When the list of products retiring from a Stampin’ Up! catalogue first comes out I am naturally drawn to it. I hate to see favourite products leave, but it’s necessary to make way for new ones. But in that period between old products leaving and new ones arriving I still have fun. That’s when I take a closer look at the products from a retiring catalogue that are carrying over. This time I was drawn back to the Pretty Pillow Box Dies. They’ve been on my wish list ever since I first saw them but never quite made it onto an order. So taking their carry-over status as a sign, I took the plunge. However despite the name, for my first project I didn’t use the dies to make a pillow box!
PILLOW BOX DIES
When I get a new die set I am always interested in the little ‘extra’ pieces that are often included. While I definitely wanted the Pillow Box Die for the actual box this set has lots of other useful dies. Today I was interested in the smaller dies designed to add interest to the flap, and the additional ‘label’ dies.
In the end I chose the largest of the ‘label’ dies which cuts a label 2-1/8″ wide. Then I centred the die right at the top of a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Thick Basic White Card. This meant the card sat inside the two straight edges of the die. Next I put the card and die onto my Cut & Emboss Machine ready to cut. However instead of covering the whole die with the top cutting plate, I staggered it so it only covered the top half of the die. Then when I ran it through the machine only the portion of the die covered by the plate actually cut the card. So instead of a label I now had a card strip with a fancy curved top and pretty stitched detail.
To turn the strip into a bookmark I wanted to add a hole for a ribbon. This was a simple job using the oval hole option on the Detailed Trio Punch.
ALWAYS
Right now I’m re-reading the Harry Potter series of books, and my sentiment was influenced by that. It’s just one word, spoken by Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and it has always struck me as very powerful. “Always”.
I was delighted when I found this single word sentiment in the Lovely You Stamp Set and couldn’t resist using it. Using Gorgeous Grape ink I stamped the sentiment towards the top of the bookmark. Then below it I stamped one of the leaf images from the same stamp set three times using Granny Apple Green ink.
Next I found a scrap of Basic White Card and decided to colour it using ink and Blending Brushes. I began with a light layer of Fresh Freesia ink, followed by patches of Highland Heather ink. Finally I added some areas of Gorgeous Grape ink. Then I used a Blending Brush to colour a separate scrap of Basic White Card with Crushed Curry ink.
Now it was time to return to the Pretty Pillow Box Dies, but this time for the small six-petal flower dies included in the set, plus the die with two small circles.
I placed one of the larger flower dies and the two smaller ones onto the purple-coloured piece. The die with the two small circles went onto the Crushed Curry coloured card. Then I ran this through my Cut & Emboss Machine. I still needed one more yellow circle so I ran that die through a second time.
With the pieces cut I simply attached the flowers to the leafy vine using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). Then I added the yellow centres with more liquid glue.
To finish, I threaded some Highland Heather 1/2″ Grosgrain Ribbon through the hole at the top and secured it in place with a Mini Glue Dot. Job done.
I love how this bookmark turned out. It’s got a lovely fresh feeling and the fancy top gives me another bookmark option and I’ve also got an idea for a card front. I have a feeling those flowers will be seeing a lot of action. But next time I get these dies out I’ll definitely use them to make a pillow box. Watch this space…
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