in the folder, then blend Mustard Seed ink over the frame and Wild Honey over the centre piece.

Top tip 3 Select a darker shade for each, then lightly brush the ink-blending tool across the surface to highlight the embossed detail without blending into the

Hello

Always die-cut a shape before embossing it, otherwise any embossed detail will be squashed by the die-cutting plates

colour underneath.

4 Layer the small circle onto one the next size up, coloured red, then affix the frame and centre panel to the card front.

5 Add a stamped sentiment using Tulip Red ink and coloured with ink around the edges, then embellish the recessed circle with gems to finish.

●

Extraspecial make

You will need Tranquil Tulips set ● white 12.5cm-square card blank ● white & green cardstock ● Green Oasis VersaFine Clair inkpad ●

Simply make 3D foam pads ● colour swatch downloads ● computer & printer ● manual die-cutting machine ● 7.5cm-square die ●

1 Cut cardstock to fit the embossing folder then die-cut a 7.5cm square in the centre. Emboss in the folder then trim the outside to an 11.5cm square.

2 Print the red/orange/yellow and the yellow/green colour swatch sheets onto cardstock.

3 Select a section showing four shades of green and cut out, then adhere behind the aperture. Layer the panel onto green cardstock using 3D foam pads then affix to the card front.

4 Die-cut four tulips from the colour swatch cardstock, using the lightest shade for the base, then two darker shades for the detail and shading, following the instructions on the backing card. Adhere together.

5 Create four sets of leaves using shades of green cardstock.

Arrange over the squares, trimming the bottoms off the leaves and stems to make them fit, then add the tulip heads using 3D foam pads.

6 Stamp the sentiment on a green swatch panel using Green Oasis ink and cut out, affix across the centre of the card front using 3D foam pads to finish.

75

Using your Tranquil Tulips set

Thank you

Lastminute make

Blending ink over the debossed side of the cardstock creates a different effect, highlighting the white detail of the lines You will need Tranquil Tulips set white cardstock ● Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, Bundled Sage & Mowed Lawn Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● ink-blending tool ● 3D foam pads ● Sentiment & colour swatch downloads ● computer & printer ●

●

●

●

Exclusive reader savings!

*Offer ends 4th February 2021.

For full terms and conditions visit www.craftstash.co.uk

76

manual die-cutting machine circle nesting dies

Simply make 1 Emboss white cardstock in the folder, trim so no edges are showing ,then fold in half with the debossed side outwards.

2 Emboss an 8.5cm-diameter circle of cardstock in the folder, positioning

it centrally. Use an inkblending tool to colour the edges of the card front and the embossed circle.

3 Die-cut two smaller circles, one larger than the other.

Leave the larger one white and blend Bundled Sage ink around the edge of the other as shown.

4 Create two flowers using spare stencilled tulips from

We’ve teamed up with our friends at CraftStash to offer our readers a 10% discount on the Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink. Visit www.craftstash.co.uk, add the items to your cart and enter the code SCP21310 at the checkout

the ‘Just for you’ card on page 74, adding stems and leaves, and affix to the card front.

5 Select a sentiment from the downloads, change the colour to orange, then print onto cardstock. Cut out and add to the card front. Diecut hearts from the colour swatch cardstock and add around the design to finish.

SAVE 10%

Shopping

Shopping

Tools of

the trade

We’re always on the hunt for new tools, or updates for our trusted favourites that have seen better days.

Here’s a round-up of our favourites to add to your stash Turn to page 64 to find our helpful guide to stamp positioners

SAVE £5 with code SCP213500

Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die-Cutting Machine Starter Kit With My Life Handmade Cardstock & Fabric £117.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

Crafter’s Companion A3 scoring board £19.99, www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Storage tin $8.99 (£7.42), www.rangerink.com

Stix2 Hot Melt Glue Gun & 7.2mm glue sticks pack £10.49, www.stix2.co.uk

IndigoBlu Easy Peasy Stamp Cleaner £3.19, www.indigoblu.com

Stix2 Silicone Finger Protectors £2.39, www.stix2.co.uk

SAVE 10% with code

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SCP21310

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Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Media Tool £14.49, www.craftstash.co.uk

Stamp Easy Vaessen Creative stamping platform £24.99, www.joannasheen.com

Crafts Too Press To Impress Storage Case £11.99, www.craftstash.co.uk

Get up to £5 off selected items at www.craftstash.co.uk just enter the code at the checkout! *Offer ends 4th February 2021. For full terms & conditions see www.craftstash.co.uk Prices and conversions correct at the time of going to print

77

Tried & tested

The Gemini family Here’s a handy guide to Gemini’s range of die-cutting machines. Which one will you embrace in 2021?

D

ie-cutting is such a huge part of the craft world, but if you’re a beginner it can be a little overwhelming

Gemini Midi The Gemini Midi is only Crafter’s Companion’s second manuallypowered machine, the sequel to the popular Gemini Mini, so if you loved that pint-sized powerhouse, this is for you! Like the Mini, you don’t need any batteries or electricity to power through those projects, just your own trusty craft power!

The Midi’s 6x9” die-cutting slot is incredibly versatile and can be used with metal dies, embossing folders and cut and embossing folders so there really is no limit to where your creativity can take you!

knowing just where to start!

One key factor is finding the right machine for you and your own particular crafting needs. Short of space, want ABOUT THE PRODUCT: RRP: £69.99 Platform size: 6x9” Features: With a more compact design than some of the larger models, this machine is lightweight but with all the power, precision and performance you would expect from a Gemini machine In the box: Gemini Midi machine, plastic shim and plastic folder Who is this machine for? Perfect for beginners or those looking to take the next step on their crafting journey, this powerful manual machine will deliver fabulous, flawless results with each effortless turn of the handle

Exclusive SAVE reader savings!

