Easter egg shakers – Home décor project with Craft Consortium “Let Spring Begin”

Good morning everyone. I hope you remembered to reset your clocks last night as summer time began today in the UK.

When I think of Home décor for Easter, I see the painted eggs, hanging on branches of Forsythia that are frequently displayed in German homes. I knew egg-exactly (sorry, had to be done!) what I wanted to do and that was to make egg-shaped shakers using the great collection from Craft Consortium -Let Spring Begin- designed by Helz Cuppleditch.

I went through all my egg-stensive collection of dies but the oval ones were not quite the right shape. I found a Sizzix set in my local Hobbycraft and also a set of matching acrylic domes. Result!

Sadly, the Forsythia has been ruined by all the heavy rain we have had lately, but there are plenty of flowering bushes in the hedgerows (complete with lethal thorns too!!)

       

                     

                                 SKU: CCPPAD041B                                               SKU: CCPPAD041C

 

They were very easy to make but I encountered a big problem and if you take a look at the YouTube tutorial, there is a little missing section – my phone camera kept changing speed and stopped recording. I managed to edit the speed and tried to re-record but the technology just failed me! I am keeping my fingers crossed that the phone problem isn't terminal. 

Here are the step-by-step instructions - please read these and fill in the gaps when you watch the YouTube.

1. use the sheet of 4 toppers approx. 3 x 3 and cut out the egg die from your chosen design, positioning it as close to the bottom of the square as possible.

2. fussy cut off the sky above clouds. Draw in pencil around the largest egg shape in the frame onto the plain blue paper and cut it out with scissors.

3. stick the first egg die-cut topper onto the centre of the blue egg to create a scene with more sky showing.

*****Here is the missing part!  ***

4. place a few sequins onto the egg shape. Dust inside one of the acrylic domes with an anti-static bag and remove the backing from the double-sided tape that is pre-affixed and ready to use on the dome. I added a bead of wet glue over the tape to give me a little wiggle time and then pressed down firmly over the centre of both egg shapes, sealing in the sequins. Firm down with the edge of the bone folder to ensure good adhesion and no leaks.

5. using the frame die, cut a coloured frame from one of the coordinating premium papers and adhere it over the edge of the dome. Make sure the edges are neat. Trim if needed.

6. add ribbon to hang the shaker – I cut approximately 4” (10 cm) and used red liner tape to secure it to the back of the shaker.

7. on the PC, I made a sheet of “Happy Easter” greetings. You could stamp a greeting onto white card or just leave it blank. I cut these out with the smaller egg shape and adhered to the back of the shaker with wet glue to neaten and give more stability.

 

Obviously, if you don’t have egg-shaped dies you could easily recreate this product using the same topper sheet – either in the 6x6 pad or the 12 x 12 pad and use nested circle dies and acetate to make the shakers with foam tape. I love how easy they are to make (just not to record) and look so cheerful. Let your visitors pick their own one from the tree for a lovely keepsake.

 

Let Spring Begin is available from many good craft shops and from the company’s website at https://www.craftconsortium.com/shop?Collection=Let%2520Spring%2520Begin

If you have found me here from the Craft Consortium Network page, please follow me on social media and leave me some kind words and likes. Subscribing means you won't miss any posts and is much appreciated as it makes the channels/pages appear more often in other feeds.

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Thanks for visiting

Lesley xx

Triple Layer stand up card with Craft Consortium Let Spring Begin

I hope you are all having a lovely Easter and enjoying the sunshine as we are in the South of England. It is long overdue after so much rain recently.

As a Craft Consortium Design Team member, I recently posted a panel card on the Craft Consortium Network page using the "Let Spring Begin" Collection" as it is just right for Easter. So many people messaged me privately asking for a tutorial that I have now obliged. It took me a while as my poor over-loaded iPhone struggled with the weight of all my photos and videos of projects. But I have my fingers and toes crossed that I have now solved the problem. 

