Christmas with a Sparkle

Good morning. First off appologise for the delay with my August page of the Create your own calender, I will have it blogged today.Well Christmas is well and truly on its way isn't it. Halloween is over with, now just Bonfire night tonight then that's it, the official countdown to Christmas is on, well for a lot of people it is. For me the countdown to Christmas starts when The Xfactor starts. That's when i start to get everything organised. 

Its been very nippy here up in Scotland the past few days. It has been cold but its been really crisp all the way through the day. Had a lovely walk along the beach yesterday with DJ and i just sat on the rocks and looked out to the views of the never ending sea. 

So back to my post. I received the A4 self adhesive sparky acetate from Carol-Ann in the Stix2 offices last week. Its gorgeous and its shed free as people know i hate glitter, which is funny because i also ordered some of the glitters too. I couldn't resist as these glitters are so different, they are called See'd and Beed glitters. I thought i had to over come my annoyance of glitter and use them which i will over the coming samples. 

With this card i say i used the sparkly acetate. when using it with my dies, i thought it would be tricky to remove the backing cause of all the wee elements in the die cut but actually its not. Yes, if using dies you have to be patient when removing the backing sheet but the acetate it actually a good thickness and the backing removes quite easy from all the wee elements. The results really are spectacular irrelevant what kind of card or products to place the acetate onto. Its defo worth purchasing and trying it out.

Stix2 products used;

9mm Double sided tape - FPAL2732950.

19mmx38mmx2mm foam pads - S57137.

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

A4 Self adhesive Sparkly acetate sheet - S57303.
A4 die cut release sheet - S57316.

16mmx5m Wine Satin ribbon - S57216.

Non Stick craft sheet - S57132.

"Handmade By" label - S57261.

Additional products used;

Holiday die - Spellbinders.

Wine textured card - Bazzill Basics.

4mm White pearls - Mei Flower.

7x7 card blank - Craft UK.

TIP;

When removing the backing sheet off your Sparkly acetate. Don't remove it all at once. Remove the top first and stick onto your chosen area and slowly remove the backing sheet while ensuring there are no air bubbles left behind. 

Depending on what you are using, don't throw out the waste. As you can see from the die i have used, there is snowflakes, NOEL and JOY that are classed as the waste. Keep them and use them, these are also sparkly self adhesive elements. Make wee gift tags for your Christmas presents with these elements as the main focus point of your tag.

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Craig

Elegant Christmas Time A5 card.

Hello there, horrible morning here today. 

Recently i dug out all my old collections especially last years Hunkydory Christmas collection. These are all Design Team collections so there is an number of topper sheets that are all still unused. However, instead of using them, i have been making cards using all the elements and toppers that are left in the collection from previous cards iv made. By the end, all that's left in the collection packets are full topper sheets and background card. Its a good mission and challenge to use all the bits and bobs and create A6 cards aswell as 8x8 cards. Its a fun thing to do, as it pushes your craft limits and gets you thinking more of different styles you can make with all the left over toppers big or small. I have been really enjoying it. This card has been made from the Elegant Collections that was part of a Blockbuster in 2013.

Stix2 products used;

6mm Double sided tape - FPAL2732625.

12mmx12mmx3mm foam pads - S57041.
Layer perfect metric - S57321.
Silicone glue - S57100.
Non stick craft sheet - S57132.
6mm Red ultra strong tape - S57090.
"Handmade by" labels - S57261.
A5 cello bags - S57314.

Additional products used;
Sparkling tree topper - Hunkydory.
Co-ordinated background card - Hunkydory.
Purple textured card - Bazzill Basics.
Silver Mirri card - Anitas.
35mm black Silk ribbon - Own stash.
Bow maker -Embellishment attic.
Patina metallic gilding wax - Creative expressions.
"A magic time" Embossing folder - Couture Creations.
Card blank - Papermill Direct (A4 in half)
3mm Silver gems - Mei flower.

www.stix2.co.uk
sales@stix2.co.uk

Craig x

Magnificent Men Hunkydory 4 Day Deal.

