Sizzix Storage

So today's post is on Framelit and Thinlit storage.
And trust me, it was born out of necessity.
I had Framelits that were released earlier in the year that were still in the molded plastic packaging, which is large.  I work in a small room, where storage is at a premium, so when I saw that Sizzix had introduced plastic envelopes I wanted to try them out to see if I could recoup some storage space.  

The envelopes come in a 3 pack.  They fit both Framelits, which come with rubber stamps and the "frames" to cut them out, as well as Thinlits which are only the wafer-thin metal pieces.  An easy way to remember the difference is that Thinlits cut a shape or word and Framelits always "frame" a stamped image.

I used my P-touch to add the name across the top.  My Brother P-touch is about 25 years old and it still works like a charm!

Once I had all the envelopes labeled, I went to Home Depot to get a few packages of Magnetic Vent Covers ($4.50 a package).  Each package 8 x 15" can be cut into pieces to fit the Sizzix envelopes.

NOTE: In Home Depot they can be found right next to the metal registers or vents.  I found them both on a lower shelf and hanging on a plastic 'clip strip' at eye level.  They are also sold at Lowe's.

The magnet sheets are thin which is perfect to use inside the Sizzix envelopes.  I used my roller cutter to cut the magnetic sheets, but a metal ruler and X-Acto knife would work also.  I cut 2" off one side (save this piece) leaving a piece 15 x 6".
NOTE: The roller cutter can cut at least two sheets at a time.

  

Turn the 15 x 6" piece and cut into three - 5 x 6" pieces.  With each package you can get NINE 5 x 6" pieces making it about 50 cents per envelope.  I don't think that's to bad!

For Framelits - the stamp is already on plastic.  I faced the stamp to the front with the label.

NOTE: the magnet sheets are white on one side and black on the other.  

Only the black side is magnetic.  

Then added the metal Framelits pieces to the magnet sheet and slipped it into the back.  Easy.

Tim's Framelits will always fit onto one sheet.  However, Thinlits do not come with the rubber stamps...just metal cut pieces and I found that many of the new Thinlits (that are being released soon) required more than one sheet.   For instance the new Holiday Words has two or three words that will not fit on the one sheet.  This is where the 15 x 2" piece of magnet sheet (the one we saved after cutting) comes into play.  Just cut to the size you need and slip it into the plastic cover.

Alphanumeric is one of the new sets that starts shipping in August.  I found it to be the hardest to control.  Once you open the package all the letters have to be removed from the backing.  If I moved them to the envelope it would be a nightmare to find the letters you need quickly.  Enter the magnet sheet - problem solved.
It took 2 magnet sheets to hold all the pieces but well worth the effort.  I can now easily find the letters I need.

Now if you are smart, maybe you saved the picture packaging and you can skip this step.  I did not.  So I created a document on my computer to print the images for the new envelope.  Drag and drop or right click until you have 4 pictures per page.  Then print and cut the images apart.  You can see I just pulled these images from Tim's blog post about the new product. 

Once cut apart, I used a small amount of adhesive to adhere the image to the front of the magnet sheet.

I currently store my envelopes in a turquoise bin that I already own.  These are made by See Jane Work, found at Office Depot. 

If you're looking for something that can stow them away, out of sight, I would suggest the linen covered box Sizzix makes for Bigz dies.  The box is super sturdy and the plastic envelopes fit right inside.

I hope this post gives you some ideas on storing your Framelits and Thinlits.  I know I am super happy I took the time to add mine to the envelopes.  I cut all the magnet sheets to size, then worked on them while I watched Project Runway.  That's a win-win situation in my book!

It just so happens that Linda Ledbetter's 

Compendium of Curiosities 3 - Challenge #9 

 happens to be Framelits! 

The challenge is open till Friday Aug. 29th 

so you still have plenty of time to join in on the fun 

(and maybe win a great prize).

now carry on,
paula

InLinkz.com

Framed Silhouettes

When Tim posted his tag last month he used a Sizzix Framelits die.  The tag was wonderful (of course) so I decided to try my hand at creating a card using the Framelits - Framed Silhouettes.  Each Framelits set comes with a set of stamps and the matching dies.  I have always liked this frame so I thought it was a good one to use for the card.

