LBH presents the 4th Annual "12 Days of Ornaments" Blog Series

Tomorrow is the beginning of the LBH "12 Days of Ornaments" during which we will feature a different handmade ornament created by one of the LBH gals each day until Thanksgiving.  Included in each day's post will be the complete instructions on how to re-create that ornament. Please visit the LBH blog here each day to view the ornaments and leave a comment. One lucky commenter will win that day's ornament!

Brazil Here We Come!

We're leaving tomorrow morning for Brazil. We're attending the wedding of our former exchange student's sister and then touring Brazil with his family. This will be interesting as we don't speak Portuguese and they, except for Fabio, don't speak English!

I've scheduled a few posts here for the LBH "12 Days of Ornaments" that starts on Sunday, Nov. 17. Other than that, it will be quiet here for ten days.

So ciao for now! I'll surely have stories to share when I return!

Working with Intricate Dies

I recently purchased this very intricate pumpkin die from Serendipity Stamps that I love. Isn't it gorgeous? One reason I bought it was I saw samples of it used not only flat, but formed into a 3D shape using multiple cuts.  There was also a sample of a 3D apple using the same die so it's quite versatile.  

However, once I was home and tried cutting it, I got terrible results. I have since learned that there are metal shims sold for Cuttlebugs and Big Shots that are a great solution for getting good results from intricate dies. (That saleslady missed a perfect opportunity for an up-sale!!)

Since I don't have a metal shim, I did some research online and some playing around with my own Cuttlebug and wanted to share my findings with you in case you also don't have one.

First (and best) tip: add a piece of waxed paper between the die and paper you are cutting so all the tiny pieces come out easier and don't get stuck in the die.

 Photo 1 above was done with this sandwich: A plate + C plate + cardstock + waxed paper + die face down + 3 CS scraps for shim + B plate (you can see much was not cut through)

Photo 2 was done with this sandwich: A plate + C plate + cardstock + waxed paper + die face down + B plate + 3 CS scraps (more cut, but not all and it was hard getting most of those pieces out; I thought putting CS scraps on top of B would give flatter surface for cutting through)

Photo 3 was done with this sandwich: A + C + CS + waxed paper + spot-shimmed die face down (see tip below) + B + 3 CS scraps.   EUREKA - cut through with very little poking needed!!!

To spot-shim - add pieces of Scotch tape on backside of die where it's not cutting consistently - see the photo above with tape in the center areas on the back of the die 

Depending on your machine (I used my Cuttlebug) you might have to tape and/or shim with more or less CS. With 3 CS it was pretty hard to crank through mine, but it did cut!

My conclusion is that if you only have one or two intricate dies and don't use them often, try out these ideas for getting better cuts. If, however, you have several dies, use them often, or don't want to spend the time figuring out the perfect shims for each die, I would suggest you buy the metal shim. As soon as I find one, I think I will be getting it!  Hope this information was helpful.

"Home for the Holidays" Mixed Media Canvas

Here's my latest mixed media canvas class at The Little Blue House. I'll be teaching this through Christmas so call or stop by the House to reserve your place in class.

These canvases are very popular and I so enjoy creating them.  It's a challenge to come up with something different for each new canvas.  This one uses several new (and old favorites) textural products that I can't wait to share.  The Christmas lights and wreath are easily removed so you could continue to display this through the winter season.

If you're local, I hope you'll join me for this fun (and messy) class!

Mixed Media Mania Class - Next Week!

This is the project I will be teaching for the Mixed Media Mania class next week at The Little Blue House.  We will be combining assorted papers and fabrics and adding several textural products to make our own "paper cloth" to create a mixed media tree.  Depending on the choices you make along the way, each finished tree will be your own unique piece of art.  Be prepared to get your hands dirty and have some messy fun!

Classes will be Tuesday, November 12:

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

or

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Contact The Little Blue House at 817-431-7930 to reserve your seat!  Check out the MMM page on the LBH blog for supply list.

Hope to see you then!

Project Premiere

Our Holiday Project Premiere yesterday was a huge success! Thanks to all who stopped by to see the new products, new class projects and to make the cute little candy boxes at the Make-n-Take. I was busy demoing the new WeR Memory Keepers punch boards for gift bags, candy boxes, square boxes and pillow boxes nonstop all day long!

I managed to snap a few photos of The Little Blue House before we opened the doors. Everything looked so pretty and festive. We even had Christmas music playing and lots of yummy Christmas cookies and punch.

If you happened to miss the special event, do stop by anytime to take a look at the fun class projects  we have created!

Tis the Season

It's hard to believe that Christmas is on it's way! Tomorrow we are revealing all the new Christmas class projects at The Little Blue House Project Premiere.  

Here's a sneak peek at one of my projects.  I can't wait to share all of my projects as well as the gorgeous projects created by the rest of the design team!

Stop by and visit The Little Blue House tomorrow

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Free make-n-take, refreshments and prizes!