Last week was another week prepping TV samples for Hunkydory launch of their new collection - Magnificent Men. It is a true honor to be on one of the UKs top papercraft companies Design Team. I do love other areas of craft such as stamping etc but Paper craft card making is where i started and its my passion. i just adore the collections that Hunkydory come out with. Sometimes i receive a collection and think its not my cup of tea but when i get started the fun just flows, that's what is magical about Hunkydory in opinion, how they manage to be able to convert me. For example, a previous collection - Fairy Sweathearts. Wouldn't of thought it was my thing - cute cartoon fairy characters but i had a blast creating samples. It really was fun with all the great bright colours and different elements in the collections. 

Men's collections dont come round often but then they do, HD goes all out and this 4 Day Deal collection is no exception. So many different yet traditional images for all ages. So versatile with what you can create whether its cards or projects or you can even incorporate them into scrapbook pages if you so wish. If you are into your collections and not bought this yet, it seriously worth going for. 

This card has been made by incorporating my own crafty stash and of course that means using my trusted Stix2 adhesives. Quite rightly all my HD samples for the Create and Craft shows must be used using their own products that are supplied to myself. When it comes to my own cards using the collections then i will always only ever use Stix2. 

Stix2 products used;

9mm double sided tape - FPAL2732950.

6mm red liner tape S57090.

Silicone glue - S57100.

Layer ferfect metric - S57321.

19mmx38mmx2mm foam pads - S57137.

Pick up pencil - S57265.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

A5 cello bags - S57314.

"Handmade by" labels - S57216.

Additional products used;

They think it's all over topper sheet - Hubkydory Crafts.

Coordinated background card - Hunkydory Crafts.

Frame from pleasure pastimes golf topper sheet - Hunkydory Crafts.

Mirri card - Anita's.

Ivory textured card - Bazzill Basics.

Ivory spiders web.

3mm gold gems - Mei flower. 

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Craig x

Pretty in Pink Stix2 Create your own Crackers.

Good morning, Well this cracker blog is an unexpected blog post. I will be posting part 2 of my Christmas crackers later today but last night i was making a baby girl card and thinking about baby gifts and how it can be presented in a different way (if its small enough). That's when the light bulb went off in my head. I though why do Christmas crackers have to made and used just for Christmas. How nice would it be if you were given a small baby gift in lovely decorated cracker. You could add the babies name and birth details on a little tag and attach it to the cracker. Just something a bit different to present a lovely little pair of socks or baby grow etc. I have not included the snapper in the this cracker as didn't think it was appropriate, but you can do that should you wish. 

The products i have used are as followed;

Stix2 products;

Silver crackers - S57247.

Hot glue gun - S57234.

Hot glue sticks - S57235.

6mm Red liner tape - S57090.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

Additional products;

Amelia 8x8 paper pad x2 - Craftwork cards.

smooth white card - Bazzill Basics. 

White spider web.

12mm Baby girl fabric ribbon.

25mm Pink satin ribbon - American Crafts.

9mm White satin ribbon. 

TIP

each panel of the cracker has 3 layers in total - 2 layers of good gsm paper from Craftwork Cards and card from Bazzill Basics so i suggest you should use some kind of object to help roll the cracker. Use something like a kitchen rolling pin as suggested in my previous blog. You will need to be patient if your are rolling the cracker un-aided but to me, the result is worth it. What new mum would appreciate a gift packaged like this?

Craig x

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Stix2 - Create your Calendar. September 2015.

What a busy weekend its been and I haven't been in my weekend work as been on holiday. Busy in my craft room - not that I'm complaining, lots to do for Stix2, Hunkydory, commission cards as well as cards for the cafe and prepping for Christmas, I won't lie the Christmas films and music has been on, in actual fact I was watching Home Alone last night. Who says men can't multitask - please don't comment to that Haha. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I love it. I never take it for granted, I know there's so many people and families out there who arnt as lucky as me. I may have a serious illness but I always thank my lucky stars when I'm keeping well as I am now. 