20%

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Crafter’s Companion to offer our readers a 20% discount on the machines shown here.

Visit www.crafterscompanion.co.uk, add the items to your cart and enter the code 20GEMINI at the checkout Offer ends 4th February 2021. This code is single use per customer, it cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and can be removed at any time

78

to make off-the-page projects or low on budget? Crafter’s Companion has you covered with its range of die-cutting machines. Each machine has

Gemini die-cutting machine The original and largest machine in the range, the Gemini is a hugely popular choice amongst crafters as it cuts up to A4 and can be used for even the largest of dies on the market, such as the pop-up box and memory book dies by Crafter’s Companion. It’s ideal for keeping in your craft room and, due to its weight, isn’t suitable for transporting about.

It’s perfect for cutting through paper, cardstock, vellum, fabric, acetate, faux leather and a whole host of other materials, making it suitable for use with the Gemini Multi Media dies – the perfect choice if you’re also a sewist or quilter. Prepare to revolutionise your sewing with this essential gadget!

its own advantage, so we’re going to take a look at each one to make your decision just that little bit easier!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT: RRP: £179.99 Platform size: 9x12½” Features: Edge-to-edge A4 cutting, pause, resume and reverse buttons, and enough space for multiple dies In the box: Gemini machine, two clear cutting plates, metal cutting plate, magnetic shim, plastic shim, rubber embossing mat, Ornate Lace 3D embossing folder, Hexagons Multi Media dies, Floral Frame dies, Blossoming Borders dies, Flourishing Elements dies, user guide and power cable Who is this machine for? Heavy-duty die-cutters who have a large space to fill in their craft room

Tried & tested

Gemini Junior die-cutting machine As the name might suggest, the Junior is the slightly smaller sister of the original machine, and it cuts on a 6x9” platform, making it still ideal for use with a large number of dies. It looks every inch the Gemini machine, with many of the same features but in a more compact design.

This makes it ideal for taking on short journeys to craft classes or crafty friends’ homes, or for

stashing in your craft room in a small area. Despite its smaller size, it doesn’t compromise on cutting power and is still capable of cutting through a host of materials and with thicker Multi Media dies.

It’s also perfectly sized for use with the Gemini FoilPress machine, allowing you to add beautifully foiled detail to your projects!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT: RRP: £139.99 Platform size: 6x9” Features: Edge-to-edge pressure, pause, resume and reverse buttons, and is lightweight In the box: Gemini Junior machine, two clear cutting plates, metal cutting plate, magnetic shim, plastic shim, rubber embossing mat, 3D embossing folder, die set, user guide and power cable Who is this machine for? Crafters who would like to take their die-cutting machine to classes or only 1have a small space for crafting

Gemini GO die-cutting machine

Perfect for beginners and those on a budget who want to dip their toe into die-cutting, the GO is the smallest electronic Gemini machine to date. The GO features a much smaller cutting platform than the other electronic machines, and it’s great for little projects and lightweight die-cutting. Many crafters who purchase a GO do so to take to craft classes or even to store in their holiday homes and caravans, allowing them to craft anywhere! While this machine is portable, it doesn’t run on batteries, so you will also need to be near a power source to plug in the cable. But if a Junior is still too large for your craft space, a GO might be for you!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT: RRP: £89.99 Platform size: 3x6” Features: Edge-to-edge pressure, pause, resume and reverse buttons, super-small build and tiny platform In the box: Gemini GO machine, two clear cutting plates, metal cutting plate, magnetic shim, plastic shim, rubber embossing mat, user guide and power cable Who is this machine for? Crafters who would like to take their die-cutting machine on the move (to classes, on holiday or even in the garden!)

Gemini Mini die-cutting machine The Mini is the first handpowered machine in the Gemini range, and quite possibly the cutest member of the entire Gemini family! Perfect for beginners, its price range makes it an easy and accessible way for anyone to get into die-cutting.

This powerful little machine is ABOUT THE PRODUCT: RRP: £29.99 Platform size: 3x6” Features: Edge-to-edge pressure, a manual handle for your preferred cutting speed, tiny build and platform and is lightweight

compact, lightweight and so easy to use. Because you don’t need a power source, this machine allows you to die-cut absolutely anywhere you fancy. However, its small size means that you can only use the appropriate-sized dies and embossing folders.

In the box: Gemini Gemini Mini machine, plastic shim and plastic folder Who is this machine for?: Beginners to die-cutting and embossing who would like to try out a small machine before they commit to a larger one

79

Britain’s No.1 die-cutting & embossing magazine

Don’t miss your

Card Making Magic die set

ISSUE 73 ON SALE NOW

versatile digital cutting files!

Unmissable cards using Pinkfresh Studio dies & stamps

Learn how to make inked shaker cards

Also inside: ● We go behind the scenes at Hunkydory HQ ● All-occasion designs using your bonus SVG files ● Step-by-step guide to creating floating die-cut panels!

Use your dies to create beautiful decor items

Contents & on-sale date subject to change

Order your copy today at www.craftstash.co.uk

ALL your favourite craft magazines and more!

Product focus

Positive

vibes

Designed by Christina Griffiths

Look on the bright side with Christina Griffiths from Card Making Magic and take a look at her latest die from our sister title Die-cutting Essentials

T

his has been the strangest year, and lockdowns aside, it has been a busy year.

During 2020 new dies and stamps have been released from Card Making Magic (CMM) and I hope you like the Between the Lines with issue 73 of Die-cutting Essentials. There are a lot of different ways it can be used – I’m sure you’ll find more for yourself once you start to play. Use it to create a background or snip into it to get the bit you require. Try paper piecing with different colours, or add to parchment for a translucent look.

