Fiskars Craft

Fetchy Skechy Friday – Border punch handy layout

Hello fellow layout sketch collectors.... heres something for your border punches.

Use a border punch or several border punches to make this layout pop.

 

If you do a layout using this sketch we would love to see it.
email us: fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au

Debbie Buckland

Fiskars Circle Cutter "How To" Video by Lyn

 

I have been playing around making quite a few large circles for some projects coming up at this year's Royal Melbourne Show......so thought I'd share this video with you all.

 

The Fiskars Circle Cutter has been in stores for a few years now....and is ranged in SPOTLIGHT STORES! It's a really fun tool to use if you are wanting to create some fun circles!! Hope you enjoy it......let me know what you think.  It's a fabulous tool for kids to use on their school projects!

 **  Don't forget I have a RAK/GIVEAWAY over at  http://fiskarscraft.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/06/a-holliday-rak.html so feel free to join in with all the fun......winner shall be announced on this Blog late SUNDAY evening!!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Working with the paper

I finally got some photos printed and amongst them were photos from Christmas 2010.

I gathered my supplies....

Bella trims
Bella Pearl stickers
Fiskars Stamp press
Fiskars Ultra shape express
Fiskars Cutting mat
Fiskars Fingertip craft knife
Fiskars Soft touch scissors
And yes you see a very old pack of Fiskars Christmas raindots in there

I also used Bella Wedding paper - gold swirl print for the background.... Well why not? Gold afterall is a great colour for Christmas!

Thats right my daughter and I went on a Santa Mall Crawl last Christmas. Heaps of fun visiting different malls and different Santas. I hope to do another Santa Mall Crawl this year too. ;) It fills in the time during the school holidays leading up to Christmas day.

Here is a close up...

I used both the Fiskars Ultra Shape Express and Fiskars Fingertip craft knife to cut lines around the swirls so I could put the photo and ribbon behind the swirls in the paper.

Instead of fighting with the paper to get the photos in the right place I ended up working with the paper to enhance the photos and the paper itself to make a magical Christmas layout.

Thanks for looking....

Debbie Buckland

Getting Organised for Christmas - June 30

 

Hello everyone.

The month of Christmas organising has come to an end.

I hope that you have all enjoyed the little tips, instructions and what not that I have shared with you this month.

I hope that you find some inspiration in them for Christmas planning this year.

I thought I would finish the month on a traditional.

Here is my favourite Christmas poem of all time.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night"

 

 

 

Lookie at what I found!

Hi all went shopping in Warehouse Stationery Papanui, Christchurch, NZ today and lookie at what I saw.... (photos taken with my phone sorry for the blur).

yes that is Lever Punches for $17.95 to $12.95

and

Fiskars Everywhere starter kit for $37.95 and cartridges for $32.95

Nice to see the range of Fiskars all displayed nicely and together. Good one WS Papanui!

 

A labour of love and a quilting cat

True to form......Milo is still involved in Pip's Quilting Journey....seems that she doesn't want to miss a thing.......LOL!

Phillipa Godinho (Pip)from Fiskars HO here in Port Melbourne has sent through these latest pics....here's what she had to say.....

After having Windows 7 installed and finally working out where all of my pictures were (!!) I can now update you on my latest project, a quilt for my niece Rebecca, who lives in Wellington NZ and is moving to a new house in late July.

 

Like me, Becks is a “girlie girl”, and loves pink!! I loved selecting the fabrics for this quilt, following a design by Jenny Kingwell of Amitie Textiles in Bentleigh. It’s called Bricks and Mortar.

 

As usual, my quality controller, Milo, has been overseeing the project! I have been able to put a Fiskars Supersized Circle Template to good use here, marking the circles that I am hand quilting over the entire surface of the quilt. I have a nice beige pearlized thread to use, which matches the “mortar” polka dot pattern which holds all of the “bricks” together. My hand quilting is getting better and I fully expect that I’ll be able to get this one finished in time for the house warming!

Below is a cross stitch that my daughter Julia is doing for Becky, to match the pinks of my quilt. Julia went to the Craft and Quilt Show at Darling Harbour last week and sent through some pics which were very interesting (some of the exhibition quilts plus the fabulous display of Fiskars paper craft tools at the Fantasia stand); she is moving back to Melbourne in September, and is looking forward to going to the next craft show as a mother and daughter outing!!

WOWIE......don't you just love these gorgeous projects that both Pip and Julia have created..!!

