Tuesday 30 April 2013

Happy Together by Patti Hamil

Hello everyone!
It's time for my second post here!
I am still so excited to get to create with these awesome products! I wanted to share a layout with some handmade blooms. The two pink blooms were made with the Nesting Dies, and I mixed some regular blooms from my stash in with them. I will share how I made these blooms.


 But first I want to share the completed project. This is a page of our niece on her wedding day! I just love the fun photo capturing the excitement!





Now on to the blooms. I used the Nesting Dies (Daisy) for these blooms. I did two different sizes. You can make them the size you want, you just need 2 smaller and 3 larger. After cutting, use a sponge dabber and ink the center with a little darker ink. Also snip slightly in between each petal Next you will use your piercing tool and make a hole in the center of each. Attach them all together with a brad. Spritz really good with water. Then carefully fold each layer up toward the brad, gathering in the center. Your bloom will look like the one below. Let it dry.


Next, take your piercing tool and carefully pull apart each layer and petal. Just be careful, some sections are bunched up really tightly.

Now, once you have them separated, you can remove the brad, they will look like the ones below:


Now you can layer them and attach with the type of adhesive of your choice. I used a white glue on mine.


Here is a closeup of the finished blooms. You don't need a center, they look more natural left the way they are!



For my background, I embossed two pieces of aqua colored paper with a slight pattern with the Elegance Collection Large Damask Flourish. I also then embossed a solid lavendar paper with the Confetti folder from the Elegance Collection. I cut the lavendar into circles.

Here you see some closeups of the detail of this.




I used the adhesive foam tape to raise up the smaller embossed circles for some added dimension. I really like how the intricate patterns of the embossing folders are so visible, these are great folders!

One more look at the blooms. I hope you have enjoyed this little tip on making blooms. You can play around and get lots of different looks with this technique!!! I appreciate you stopping by!!!

Couture Creations Products used:


 
 
 


Monday 29 April 2013

Think Spring with Flowers and Embossing by Gloria Stengel


Hello, it's Gloria Stengel with you today. Let's make a springtime friendship card with hand-made flowers!
We are going to create a card with a soft, feminine look using an embossing folder technique. I used a colored image as my focal point. You may chose to stamp and color an image or use a pre-made image.
Using the Couture Creations Craft Scissors and Craft Knife, trim your image. Set aside.
Emboss cardstock with the Vintage Girl folder from the Elegance Collection. I chose to emboss opalescent cardstock for that extra shimmer.

Trim your embossed cardstock to 5 1/4 x 4 inches. Rub the raised surface with white ink to highlight the embossing.
Using the Sunflower Nesting Die, cut a several shapes from patterned paper. For my flower, I used three of the smallest flower and three of the next to smallest flower. (I originally cut two of the next size flower, but realized that the flower was too big for my card, so  put those aside for another project.)


Using the craft scissors, snip between each petal to lengthen them.
Place each flower onto a dense, foam surface (such as a mouse pad) and rub in a circular motion using the end of the embossing tool. Your flower will begin to "cup."
Gently roll each petal as shown. (I use a long, quilling tool, but you can also use the end of a skinny paint brush.)
Once all of your flowers are shaped,, begin stacking them, starting with the largest. Adhere each layer with strong, fast-drying, wet glue. As you place each layer, make sure to off-set the petals. The petals on the top flower should line up with the space between petals on the bottom flower. 
Continue stacking the flowers until you achieve the size and shape you desire. For my project, I removed the bottom two layers to create a smaller flower. For extra dimension, rub your flower petals with chalk ink.
Create a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch card from gray cardstock. Trim pink paper to 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches. Attach the embossed panel to the pink paper and then wrap a length of blue ribbon around the panels and attach to the back. Attach the embossed panel to the card front.

Attach your image to the center of the embossed oval using Foam Mounting Tape. Construct two bows, one from the blue ribbon and one from pale pink ribbon. Stack them on the right side of the card and glue in place. 
Glue your flower on top of the bows. Thanks for joining me today! Have fun trying to make your own flowers!

Couture Creations Supplies Used:
C0723450 Embossing Folder Vintage Girl
C0723051 Sunflower Nesting Die

Couture Creations Tools Used:
Craft Scissors
Handheld Essentials
Craft Knife,
Embossing tool
Double-sided Tape
Foam Tape
Craft Mat

Other Supplies:
Cardstock
Patterned paper
Alcohol markers
Rubber stamps
Stamping ink
Ribbon
Wet glue
 
 
 


Saturday 27 April 2013

Couture Creations Classes | Scrapbook & Papercrafts Expo



Couture Creations is proud to be sponsoring classes at Australia’s premier event for people who love scrapbooking, card making, stamping, photography and mixed media.
The Scrapbook & Papercraft Expo will be held in Brisbane on June 8 to 10, 2013 from Saturday to Monday, over the June long weekend.