This year’s releases have included shaped easel cards and gorgeous panels, whilst Ultimate Words allow you to create any sentiment. All the releases can work together as you build your personal collection, The alphabet dies come in sizes to complement each other, with upper and lower cases so you can personalise any project.

With new dies and stamps from CMM, lots of new products from CraftStash and a whole new place for inspiration with www.craftworld.com, there’s no reason not to craft in this strange time. If you haven’t tried CraftWorld, what are you waiting for? There’s always loads going on and like-minded people to chat to, plus competitions, forums and video tutorials from the Design Team.

This is the time to chill and enjoy your crafting or relax with your magazine over a lovely cuppa. I wish you all good health and please stay safe.

Issue 73 of Die-cutting Essentials is on sale now and can be bought direct from www.craftstash.co.uk

81

You are special You will need

Simply make

Between the Lines die set from Die-cutting Essentials 73 ● white, black & lilac cardstock ● sequins & brad ● pink ribbon ● sunray stencil ● pink inkpad ● blending brush ● corner-rounder punch ● 3D foam pads ● Card Making Magic A5 Oval Nested die set ● manual die-cutting machine

1 Create a white A6 card blank.

Add a smaller lilac matt.

2 Cut a slightly smaller piece of white cardstock and use a blending brush and an inkpad to create the sunray pattern.

Affix to the card front.

3 Die-cut an oval and a scalloped oval from lilac cardstock, layer together using 3D foam pads and secure to the card front.

4 Attach the waste pieces from

●

the 'Ombré background' card on page 82 to the oval panel.

5 Die-cut the sentiment from black cardstock several times, layer together and matt onto a rectangle of white cardstock with rounded corners. Affix to the card front using 3D foam pads.

6 Add sequins, a ribbon bow and a flower embellishment as shown.

Check out the Card Making Magic Expert page at www.craftworld.com, where Christina shares her latest tutorials, competitions, blogs and more!

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Product focus

You will need

Ombré background

● Between

the Lines die set from Die-cutting Essentials 73 ● white, teal, turquoise, lilac & black cardstock ● lilac ribbon ● lilac & purple sequins ● Dusty Concord & Mermaid Lagoon Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● blending brush ● 3D foam tape ● rectangle & scalloped rectangle dies

Simply make 1 Create a teal 6”-square tent-fold card blank and cover with a slightly smaller turquoise matt.

2 Cut a slightly smaller panel of lilac cardstock. Using a blending brush and inks, add colour to the panel, fading from one colour to the other as you go down it.

3 Die-cut the crocus panel three times from white cardstock. Trim out the flowers and secure to the inked panel. Secure to the turquoise panel using 3D

Crocus panel

foam tape, then add to the card front.

4 Cut a teal scalloped panel and a turquoise plain rectangle, affix as shown.

5 Die-cut the sentiment several times from black cardstock, stack together then adhere to the rectangle matt. Add sequins to finish.

Keep any waste from your die-cuts and add small 3D foam pads to the back to help you create the ‘You are special’ card on page 81

Top tip

You will need Between the Lines die set from Die-cutting Essentials 73 ● white, lilac, turquoise & teal cardstock ● colouring pencils ● 3D foam tape ●

Simply make 1 Fold an A4 piece of lilac cardstock in half, then cut it in half to give you two card blanks. Save one for another project.

2 Die-cut the crocus panel from white cardstock, then trim to fit the card front. Matt onto turquoise cardstock.

3 Colour in the flowers, keeping the darker shade nearest to the centre of the flowers. Secure the panel to the card front using 3D foam pads.

4 Die-cut the sentiment several times from teal cardstock and stack together. Fix in place as shown.

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A back-to-basics guide to

Stamping platforms

Designed by Nicky Gilburt

Stuck with your stamping? On the fence over whether a stamping platform would help? Take a look at Nicky’s expert guide and see exactly why the SCP team we love them!

H

ere at SCP we know it can be so frustrating when you stamp an image and it doesn’t work as you’d hoped, you wish you’d lined it up better, or there’s even a tiny section that you’ve missed – so you go to fill it in and whoops, you’re slightly out. We’ve all been there, many times! While using acrylic blocks is the perfectly acceptable way to stamp, there is so much that can be achieved with a stamping platform. It gives us stampers so much more confidence to develop our skills

What does it do?

A stamping platform allows you to do so many more stamping techniques without the stress of worrying if it will work. Because you can secure your cardstock in position and keep the stamp in exactly the same place, you can: ● Position the stamp perfectly on your work before you use it

Exclusive reader savings!

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Ink up in one or more colours when it’s on the lid ● Stamp again in the same position for a stronger print ● Fill in any bits you missed ● Get an even pressure all over the stamped image ● Avoid hazing, where the stamp moves when you don’t want it to! ●

We’ve teamed up with our friends at CraftStash to offer our readers a 10% discount on the Crafts Too Press to Impress stamping platform. Visit www.craftstash.co.uk, add the item to your cart and enter the code SCP21310 at the checkout Offer ends 4th February 2021. For full terms and conditions visit www.craftstash.co.uk

● Use the measurements or grid lines to create a pattern or border by moving the cardstock ● Get perfect layered images with no stress – see our step-by-step guide opposite ● Create a rotating pattern using speciallydesigned stamps

SAVE 10%

Back to basics

HOW TO: stamp the perfect image

1 Use the magnets to secure your cardstock to the platform. Position the stamp then pick it up with the lid. Ink the stamp, close the lid and apply even pressure all round.

2 If you’re not happy with the first impression, leave everything in position and ink up the stamp again. Close the platform and press again.

3 It may only take two presses to get the perfect impression, but continue until you are happy. You can go on to ensure multiple images are in the perfect place each time!

HOW TO: achieve layered stamping

1 Stamp the outline for the layered stamps. These are Altenew’s Fabulous Florets. Remove the outline stamp from the lid. Position the next layer exactly on the image.