I stamped all the images I wanted to use with Archival Ink onto Specialty Stamping Paper...because I'm just a little obsessed with this paper right now (the image is so very crisp).

Then I colored the images with Distress Markers and my water brush.  Yeah, for coloring outside the lines!

You sure don't have to be precise with this technique (maybe that's why I like it).

I used the Sizzix Magnetic Platform and the Framelit dies that match the stamped images.  Just make sure you follow the instructions to get the right "sandwich".  Which is... Sizzix Magnetic Platform on the bottom, a cutting pad, then your stamped paper, then the Framelits dies, then another cutting pad.  If you would like to see my friend Stephanie Barnard from Sizzix demo this platform and show the "sandwich", just watch her 2 minute video here. 

The magnets in the platform are so strong you can stand the platform up and they do not even move!

They look so nice all cut out!

I know I just showed monoprinting a few weeks ago in my Simon Says Stamp tutorial, but today were going to do a double monoprint (i'm not even sure if that is a real thing...Well, it is today!).
Gather your supplies...Distress Ink, Layering stencil and #8 tag.

 Use the Mini Distress Ink pads to cover the stencil surface.

I 

Give it a good spray - don't underestimate the amount of water you need!

Flip it over onto the #8 tag.  Press down with a paper towel to soak up any excess ink.

And there you have the 1st monoprint.  You can see on the right side where I needed a bit more water but it's a small patch so I'm cool with that. 

For the second monoprinting, I repeated the same steps to ink and spritz the Layering Stencil.  But this time I wiped off the wide edge of the stencil with a paper towel before flipping it over onto the tag.

To create the plaid design you will need to lay the stencil over the tag horizontally.  You only have to ink the stencil once, if you use half the stencil for the top, then pick it up and use the other half for the bottom.  If you don't like that method you could ink the stencil a third time.

Here I am using the bottom portion of the stencil to create the double monoprint...

And then the top half of the stencil that still had ink on it, to finish the design.

Blot off any excess ink and dry with the heat tool.
I think it looks really cool.  Love the Mini Distress Pack with the Spun Sugar, Evergreen Bough, Scattered Straw and Shaded Lilac.

So, lets gather all the pieces we have made so far and ink them with Vintage Photo Distress Ink using a Mini blending tool.

I cut a card base from turquoise Core'dinations Cardstock and also a piece of kraft cardstock.  I used the texture folder, Trellis to create the texture on the kraft cardstock.  Then I painted the entire piece with Distress Paint in Tarnished brass.  I purposely created puddles of the Tarnished Brass paint to create more richness and texture over the kraft paper.  I did have a to wait a bit for it to dry, but I think it was worth it in the end.

Once dry, I used the Spritzer tool and a Black Soot Distress Marker to create another layer over the gold paint.

 I cut the tag to fit the card front (I used a little foam tape to raise it up off the gold cardstock).

 

Added my frame and a butterfly from the Remnant Rubs: botanical. 

Next,  I made a snip in the paper (see the arrow)....

So I could do this with the banner.

Then the banner and floral spray (again, with little bits of foam tape on the back) was added over the frame.

 Remnant Rubs -Words and a Heart Charm added and I'm done.

Super easy!
Loving the pop of the gold background.  That Texture Fade is awesome (love the small scale).  And seriously, the Framelits couldn't be easier to use.

 The plaid background just makes me happy!

Oh, and I know you were waiting for this part...

Hobby Holster Winner

 Congratulations to ldybg93

"I was just getting irritated with my glue gun yesterday as it kept tipping over on my craft table. I was thinking about sticking it in a clay flowerpot (a tip I saw on Pinterest) but didn't have one handy. The Hobby Holster is THE PERFECT solution. I would love to win this!"

ldybg93 please send your shipping address to paula@oneluckday.net so I can get your prize in the mail!

Now carry on,

paula

InLinkz.com