What  gorgeous handmade and personal gifts!!! I bet Pip is looking forward to having her daughter move back to Melbourne.....and how nice to be able to share the love of crafting together!

Looking forward to seeing those finished circles.....sounds intriguing PIP and a great way to use those Super sized Fiskars Circle Templates.....

Has anyone else been sewing/quilting lately? If so....we'd love to see what you have been up to...just send through some pics to:

                                     fiskarscraft@yahoo.com

....and we'll share with our readers.....we love seeing what crafters do with the Fiskars Tools!!

 The Craft and Quilt Fair heads to Melbourne next month....so I'm sure Pip shall be attending to gain even further inspiration and ideas.....Shows are great for this.

xoxo

Lyn

 

 

Getting Organised for Christmas - June 28 and 29

 

 

Hello everyone.

One last share with you some instructions for a cute embroidery hoop that I made with my crop class here last year.

Download Project worksheet- embroidery hoop 

Such a cute little thing to create for the person that has everything. Also a great way to use up those paper scraps.

TFL, Michelle x

What's happening the next few months??

So what's coming up in the next few months on here....

Just giving you all the heads up on a few exciting things coming up on our Fiskars Craft Blog in the next few months.....we don't want you to miss out on anything. Are you enjoying all the Christmas Preparation Ideas that Michelle has been sharing this month?  Some great ideas huh.......and there are still more to come.....right through until the end of JUNE.

 

JULY - CARD A DAY( cards created by the Fiskars Craft Team,CARD SKETCH each Wednesday by Lyn,Debbie's Friday Sketches continue

           There are some fabulous cards coming up by the TEAM!  Oooh that starts this coming Friday!!

 

AUGUST - Guest Author - Tara Capewell -Debbie's Friday Sketches continue

                 Tara shall be sharing some fun sewing projects...you won't want to miss these...Tara has been working behind the scenes on some fun clothes for her daughter Poppy!

 

SEPTEMBER - Guest Authors - Robyn Wilkinson / Debbie Guihot

                     This dynamic crafting duo have plenty of fun in store during September....think Sewing/Quilting...think Photography.....mmmmmmmm wonder what they are going to be sharing with us all.....

 

OCTOBER - Guest Author - Tracy Maloney Fiskateer # 6773

                  Tracy is already planning some fun project shares to share with everyone!

 

NOVEMBER - Guest Author - this could be YOU!!  If you would like to be our Guest Author for the month of November....just send through an expression of interest email to :

                             fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au

Make sure you put November Guest Author in the subject line!

 

We have also added a link on here where you can Subscribe to our Blog so that you don't miss a thing!! So why not subscribe today and then you shall have an email sent to your inbox when something new is posted.......

 

I'm counting down the days now until my holidays.......2 weeks and 1 day until we fly out of Australia and head overseas........so darn excited!!! Don't worry the Fiskars Team shall keep you all inspired in my absence......LOL!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Looking to make Gift Card Holders

Another fun idea for Christmas or even for Birthdays is to create your own Gift Card Holder.

Makes giving the Card a little more personal and fun.....todays' projects were sent through by Tracy Maloney Fiskateer #6773 from Chelsea in Victoria.

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

 

Here are the Christmas gift card holders that I made using my embossing stylus, Circle squeeze punches and Threading Waters border punch.  They are surprisingly easy to make. 

Just take a sheet of cardstock or heavy paper  (double-sided looks nicer if you have it) and cut into strips.  The larger holders are 4 ½”  x 9 ¾”, scored at 3 ¼ “ and 6 ½” with the end section trimmed to suit how you are going to decorate – I left extra length for when I punched the angled side with the border punch.  The smaller holders are 4” x 9 ^3/8” and scored at 3 ^1/8 “. 

Both sizes easily fit store gift cards.  I confess that I used the larger size to suit the Threading Waters border punch, as I like to have full scallops at each end.  The straps holding them closed is just a strip ¾” wide and long enough to overlap to join together.  Take some adhesive or brads to join and secure the embellishments to the straps.  Hope you get to enjoy making them as much as I have.

 

Get started on Christmas projects now - Xmas Cracker

Seeing we are sharing some Christmas project ideas here this month I thought I'd share this one with you all.

Here's a quick an easy Christmas project that you might like to try this Christmas.

It's made from just one piece of 12" x 4" cardstock with a little red paper for embellishing.