2 Ink up the stamp, close the lid and press onto the cardstock. If you are unhappy with the impression, ink up again and re-stamp the image.

3 Position the next layering stamp, for shading, over the image, add darker ink and close the platform to stamp the detail. Continue to add all the elements until the image is complete.

HOW TO: measure to make borders

1 Look at the size of your stamp and position it and the cardstock against the ruler at the top or side, so that you can move the cardstock both ways.

2 Anticipate how much you will need to move the cardstock, then ink up and stamp the image again. Work along to complete the border.

3 Create a complete border then select another stamp to in-fill any spaces if you wish, or rotate the cardstock to work on another border or frame.

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Sarah Gray

Cardmaker, designer & owner of Funky Fossil Sarah Gray

We’ve worked with Sarah since she won Papercraft Magazines Designer of the Year in 2017, and we love her style so we couldn’t wait to help her celebrate Funky Fossil’s second birthday “Winning PMDY in 2017 remains an absolute highlight for me on my crafting journey and was definitely a catalyst for where I am now”

S

arah lives in Leeds, Yorkshire with her two teenage boys, long-suffering husband and bouncy cockapoo Oscar.

Until she left her day job to focus on Funky Fossil full time, she worked in Human Resources for over 20 years.

“I loved working with people and helping them to develop their careers but I eventually decided that I couldn’t ignore my creative passion any longer!” she says.

Her mum has always been crafty and is great with fabric and sewing, which started Sarah off with cross stitch when she was young.

“Unfortunately I have never really found my way around a sewing machine but cross stitch gave me a love of colours, textures and design which led me in to cardmaking and scrapbooking. The patterned papers remind me of fabrics and I have a tendency to hoard them!”

Once she started cardmaking, she quickly became hooked on stamping (and, of course, heat embossing!) and then she began to use stencils more on her work too. “Discovering the potential that stamps and stencils offer for creating your own designs and working with so many different mediums is when the crafting addiction really took hold!”

How would you describe your creative style?

Eclectic and colourful! I love working with really graphic, clean and simple designs and then playing with more grungy, layered, mixed-media techniques as well.

Have you seen your craft develop over the years since you started? In what way?

I have definitely become more confident in trying different techniques and products together. I used to find creating layers quite difficult as I didn’t want to cover up what I’d already done but now I realise the layers add to the design and make it more interesting.

Working with things like stencils and gelli plates have encouraged me to enjoy the unpredictable side of crafting!

What is it that you love about crafting?

I love everything from shopping for craft supplies (a hobby in itself!), to getting lost in the process when I am making something and realising that several hours have just evaporated, through to the fun and fabulous support that I receive when I do a Facebook Live or share my own work. I have made some wonderful friends through platforms such as blogging, Instagram, CraftWorld and Facebook!

Interview

to that sewing machine and learn how to create big, bold, colourful quilts.

Sarah’s winning projects back in 2017 gave us insight to her love of stamping and versatility What is your favourite papercraft technique?

That’s an impossible question!

Heat embossing and inking through stencils are techniques that I use a lot!

What’s your favourite type of papercraft project to make and why?

Cardmaking is a lovely way to share a piece of your own creativity with someone else and make them smile.

However, I also love playing in my art journal as that gives me the freedom to experiment and try things without worrying about how it will turn out!

What’s your favourite thing about your craft space?

I am lucky enough to have a small craft room that overlooks our back garden and is lovely and sunny. I am not a tidy crafter and often have several projects on the go at once so it is usually in a state of chaos.

What’s the most used item in your craft supplies?

I would say that the tools I use the most are either my

heat gun or stamp positioning platform – they are both used on a daily basis! Oh and my paper trimmer.

techniques/effects that you can achieve with them.

What’s your favourite thing about what you do?

What one item in your stash I just love taking a plain could you not live without? piece of white cardstock and These questions are just too transforming it into something difficult for a craft supplies unique – no two people create hoarder to answer! Assuming the same end result, even that white cardstock, when they are working with adhesive and the same products. scissors are Seeing the already “I love working with really amazing things included, I that people would go graphic, clean and simple make with for a black our stamps designs and then playing inkpad, and stencils Ranger never fails to with more grungy, Tim Holtz inspire me.

Distress layered, mixed media Oxide Ink, Do you have a techniques as well” crafty ambition stamps and stencils. I am not you’re yet to realise? sure that narrows it I would love to go to down much!

Creativation (a big trade craft show in the USA) one day!

What one product is your favourite?

Is there any other form of I would have to say that crafting that you want to Distress Oxide Ink by Tim try your hand at?

Holtz is my favourite thing to Improving my hand-lettering work with both because of the skills is definitely high on my colour choice and range of list and I would love to get back

Of course, you were one of the winners of Papercraft Magazines Designer of the Year (PMDY), back in 2017.

What made you enter the competition?

Being a winner of PMDY in 2017 was amazing and totally unexpected! I hadn’t entered before but had thought about giving it a go a few times. I remember thinking at the time that it would be a good way to stretch myself and create some different styles of project that were slightly out of my comfort zone at the time.

What do you think winning this competition helped you achieve with your crafting?

Winning PMDY in 2017 remains an absolute highlight for me on my crafting journey and was definitely a catalyst for where I am now. Winning the competition was a massive confidence boost and designing regularly for the magazines has given me the opportunity to keep trying new things.

All in all, it cemented my determination to do something creative for a living that developed in to Funky Fossil!

Turn over for more from Sarah

87

Interview

Sarah loves the Doodle Borders stamp set from her range – and it’s definitely at the top of our must-buy list too!

We love Funky Fossil products! How did you start the company?

