Fiskars Craft

Santa is in the Cupcakes!

I recently received the cupcakes shape template from head office. Which is available at wholesalers now.

I had a look at the packaging. Undid it and had a look at the template..... And instantly saw Santa amongst the Cupcakes!!!

No wonder he's a big fellow! lol

 

Here are the tools you will need to make the Cupcake Santa:
 

Fiskars Cupcake template and Ultra shape express.
Fiskars 1/8" hand punch.
Fiskars Sunburst boarder punch.
Fiskars Soft touch scissors.

Here are the shapes to cut out from the template:

x2 icing top - one in red and one in white (beard and hat)
Cupcake plain bottom - in skin colour (face)
Circle - in white (hat pom pom)
Wave shape - in white (hat brim)
candle flame - in skin colour (nose)
Curve - in red (mouth)
Oval - 2 in white (mustache) 

Punch out 2 of the sunburst boarder punch - in white (eyes and lashes)
2 of 1/8" hand circle punch - in black (pupils)

Assemble as in above picture.
Using a sponge and a pinkish colour for his cheeks.

Thanks for looking.
I wonder what else I can find amongst those cupcakes......

October Design Course 101 - part 9

Part 9: Composition

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Alignment

4.       Proximity

5.       Colour theory

6.       Typography

7.       The “it” factor

8.       Use of “white” space

 

Definition of Composition:
The act of combining parts or elements to form a whole.
Manner of being composed; structure: This painting has an orderly composition.
Fine Arts. the organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole.

Really - its how the eye flows around the layout. The eye usually gets drawn to one thing first on your page then it leads to another then another thus leading the eye around the page.

Here are some examples of the use of good composition on layouts:

Top left: the first thing that catches the eye is the large photo then the eye is lead down to the other photos around to the journalling and the title and around to the top

Top right: The large photo is the focus - subjects eyes lead to the hearts the hearts lead down to the journally and then to the small photo and back up to the main photo.

Bottom left: middle photo really grabs the viewer because the eyes of the subject is pointing up you follow the gaze up to the next photo then down to the journalling and the bottom photo then the title.

Bottom right: Photo again is the focus. Right boarder leads to the title the butterfly trail leads the eye up to the butterfly.

I hope you have learnt about Composition.
Thank you for joining me in this journey of design 101.
Let’s join the design revolution!
Yeee ha!

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 8

Part 8: Use of “white” space

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Alignment

4.       Proximity

5.       Colour theory

6.       Typography

7.       The “it” factor

 

Definition of the use of “white” space:
Leaving blank spots on your page.
Doesn’t necessarily mean that it is white – just doesn’t have heaps of texture or patterns just plain.
This space helps “rest” the eye.
Gives a “clean” feel.
Not every part of the page has to be filled up with an embellishment or photo. This type of layout or page is often too busy and you don’t know where to look first.
I find that too often some photos get lost on pages that don’t have the use of “white” space.

Here are some examples of layouts that use “white” space in the design:

Top left: The grouping of the elements on the page in the center helps create space around the background with the plain paper. Lets the eye rest.

Top Right: The background paper is one sheet of lightly patterned paper. But it is so much of a contrast from the busy middle focus and framed with the journalling that it works to rest the eye a little. Just have to be careful using patterned paper to "rest the eye" it has to be very slight and not dominating. The example I used is very boarder line.

Middle left: the top right corner blank and a blank border to the left to rest the eye.

Middle Right: The plain background paper really works to rest the eye from the busy bugs and circles.

Bottom left and right: plain paper is in use to create the "white" space here also. To rest the eye.

I hope you have learnt about Use of “white” space .
I’ll see you next time for the last lesson - part 9: Composition

 

 

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 7

Part 7: The “it” factor

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Alignment

4.       Proximity

5.       Colour theory

6.       Typography

 

Definition of The “it” factor:
This is probably one of the hardest things to explain but I’ll try.
When you see something that really “works” or “looks right”  or you get that “aha” moment when you know the layout is “just right” - that is the “it” factor.  And for me, it’s one of the hardest things to achieve.  I don’t always get the “it” factor right in my pages.

Here are some examples of my pages I think has the “it” factor:

below shows layouts that has the "it" factor on the left and on the right the ones that just don't fit the bill. Yes I've decided to post the bad to show and explain the "it" factor. I still cringe at the ones on the right. I'll find time oneday to change them but until then this is a great opportunity to teach by example.

 Top: the left one has a linear story of the photos the right one is a bit haphazard with the black side boarder kind of out of place with the hole layout.

Middle: the left layout has unity in colour, feel and repetitive patterns but the right has an untidy look and feel. For me if the title was redone and the heart framed journalling removed it would be better.