3 of our Design Team Tracey Cooley, Kerrie Gurney & Sue Smyth will be teaching all bringing their own style to their classes.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE



Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Card Set with Tracey Cooley

Session 1: 9.30am – 11.30am

Skill level: All levels




Join Tracey Cooley and enter the world of the Mad Hatter for a technique tea party...create a set of matching cards with handmade flowers using nesting dies and techniques with emboss folders, that can easily be transferred to your scrapbooking/papercraft with a trip down the rabbit hole!

Class includes: Couture Creations Nesting Dies, Couture Creations Elegance Embossing Folder, Embellishments, G45 Patterned Paper, Couture Creations Tools, Couture Creations Adhesives & Core’dinations Cardstock.
Products supplied by Couture Creations
Students bring: Basic tool kit, one 5.7 acrylic stamp block, one deep purple pigment ink pad.
Class cost: $45

 
 

Family Fun (we're all mad) Layout with Kerrie Gurney

Session 2: 12noon – 2pm

Skill level: All levels



Join Kerrie  Gurney and create a single page layout using the latest Couture Creations Fantasia Doily Dies, Elegance Embossing Folder & Couture Chipboard. Some of the techniques you will get to play around with are learning how to create a unique background using texture paste, distressing & misting.  You will also get to do some die cutting and of course some embossing and you even get to keep your doily dies and embossing folder.

Class includes: Couture Creations Embossing Folder, Fantasia Doily Dies, Couture Creations Chipboard , Couture Creations Gemstones, Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glue, Paper Flowers, Patterned Papers, Core'dinations Cardstock & Texture Paste
Products supplied by Couture Creations
Students bring: Basic tool kit, one 5” x 7” photo of a fun family moment.
Class cost: $45
 

Alice’s Shrunken Trinket Dress Form with Sue Smyth

Session 3: 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Skill level: All levels




Join Sue Smyth for an afternoon of inspiration and creation with Couture Creations. Play with gesso, sprays and glitter to make your own trinket pin storage Dress form. This gorgeous angel will be a glorious addition to anyone’s workshop, with a very practical use.  Learn how to alter the basic form, with clever but simple techniques you will be able to use over and over again on other off the page projects and even layouts. See how versatile embossing folders and dies can be to make unique flowers and complete a one of a kind project.

Class includes: Calico Dress Form, Couture Embossing Folder, creating with doily dies, nesting dies, ribbon, lace, beads, buttons and more.
Products supplied by Couture Creations
Students bring: Basic tool kit, paper piercing tool, Dimensional Magic, foam paint brush, gloves if you don’t like getting your hands dirty.
Class cost: $45



GUESS WHO WILL BE WEARING THE BOOTS

You will learn some great techniques during these classes and also receive loads of  great Couture Creations Products along with giveaways and loads of fun. Our tutors have chosen an Alice In Wonderland theme and will be decking out their classroom with loads of Alice décor, and there is talk that some of them may even dress the part...
So guess which one of our Couture Creations Tutors will be wearing these at the Expo!!!!



 

WIN A PRIZE

Leave a comment here, which tutor you think will be wearing these boots at the show.
If you guess correctly and have booked into the class you will go into the draw to win a prize pack, which will be given to you in class.
(This is only open to those booked into any of our classes over the 3 days)
 

 


Product Showcase | 15x15 Self Healing Mat

15 x 15 Cutting Mat Premium Craft Tools

The ideal craft companion is a reliable, large and inspiring surface that keeps your cutting precise and your crafting efficient.
We have developed our 15 x 15 Inch Self Healing Cutting Mat


Pink on one side for your clean creating and Black on the other side for all your messy creating.

Available at your local papercrafting store.



 

Friday 26 April 2013

Beautiful You Layout by Pam Bray

Today I would love to share with you a layout of my youngest grand-daughter Annie on our youngest sons wedding day.
                                      
 
I just loved the Nesting Picture Frame Die Set from Couture Creations, so easy to use and such a unique look that it gives to your project. Do you see the scallop circles they were made from the Nesting Scallop Circle Die and placed under the pattern paper.
 
 
I started by first cutting my photo using the Picture Frame Die by placing it on my die cutting machine so the photo would be in the center of the die.

 
I did a second cut using my Picture Frame die but this time I cut a piece of pattern paper, once I had both the paper and photo cut I set them to one side.
 
  
 
I used my Couture Creations Fubu Embossing Folder and a piece of brown Core'Dinations paper to make embossed two small pieces of paper.
 
 
Using my Sanding Block from Couture Creations I lightly sanded over the top of my paper to expose the kraft core of the paper.

 
I just love using misting mask and decided I would add a bit of detail to my patten paper with some distress paint.

 
I love, love the foam tape and wanted to let you see how I placed Annie's' photo up above the frame using a few strips of the foam tape.