I started making and selling stencils when I bought a laser cutter in 2018 but the business really started to become ‘serious’ in January 2019 when we opened our online store (www.funkyfossil. co.uk) and started to expand our range to include clear photopolymer stamps. Starting my own craft brand felt like a natural progression – now I can make the stencils and stamps that enable me to realise the ideas that are swirling around in my head! As a keen crafter myself, hopefully the things that inspire me will appeal o other crafters too.

What do you consider to be Funky Fossil’s unique selling point?

Variety – as I don’t have one particular ‘style’, I work with a range of designers to produce an eclectic range of stamps and stencils from quirky to pretty and/or artsy.

With approximately 50 stamp designs and over 300 stencils, I am confident that we have something for everyone! I am

Quick-fire round

always exploring new avenues so every product release is different. I like to think our range is contemporary, fun and quirky!

Can you pick a favourite product from your range?

I am particularly proud of our Doodle Borders A5 stamp set as that is the first set that I have hand drawn.

It is very simple but also really versatile. We released it in October last year and I was delighted that it was one of our best-selling stamp sets.

Favourite city you’ve visited?

Valencia, Spain Favourite colour? Teal Favourite food? Chocolate (I have a very sweet tooth!)

Favourite junk food?

Cheesy nachos Favourite drink? Hot Chocolate Biggest ambition? I would

beautifully in stamp and stencil form.

What can readers become to expect from your brand in 2021?

“I am excited for I am excited Is there for 2021 as anything you’d 2021 as we are we are love to bring planning planning to expand our to expand out as a release? our range range further with There are further with so many dies, Washi tape and dies, Washi directions and tape, paper themes that I pads and other paper pads” want to develop! embellishments in At the moment I am the pipeline alongside interested in putting together new releases of stamps and stamps and stencils inspired stencils. I really hope everyone by different cultures such as likes them!

African tribal art, Mehndi art I will also continue to appear and Japanese art and I also on Hochanda and to share our love tattoo art – there are some designs on CraftWorld so there fab designs that would work are lots of ways to find out

love to visit New Zealand and Australia What is your biggest passion?

Crafting! I think about making things 24/7!

Guilty pleasure? Shopping for craft supplies… I just can’t stop Favourite thing about Britain?

Our beautiful countryside

about new products as we release them.

What advice would you give to a budding craft entrepreneur who wants to start a new venture but doesn’t have the confidence to do so?

My advice would be to make a start. If you compare your starting point with other bloggers or makers who are well established it can feel too daunting. Every sale or new follower is an achievement to be celebrated and if you stay true to doing what you love, your energy and enthusiasm will come across.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

I would just like to say thank

Find out more about Sarah funkyfossildesigns

88

Funky Fossil Designs

www.funkyfossil.co.uk

www.funkyfossildesigns.blogspot.com

Funky Fossil

Interview

We couldn’t resist asking Sarah to create a project to celebrate Funky Fossil turning two!

Let’s party you to everyone for their help and support in getting me this far. I really appreciate every sale, comment and view. As someone who does everything from product design to packing each order, I feel a very personal connection to every customer. I am always grateful for feedback or ideas so if there is anything that you would like to see from Funky Fossil in the future, I would love to hear from you.

Aside from crafting, do you have any other hobbies and interests?

In my ‘spare’ time I love walking our dog Oscar in the countryside near where we live, binge watching series on Netflix and reading. I try to spend as much time in Spain as I can every year too – I love the sea and sunny days.

Exclusive reader savings!

You will need white watercolour cardstock black cardstock ● Funky Fossil A6 Clear Let’s Party & Snail Mail stamp sets ● Funky Fossil Confetti Sprinkles stencil ● VersaMark inkpad & pen ● Opaque Bright White Super Fine, Clear Regular WOW! embossing powders ● Aquamarine, Peridot & Tanzenite WOW! embossing glitters ● Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad ● ZIG Clean Colour Real brush markers ● Claritystamp masking sheets (optional) ● Post-it notes ● ●

Simply make 1 Stamp and cut masks of the cat, cake and rabbit from masking sheets or Post-it notes.

2 Stamp the images from the front backwards.

Start with the cat, mask, and then stamp the cake overlapping the mask.

3 Mask the cake and do the same with the rabbit so that it looks as if it is popping out from behind the cake. Stamp the snail at the bottom.

4 Leave the masks in place over the stamped images and lay down the Confetti Sprinkles stencil. Press over the stencil with a VersaMark inkpad.

5 Remove the stencil and masks and sprinkle different colours of embossing glitter over the embossed stencil pattern.

Heat to melt and create glittery confetti.

6 Watercolour the stamped images in bright colours.

I’ve used brush markers but you could use watercolour paint, Distress Ink or watercolour pencils.

7 Shade around the group with pale blue watercolour and add a little grey at the base to ground the image.

8 Once dry, add accents with a VersaMark pen and clear embossing powder. Stamp and white heat emboss the sentiments on black card. Trim and add as shown to finish.

When cutting masks for stamped images, don’t worry about fine details such as whiskers or eyelashes – focus on masking the main shape of the image to create the impression of images being in front and behind each other

Top tip

We’ve teamed up with our friends at CraftStash to offer our readers a 15% discount on Funky Fossil products.

Visit www.funkyfossil.co.uk, add the items to your cart and enter the code FFBIRTHDAY15 at the checkout

SAVE 15%

Offer ends 4th February 2021

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Competition

WIN

Over

£795

a ScanNCut SDX1200 AND SDX Playbook!

O

ne of you could win this EXCLUSIVE prize package from Brother worth £798! Coming with the SDX1200 ScanNCut AND a SDX Playbook to inspire you from the second prize package lands on your doorstep!

Draw, cut and scan to your crafting heart’s content

with this must-own machine.