  

                             

      

Materials:

Card base:  white 250 -300gsm

Mat: Let Spring Begin A4 Premium Quality Papers

Top: Let Spring Begin 12 x 12 Papers / Decoupage sheet or topper

Back: white thick paper/thin card  

	Imperial		Metric
Front pop-up	3 ½ x 3 ½	decoupage base	9 x9
	3 11/16 x 3 11/16	Mat	9.4 x 9.4
	3 7/8 x 7 7/8	Base card	9.8 x19.7
Middle pop-up	4 ½ x 4 ½	Papers	11.3 x 11.3
	4 11/16 x 4 11/16	Mat	11.7 x 11.7
	4 7/8 x 8 7/8	Base Card	12 x21.9
Back	5 ½ x 5 ½	Paper	13.7 x 13.7
	5 11/16 x 5 11/16	Mats x 2	14.1 x 14.1
	5 7/8 x 9 7/8	Card	14.5 x 24.4
	5 ½ x 5 ½	To write on	13.7 x 13.7

 

Other materials:

Foam pads

Embellishments

 

Please follow the YouTube tutorial for the instructions  

Let Spring Begin is available from many good craft shops and from the company’s website at https://www.craftconsortium.com/shop?Collection=Let%2520Spring%2520Begin

If you have found me here from the Craft Consortium Network page, please follow me on social media and leave me some kind words and likes. Subscribing means you won't miss any posts and is much appreciated as it makes the channels/pages appear more often in other feeds.

 IG - https://www.instagram.com/elegant_edges_crafts/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/kilby.Lesley

YT - https://www.youtube.com/@lesleykilby/videos

Thanks for visiting

Another Accordion fold pocket card with Painted Lavender from SU

I love this card style and have made it several times with different papers. Yesterday I had an enjoyable day with my fellow Stampin'Up demo team and this is the card I demoed. I did step up my previous card on the blog by adding a mat layer and used my favourite Tailor-made tags in the pocket. I have also used the pocket to hold a gift card which works well for many occasions. Painted Lavender is one of my favourite Suites at the moment but I have seen some new ones in the new Catalogue that you can order in  May and these might just give it a fight for top place!! 

You can pop back to my previous post for the simpler version and also see the Tutorial below. 

Recipe for the Painted Lavender Card version

Cardstock

1.       Base: Highland Heather: 5 3/4” x 11” scored @ 4 ¼”, 5 ½” and 6 ¾” (use off-cut for due cutting tag)

2.       Crumb cake: 4 x 5 ½  cut diagonally in 2

3.       Basic White: 3 ¾ x 5 ¼ cut diagonally in 2

4.       Pretty Peacock 4 x 5 ½

DSP

5.       3 7/8 x 5 3/8

6.       3 ¾ x 5 ¼ - if you use paper with non-directional design on reverse no wastage. If not, you will need 2 pieces this size.

Optional -2 strips 1” x 5 1/2 to cover the accordion fold inside. I chose not to add DSP here as there was additional thickness with the extra mat layers

This beautiful collection is retiring in its present bundled format; the sentiments are only available while stock lasts so if you like this and want to get the 10% bundled savings, get it NOW! The Tailor-made tags are also on the retiring list.

You can order SU products through me at https:www.stampinup.uk?demoid=5060154

or go to www.stampinup.com, click on your country code (top left) and search for me by name in the top green bar - Lesley Kilby - and my photo should pop up!  

If you see my posts on Social Media please like and leave me a few kind words as they all help to make my projects more visible to everyone. 

Follow me on  FB   /   Instagram   /  Pinterest

As always, I hope you give this fold a try and please message me on my Facebook page or tag me on IG posts so I can see your makes. 

You can contact me via messenger or email: lkilby3591@gmail.com

 

I would love to know which DP you have in mind to use with this fold. Let me know if you try it by tagging me on social media so I can see the post! 

Bye for now!

Lesley x

 

SU Products used with order numbers:  If you have a long wish list you may want to try being a demo and join up to get wonderful offers – you do not have to make videos or sell; you can just be your own best customer and take the discount. Interested? Message me or email me for details.