 
I used my precision scissors to cut two butterflies from my papers, rubbed the wings with Pink Glitzin' Glamour. Once the Glitzin' Glamour was dried I glued the bodies together and bent the wings up so it would look like a butterfly in flight.

 
Here is another look of the frame and the embossed pieces, along with some of the pretty Pink Gemstones. Don't you think they are perfect for the layout of Annie.

 
I hope you try your had at using your embossing folders and die cuts on your layouts, it definitely gives your project more depth.

Hugs Pammejo. 

SUPPLIES:
Couture Products:
CO723215 Making Picture Frame
CO723041 Nesting Scallop Circle
CO723306 Embossing Folder Fubu
CO721963 Foam Tape
CO721955 Precision Scissors
CO721957 Self Healing Cutting Mat
CO721969 Pink Glitzin' Glamour
Pink Gemstones

Other Products:
Bubble Mask
Pastel Layered Flowers
Distress Paints
Jewelry Baubles
Wooded Chippies
Funky Swirl Rhinestones
Pattern Paper


 
 
 


Thursday 25 April 2013

Faux Stained Glass Card with Dana Tatar


Hi Couture Creations fans! Dana here today sharing a faux stained glass card that I created with the Large Vintage Girl 5x7 Embossing Folder and some of my favorite colors of Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glue.You can create a card like this for yourself in several simple steps with a little patience and plenty of drying time.


Step One: Cut a piece of cardstock to measure 5 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches and emboss using the Large Vintage Girl 5x7 Embossing Folder. Do not trim the extra cardstock from the embossed design (shown at the top of my embossed cardstock piece above). This extra paper will be used to create a flap to attach the back side of the card in a later step.


Step Two: Using a Precision Craft Knife, carefully cut the cardstock from inside the embossed design. Note: I did not cut all the cardstock from several of the larger flourishes around the edge of the frame to add stability to my design. Do not worry about cutting perfectly.  All edges will be cleaned up in a subsequent step.

Once the majority of the cardstock is cut from the embossed design, use a ruler and a Precision Craft Knife to remove the embossed piece from the cardstock, creating a frame. Use a pair of Craft Scissors to cut the cardstock away from the edge of the embossed design, leaving a pretty decorative edge.

Trim the clear packaging from the Large Vintage Girl 5x7 Embossing Folder to fit the cardstock frame.  This piece will serve as the base of the front of the card. If you don't have a piece of clear packaging on hand, a piece of acetate will also work although it will not be as sturdy.


Step Three: Glue the Large Vintage Girl frame to the piece of clear packaging.  Fill in the spaces of the design with your favorite colors of Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glue and set aside to dry. Note: I found that a toothpick was a great tool for spreading the Glitzin' Glamour into the small spaces of this design.


Step Four: Glue the cardstock frame from Step Two to the top of the plastic piece. Apply a layer of black puffy paint over the black cardstock. The black paint will cover all the cut edges of the cardstock and fill in the small debossed areas of the cardstock that were not cut away in Step Two, creating a smooth finish that resembles the solder found on true stained glass pieces. Set aside to dry.


Step Five: Cut a piece of cardstock to measure 5 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches. This piece will be the back of the card. Score the longer side of the cardstock frame on the front piece of the card to create a flap. Adhere a piece of Double Sided Tape to the underside of the flap, place the piece of cardstock that was just cut behind the front of the card and fold over the flap, securing the back side of the card.


Step Six: Embellish the front of the card to finish.  I added lines of black puffy paint from the center of each flourished edge to the center of each side of the frame to "attach" my glittered image to the frame, making it look more like a real stained glass window. I also added some rhinestones and a sentiment, changing the direction of my card from how it was shown above, to fit the stamp I chose to use.

Thanks for stopping by today! Please visit the Couture Creations site to view their full range of products and stop by the blog for more inspirational projects from the Couture Creations Design Team! Be sure to sign up to receive emails from Couture Creations so you can be the first to know of new products, events and contests. You can also find Couture Creations on facebook and Pinterest!

Couture Creations Supplies:
CO723447 Elegance Collection: Large Vintage Girl 5x7 Embossing Folder
CO721975 Glitzin' Glamour: Lilac
CO721972 Glitzin' Glamour: Purple
CO721969 Glitzin' Glamour: Pink
CO721974 Glitzin' Glamour: Hot Pink
CO721975 Glitzin' Glamour: Green
CO721973 Glitzin' Glamour: Violet
CO721979 Glitzin' Glamour: Red
CO721976 Glitzin' Glamour: Gold
CO721955 Sharp Point Scissors - Non Stick Black
CO721986 Handheld Essentials - Precision Craft Knife
CO721984 Double Sided Tape - 12mm x 50m
CO721966 Tape Cutter - Pink
CO721957 15" x 15" Self Healing Cutting Mat