Bottom: Repetitive strips and little character, contrast, and line helps the left layout. The right layout... far too busy and some elements look like they are "floating" Just needs a bit of tidying up and it could have the same feel but a cleaner look.

I hope you have learnt about The “it” factor.
I’ll see you next time for part 8: Use of “white” space

 

 

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 6

Part 6: Typography

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Alignment

4.       Proximity

5.       Colour theory

 

Definition of Typography:

			The art or process of printing with type.
			The work of setting and arranging types and of printing from them. The general character or appearance of printed matter.

Ok so the above is more for graphic design but the use of different fonts for our titles and journaling on our pages is - so this is quite important.

General rule of thumb is: use no more than 2 fonts per page. (there of course are exceptions to the rule)

A really curly typeface looks great with a very plain typeface.
Have a look at your rub-on verses and sayings. They are usually mixed fonts.
Get prompts with other people’s designs that way.
Have a look at the up market magazines and pamphlets they are a great source for ideas of font useage.

Here are examples of layouts with different fonts:

The above shows different uses of typography in titles and journalling as a whole.
The below shows the details of the typography for you.

Top left: Large letters and small letters work well but make it obvious.

Top Right: lots of different styles were used here but tied together with covering the letters in glitter glue.

Middle left: Swirly and straight fonts in a commercially made label.

Bottom left: Another commercially made sticker with a perfect example of the use of 3 different fonts.

Bottom right: I mixed two different rub-on words. A swirly font and a plain font.

I hope you have learnt about Typography.
I’ll see you next time for part 7: The “it” factor

 

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 5

Part 5: Colour Theory

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Alignment

4.       Proximity

 

Colour Theory:
colour is organized in primary, secondary, tertiary colours

Primary colours: Red, yellow, blue

Secondary colours: orange, green, purple (as red/yellow make orange, yellow/blue make green, blue/red make purple).

Tertiary colours: The colours from the secondary colours mixed to make new colours.

Other terms:
contrasting colours, complimentary colours etc are easily found via google.

Colours also create mood:
examples:
Blue – sad/cold
Red – hot/stop etc
yellows & oranges – summer, fun, warm, happy
Green – new life, cool, refreshing
Black – grief, night, spooky
etc

Here are some examples of layouts in with colour as a focus:

Top left: Christmas colours keep the theme in mind on this layout.
Top Right: It was in Autumn the photos were taken so I chose an autumn feel with browns and muted yellows.
Middle left: Blue for a perfect boy layout - greens were chosen to match the grass in the photos.
Middle Right: colours were chosen for a light hearted play look.
Bottom left: Yellow and reds with other colours were perfect for this summer layout.
Bottom right: Now who can pass up pinks and purples for a butterfly princess?

I hope you have learnt a bit about Colour Theory. However this is a very small snip-it of colour theory. If you are interested in more then I suggest doing a google search on “Colour Theory” or to get a book out of the library.

I’ll see you next time for part 6: Typography (styles of letters)

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 4

Part 4: Proximity

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Alignment

 

Definition of Proximity:
nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.
A grouping of related things together.
i.e: a photo with a caption, or bubbles close to a bubble photo.

Often goes with Alignment well.
Proximity organizes elements on a page.

Here are some examples of Alignment on layouts:

 Top left: layout has journaling block near photos.
Top Right: Journaling/photos and background elements all over lap to create unity.

Bottom left: The grouping of the journaling and the sub-journaling helps create unity with the photo and the title.

Bottom Right: The Journaling overlaps top and bottom row of photos to tie them together.

I hope you have learnt about Proximity.
I’ll see you next time for part 5: Colour Theory

 

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 2

Part 2: Repetition

This is part of a course, covering several basics of design and layout, to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects in the month of October.

Go to Past Topics by clicking on them:

1.  Contrast

 

Definition of Repetition:

·         the act of repeating; repeated action, performance, production, or presentation.

·         to do, make, or perform again: to repeat an action

·         a duplicate or reproduction of something

·         a decorative pattern repeated, usually by printing, on a textile or the like.

Repetition on a project or page makes sure it all ties together nicely. Consistency in design helps the project pop. It unifies and adds interest to a page.

Do you plan on using a flower designed paper? How about repeating that flower through your page.
Scallops are in at the moment… how about repeating that in more than one element on the page.
Repeat the design in your main patterned paper throughout your project.

Try also to stick to odd number of things. It works better visually. But then again you can always break the rules if it "works" ;)

Don’t make it annoying or overwhelming though. Overuse here sometimes is just too much.

Here are some examples of the use of repetition:

left top: both the scallop and dots were repeated throughout this layout.
Right top: The bubbles were repeated in the layout from the photos.
left middle: The horizontal boarders were repeated in the journaling blocks.
Right middle: The leaves were repeated in glitter glue and colour was also repeated.... but this could be a bit much in this layout. ;)
left bottom: colour and the glitter on the lettering was repeated.
Right bottom: leaf shapes and the little mayflower punch was repeated here.

I hope you have learnt about Repetition.
I’ll see you next time for part 3: Alignment

Happy creating!
Debbie Buckland

October Design Course 101 - part 1

October Design Course 101 for Fiskarscraft.typepad.com
By Debbie Buckland

In this course we will cover several basics of design and layout to help you plan your wonderful scrapbook layouts and projects.

I also recommend these books for further reference:

The left book is cheap and easy to understand -The Non-Designer's design book.
The right book is for more advanced reading and really really detailed stuff. (bit more expensive too) - Basic Visual Concepts and Principles.

Topics include:

1.       Contrast

2.       Repetition

3.       Allignment

4.       Proximity

5.       Colour theory

6.       Typography (styles of letters)

7.       The “it” factor

8.       Use of “white” space

9.       Composition

 

Part 1: Contrast

Definitions:

·         To compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc.

·         Opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art to intensify each element's properties and produce a more dynamic expressiveness.

·         Photography: the relative difference between light and dark areas of a print or negative.

Contrast on any page really helps draw the eye to a subject, title or object. It creates interest and  defines what you want to stick out. Don’t be a wimp – do it with strength.

With contrast - two items are not exactly the same, or close in relation, they are really different.
ie: LARGE –small     Black-White    Dark – light      Narrow – wide      etc

Here are some examples of contrast from my past scrapbook pages and projects.

Top left: The dark strip is a good contrast against the white background.
Top right:  the black strip around the photo is a good contrast with surrounding background to draw the eye.
Bottom left: definate back and white here creates contrast.
Bottom right: the photo itself is a contrast to the page.

Top left: The thick photos and skinny strips behind it make great contrast.
Top Right: The contrast here is the small itty bitty flowers on the tags and the larger flowers on the layout.
Bottom left: Large and small hearts make contrast on this page.
Bottom right: Large letter contrasts with smaller letters in the title.

I hope you have learnt about Contrast and enjoyed this short lesson.
I’ll see you next time for part 2: Repetition

Signing off for now.... Debbie Buckland

 

 

 

Reuse a ribbon spool - Tutorial

I have had a ribbon spool siting around for ages.... you know the scenario.... ohhh I'll use that someday not sure for what but I'll put that in my to do draw.....

Well months later I bought out my empty ribbon spool again. It is a wide ribbon one but I'm sure it will work for a medium one too. I made a brad holder.

So here is the tutorial for you....

You will need:

• Empty ribbon spool
• Fiskars finger tip craft knife
• Ultra shape express with circle template
• Fiskars decorative scissors - (I used Boudoir)
• Fiskars No8 scissors (I used my Fiskateer scissors)
• Fiskars 12" triple track trimmer
• Fiskars 1/8" hand hole punch
• Clear packaging left over from your Fiskars tools (or a sheet of acetate)
• Cardstock
• Brads
• white acrylic paint
• stickyback velcro
• Tape adhesive

Step 1:

Take one side off the spool.

Step 2:

Cut out the top of your "brad holder" with a tab out the side from the clear packaging. Using the top of the ribbon spool as a template.

Step 3:

Cut out your inner tabs with the top of your ribbon spool as shown. The tabs should be the hight of your spool.

Step 4:

Measure the middle of your tabs and the center of the middle line. Cut as the arrows show. These cuts make the middle slits so you can criss cross them.

Step 5:

punch a hole in your tab of the clear lid.

Step 6:

put the clear lid on your spool. Fold over your tab and mark where to punch the hole. This will be your hinge to the lid.

Step 7:

choose your circle from the template that best fits your spool and cut out from cardstock with the ultrashape express.

 

Step 8:

Stick the cut out cardstock inside the spool.
 

Step 9:

cover your tabs. Cut the slits once one side was covered. Then cover the other side.
 

Step 10:

Cut out strips for the inside of your spool with your trimmer.

Step 11:

Stick it inside the wall of your spool and assemble the tab dividers. Insert as shown.

Step 12:

punch a hole where your mark was put in step 6

Step 13:

cut out a strip for the outside of your spool.

Step 14:

before sticking down the strip you have just cut out paint the edges of your tab dividers and the top part of the outside ribbon spool. Let dry.

Step 15:

Re-punch the hole again.

Step 16:

Take a brad and attach your clear lid to the spool using the hole you have punched.

Step 17:
Trim your clear lid close to the edge of your spool but leave a tab at the front so you can close it.

Step 18:

attach the sticky back velcro to the front tab and the outside of the spool so it closes and stays shut.

Step 19:

cut out a little tablet with your decorative scissors to cover the velcro on the tab.

Step 20: Insert your brads into your new brad holder. You are finished!
 

Have a great crafty time!
Debbie Buckland