Fiskars Craft

Ideas for your photo a day!

I promised I would come back later today with a list of ideas for photos just in case you get stuck.  You can either print this off or come back and check it out in this post at any time through the month.  I've come up with 100 different ideas so there is bound to be something for everyone. 

As I mentioned before there are no rules to this except that you must have fun and you must get out there and take the photos.  We'd love to see your photos so please share with us either by leaving a comment and a link or by e-mailing your photos to me at kgeling@iinet.net.au and I will post them here for you.

So without further ado I give you 100 photo ideas:

A basketball game
A birthday present
A book your child is reading
A bowl of fruit
A child playing dress-up
A city skyline
A cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows
A cup of tea or coffee
A day at the park
A favorite book
A favorite magazine
A favorite treat
A frosty mug of beer or a glass of wine
A full moon
A natural landscape
A party invitation
A pile of clutter
A Rainstorm
A remodeled room
A self-portrait
A statue or a fountain
A sunrise
A sunset
An Easter egg hunt
Birthday cakes
Birthday parties
Clouds
Easter eggs
Family member’s smiles
Farm animals
Flowers in a garden
Fresh flowers
Freshly baked cakes
Gardening tools
Grocery shopping
How do you relax?
Items in your favorite color
Kids in pyjamas
Lunch boxes
Musical instruments
People in your life
Pets
Piles of laundry
Relatives
Rosy cheeks
Someone getting a haircut
Someone mowing the lawn
Someone playing with a pet
Someone riding a bicycle
Something that is important that day
Textures
The contents of your handbag
The inside of your refrigerator
The main street of your town
The view out your front door
Things that bother you
Walking the dog
What makes you happy?
What you see on an evening stroll
Where you work
You child’s best friend
You doing housework
You exercising
Your alarm clock
Your backyard
Your bathroom
Your bedroom
Your breakfast
Your car
Your car boot packed for a vacation or day out
Your cell phone
Your child’s favorite toy
Your child’s school
Your childhood home
Your cleaning products
Your clothing
Your computer
Your creative space
Your everyday dishes
Your favorite chair
Your favorite food
Your favorite ice cream
Your favorite pillow or fabric
Your favorite restaurants
Your grocery store
Your hair-care products
Your hairstyle
Your home’s decor
Your house
Your iPod
Your jewelry
Your kids’ schoolbooks
Your kitchen
Your lunch
Your most prized possession
Your parent’s childhood home
Your self-portrait taken in a mirror
Your sleeping kids or husband
Your unmade (or made) bed
Your workplace

Tomorrow is the 1st of April so I'll be back with my first photo!

Kim ♥

Are you ready for April?

Hi everyone, Kim here.  I know it has been a long time since I've posted anything here on the blog but you will be seeing a lot of me over the next 30 days.  As Lyn mentioned a few days back I will be hosting a 'photo a day' challenge for you and I'd love you to join me. 

Later today I will come back with a long list of possible things that you could take photos of but I will not be telling you what to photograph.  This is your challenge and we are aiming to get those cameras clicking!  You may want to look back a few posts and check out Annette's mini album if you wish to create an album from your photos and finish with a record of the whole of April - what a great idea that is!

When you have taken your daily photos we would LOVE to see them.  You can either e-mail them through to me at kgeling@iinet.net.au or leave a comment on the daily post leaving a link to your blog or gallery so that we can see your photos.

So who's in?  I think I will send out a couple of RAKs through the month to some lucky participants so leave a comment here and let us know that you are up for the challenge.  I will be back later with that list of suggestions to get you thinking.

Kim ♥

Mini Album ready for APRIL "Photo A Day"

Well I have finally finished my Mini Album project ready for the APRIL Photo A Day.........I loved following along with Annette's Instructions......here

    Has anyone else been playing along....the best part for me was to be able to allow myself time to PLAY and have FUN using product from my stash.......creating something FUN and DIFFERENT just for ME!!

