Extended Backgrounds

Hi crafters!  I love that my background dies are large, but sometimes, I want to make a really large card which calls for an extended background!  The video will show you just how easy it is to do and you can use these techniques with other background dies as well.

Just a quick reminder in case you hadn't noticed, but I will be on Hochanda today for a two hour show from 10am to 12pm!  I also have shows on Friday and Sat this week and the hours are all listed on the right hand side of the blog!

With the blog launch running, I completely forgot that I promised to announce the winner of last week's Wednesday Card giveaway(three panel card) yesterday!  The winner is:

Barbara (C)!!!

Congratulations!  Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your card!

The finished dimensions are 8" x  9" in size.  All for now, Sue x

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Wednesday Weekly Card Giveaway

 Hello bloggers!  What a whirlwind five days and right into a Wednesday Card giveaway!  Yes, I will ask you again to leave comments on this blog post, but to win the card this time.  I started by cutting the Belgian Background out of sky blue card, using the inside cutting edge to make a rectangular aperture in the centre.  I left a wide border around the outside edge and I cut a rectangle frame from the Double Pierced Noble Rectangles Set B out of milk card and seated it with mounting foam around the wide edge of the background.  I added another layer of foam to the back of the background  die cut as well.  I embossed a piece of milk card with the Provencale Lace embossing folder to add some texture then seated the background over it.  I cut the Bruges die out of milk card, then backed it in sky blue.  I cut it down the centre, put the two halves together and cut a bit out, then reassembled it.  I added it in the aperture opening in the middle of the card with foam.  I stamped a sentiment (from the Fabulous Sentiments clear stamp set by Creative Expressions) and cut it out with the inner oval from the set.  I edged it in a pale blue ink to match and mounted it with foam in the centre.  I cut a few smaller poppies in milk card and added them to conceal the cut lines in the die with a blue ribbon bow (from my stash).  I added milk and sky blue mats to complete the card.  The finished dimensions are 7" x  8 3/4" in size.  The winner will be announced on Sat. blog post.  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Five 6pm

Hello bloggers!  Welcome back to the blog for the final post of the 2016 Festive Collection blog launch!  As they say, all good things must come to an end (sadly), but I hope that you have found some designs that are truly inspiring for you!  This post features the Christmas Shadow Box die and the Rustic Twig Wreath set.  I have used both of these together in the sample shown to create a stunning shadow box styled card.  The boxes in this design have been changed slightly to accommodate a few larger items, but it can easily be used for non Christmas cards as well!  The individual pieces can also be used without the Shadow Box foundation too, so there is a lot of versatility here.  The Rustic Twig wreath can be used decorated or plain and it is a perfect die for adding a lovely detail touch to your cards.  For the last time, I encourage you to leave a comment to be included in the drawing to win either of these sets.  You still have time to go back and add comments to any of the posts you may have missed along the way too. I will announce the winners on Monday July 4th in an afternoon post.  Don't forget to check back to see if your name is among the winners.  I hope you have enjoyed the launch as much as I have!  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Five 3pm

Hello there my crafty friends! This post will be showcasing the Christmas Rose die set and the Holly Branch set.   Last year, I had quite a few requests for a Christmas Rose, so I took them to heart and this is what I came up with!  It is a lovely floral addition for your cards and a really pretty alternative to poinsettias too.  A quick note too, there is a matching stamp set for it as well, but the sample shown here is just using the die.  The Holly Branch has been making itself known on many of the previous samples shown, so you can see it is a real "go to" set for the festive season.  I would love to know what you think of these, leave me a comment.  The final blog launch post will be up at 6pm today!  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Five 12 noon

Hi bloggers!  I have two more great sets here available to be won this post.  The Merry Christmas Triple Line and the Poinsettia Additions.  I have had several questions about the poinsettia set prior to the launch so I need to explain this set.  I did an original Poinsettia set with my first Festive launch, then I did an matching open petal set with last years launch.  For the past two years I have been saying to myself that I wish I had a wider range of sizes to use in the poinsettias.  So this year's additions are the in between sizes and their matching open petal sizes together in one set!  These are a perfect addition if you have the other sets or they work equally as well by themselves if you don't own the others, a real win-win!  The Merry Christmas Triple line die is another that could easily go into my Perspective range category as it will give you a perfect positive/negative die cut!  Shown here, the negative has been used as a background behind my Poinsettia Mini Background (shown earlier in the week).  Just another reminder, leave a comment, don't miss a chance to win a free set!  The next post is at 3pm today.  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Five 6am