 The this project I have been doing isn't christmas related, well it is in the fact it will be given as part of a Christmas present, but the main design isn't Christmas. I am ofcourse talking about the next month of my Create your own calendar by stix2. We are now 9 weeks till 2015 and 8 months still to create. I will however need to do the 8 months in 8 weeks if I want to give it as a gift for Christmas. Today I have been creating the month of September. I kept it very simple but tried to use a number of Stix2 products, liked the idea of keeping it 2 toned. I have also kept it quite touchy feeling on parts, the Center square is a piece of double sided sheet (4"x4") and I have rubbed the clear plastic beads over the top. It gives it a glistering look without using glitter. The calendar really is a very special gift to make for someone special or if your a grandparent give it blank to a child to draw on so they can make pictures for their mum and dad and then that can be a great gift for the children to give to their parents at Christmas. There's endless possibilities. Once 2015 is over, cut the top half of your calendar off and   discard the months on the bottom then buy a blank 12x12 scrap book and simply stick each month on to a 12x12 piece of card and insert it into your folder - you now have a scrap book. Just go for it and have fun. The products I have used are as followed;

Stix2 products;

 Make your own calendar - S57309.

 6mm double sided tape - FPAL2732625.

 6mm red liner tape - S57091.

 Silicone glue - S57100.

 Layer perfect metric - S57321.

 Double sided A4 adhesive sheets - S57107.

 A4 die cut release sheets - S57316.

 Clear plastic beads - S57333.

 1mm A4 foam pad sheet - S57182.

 5mmx5mmx3mm foam pads - S57083.

 Pick up pencil - S57265.

 Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

 

Additional items used;

 Light tan card stock - Bazzill Basics.

 Ivory card stock - Bazzill Basics.

 Ivory card candi - Craftwork Cards.

 Paw print embossing folder - Darice.

 

Craig x

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Stix2 Create your own cracker - part1

Well i thought i better get my skates on and get blogging again. lots i'm wanting to get blogged for you all to see but iv just carried away creating and kept putting off blogging. 

I will be blogging crackers over 3 blogs posts. I have 5 different styles of crackers (& a blooper) i want to blog as well as some wee hints and tips so ill blog these over 3 posts to keep the posts to a minimum.

These crackers are simply awesome I have made crackers similar to these from different companies. The other were useless. Whats great about these ones is they roll very easily, the quality of the card stock is exceptional. The 2nd great thing is once you have rolled them, inserting the flaps into the other side, well it just slides right in with ease. No need for glue or tape to attach the panels.

I would say to any one who are thinking about making their own crackers then please try these, these are a must. I have kept a silver set for myself and my families Christmas table - which i will blog also when complete. They come in 4 colours - Gold S57246, Silver S57247, Red S57250, White S57249 and Stone S57248. 

Below are 2 different styles of crackers i have made.

CRACKER ONE

With this cracker i have kept it very simple, before rolling it, I have taken one of my verso dies (without the outer edge) and die cut the center. I placed a piece of green card behind the die cut image and attached with red liner tape and placed dots of pva glue beind the small holly leave elements. By doing this it does make the center of the cracker slightly thinker to roll so it just takes a wee bit of patience. 

Stix2 products used;

Gold crackers - S57246.

PVA glue with metal tip - S56890.

Low tack stencil tape - S56994.

3mm red liner tape - S57089.

Hot glue gun - S57234.

Hot glue gun sticks - S57235.

A4 die cut release sheet - S57316.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Additional products used;

Christmas insert keepsake 2 dies (verso) - Tonic Studios.

Dark green text card - Bazzill Basics.

15mm Organza green with Gold stripes ribbon - American Crafts.

TIP

 If you find it difficult to roll your cracker, take a round object such as a kitchen rolling pin and roll your cracker around that. 

