SIZZIX Blog Hop!

In just a few more weeks you'll start to see the new series of Scrapbook Memories. As I mentioned earlier, this series has some brand new features that we hope you'll enjoy. Sizzix is one of our corporate sponsors for these shows so you'll be seeing lots of ideas featuring the new Eclips, digital die cutting system as well as their standard die cutting machines. One of the things I love about the standard die cutting machines is that they can cut thick materials like mat board and Sizzix has introduced a new line of dies especially for this purpose. Not only do they cut the mat board, they also score it! Julianna (Hudgins) has a great project to show you, but there are so many ways you can be creative with this new line of dies. Eileen Hull is the designer who created these dies for Sizzix, so she has organized a BLOG HOP featuring CHA Designers. Each designer will create, then feature a project using Eileen's "Scoreboard" dies. There will be a new project every 14 days. This is how it works (if I understood it correctly). Go to Eileen's blog www.eileenhull.blogspot.com and look for her first project, which is a Scalloped Gift Box. On her blog you will find links to all the other designers who are participating. You'll also find out how YOU can win one of these fabulous dies!

I'm not eligible to participate in the prize, but here's my version of the Scalloped Box:

And this is how it started:

1. Cut the box from white mat board. Using a large, soft brush gently wet the surface, then add your choice of water colors with the same brush. I started at the scalloped end with yellow then went to red then back to yellow again. Work quickly moving the brush from side to side blending the yellow and red where they meet then add a little blue to the scalloped end to create the green shade. To make the colors shimmer, I also brushed Pearl Ex powder over the surface while it was still damp. Let dry then fold inward along score lines. Glue sides together with Elmers Tacky glue.

2. Scallops always make me think of lace, so I used a Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the center of each scallop. I adhered white rings (hole reinforcements) to each scallop and on the front flap. Bling is always fun so I placed a jewel in the center of each ring (or you could add glitter to the centers which is what I tried first). I threaded some short lengths of narrow green ribbon through each hole along the edge then glued a ribbon rose on top. The roses covered up the holes, so I suppose I didn't really need to punch them, but I often change my mind about what I'm doing as I move along. I seldom end up with a project I originally thought of.

3. I used small, white, round velcro fasteners from the Notions Dept to fasten the front. To me the box looks like a purse, so I glued ribbon under the flap at the fold (for a strap) and voila it's done.

As for me, I'm still working on wedding favors for my son's wedding and trying to make sure I haven't forgotten anything - pedicure, hair appt, dress, etc. Plus, I'm altering my daughter's dress... so much to do and so little time.... I wouldn't be quite so stressed, except for the fact that my printer has suddenly decided it doesn't like to print on the cardstock I bought to make some of the favors. It was doing fine until all of a sudden the paper wouldn't feed unless I cut the width to 2"...... now it's even having problems with that. If anyone has any ideas (other than buying a new printer) I'd love to hear from you. You can always leave me a message on the Scrapbook Memories (Group) Facebook page..... thanks!

Have a great week and Good Luck with the blog hop!

Yours truly,
Julie :)