Hello all!  Welcome to the final day of the Festive Collection blog launch!  This blog post features two die sets that are real go to sets!  Both sets have been used in the sample shown as well.  The Greetings of the season die could really be added to my perspectives range as it gives you a perfect positive and negative die cut, which is ever so handy in designing your cards!  Not to mention, there is no need to clean your die which is always a plus!  The Pine Twig is a perfect accompaniment filler to any floral element on your projects!  Leave a comment here if you would like to have your name entered into this drawing!  The next post will be available for viewing at 12 noon today!  I hope you can pop back by then!  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Four 6pm

Hello and welcome back!  The final post today showcases three dies this time; Christmas Blessings die, the Lavish Joy die and the Happy Christmas die sets.  The ever useful sentiment dies will always have their place and Christmas is no exception!  Shown here, the Christmas Blessings die (with the Aurora Star in the background) is a beautiful focal element and easily readable.  It mixes two fonts for a modern look and is a perfect choice to go with the Nativity or angels dies too.  Happy Christmas is a favourite all around choice for festive cards as is the Lavish Joy.  I think you will find all three dies used over and over in all your seasonal cards.  There are three chances to win if you leave a comment on this post so your odds are great!  The final blog launch day starts tomorrow at 6am.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone back here then!  I hope you can make it.  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Four 3pm

Hello bloggers!  On to the new Christmas Configurations with this blog post.  There are two new designs, the Bright Star Adornment and the Christmas Tree Adornment.  The Bright Star adornment was actually shown on the very first blog post surrounding the Christmas Angel  (those eagle eyed among you might have noticed it!).  The Christmas Tree adornment shown here adds a lovely festive feel to this sample.  Both are subtle designs but allow you to add elegant edges, borders or surrounds to your festive cards.  Don't forget your comments, surely you have a favourite by now!  Today's final post will be up at 6pm, don't be late! LOL  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Four 12 noon

Hello bloggers!  This blog post is dedicated to the Merry Christmas Trim and the Berry Sprig die sets.  Both sets are shown in this sample for you, but it also shows several of the dies sets that have already been presented to you.  You can see just how nicely they all go together.  The Merry Christmas Trim die features a positive/negative cut out so you can use it at the tops of cards, as a border piece or a separate cut out backed with another colour as I have done here.  The Berry Sprig is the perfect accent for your floral elements on your cards too.  I just love how it looks when mixed with other accents as well.  You know the drill by now, leave a comment!  Not long to wait until the next post is live at 3pm today.  I know you are going to love it too!  I hope to see you back here soon.  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Four 6am

Hello there my crafty friends!  Welcome to day four of the Festive Collection blog launch!  I do hope that you are enjoying it and seeing a few designs that catch your eye! LOL  Up for grabs this post are the Poinsettia Border, Corner Tag die set and the Poinsettia Filigree Frame die set.  The sample shown showcases a bit of both sets for you, with the border die being used and the outer section of the Poinsettia Filigree frame (can you also spot that Holly Octagonal Frame sneeking in there?).  The frame has been designed so it has the ability to be used for your non Christmas cards as well so there is greater versatility in it.  You can see however, just how pretty it looks when it is used with your Christmas designs.  I think you will find both sets are invaluable to your crafty Christmas arsenal!  Leave a comment here if you would like a chance at winning either of these sets.  The next post will be available for viewing at 12 noon today!  All for now, Sue x

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Festive Collection Day Three 6pm

Hi crafters!  Welcome back for the last post of today.  This post will be featuring the Bold Snowflake Frame and the  Snowflake Filigree Frame die sets.  Shown here, the Bold Snowflake frame features an inner circular die which has random piercings filling in the background and a single snowflake which cuts out to give a beautiful leftover negative design.  As you can see from the sample shown, it can also be used to create a pretty background for your projects too.  The Snowflake Filigree frame has been designed with simple snowflakes peeking out from the edges.  It could easily be used year round too as it is not an overwhelming Christmas design, so there is loads of versatility to this one.  If you like the look of either of these, it is simple, just leave a comment on the blog.  The directions are on the right hand side of the blog.  Well that is it for today, but day four starts at 6am right back here.  I hope you can join us then!  All for now, Sue x

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