 

SU Products used in this project

Painted Lavender Suite Collection  #162613

Highland Heather cardstock #147010

Pretty peacock cardstock  #150886

Basic white card #159228

Crumb cake  A4 cardstock #121685    

Gorgeous grape ink pad #132708

Lost Lagoon ink pad #161678

Pretty Peacock ink pad #150083

Multi-purpose liquid glue #154974

Trimmer #152392

Dimensionals #104430

Mini glue dots # 103683

Silver and white sheer Ribbon #162149

Neverending Tree DT make for Craft Consortium

I made this to fit into 5 x 7 envelope but once you have tried it, it is easy to adjust for any size card.

It is important not to use too thick card stock for the base - mine is about 250gsm

Here is how I made the base

It is a single layer card 5 x 7, the magic comes with the cuts and folds

On 5" side score 1 1/4 each side - so top and bottom

On 7" side score 1 3/4 each side 

Holding the card portrait fashion, mark the centre =2 1/2" along the bottom fold

If you need to draw this first, draw lines from the centre point to top corners of the centre panel forming a V shape. Then cut along these lines using a sharp knife or trimmer. Then cut from the point of the V to the bottom corners of the centre panel only

DO NOT FOLD or burnish all the score lines

Fold gently as follows:

with the V pointing downwards, fold up the bottom section all across and burnish outside frames, fold backwards and forwards 

fold the outside edges in turn but only crease the top and bottom of the frame - not the centre panel

fold the top frame down but do not crease across the centre - only the outside edges of the frame

How to work the card.

start with V downwards, fold one side backwards, then the other

the top section backwards towards the bottom

then fold bottom section backwards and upwards

Make sure everything works easily and then decorate, taking care to get the papers up the correct way

Cutting DSP

I cut rectangles of paper to fit largest dimension of each section, then pencil marked and trimmed to fit once I was sure which way up the paper should go. Take time to work this out! I fussy cut animals, foliage and words and  layered them on thin foam pads. You do not need too much dimension or it will not fold. 

Craft Consortium Products used

Through the Trees 6 x6 Premium Paper pad

one sheet of 12 x 12 Ink Drops Organics paper - this worked well as non-directional

CC products are available from their website at https://www.Craftconsortium.com

I believe the original designer of this fold was Els Ham whom I would like to credit for her idea.

Shaker bridge fold card - with "Through the Trees" from Craft Consortium

 I always like to add a little something to my cards for DT projects. With this Bridge fold cardI added a centre shaker element, because I love them! 

The base measure 10 1/4 x 5 3/4, scored at 1 1/2 and 3" on the long side fom each end. The front bar in 7 1/4 x 1 1/4".

I chose to make the layers 1/4" smaller for contrasting layer and the only 1/8" smaller for the design paper in each direction.

To make the shaker element, I used a nesting die fron crafters Companion from my stash, measuring 4 1/2 x 3 outside and cut an acetate layer almost the same size so it does not show. popped these up on foam strip and added sequins .

I hope you like my twist on a favourite style of card.

Craft Consortium Products used

Through the Trees 6 x6  and 12 x 12 Premium Paper pads

I added rhinestones but co-ordinating enamel dots are now available and would work better as an embellishment.

CC products are available from their website at https://www.Craftconsortium.com

Come back soon,

Lesley xx

Push up hexagon card

I have made this style of card previously only a much smaller one. I wanted to upsize my previous make to show off the beautifully designed papers. Here are my measurements – and NO dies needed. 

Base: Part 1

·        A4 sheet -trim  to 7" along short side.

·        Turn and score 1/2", 2 1/2, 4 1/2, 6 1/2 down the whole length

·        Turn and cut 2 x 5 3/4 pieces which form main part of base.

·        with pencil measure in 1 ¼” along from outside edges on the first and bottom fold lines. Draw line to next fold outside edge and cut off all four corners on each base piece. (see photo)

·        fold these pieces all mountain fold

 

Base part 2:

·        cut across A4 width 2 pieces 2 ¼ wide.