I didn't have enough chipboard for my covers like Annette did so I improvised by using  2 Scrapping Clearly Acrylic Alum Pages for my front and back.....they come in a pack of 4 so I still have another 2 left over to make another Album.......yeh!

ok....I then used the rings from this pack and was delighted to use up a mix of my flowers.....I alternated the sizes.....medium and small...then also added some purple material strips...because these were laying on my scrap table......LOL!

Used my Donna Dewbury Personal Rotary Cutter for these strips along with my Fiskars mat......

......sure had fun loading these on to the rings....and using up some of my stash at the same time....gotta' love that! 

I want to thank Annette for offering this fun Mini Album on here....has anyone else had a play with this?

I know Dawn has also been playing along.....so it will be great to see different takes on Annette's Mini Album.

I must say I loved all the coloring in, the rounding of the pages corners,threading flowers on the rings,and using glue instead of double sided tape to join the pages as I usually do....loved the whole idea of gluing and then adding a heavy weight....the pages become much stronger.

Not such a great pic above as I caught the light reflection....but you get the idea....and I sure needed this fun project to do at the moment...so thanks Annette!

So who else is joining Kim as she takes us through the month of April with a Photo A DAY?

Starts tomorrow on here.....woohoo.....

 Products used :

TOOLS

Fiskars Craft Mat

Fiskars Personal Rotary Trimmer

Fiskars Round the Corner Squeeze Punch

Fiskars Donna Dewbury endorsed Rotary Trimmer

Fiskars 1/4" Hand Punch

 Black Fine Liner Pen

Coloured Pencils

MATERIALS

Cardstock - various from my stash

White Bazzill Cardstock

HG Reagan's Closet Stickers

Cloud 9 Finley's Estate 3D Embellishments

Modge Podge Glue

Buttons - various

Easter bags

I love to surprise my kids at Easter with a goodie bag.  I purchased a set of brown bags at Spotlight. 

Cut a piece of background paper smaller than the dimensions of the front of the bag & round the corners.

To decorate I cut a strip from coordinating paper & made egg shapes using my OVALS template.  These were inked and placed over the strip with an Easter title laid across the front.  I actually reused one of the Easter titles from something I had made last Easter... got to love recycling!  It was easy to make a matching one for my son's bag.

I used a scallop punch to make the initial label with another oval glued to it.

I'd picked up Heidi Grace Dimensional Flowers while in Spotlight & these were the perfect finishing touch.

I've been joking with Lyn that we'd already eaten some of the Easter eggs I'd bought for the bags, so my mission is keeping these ones stashed away until Easter!

Papers used are Heidi Grace "Reagan's Closet" and Cloud 9 "Finley's Estate" available at Spotlight now and really lovely!  Love that these ranges can be used together also.

Royal Melbourne Show Art/Craft - Scrapbooking Competition

Hi everyone,

Just letting you know that the entry forms for the Scrapbooking and ALL Art and Craft Sections for the Royal Melbourne Show are now available from the website here

Entry forms need to be in to Judy Barnes by July 24th.

There are 5 Scrapbooking Sections in the OPEN CATEGORY and 4 in the KIDS SCHOOL SECTION.

I have once again been asked to JUDGE the SCRAPBOOKING in ALL SECTIONS.....I love doing this...it shall be my third year.....the standard of entries is improving as more people are aware of SCRAPBOOKING being added to the ART and CRAFT COMPETITION!

So why not give it a go....check out the website......and see which sections you might like to enter.....the prizes for each section are fantastic.....all section winners also receive a Satin Sash ...and the overall BEST SCRAPBOOKING EXHIBIT in the OPEN SECTION goes into a SPECIAL GLASS CABINET and is then JUDGED for the SPECIAL OVERALL winner from ALL ART and CRAFT SECTIONS.

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Quick Birthday Card

I've just completed a layout using 'Ink by Steph II' papers (available now at Spotlight). At first glance this range of papers has a real grungy, urban distressed look, with skulls and guitars it looks like a great range for teenage layouts. But I pulled out the deep teal blue colours, combined them with a touch of green and a white neutral and came up with a fairly clean and fresh layout about my young daughter.

Unfortunately I can't show you the layout because I've submitted it to a magazine but I went on to make a quick birthday card for my friend using the scraps that were still on my table.

I just love those colours together ... and I'm really pleased with how simple this card was to quickly put together.

I might just have to make a habit out of making a quick card every time I finish a layout!

Bookings now open in FISKARS CLASSROOM

Have you seen the line up of talent in the FISKARS CLASSROOM at the JUNE Scrapbooking and Papercraft Expo & Convention?

We have added a link on the right hand sidebar under the "Upcoming Events"...so click on there and you shall be taken to the FISKARS CLASSROOM! Look at the class descriptions and then click on the "How to book" link and you are nearly done!

Ngaire's Sat/Sun classes are sold out already....but there are still some places for MONDAY!

If you'd like to try a fun OFF THE PAGE Class then why not take one of Ange or Jill's fun classes!!

 Ange, Jill and Ngaire have created some fun and fabulous projects using some fabulous NEW FISKARS TOOLS....so go check out the Classes!

So take a peek.....if you live nearby why not make a weekend of it and book into a few classes over the long weekend in JUNE!

Here's a sneak peek of Jill's project ....so are you tempted?? Go on....you know you want to attend....lash out and book today! 

Jill will delight you all with her talent and her ability to add humour to her classes....along with showing you lots of fun techniques....ways to extend  your creativity!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Wedding Cards

This is a little selection of wedding cards that I have made using the stunning Blooming Love Range From Kimberly Poloson.
It is in the softest shades of cream and ivory with gold highlights and the range is wonderful and very extensive and provides something to fill every niche of creating.
The Gold Hearts on the cards also features the new Scallop Squeeze Punch in the Heart design too amazing for words but is now my all time fav in punches.
Hope you Enjoy them and Happy Scrapping
Linda

Scallop Squeeze Punches a delight!

The Scallop squeeze punches will be released in June at Spotlight!!! Its so exciting!

So start saving now for your collection.... So if you save $3 a week from now it should get you at least one with a little change.

Here's what I did with my Extra Large Squeeze punch "seal of approval"

First up I used my scallop punch and then the large circle squeeze punch to make a medallion for the card. The bird stamp is my own design I carved out of lino and the "frame" is cut with the Ultra Shape Express and edge of the Frames template.

I then got out my XL circle squeeze punch and punched around the XL Scallop circle on the cardstock to see if it was exactly the same size. Not quite it was a little larger. No problem I then attached it to a white piece of cardstock and added an old Heidi Grace braded flower in the XL squeeze punch plain circle - and another card was born. The "joy" stamp I used is from Heidi Grace - Sweetest Bug words clear stamp. (yes I cut the word out from the stamp) **insert shocked look here**

Then I had to make a little birdy from the XL scallop squeeze punch.

I also used the XL scallop squeeze punch on this card..... Where? you ask?

on the corners of the dark brown cardstock.

I'll show you.....

First get out your squeeze punch and line up the corner of your cardstock in the punch like so....

Then squeeze the punch and you get your corner.....

do all four corners and you get a ticket type look

And try this one....

slip the corner of your cardstock in the squeeze punch like so.... (point to point)

and you get a fancy corner!

choice aye! now I've shown you 5 ways to use your XL Scallop Circle squeeze punch.

In June go get yours and see what you can come up with.

Have fun!

Debbie

Happy Birthday Card

Everyone loves recieving a very cheerful colouring birthday card.

 

I used:

• plain cardstock

• Heidi Grace - only time cardstock and clear sticker

• Heidi Grace - frost Blvd ribbon

• Fiskars stamp press with a stamp from Inque Boutique

• Fiskars 12" trimmer

• Fiskars Adheasive foam set

 

Ribbon bow is one strip of ribbon tucked behind the cardstock then another piece of ribbon tied on top. A cost effective way of using ribbon.

 

When stamping with a different font make it obvious. Its a design rule. If it looks obvious it works - if you try to match the font but it isn't the same it looks like a mistake.

Happy card making!

Debbie

Fiskars Demonstration @ Wagga Wagga (NSW)

Just letting you all know that we have another Fiskars Demonstration coming up in April in Wagga Wagga , New South Wales.

One of our very talented Ambassadors....KYLIE TOUT ...shall be facilitating this Fiskars Demonstration on Thursday April 16th between 1-3pm in Spotlight Wagga Wagga.

So mark this one on the calendar.....as I know we haven't had anyone do a Fiskars Demonstration in that area for awhile......and what fun you shall have with Kylie!

Kylie will probably come on here closer to the date to let you know what products she'll have with her......lots of NEW goodies........yummo!

This is a great chance to learn about the FISKARS TOOLS...both old and new.....ask questions....try product......and most of all  HAVE FUN!

xoxo Lyn

TOOL TIP: Which blade for which trimmer?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as I travel around in my Fiskars Lead Ambassador Role or when I'm involved in Charity work at a Retreat or teaching a Class is :

" Can I get spare blades for my trimmer and where can I purchase them from? "

Is this a question you also need answered?

ok.....rule of thumb is wherever you purchase your Fiskars Trimmer you should also be able to purchase replacement blades.

Did you know that FISKARS have now put an ID Code under any new trimmers? eg......the 12" Portable Rotary Trimmer......if you have one of these trimmers....lift it up and have a look underneath.

So if you have one of the above trimmers....turn it over and have a look underneath....What letter ID is underneath?

The newer FISKARS trimmers all now have a letter ID Code.....so it makes replacing the blades for them easier and also by adding the code underneath any new trimmers now.....that also makes it easier for crafters like ourselves to know which letter Code we need.........

Hope you find that helpful......if you have any further questions about this please feel free to email through the "contact us" link on here......a place where you can always ask questions.....or if you have any tool queries you can email me  directly :

 lyndwyer-fiskars@bigpond.com

** The answer by the way for the blade ID Code for the above trimmer is.............F.

The ID Code of the blades for the FISKARS ROCK PAPER TRIMMER shown below is B.

xoxo
Lyn Dwyer

Softie Doll @ Fiskarscraft

Designer: Susan Weinroth

Felt “softie” dolls are so hip right now, that I thought it would be fun to create one – using Fiskars shape templates! – that could easily be assembled by a child, with just a bit of adult supervision and prep.

Difficulty rating

Beginner

Instructions (Print version)

 

ADULT prep:

1. Using the 9 inch circle template, trace circle shape onto dark blue felt with marker.  Use pinking shears to cut shape out – Trim 2 pieces of felt at once to ensure that softie body will be the same size on each side. 

2. Use 5.5 inch circle template to trim face onto light blue felt – Cut with pinking shears. 

3.Trace 2.5 inch heart “hands” onto purple felt – cut four – two for each hand. 

4. Trim tear shaped “eyes” from turquoise felt, and small circles for “mouth” from purple felt, and 1.25 inch heart from light purple felt for “nose”. 

5. Trim two 6 inch lengths of blue ribbon for “arms”.

CHILD assembly:

1. Use fabric glue to glue one end of ribbon to inside of heart hand shape.  Then glue other heart on top to form hand with arm.  Repeat for other hand with arm.  Glue other end of ribbon to inside of large dark blue felt body. 

*If desired, use embroidery thread and needle to stitch contrasting detail around heart hand shape.

2. Glue light blue face to top piece of dark blue felt body.  Arrange eyes, nose, and mouth and glue into place.  Add google eyes. 

*If desired, use embroidery thread and needle to stitch contrasting detail around face shape.

3. Place top of body on bottom of body (that has hands attached).  Start to use a simple basting stitch with embroidery thread to go around circumference of circle body.  With about 2 inches left open – stuff using a poly-fill pillow type stuffing material. 

4. After stuffed, continue basting stitch until body is stitched shut – tie off.

Supply List:

Shape Template Tool – Hearts:
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_shapetemplate-tool-hearts-1-wvicto.aspx

No. 5 MicroTip Scissors
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_no-5-micro-tip-scissors.aspx

Pinking Shears
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_pinking-shears.aspx

Super Sized Circles
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_super-sized-circles.aspx

OTHER: Felt, fabric glue, google eyes, embroidery thread, large eye embroidery needle, marker, ribbon, poly-fill stuffing

Quick and easy birthday card

I made this very quickly yesterday before heading off to my SIL's 50th fancy dress birthday party.

I used the new Ink from Steph paper range which was perfect as it had some lovely dimension around the edges meaning I could just add part of the greeting and a friendly butterfly before putting it in an envelope and calling it done. LOL.

 

 

Inside I stamped 'birthday' then wrote the greeting. And keep an eye out for more cork on my creations, it seems to be one of those things I've 'found' again so will probably keep popping into my work for the next little while. LOL.

Later.

PS: And for those of you wondering what I went as to the fancy dress party? Hmmmm, the most attractive costume ever. NOT! What was I thinking?! Sponge Bob! OMG!!!! LOL. Pics on my personal blog when I get a chance.

Making an album from scratch - Part 3

 

We are on the home stretch now!!

If you want to join in you can find all the details Here, then  Part 1 here, Part 2 here and today we are going to finish off with part 3!

 16.  To punch the holes i have used the Fiskars eyelet setter - the biggest hole. I always punch onto a thick piece of wood when i use these, cause they will go straight through your craft mat - thats how efficient they are, trust me i've done it!!

    

Your holes need to be positioned 1cm in from the left hand side of the page, and down 4cms from the top and up 4cms from the bottom. Do the first page and then use this as a guide to do the rest, you should be able to succesfully do 3 at a time.

17.  Use one of your pages again as a guide to punch out your front and back covers. Sit it on top flush up against the left hand side of your cover, make sure it is centred top and bottom and punch from the top of your cover through to the inside.  Because you are punching through chipboard you will have to empty your punch in between and you may have to dig out a few bits with your craft knife.

 

and it will look like this once you have punched everything and joined together with some rings.

18.  I wanted something different from foofy ribbon on my rings, so cause i have an over abundance of these flowers!! (got them at a sale ;0), i decided to pile them on top of one another and punch holes in them too, then you just thread them onto your rings.

 

 

19.  And now the last step is to fill in around your photo on the front.  I used some buttons i purchased from Spotlight - the colours were perfect.  I went round and put some glossy accents down then the buttons. When these were dry and firm, i then went and filled in all the little gaps with more glossy accents and sprinkled little tiny blue beads on to fill in the gaps. I also included some glossy accents on the top of each button to make them shiny.

 

 

okay you're all done!!

All ready to start your photo a day for the month of April.

Fellow ambassador Kim is going to be filling you in on this at some stage over the next couple of days. Check out her blog for some inspiration, she's been taking part in a 365 day challenge, so she knows well what this photo a day thing is all about !! :o)

We look forward to you joining us next week, and don't forget we'd love to see your finished albums.

thanks for joining in.

;0)  Annette

 

 

Another Entry for the March Challenge

Hello!!

Here is our latest entry from the March challenge, you still have a few days to get your entries in, the challenge details are at the end of this post.

This entry is from CHRISTINE CLEARY FROM NZ and this is what she wrote in her email:

 

hi

I have been thinking about this challenge all week, then it struck me, I have been doing this so often that I forget that it isn't what the punch was intended for.

 

I use the mini corner rounder to make scallop shapes, ie in the photos below I made a scallop circle.

 

Here are some pics that explain it better.

 

Thanks

Christine C

 

 

 

  

 

Another great idea!! Thanks Christine for your entry and for taking the time to photograph it.:0) 

 

You still have a few days to have a go, here are the details:-

think outside the square and show me what you can do to use your tools in a manner other than the obvious. Just inspire us to get the most out of our tools. Use ANY tool in your stash and email photos to us at fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au . Can't wait to see what creations you come up with, and you have the entire month of March to get your entries in. 

Have fun!!

Annette :0) 

 

Card a day - female birthday

When I started making this card I pulled out a range of matching papers which I planned to layer together to make a stunning card for my sister.

I also picked out a clear phrase sticker (Heidi Grace Midnight Kisses) which I wanted to use.