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CRACKER TWO

With this cracker, i stepped up a gear. Not everyone is after this style of cracker for their tree or their dinner table but its nice to have a play and use all your own tools and stash and just go mad and have fun, that's what its all about. Crackers can look smart, even leaving them natural but use your border punches or border die to create a fancy edge for your crackers. It just makes them a tad bit more funky for Christmas. 

Stix2 products used;

Gold crackers - S57246.

3mm red liner tape - S57089.

6mm red liner tape - S57090.

Hot melt glue gun - S57234.

Hot melt glue sticks - S57235.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Additional products used;

Border punch - Tonic Studios.

6mm wire edge red & gold organza ribbon - Own stash.

13mm wine satin ribbon - American crafts.

10mm Gross grain polkadots ribbon - American crafts.

Bow maker - Embellishment attic.

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TIP's

These are tips that i personally find makes making the crackers slightly easier.

Using my Ultimate Pro board from Crafters Comapnion, i possition my cracker to left against the butt of the edge ensuring the tab of the cracker is pointing up as you can just seen in the above picture (Top Left). I then score to the left and right of the diamond cut outs at 2 7/8 (two and seven eighths) and then again at 4 7/8 (four and seven eighths).

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Once scored on both sides of your cracker, it will look like this (ABOVE)

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Once you have rolled your cracker and attached it together your cracker should help itself take shape of a cracker. Insert your snapper and then take your ribbon, twine, raffia etc and tie your edges. Remembering to keep one end open until you have placed any gifts etc in, should you wish to do this.

once my cracker is complete and the snapper is inside, I add a dot of hot glue inside the end of the cracker and secure the ends of the snapper. Doing this ensures that the snapper stays attached to your cracker while its being pulled. 

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE YOUR HOT GLUE GUN/HOT GLUE NEAR THE CENTER OF THE SNAPPER AS ITS STILL CLASSED AS AN EXPLOSIVE.                                               Not that an explosion should happen, just a very big bang will. Stay safe and don't chance it.

I will blog part 2 tomorrow. 

Craig x

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Stix2 Create your own cracker - part2

Good morning, so here it is, part 2 of 3 of my create your own crackers by Stix2. If you havent seen my first part then please go back and have a look. i have included some hint and tips on the post blog post that will hopefully help you along the way. just to reiterate, i had so much fun create these crackers. The joy of making your own is that you can include your own gifts, gone are the days of the tacky gifts you used to get in side and never use. Like i said in the previous post you can decorate your own crackers as much or as less as you want. Want to keep them simple, no bother, but if you want to go all dramatic then that too is no bother. Have fun, try to incorperate many of your crafty stash and even tools. Use your Embossing folders, dies, punches, toppers the list is endless. you will see another couple of options below of some of my tools and stash iv used. Below is another 2 different cracker styles iv made. the products i have used are underneath each of the photos;

Three

Stix2 products used;

Gold Crackers - S57246.

Hot glue gun - S57234.

Got glue sticks - S57235.

Crafts sheet - S57132.

Additional products used;

6cm wire edge Red and Gold organza ribbon - Own stash.

10cm Red gross grain polka-dot ribbon - American crafts.

Bow maker - Embellishment attic.

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Four

Stix2 products used;

Gold crackers - S57246.

Hot glue gun - S57234.

Hot glue sticks - S57235.

Crafts sheet - S57132.

Additional products used.

4cm satin Red ribbon with gold edging - Own stash.

Musical notes embossing folder - Crafters Companion.

Bow maker - Embellishment attic.

TIP

There is no embossing folder on the market that is big enough to emboss the whole of your cracker, even your A4 folders are to small. Its just the case of having a play with your choosing folder and position it till your happy with the positioning  With mine above, i have positioned my A4 folder in the center of the cracker. As you can see it leaves both end of your cracker plain. To me i like this look, it doesn't look out of place, but you could use ribbons or punches to disguise the ends.

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www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Craig x