·        Score 2 3/8, 5 5/8, 8 

·        slightly mitre the edges of the end tab section

·        fold and burnish well. These will eventually join to make one long strip.

 

To make supports for pop up animals I had 3 layers in the top. I cut slit across front and back of top base main part as follows:

·        Lay base main pieces side by side and mark one front and other back as shown.

·        Mark 1” cut centrally across front bottom section and back top section, then cut out thin sliver with knife.

·        cut ½” strips to go across top 4 1/4, 4 ¼ and 5

·        cut 1” supports for strips – 2 @ 3” and 1@2 ½” score longer ones at ½ inch one end

·        Feed 3” support strip through slit in front from bottom so it sticks up ½”. Fold up the bottom of strip along score line and apply wet glue. Keeping strip straight, fold up the base and close over strip so it sticks to the ½” tab. Hold while it dries. Repeat with back section.

·        Take 1” centre support strip and glue to centre front section so it sticks up ½”. add more glue all across centre and sandwich strip between front and back sections matching all edges. You should now have 3 bits sticking up about ½” long.

 

To complete base

·        Add wet glue to bottom tab at front of hexagon base. Line up one of the strips so the folds match the corners and the tab fold matches the join of the strip.

·        turn base and repeat with the bottom of the back section BUT take care that on the strip the very narrow side tabs are opposite and not on same side.

·        add glue to top tabs and stick on the long wrapping strip – it should sit ¼” down from the edge of the strip.

·        push down the base and line up the wrapping strip – there should be one side tab each side. apply glue and check all the edges meet nicely.

 

you should still have 3 x½ strips. apply glue to the 1” bits that are sticking up when the card is popped up and stick the strips across them so they rest across the top of the card with the long one across the centre

 

To decorate

·        Mat and layer panels with a very narrow border

·        fussy cut animals and toadstools to make a scene. I placed  bigger ones at the back so they were visible. adhere to the horizontal ½” strips

 

To make a scenery backdrop

Select section of the tree paper  7 7/8 x 4 ¾ and fussy cut around trees as desired. place bead of glue along bottom edge and stick INSIDE the card wrap resting along the top of the base.

 

 

It sounds complicated but easier than it might seem!

 

 

NB   I would like to give credit to Kathys random act of stampin for her method of making this style of card but I have used all my own sizes and added my own twist to make it my own.

 

 

Craft Consortium products used:

 

Through the Trees 12 x 12 Premium Paper pad

they have some superb mirri card now too that would make wonderful mat layers. All available from the company at https://www.craftcomsortium.com

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Lesley x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triple Easel card

Here is another DT make for Cradt Consortium for the launch of their Through the Trees collecrion. This is another line designed by Melissa Lowry who lives in Canada. She also designed the Through the Hedge collection and you might recognise the appearance of the fox again. If you have any of the previous stamps, I think they would also work with these papers.

This is a Triple Easel card approximately 5 x 7 but as I made the Tree overhang slightly, I would use a C5 envelope to post this. 

The largest easel card measures on a 5 x 7 base to allow room for the other easels. I made the actual easel card separate with an extra 1" tab on the base and adhered this to a 5 x 7 base card as A4 card is too short to cut it all from one piece. in US this would work for your letter card size too. 

The middle card is 4 x 4 on a 5" base and the top card 3 x 3 easel. 

I made 3 individual easel cards with black layer to make the gorgeous papers pop and fussy cut animals from the papers. I used animals and flowers from the 12 x 12 pad for the front and middle layers and animals from the 6 x 6 pad for the back card to give perspective and the illusion of greater distance. I raised the images with dimensional foam pads.

For matting, I cut the largest easel with 1/4" smaller layer black (so 4 3/4 x 4 3/4") and then the design paper 1/8" smaller at 4 5/8 x 4 5/8". I did the same on the other size easels.

I really like how all the cards finish together at the front; I think it gives it a more elegant look and a really sturdy level base. 

Craft Consortium Products used

Through the Trees 6 x6 Premium Paper pad 

CC products are available from their website at https://www.Craftconsortium.com

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x