I cut a window in the card and placed the clear sticker on the inside of the card. Once I had added a strip of paper to the front I really liked how clean and simple the card looked ... so I stopped. The other papers and my layering ideas will have to be saved for another day!

a share from Tara

This was sent through to me yesterday by one of our NSW Fiskars Demonstrators....Tara Capewell. Tara put together a little book recently for the Sydney Craftfest to show people how easy it is to create a fun family Mini Album.....here she is with daughter Zoe. She has used some of the gorgeous product in the Heidi Grace Orchard Kit. Thanks for sending this through Tara! xoxo Lyn

Saturday sketch day

Ok, I'm running a bit behind today. But its here for you now. Thinking about the story behind our pages today. Room for lots and lots and lots of journaling. Let me know what you think.....

 

And thanks to those who entered the sketch challenge from last week. I had a look at some lovely work. The randomly picked winner was Christine Cleary. Christine, thanks so much for participating, please send me your details and I'll get a prize out to you asap.

Cheers,

Trina.

Strawberry Crafts @ Fiskarscraft

Designer:  Lisa Storms

My kids love to use my punches!  When I'm working on projects they are always asking if they can punch anything for me.  So I decided to come up with a cute project they could make for their friends or teachers at school.  The 'My Funny Valentine' punch makes the sweetest little strawberries that are fun to decorate or turn into a really cool pencil topper!

 

Difficulty rating

Beginner

Instructions (Print version)

Thanks Berry Much Card

1.  Create card base and mount white rectangle centered on front.
2.  Punch scalloped heart from red cardstock and add self-adhesive gems for seeds.

3.  Punch 'May Flowers' punch from green cardstock and add to top of strawberry slightly bending leaves up to resemble strawberry leaves.
4.  Mount onto card with foam adhesive and add letter sticker sentiment below.

Variations

1.  Punch brown heart, crop, and adhere over strawberry to resemble chocolate dipped strawberry.
2.  Punch 1/16" holes all over strawberry and mount on white cardstock to create seeds.
3.  Using white pen, draw seeds all over strawberry.

Pencil Topper

The pencil topper is not only cute, it can be a fun way to practice math!  The amount of hearts you will need will depend on the weight of your cardstock and the thickness of your individual pencil.  Here I used a lightweight non-textured cardstock and a regular #2 pencil.

1.  Punch four sets of ten hearts from red cardstock.
2.  Work with one stack at a time so it is not overwhelming.  Fold all ten hearts in half and adhere together while folded using a glue stick.

3.  Once you have all forty hearts adhered together, wrap around pencil to be sure it will fit.  If not, add more until you have the right size. 

Tip:  If your wrap ends up too wide, you can add glue dots between the topper and pencil to be sure it stays secure.

4.  Punch 'Oopsie Daisy' from green cardstock and punch ¼" hole at center.
5.  Feed onto sharpened side of pencil to the top and follow with strawberry once glue is fully dried.

Supply List:

Fiskars Brands: L Squeeze Punch - My Funny Valentine
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_myfunnyvalentine-l.aspx
Fiskars Brands: M Squeeze Punch - May Flowers
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_may-flowers-m.aspx
Fiskars Brands: XL Squeeze Punch - Oopsie Daisy
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_oopsie-daisy-xl.aspx
Fiskars Brands: Hand Punch - 1/16" Circle
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_hand-punch-116-circle.aspx
Fiskars Brands: Hand Punch - 1/4" Circle
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_hand-punch-14-circle.aspx
Fiskars Brands: Desktop Rotary Trimmer
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_desktop-rotary-trimmer.aspx
Foam Adhesive Squares
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_foam-squares.aspx

Cloud 9 Design : Alyssa's Garden sparkle alphas
http://www.cloud9design.biz/Products2009CHAWinter/AlyssasGarden.pdf

Heidi Grace Designs: Sweetest Bug patterned paper
http://www.heidigrace.com/Shop/SweetestBug.pdf

Other:  Assorted cardstock, self-adhesive gems, white pen, glue stick, #2 pencil