Fiskars Tools used:

* Fiskars Corner Lever Braket Punch

* Fiskars Lace Border Punch

* Fiskars Sure Cut Trimmer -used cutting and scoring blade

* Fiskars Compact Stamp Press

I made these last Christmas and also for my Christmas in July last year....and I placed a little surprise under each one for the guests!!

You could also make these for Birthdays,Wedding or any special ocassion really...why not give it a try!

xoxo

Lyn

Non Traditional Christmas card

Thought I'd go non-traditional today.....

I used:
Fiskars Corner heart lever punch
Fiskars No8 scissors
Fiskars clear stamps Country Pedals
Fiskars Stamp Press
Fiskars portable rotary trimmer
Bella! trim ribbon
Fundamentals Imprints Fleur de Lys embossed card base

Also including these:
Stampin Up! yellow and red ink pads and Black Archival ink pad
KaiserCraft "merry Christmas" clear stamp
SwissGirl designs splodge clear stamp

here is a close up:

This card was a lot of fun to make and quite fast. Love that.

I'm getting quite a large collection of Christmas cards this year. I'm starting to wonder what I'm going to do with them all! lol

Thanks for looking....

Debbie Buckland

Getting Organised for Christmas - June 26 and 27

 

 

Hello Everyone.

Today I thought I would share with you some table setting and decorating ideas that I have found.

 
from Martha Stewart

 
from Modern Interior Designs

 
from Martha Stewart

Happy Crafting.

TFL, Michelle xx

The Gift of Love in a Box

Why not make some handmade Christmas Cards now so that you can gift them to someone you love so that they don't have to worry about getting their own cards done this year.....I like to do this for certain family members who love getting my cards......and they love the fact that they only have to write in them and then send off.

So it's a great idea to start early.....but you could also do this same thing anytime during the year....and just add mixed sentiment cards....that could be used for other Special Ocassions...eg.birthday,wedding,anniversary,engagement,sympathy,baby,for you,etc.etc

We hope that you are enjoying all the Christmas Preparation Ideas and Projects that are being shared on here by our Fiskars Craft Team......hasn't Michelle come up with some super cool ideas!

xoxo

Lyn

A Holiday RAK - just because

Hi everyone,

I'm starting get into holiday mode now that we have received all our paperwork and everything is finalised for our overseas holiday next month. So darn excited.....I have organsised my luggage tag

I have been sorting through some of my supplies from last year's Royal Melbourne Show and came across these left over products......so how about we have a little competition on here.....to find them a good home!

FISKARS STAMP FACTOY

FISKARS CHRISTMAS STAMPS

HEIDI GRACE "BEYOND THE SEAS" PAPER KIT x 2

                                           

To be entered in the draw.....all you need to do is leave a comment under one of our Blog posts on here in the next week.......if you leave more than one comment then you have more chances of winning.....1 comment..........= one entry...............2 comments = 2 entries,etc.etc.....

Just tell us how many comments you have left under this post....but don't worry if you forget to come back here....we can see the comments.....

 

Winnner announced on here JULY 3rd

 

xoxo

Lyn

Pruning Deciduous Trees and Shrubs in Winter

Author: Robin Haglund, CPH

Pruning any plant can be tricky business. When plants are resting for winter, leaves have fallen, and branching structure is unclothed, pruning is easier on the plant and on the person pruning. Knowing how to make cuts, where to make cuts, when to cut, why to cut (or not to cut), and what tool to cut with are key in optimizing our pruning practices and plant health.

Before you decide to prune your twiggy winterized shrubs, it is important to know when it will bloom. Many bare-branched beauties are already filled with tightly held flower buds for spring. If you cut them off in winter, they won’t bloom for another year. Witch Hazel, Flowering Winter Currant, Forsythia, and Viburnum may offer bare winter branches, but better to prune them right after they bloom in spring instead.

Every pruning class I teach begins with a basic overview of how plants grow, which impacts how they react to pruning cuts. Tip buds on branches control how the rest of the stem grows. If we chop off those tip buds randomly, we can cause plants to flush out with new growth – in all the wrong places. These tipping or shearing cuts can be very detrimental to the overall health and safety of our trees and shrubs. * Instead of chopping randomly on branches, it is important to remove branches to points where they connect to other branches or trunks. Take care not to cut into the raised collar or ridge at the point where branches meet; this collar is important to tree’s ability to cope with pruning disturbances.

I prefer to use sterilized, sharp bypass hand shears and pruning saws to prune. If your hand shears aren’t big enough to make a clean-cut, use your hand saw instead. If you can’t reach, use a pole saw. For big trees requiring the pros, be sure to find a certified arborist who climbs using ropes, saddles and ladders. Climbing spikes will damage your trees.

