Control Freaks Blog Tour - The Cutting Edge

Again, welcome to this month's Control Freak's Blog Tour, titled "The Cutting Edge". It means everyone will be featuring Projects Using Die Cuts in the Big Shot. Too fun!

If you arrived here from the blog of talented and hilarious, Jan Tinklenberg (aka Jan Tink), then you are at the right place. However, if this is your first stop, don't worry. The Tour goes full circle - just follow the links. 

That being said, the Tour doesn't officially begin until February 20th so be sure to stop back just in case the links aren't working. We don't want you to miss a thing.

I admit I have a thing for birds, not necessarily live birds, but birds in the stamping/papercrafting world. Therefore, the Elegant Bird Bigz die in the Occasions Mini Catalog, was a must have for me. I have been having lots of fun with it!

This bird comes in 2 pieces: the body and the wing. Don't let the wing or the size of the body scare you because you can tailor it, as I did with this card - no wing, no tail.

The flower and leaves were also cut with the Big Shot and Dies. 

• For the flower, I used the Fun Flowers Bigz die and just cut out 3 of the smallest flowers. Then I spritzed them with water, crumpled them up and let them dry. 
• For the leaves, I used the Little Leaves Sizzlit die and some designer paper.

Stamps: Tiny Tags, Musical Notes Wheel

Paper: Attic Boutique dsp (Occasions Mini)

Cardstock: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Ink: Soft Suede

Other: Big Shot, Elegant Bird Bigz die, Fun Flowers Bigz die, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Color Spritzer Tool, Antique Brad, Basic Pearls, sponge, Jewelry Tag Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Circle punch, Mini Glue Dots

I made this 3 dimensional vintage-style bird so she can perch on my craft table and inspire me. She was actually easy to make. The hard part was finding a stone/rock that was flat! 

To make this little birdie, I once again used the Elegant Bird Bigz Die and designer paper. BUT, I also used chipboard for the body to give her stability. Her legs are 2 paper clips sandwiched between the chip board. I hot glued them to the rock and then covered up the blob of glue with shredded dsp.

I didn't take pictures to do a tutorial but I can answer any questions you have. Just email me.

Stamps: Creative Elements 

Paper: Attic Boutique dsp (Occasions Mini

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede

Other: Big Shot, Elegant Bird Bigz die, Paper Doily Large Sizzlit Die, Scallop Circle punch, Circle punch, Basic Pearls, Crochet Trim, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Chipboard/cardboard, Flat Rock, Paper clips

My final project is a Candle Sleeve that I made specifically for one of my 3 wicked candles from Bath and Body Works. I used the Lattice Bigz die and my Big Shot. It has a bottom to it as well so the sleeve doesn't slide up. 

Stamps: none

Paper: Silver Glimmer Paper (still available)

Cardstock: Whisper White

Other: Paper Piercer, Mini Brads, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Rather than go into detail now, I will post directions and more photos on Monday, Feb. 21st. It isn't difficult to make.

Eta: Directions can be found here. Just scroll down.

In the meantime, don't stop touring! The inspiration continues with the very creative LeeAnn Greff.

Thanks for touring! I hope you will stop back again.