Whether you’re scanning a fab design or you’re letting the device work its magic with it cutting one of your drawings, with its up to 3mm cutting depth, this machine has you covered for any crafting eventuality.

Perfect for either the avid papercrafter with the ability

Immerse yourself in the amazing world of electronic die-cutting machines by visiting sewingcraft.brother.eu The SDX Playbook is available from www.makerssuperstore.com

worth of fantastic prizes to be won!

to create your own stencils, or the multicrafter with it working brilliantly for patchwork creations with the erasable pencil feature.

The SDX1200 has a 5” touch screen LCD, a built-in scanner allowing to scan up to 24”, flat and wide boards to improve stability, and has a crafting industry first of a fully automatic blade.

It also comes with 1,300+ built-in designs AND 17 fonts!

This must-have machine is

totally independent and doesn’t require a PC to get you going or for support with additional software!

The prize package also comes with a 240-page ScanNCut Playbook giving you all the information you need to get the best and more from this fab machine.

Packed with step-by-step guides, bonus project ideas and a variety of other features including a USB to give you video tutorials.

How to enter For your chance to win one of these prize packages enter online at www.simplycardsmag.com by 25th February 2021 We promise we’ll always keep your data safe and will never share it with or sell it to other companies for marketing purposes. Our full privacy policy is available at www.practicalpublishing. co.uk/privacy. The competition is operated by Practical Publishing International Ltd. For full terms and conditions, see www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/competitions

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Perpetual Calendar Keep track of important dates & events with the BRAND NEW Perpetual Calendar by Simple Made Crafts. Designer, Helen Griffin helps you put a creative stamp on important days while also stretching your skills & imagination. This clever collection incorporates various stamps & dies including a large calendar die set, numbers & months set as well as stunning seasonal & thematic delights. Spruce up your springtime with the Florals A5 stamp set which boasts blossoming, floral motifs & thoughtful sentiments.

There are also nautical themed sets which are perfect for embellishing your calendar throughout the year as well as marking any special occasions. The Simply Made Crafts Perpetual Calendar is sure to keep you feeling organised & inspired for years to come.

Perpetual Calendar & Pen Holder Set

FREE DELIVERY OVER £15

www.craftstash.co.uk or call 0161 327 0035 Free delivery applies to UK mainland addresses only. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions or codes. Products shown available at CraftStash whilst stocks last. Prices correct at time of print. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw this offer without further notice. CraftStash, Suite G2 St Christopher House. 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK2 6NG. customer.service@craftstash.co.uk Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

CERTIFIED REVIEWS

X-shape

cards

Designed by Debbie Simpson

This impressive card blank shape is easy when you know how – let Debbie guide you through it with her step-by-step guides

C

ardmaking is always filled with interesting shapes and sizes and, depending on your dies, you can produce just about anything from Z-fold to stepper to easel shapes.

Here you will learn just how easy it is to put together some truly fabulous interactive dimensional cards that have an amazing ‘wow’ factor any recipient would love to receive.

And the beauty of these gorgeous X-cards is they all fold flat, perfect for posting to delighted friends and loved ones.

It’s possible to buy Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) files to print the X-shape cards straight from your computer, but as long as you have a sizeable die you can produce the same breathtaking results without having to go high-tech.

I’m here show you how to create a variety of designs from the basic four-sided X shape without an aperture all the way up to a more advanced eight-sided filigree star-shaped design that’s just perfect for the more advanced makers out there – or simply for those who want a challenge!

And once you’ve mastered this brilliant idea, with the handy step-by-step guide on page 94 – all you have to do to vary your makes is mix and match the base card shapes and apertures to create lots of different designs. All you need to decide is which fun elements to play with first!

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Hi You’ll need Craft Sensations Sweet Flowers 12x12” paper pad ● thread ● manual die-cutting machine ● My Favorite Things Die-namics STAX Stitched Circle dies ● My Favorite Things Die-namics Hello There die set ● Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Frames & Tags Lexi die set ●

Simply make 1 Using the outer edge, the filigree inner die and the outer edge of the star die from the Lexi die set, cut eight frames from two of the floral patterned papers. Score and fold each die-cut frame in half vertically.

2 Adhere each half of a filigree frame on top of another until you get to the last one, then fix thread between the centre

folds and adhere the last folded frame to each side to form a star shape.

3 Finish with two die-cut circles and ‘hi’ sentiments and adhere the panels back-toback, encasing the thread.

For best results keep to one layer of cardstock per die-cut filigree frame or it will become too bulky to fold

Top tip

Technique

You’ll need Egg Creative Expressions Foundations cardstock ● magenta cardstock ● Taylored Expressions Hello Happiness 6x6” paper pad ● twine ● Mama Elephant Mini Messages stamp set ● Hobby House paper flowers & pearls ● manual die-cutting machine ● Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Squares dies ● Whimsy Stamps Happy Sayings die set ● My Favorite Things Die-namics Fab Foliage dies ● Crafter’s Companion Birthday Sentiments dies

Best wishes

● Duck

Simply make 1 Trim two 14cm square of magenta cardstock and two pieces the same size from Duck Egg cardstock. Matt and layer each square with plaid and bunting patterned paper, leaving a narrow border.

2 Position an 8cm-square die in the centre of one of the decorated squares and die-cut then use that as a template to die-cut the other decorated squares. Score a

Stamp a different sentiment on the other side

central vertical line on each square.

3 Die-cut the square from the Whimsy Stamps set from Duck Egg and magenta cardstock, then matt and layer each one onto co-ordinating cardstock,

Celebrate with cake

adding a stamped ‘Birthday’ and ‘best wishes’ sentiment below ‘Happy’.

4 Adhere the first three squares together as in the step-by-step guide on page 94. Before adhering the final square, place twine down the centre

folds and fix at the top and bottom.

5 Adhere the sentiment panels back-to-back, encasing the twine, then adhere the last large square in place. Finish with flowers and die-cut foliage as shown.

You’ll need white cardstock Taylored Expressions Hello Happiness 6x6” paper pad ● My Favorite Things Big Birthday Sentiments stamp set ● Hobby House adhesive pearls ● DecoArt Glamour Dust ● heat tool ● twine ● Lawn Fawn Stackables Scallop Rectangle dies ● My Favorite Things Die-namics STAX Set 1 Square dies ● My Favorite Things Die-namics Stitched Scallop Square Frames dies ● manual die-cutting machine ● ●

Simply make 1 Die-cut four of the largest rectangles from white cardstock and matt and layer a 5½x4¼” piece of cupcake patterned paper onto each.

2 Die-cut the 31⁄8”-square STAX die from the centre of a

decorated rectangle and use that as a template to die-cut the other decorated rectangles.

3 Die-cut four 31⁄8”-square frames from white cardstock and position in the aperture of each rectangle, adhering with double-sided tape. Score vertically down the centre of each rectangle.

4 Stamp and heat-emboss the sentiment and matt onto magenta cardstock, then add a stamp of your choice on the back of the panel.

5 Adhere the first three aperture rectangles together as in the step by step on page 94. Add twine between the top and bottom centre folds then adhere the sentiment panels back-toback, encasing the twine.

Adhere the last rectangle in place to finish.

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Perfect for beginners

Simply make

1 Die-cut four 5¼x4” stitched rectangles from Duck Egg cardstock and score each one vertically down the centre.

Butterfly birthday You’ll need 2 Trim four 5x27⁄8” pieces of Moroccan Tile patterned paper and four pieces the same size from a co-ordinating floral pattern and adhere to each section of the rectangles as shown.

3 Place one of the scored rectangles flat with the decorated side facing down then adhere a second scored rectangle against the centre fold with the patterned paper facing up on one half only.

94

●

Duck Egg Creative Expressions Foundations cardstock ● magenta cardstock ● Taylored Expressions Hello Happiness 6x6” paper pad ● My Favorite Things

Handwritten Happiness stamp set ● Broken China Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink ● Hobby House self-adhesive pearls ● manual die-cutting machine

●

4 Adhere a third rectangle as before to the other half of the first rectangle.

5 Secure both halves of the last rectangle to the remaining pieces with the decorated side face up.

6 Decorate seven of the sections with layered poppy die-cuts from Duck Egg and magenta cardstock. Finish with a die-cut butterfly and stamped sentiment on the final panel as shown.

My Favorite Things Die-namics STAX Stitched Rectangle dies ● Memory Box Prim Poppy die ● Crafter’s Companion Sara Signature Shabby Chic Chic Butterflies dies

Technique Get the look

My Favorite Things Die-namics Fabulous Foliage die set, £8.49 www.bumbleberrys.co.uk

Prices and conversions were correct at the time of going to print

Happy birthday

Lawn Fawn Scalloped Rectangles Stackables die set, £34.95 www.sevenhillscrafts.co.uk

My Favorite Things Die-namics STAX Stitched Circle Scallop Frames die set, £30 www.diestodiefor.com

To ensure the card will stand, score between the centre two scallops at the top and bottom You’ll need

Simply make

● Craft

1 Die-cut four scalloped circles from white cardstock and four plain circles from pink with yellow dots patterned paper.

Adhere the paper to the scalloped circular die-cuts.

2 Position a smaller STAX die in the centre of one of the scalloped circle die-cuts and cut an aperture, then use that as a template to die-cut the other circles.

3 Die-cut the corresponding size of frame from white cardstock and adhere over each circular aperture, then score the scallop circles vertically down the centre.

Sensations 12x12” Sweet Flowers paper pad ● Crafter’s Companion Birthday Sentiments stamp set ● Hobby House pearl strings, adhesive pearls, organza ribbon & rhinestone sparkler ● Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Circle dies ● My Favorite Things Die-namics STAX Circle dies ● My Favorite Things Die-namics Stitched Circle Scallop Frames dies ● Whimsy Stamps Happy Sayings die set ● manual die-cutting machine

4 Die-cut two of the scalloped circle Whimsy Stamps dies from white cardstock and layer each onto a 2”-circle die-cut from magenta cardstock. Stamp ‘Birthday’ on one side and ‘memory’ on the other.

5 Adhere three of the scalloped circles together as before in the step-by-step guide on page 94.

6 Adhere the sentiment panels as before in Step 5 of the Best Wishes card. Add pearl strings and a ribbon bow tied around one side of the front panel to finish.

Taylored Expressions Hello Happiness paper pad, £6 www.diestodiefor.com

Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Frames & Tags Lexi die set, £10.10 www.hixxysoft.com

95 95

Nannie P cards and craft Specialising in Card Making and Papercrafting we are dedicated to supplying the latest and best quality craft materials Conveniently located within Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, an excellent choice for a pleasant family day out. This is a working vineyard offering free parking adjacent to the visitor centre with its Craft Centre, Wine Shop and Licensed Tea Room/ Restaurant plus Wild Zoo. Drop in to see us and Get Crafty! with Mountain Ash Crafts Open six days a week - Monday to Saturday 10:30 am to 4:30pm Mountain Ash Crafts, Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, Tom Lane, Bobbington, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY7 5EP

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Next issue

Next issue in EDITORIAL Managing Editor – Becky Higgins Deputy Editor – Mike Cross Chief Sub-Editor – Kayleigh Hooton Senior Sub-Editor – Chantelle Salkeld Lead Designer – Ian Danby Photographer – Tym Leckey Covermount & Packaging Designer – Becca Hollins

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find in issue 214

CONTRIBUTORS Sam Calcott, Lou Collins, Emma Fuge, Nicky Gilburt, Sarah Gray, Helen Griffin, Christina Griffiths, Christine Howard, Sue Hughes, Marie Jones, Claire Rhodes-Brandon, Debbie Simpson, Christine Smith, Ingrid Vichova, Stephanie Wincott, Faye Wynn-Jones,

BUMPER CRAFT KIT

ADVERTISING Advertising enquiries – Chris Cooke chris.cooke@practicalpublishing.co.uk Stocking enquiries – Stacey Oldman stacey.oldman@practicalpublishing.co.uk

40 stamps, 3 versatile dies & embossing folder!