Before you start cutting, evaluate the plant for basic clean up requirements. Look for dead material, broken branches, suckers, water sprouts and branches that are crossing or rubbing. Begin by clearing out all of the dead material, which will allow you to see the plant’s structure more clearly. Then, remove broken or torn branches, followed by suckers, water sprouts and rubbing/crossing branches. Always keep an eye on the volume of living material you have removed from the plant, never taking off more than one quarter (older, bigger plants) to one third (younger plants) within one growth year.

Once you have completed the basic clean up, step back and evaluate the project for shape; remove branches as needed, but don’t exceed the maximum annual removal total. Pruning for shape is usually what we want to do first; it should be what we do last.

And please, never cut the top off the plant in an attempt to make it shorter; cutting this way will simply cause the plant to send out all sorts of ugly shoots that get even taller, bushier, and will make for more intensive work in years ahead. “Topping” a tree this way will make your plant weak, ugly and potentially a hazard. If your plant is too big for your space, consider replacing it with the right, size appropriate plant for that place.

*Shearing some hedges, when done correctly (and not in the dead of winter) can be desirable.

Getting Organised for Christmas - June 24 and 25

 

 

Hello everyone.

Today I thought I would give you a few ideas for cards.

 

 
 
 

These are some of my favourite cards from previous years.

I particularly love using paper that isn't Christmas related. Great way to use up all those old paper ranges you have laying around.

What sort of paper do you like using for your cards ?

TFL, Michelle

Leanne loves creating with Bella Wedded Range

One of our very talented Victorian Demonstrators.....Leanne Hartshorn has sent through some lovely projects she created recently using some of the gorgeous "Wedded Range" from Bella.

Don't you love how Leanne has used the NEW Fiskars Tree Lever Punch under the flower....and she has also used one of the Fiskars Corner Lever Punches in the corner of her photo.....so creative...doesn't the red,white and black combo look great for this Wedding Layout!!

Leanne's LAYOUT above was picked up by SPOTLIGHT for STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS on their website.......along with another of her projects.....

Leanne loves to create cards.....here's a few of  of them..........once again using the products from the Bella Wedded Range and her trusty Fiskars Tools!.........................pretty huh! We'll share more of Leanne's Cards during our CARD A DAY JULY FEATURE.

 

From Picture to Page Show this weekend

                    “From Picture to Page” scrapbooking and papercraft show

Hey everyone,

I nearly forgot to mention that this fabulous PAPERCRAFT Show is having it's first appearance in PAKENHAM this weekend.....so if you live in the PAKENHAM area....you'll love this Show.....Shirley Dougan does a great job to make sure that everyone has fun!!!!

There shall be giveaways each half hour or so......FREE CARDMAKING for the KIDS....and the kids are supervised whilst you shop.....how good is that!

I might even venture across them there mountains and have a look see myself......and don't forget if you live in the Sydney area......the Craft and Quilt Fair is on all weekend.....

 

xoxo

Lyn

 

Pakenham

 

 

 

Saturday 25th June 2011

9.30am to 4.30pm.

 

 

 

   Sunday 26th June 2011

10.00am to 4.00pm.

 

 

Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham.

mel: 215 H5

(Opposite Officeworks, Dollar Curtains and Bunnings)

on the "Old Princes Hwy., route C101

Entry fee $9.50 inc.GST.

Kids under  16 free entry!

 

Fetchy Skechy Friday – for the fleur de lis lever punch

I have designed the following layout to use with the Fiskars lever punch - fleur de lis

If you do a layout using this sketch we would love to see it.
email us: fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au

Debbie Buckland

 

Why not make your own Bows this Christmas

Seeing we have been sharing Christmas Preparation Ideas and projects this month I thought I'd share this Video again that I created a couple of years ago. By using the fabulous Fiskars Bow Maker and some ribbon you can easily make your own unique Bows ...to add to gifts for family or friends....they don't have to only be used at Christmas time..but for other ocassions such as Birthdays,Engagement,Baby Shower,Wedding,etc.....

These are available in Spotlight stores....they also sell the sticky backs and the extra clips....so look out for those also on the shelves. Keep an eye out during the sales for wired ribbon when it comes on special.....and by the time Christmas comes around this year you could have your bows already to add to your gifts....they really do make your gifts look fabulous!!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer