Fiskars Craft

October Challenge - Break out of your box

Ok everyone - new season brings times of change.
Lets break out of our own boxes!

Freaked out yet?
don't panic -
We will have easy to follow lessons going up on the blog this month to help you in design 101.
And sketches for you to follow by our Ambassadors.

The challenge is:
Break out of your own box
ie: do something really different than you normally do. Design wise, technique, different look, do an off the page project if you only do pages or if you normally do 12x12 do a different size etc.......

Use some Fiskars tools too.

Email us your creation to enter:
fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au
with "Break out of your box - October challenge" in the subject line.

We can then upload it into our challenge album for all to admire.

Looking forward to your entries.

recycle, repurpose, reuse.

Hi there, how is everyone? Well, i hope :0).

We are still away at the beach, but i have come for a quick trip home to check on things and posting this at the same time, (while i do a few loads of washing!!)

My last layout for Michelles challenge is again using some recycled red onion bag, some felt, inspired by Michelles layout with the felt tulips and some bread bag tags.

Stazon ink will stamp on just about anything and these bag tag ties were no exception. The stamp is from the Heidi Grace Reagans Closet clear stamp set. Using the clear block means you see exactly where you are stamping. With stazon ink, always have some nail polish remover and a cotton bud nearby, if you are stamping on plastic or acetate surfaces and make a mistake, you can successfully erase with nail polish remover.

I used my shape cutter template to trace a circle shape onto white and red felt and then cut with scissors, all sewed together with thread and a button to top it off, to make a little tree/shrub/flower looking thing!!

I have used the "love" stamp from the Fiskars clear stamp set "wishes all around" and cut around it with the new scallop circle squeeze punch. For the title I have used fiskars clear alpha stamps, stamped in black and then outlined in red.

The embellishments have been cut from paper from the Cheeful Bee range very cute and very versatile range!!

So thats it from me, don't forget to get your entries in for this months challenge, you have till midnight tonight. I have briefly looked at some of the creations, but with limited internet access at the beach its a bit tricky, so i am looking forward to having a good look when i get home.

THANKS to Michelle for a GREAT challenge, i have had a ball ;0) Looking forward to what Debbie B will bring us for the October challenge.

Enjoy your week.

bfn

Annette :0)

Reuse, repurpose ...

... makes quite a green layout.

It's both the beginning of spring and the beginning of school holidays in my part of the world ... couldn't be a better time to do a little spring cleaning of the kids rooms. I'm encouraging them to donate some of their no longer required books, toys and clothes to our Church second-hand shop ... hopefully it will result in less cluttered rooms that they will be more likely to keep tidy. (Maybe that's wishful thinking on my part!)

While sorting I came up with a few books that really weren't suitable to pass on to others, with pages missing and falling out they seemed only suitable for my scrap desk. The tale of Jeremy Fisher was one of these books ... and I found the gorgeous pictures were a perfect compliment to this layout I was working on about my youngest girl Jessi and one of the 'big' kids from Church. (The story is recorded in journalling which slides in behind the photo.)

My scalloped square punch was perfect for making 'postage stamp' sized pictures to add to the layout and I've also used some words from the book as part of my title.

Meanwhile ... the spring cleaning is ongoing ... and my recycled scrapping supply pile is growing - I've claimed a couple of old board games and puzzles and we haven't even started on the clothing yet!

Creative Zone @ Brisbane C and Q Fair ~ a fun and funky Mini Album

Keep an eye out on here as we get closer to the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Fair for further details of how you can join in with all the fun in the Creative Zone area of the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Fair October 21st-25th.......to create this fin and funky Mini Album in a Box....... Preference shall be given to School Groups on the Wed-Fri....and you can pre-book with Expertise Events.

xoxo

Lyn

Samuel Lee ~ 3 days old

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd share another pic of our gorgeous first grand child...SAMUEL LEE DWYER born on September 21st....here he is at 3 days old with Rod nursing him.....he is an absolute delight!!

We are having a few days break down at our HH in Paynesville,EAST GIPPSLAND and I'm busily making some more table cloths for our Craft Shows....should see my kitchen.....LOL!

No....you really don't want to......LOL!

Hoping to go out in the boat tomorrow and Rod is off fishing!!

I love crafting by the water......it's so relaxing.......and to my Bairnsdale/Lakes Entrance/Paynesville crafters........yes...I'm coming to do the Spotlight Bairnsdale Xmas VIP Night on November 10th.........sheez.......I think you would all strangle poor Coral and Kelly if I didn't turn up......LOL! 

See you all then......for a night of crafting fun and games.....from 6-9pm November 10th!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Recycling those envelopes

Yet another great example of thinking outside the box.. or inside the envelope for this idea that has come from Tracy M..

This found it's way to my inbox a few days back..

Hi Michelle 

Here are the shots from my recycle layout “on the beach”.

I have recycled the liner from some envelopes to make the waves (using the Fiskars shape template Vacation-1, Aqua border) and for the first time have cut the outside from some used alpha stickers to make the title (using Heidi Grace “beyond the sea” sticker sheet).

Hope you are having a great day,

Rgds

Tracy M

PS – this is a fun challenge – I struggled with it to start with - as a newbie to scrapping I have been paranoid about getting everything acid and lignin free, so being able to use things from around the house is interesting and fun - especially for the hoarder that I am.....J

Thanks again Tracy for some great ideas and I am glad that you have been enjoying the challenge.

Don't forget everyone that you have until the 30th of September to get your entries in for this months challenge. Why not see what you can recycle repurpose or reuse from around your house !

Cheers Michelle :)

Recycled Bracelet

Do you like my new bracelet?

Would you believe it took 5 minutes to make and cost very little?

My bracelet started life as a cardboard tube ... not unlike the sort you get with a wide roll of sellotape.

The roll was a little bit wider than I wanted for a bracelet so I measured around at 1 inch and cut carefully with my craft knife.

Then I painted all surfaces with black paint.

While waiting for the paint to dry, I cut a strip of Kimberley Poloson paper just slightly smaller than 1 inch. Then added a border of rubons to the centre.

I inked the edges of the paper in black and then glued the paper to the bracelet using mod podge.

To finish I gave the entire bracelet a coat of mod podge.

Once dry it was ready to wear ... so simple I could have one to match every outfit!

Reuse,recycle....re-purpose....creating unique cards ~ Lyn

I have had some fun creating some fun and unique cards from some photos I found on my camera whilst down loading my recent baby pics of our first grandchild.......firstly this pic above I took of some gorgeous flowers I was recently sent from Fiskars after the death of a close family member....and I decided to print it off at K-Mart.....(49 cents) and then created this card.......

I just punched out two of the borders using the Apron Lace Border Punch and adhered the photo to some cardstock (35cents)  that I had in my stash......next punched out a Scallop shape using Cameo Appearance Scallop Punch.....added a sticker from an opened Heidi Grace Love Blossoms Kit I have been using recently to create a project with form Melbourne Craft Expo.......and there you have a Card made for under $1 to give to a family member.........probably Sally....as she turns 30 next month!

Here is another pic I found still on the camera.....and I have also added a punched border and adhered to some cardstock from my stash.......so why not give it a go....if you are like me and take pics....not knowing what the heck you are going to do with them.....why not create some fun and unique cards!

Don't forget you have 2 more days to get those Monthly Challenge entries in for Michelle's September Challenge

xoxo

Lyn

Melbourne Craft Expo ~ extra Make'n'take Workshop

We have been asked to teach another Make'n'take Workshop at this year's Melbourne Craft Expo for an hour each day in the Make'n'take 3 area of the Show....1-2pm daily.....October 8-11th

If you would like to create this fun and funky Mini Album then you can do so by booking in at the Fiskars Paper Inspirations Stand and for the cost of only $5 you shall then be able to create this project with me guiding you........we'll also have some assistance by some of our other crafters including Dawn Stan on the weekend....my fellow Lead Ambassador!

Places are limited to 15 each day so make sure you come and book as soon as you enter the Show.

Joining the FISKARS CRAFT TEAM in Melbourne shall be Carolyn Newport and Jessica Lothian along with Dawn Stan,Cindy Hearty,Rosemary Crowley,Dianne Whiteside and Annemarie Campbell!

We shall also have Trea and Phillipa from Head office and my hubby Rod helping out ......we are going to have so much crafting fun with everyone!!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

RAK winner is

Kelly S

Here's what Kelly had to say.......

Congrats! I hope mom and baby are doing well. You are about to embark on one of the greatest joys and fun times of your life being a grandmother! I love the name Samuel. I would love to have this punch to make cards with. I do not have one of the Squeeze punches and would love to try it. Thanks for the chance. Blessings to you and your children and new grandson!

Kelly #6558

Thank you to everyone who left a reason why they would love to win this NEW Something old ,Something new Squeeze Punch from FISKARS.

Kelly can you please email through your postal details and then I'll post this out to you .

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Recycle.. Reuse.. Re purpose Challenge - Ideas Part 9

Here's the last list of ideas for things that you can find around the house and ways of using them for scrapbooking.

So here's Ideas Part 9:

1. Cups and Plates - Make great templates for circle shape that you may need. Lay them on your paper or cardstock, trace around it and away you go...You can also use the base of your cups for creating a cup spill stain on a LO or card for a distressed look add some ink/paint to bottom of cup and smear onto where you want the smear stamp.

2. Ice cream Sticks - Dip these into paint and then "stamp" onto cardstock to make your own journalling lines or borders.

3. Old Toothbrushes - Not only great for cleaning your Fiskars Clear stamps, but also are great for adding spatters of ink or paint to layouts/cards.

4. Plastic Milk Bottle Lids - make great little mini paint, water or glue pots. I especially use them when I am working with stamps and water colour pencils and just need a tiny bit of water. they are nice and flat and don't know over easily.

5. Plastic Fruit bag Mesh - makes a great stencil for when you are using glimmermist. Lay mesh on your layouts and spray away. Allow to dry then remove mesh.

Hope that you all got a few new ideas of what to with all those unwanted things around your house.

TFL... Michelle x

Recycling Corrugated Cardboard & Old Book Pages

Been meaning to play with corrugated cardboard for ages - so with the recycle, reuse, repurpose challenge on this month - now seemed the perfect time.

In this layout I tore a strip of cardboard, swiped it with 2 complimentary paint colours and used it to layer part of my title on.

Used my small Fiskars circle punch to punch out some circles out of old book pages, I then cut them in half to create a scalloped border -  Also punched a tab and used another circle in the title.

Finally wanted to accent the layout with some black - so punched a strip using my all time favourite Fiskars Border punch - Apron Lace.

I will certainly use corrugated cardboard again....loved the texture it gave the layout.

Recycle.. Reuse.. Repurpose.. Challenge Reminder

Don't forget what happening on the Fiskars ANZ blog this month. Here's a recap for you.

RECYCLE... RE PURPOSE... and REUSE.

The challenges are:

** Create a Layout using recycled items.. for example. cereal boxes, pizza boxes, bread tags, clothing labels, ribbon from clothing ... the list is endless

** Create a card using junk mail and punched on a card stock base ONLY !!! (you can add bling, ribbon, paint and ink though).

** Create an OTP item using recycled/re purposed items... for example that beer keg I mentioned earlier is destined as a gift holder of some really much needed munchies at Christmas time.. but badly needs a make over !

So as you can see the possibilities are endless. Why not give 1 or more of the challenges a go. You have until the 30TH OF SEPTEMBER to get your challenge entries in and as always there will be an amazing Fiskars gift for the winner...If you have any questions feel free to ask away. I am here to help if you need it.

SHHH !!!!! Don't tell anyone though.... there may also be another little prize too along the way to those that participate the most.. I will have a few Fiskars crop kits to give away throughout the month... so don't forget to leave comments when I post about recycling..

Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with... I know I will have fun cleaning up for this one !

Cheers Michelle x

Card with rubish...

The above card has a base of ripped up pages from an old readers digest book.
The blue paper behind the "medal" is from the inside of a business envelope.
The metal part of the medal was part of a bag once.

letters are left overs from Heidi Grace range and the same with the papers.
"super star" cardstock circle is from Ink by steph.

I also used a black marker for the dots/lines.

Thanks so much for looking.
Debbie

Annemarie Campbell demoing sewing/quilting @ Melb Craft Expo

Just letting you all know that Annemarie Campbell shall once again be joining our Fiskars Craft TEAM to demo the Fiskars Quilting/sewing tools at the Melbourne Craft Expo from October 8-11th.....and she is always very helpful.....so make sure you pop by and ask Annemarie about any sewing problems you may have......she is a very experienced quilter.......and is also a wealth of information!

REMEMBER those bargain Rotating Mats we had at the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair....well we may have some more of these available from our FISKARS STAND......so well worth popping by!

Come and try the Fiskars Rotary Cutters...so easy to use and so very ,very sharp!!

XOXO

Lyn Dwyer

This lady is on fire !

What more can I say... Tracey M is certainly heating up my inbox with some amazing creations... I am loving that she is really thinking outside the box.. or should I say using the box ! Here's what I found in my email box the other day:

Hi Michelle

Well, I finally finished the “Quilton tissue box” card that  I started when this month’s challenge was first announced.  Never, ever would have I thought of using a tissue box until now!

  

I have used the:

·         picture from the side of the Quilton tissue box

·         top section of the box where you pull the tissues out (removed the plastic, sanded the underside and inked) and made a frame for the picture.  The texture has come up nicely with some off cuts of textured cardstock.

·         nuisance bits of ribbon that I cut off and keep from the inside of the shoulders from tops and t-shirts (too pretty to throw away but no real use in mind when I add them to my stash, thinking they would come in handy one day......)

Anyway, hope you like how it turned out – I am just about to post it off to my Mum and Dad as a thinking of you card.

Regards

Tracy M

Truly amazing stuff there Tracy.. keep up the good work.. looking forward to seeing what everyone else can come up with. Why not give this month's challenge a go !

Cheers, Michelle :) 

FISKARS Paper Inspiration Stand @ Melbourne Craft Expo October 8-11th

Fiskars Paper Inspirations

Get Hands-on with Papercraft

In this interactive area of the fair, you can see, learn, try and make! The Fiskars experts are here to show off their new products and tools, share their knowledge and inspire you to create. You can choose to stroll in and watch the action, sit down and get hands on to make a funky papercraft project or enjoy some retail therapy and pick up a great bargain.

There are two projects to select from:

Make a lovely Door Hanger		Create a unique Photo Album

Your hands-on papercraft session fee is just $5 and includes:

•    Individual instruction in a small group – pick up lots of great tips and learn new, clever techniques.
•    Use of an amazing array of Fiskars tools. Try them all – you know you want too!
•    The Heidi Grace Orchard Scrapbook Kit which includes an incredible 323 pieces! The kit includes a gorgeous array of papers and embellishments – use some of the pieces to make the project in class and keep the rest.
•    Step-by-step project instructions so you can keep creating at home!

How to join the sessions:

•    There are no set starting times and no bookings required – just drop by the Fiskars Paper Inspiration stand when you are ready to get started.
•    The program applies daily at the fair.
•    Fee for each project is $5. Cash, Credit Card and EFT payments accepted.


Bonus for quilters: A talented demonstrator on the stand will inspire and educate you using Fiskars quilting tools!


Presented by:
   October 8-11th at Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne!!!

For further Craft Expo details you can go to Melbourne Craft Expo

Recycle.. Reuse.. Re purpose Challenge - Ideas Part 8

Here's the today's list of ideas for things that you can find around the house and ways of using them for scrapbooking.

So here's Ideas Part 8:

1. Bread Bag Tags - Make great embellishments on pages. Attach patterned paper to the flat side to make up your own tags, layer them to great flowers.. the list for these is endless.

2. Playing Cards - Don't throw away those incomplete decks. Use them as embellishments on layouts/cards or even as a base for a mini album.. just add a ring and your down.

3. Puzzle Pieces - Add some patterned paper and you have little embellishments for your scrapbooking.

4. Pizza Boxes - The lids are just the right size to become the base of a layout instead of cardstock. Distress it and paint it for a real grungy feel. Plus these make great storage solution for storing Layouts if you don't have an album on hand.

5. Fabric Labels from clothing - Add these as tags/embellishments to layouts for that little bit of dimension. Or if it is a logo on a shirt (old one) your could also cut it out and use it too.

Check back in a few days for the last list of fun things to recycle from around your house.

TFL... Michelle x

Recycle, repurpose, reuse from Christopher.

Hi there :0)

Its school holidays up here now in Qld. Usually we are at our caravan at the beach by now, but its been a pretty hectic week or two in the Hanigan household so we are dragging the chain a bit. Our youngest son Chris was at a bit of a loose end yesterday, (his little sister was at her mates place playing, so no one to torment for him, LOL!! ;0) Anyway after he cooked a delicious chocolate cake for us to take away he was still walking around like a lost sheep, so i let him (very generously ;0) play with MY box of junk mail!! Poor child, when i told him he could scrap a layout using the junk, he was almost too afraid to touch it!!! He replied with "oh, no its okay mum, i know its all yours, you might need it for something!!" Gosh i'm like an angry puppy with its food when it comes to my box of creative junk!

Anyway i told him to grab some tools and go for it.....

 

When i asked him what he was going to make, he didn't know, no plan, just punching circles out of all the junk, don't you just love the stress free way kids create. 

He started by sticking all the circles down the left hand side (still didn't have a photo i might add!!) He also had the ring pulls out to use and the recycled ribbon. So at this stage we sat and had a little discussion, he chose a photo and ended up pulling it all together.

we were both really pleased with how the ring pulls turned out as photo brads, if you wanted a more unified look you could certainly paint or colour them with stazon ink.

Chris wasn't fussed on ruling lines to write on, so i cut some really thin strips of PP and glued them down for him to write on.

Finished off with some cloud 9 embellishments and a little encouragement from me to hand draw a border on the top and bottom, and he was happy with his page.

So if the kids are at a loose end give them YOUR box of recycled junk and some tools and see what they come up with!

When this publishes we will FINALLY be at the beach :0)

thanks for stopping by.

Annette ;0)  

NEW TOOLS ~ look out for these squeeze punches