Perfect for all-occasion cards & off-the-page projects

Use your Herb Garden kit to: Whip up fun all-occasion cards for both men and women! ● Add texture to your designs with the embossing folder and digi papers ● Create gift ideas and keepsakes for green-fingered loved ones! ●

EXTRA Co-ordinating papers & seed packet downloads!

PUBLISHING Group Buying & Licensing Controller – Lucy Pedder Group Business Development Manager – Chris Cooke Subscriptions Manager – Daniel Tutton Head of Product – Carol Jones Head of Publishing – Ruth Walker Strategy & Insights Director – Dave Cusick Managing Director – Danny Bowler Group Managing Director – Robin Wilkinson DISTRIBUTION Newstrade – Seymour Distribution Ltd Craft Trade Distribution – Practical Publishing International Ltd Tel: 0844 561 1202 CONTACT Practical Publishing International Ltd, Suite G2 Vitality House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG www.practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 561 1202

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Tel: 0161 327 0441 practicalpublishing@subscription.co.uk OTHER ENQUIRIES customerservice@practicalpublishing.co.uk Simply Cards & Papercraft is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd. All material © Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Simply Cards & Papercraft is used under licence from Practical Publishing International Holdings Ltd. No material in whole or in part may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Practical Publishing International Ltd. The publisher welcomes contributions from readers.

All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide licence unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publisher cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information or any event or consequence arising as a result of the information. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions, but will investigate any written complaints.

Simply Cards & Papercraft (ISSN 1745-1221) Published by Practical Publishing International Ltd Stock images provided by Shutterstock, Inc

On sale 28th January 2021 Contents & dates are subject to change

In the USA, Simply Cards & Papercraft, Periodicals Pending, 1745-1221, is published monthly (13 times per annum) by Practical Publishing International Ltd, USA agent USACAN at 1320 Route 9, Champlain, NY 12919. Subscription price US $98 per annum. Periodicals postage paid at Champlain NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Simply Cards & Papercraft, c/o Express Mag, PO BOX 2769, Plattsburgh, NY, USA 12901-1329

Practical Publishing International Ltd is a member of the PPA

CraftWorld

And the

winner is...

Every month we turn to CraftWorld to offer a member the chance to appear in SCP – this month we set the challenge to create a Valentine’s Day project for a loved one

Designed by Christine Howard

Christine says: “I am a theatre nurse and since going part time a couple of years ago have had lots more time to make cards, which is my main crafty love.

I do however also like to knit, crochet, needle-felt and make mixed-media home décor items. I started cardmaking after buying a kit to make my wedding invitations 14 years ago – I then got hooked when I bought a die-cutting machine. I don’t have a particular style and try to adapt to suit the recipient but I do like to add texture and natural elements where I can”

I started cardmaking after buying a kit to make my wedding invitations 14 years ago – I then got hooked when I bought a die-cutting machine

You will need brown pearlescent cardstock kraft 5x7” card blank ● Craftwork Cards Man Made paper pad ● Ground Espresso Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink ● Piece by Piece die set from Die-cutting Essentials 54 ● Cuttlebug Script embossing folder ● ●

Empire Gold Pebeo gilding wax ● ink-blending tool ● manual die-cutting machine

●

Card Making Magic Stitched Rectangle die set ● Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Handwritten Love die set ●

Find Christine on CraftWorld:

Craftychris

CraftWorld is the brand-new online home of papercraft inspiration – sign up today by visiting www.craftworld.com. You can share your cards, find ideas and expert hints and tips, as well as chatting to like-minded crafters. Keey your eyes peeled in the Challenge section of the site to find out how to appear in our best-selling magazine, just like Melanie has. Visit www.craftworld.com/b/simply-cards-papercraft and check out the challenge section by visiting www.craftworld.com/f/challenges

98

Craft Table – 1 Leaf • Perfect for cutting out and piecing together • Perfect height for sitting and sewing • Comes with 8 plastic boxes and 3 adjustable shelves • Large workable area

Dimensions • • • •

Height 75cm Width closed 50cm Width open 106cm Depth 90cm

Free delivery Assembly available £60 Offer expires 28th February 2021

£339.15 with code

SCP21315 (Normally £399)

SAVE

15%

Visit: Storage4Crafts.com Call: 0800 048 8606

100+ CUTTING FILES & DIGITAL DOWNLOADS to use tonight!

Use your Tranquil Tulips set to make these and more

Craft for birthdays, Mother's Day & much more

Also inside this issue…

Show someone you care!

SAVE 20% TM

Terms and conditions apply, see inside for details

✓ Exclusive interview with Sarah Gray, founder of Funky Fossil and previous PMDY winner ✓ Over £2,137 worth of prizes from top brands Stix 2, Lawn Fawn, Brother & more ✓ Follow our back-to-basics guide to getting more from stamp-positioning platforms ✓ Hints, tips, ideas, expert advice & inspiration from a range of papercrafting experts Find bonus downloads & inspiration from the team by visiting www.simplycardsmag.com

Products & offers not available in all territories

Spotlight die-cutting

UK £6.99

Tried & tested

ISSUE 213

Lovely lettering ideas