Butterfly Bonanza Extended! - CUTFILE New Butterfly & Border Set

Hi all!

I wanted to get this done for the early part of this week BUT I ran into snags with my new computer setup and software.  I am also very rusty!  I almost have to relearn all my tricks! LOL

Because of this - Butterfly Bonanza is still in effect!  Use code BUTTERFLY  ( through STORE cart or via email order ) to get 20% OFF your order :)   CODE EXPIRES TUESDAY JUNE 6!

Anyhoo... I made another cutting file set! ... and a mini tutorial!

Blossom Borders & DFT Butterfly CUTFILE SET:

I re-envisioned the Blossom & Three Leave Springs cutfiles into a border.  The set includes all the cards, fronts and borders you see in the preview.    The butterfly is derived from the Doodle Flower Trio sets:

Doodled Flower Trio Cardfront COL SETDoodled Flowers & Butterflies SINGLES COL SET

Doodled Flower Trio with Butterfly/Flowers

Here is a card made using the diagonal border cardfront and the butterfly. 

 I added Ranger Diamond glitter to the butterfly and cut the base of the butterfly out of pink vellum.  I experimented with watercolour dabs on the border front and then added diamond Stickles glue dabs.  oooh GLITTER!...

Here is another card using the Blossom Border:

Here is a mini tutorial on how to make and use a butterfly embossing plate :)

First THE EMBOSSING PLATE:

First this is the embossing plate.  It is made out of 2-4 butterflies cut out of 110 lb cardstock.  The cutting file is the SwallowTail CUTFILE.   I glued each butterfly down onto a rectangle of cereal box board cut to fit in my cuttlebug.  You brush matte or gel medium onto the board and glue the cardstock butterflies with brushed on matte medium... even layers of matte medium between each layer and on the very top.  Let dry... a day or two!  You want it to completely harden. The embossing plate shown above has seen many butterflies and just gets better and more distressed with age.  When I make another one I will stick to only 2  layers of butterflies.  A bit shallower emboss would probably be better.

Cut a base solid butterfly same size as the cut butterflies on your embossing plate.  Colour with any medium.  I love watercolors.  This example I tried gouache.

Once dry, align the butterfly to the embossing plate.  

RUN the plate and butterfly through your embossing/cutting machine.  Use a sandwich of base plate/C plate + B plate/embossing plate + butterfly plate and butterfly face up + silicon embossing mat + another B plate/embossing plate.  You might need a card stock shim.  I did not.  Also before I forget ( like I did with this example) ... lightly spray the backside of your butterfly with water to soften the paper a bit to avoid cracking.  I got cracks but didn't care LOL!

This part is the most satisfying!   Swipe a black inkpad over the butterfly.  The raised areas will get inked.  The look is very pretty and distressed.  To get the look on my card, I had best striking results with Versafine and Ranger Archival Inks.

 I have also had fun with distress inks... a nice subtle effect with that.  I am going to try flowers and leaves next... this embossed inked look on  watercoloured flowers and leaves... so pretty!

The sentiments on the 2 cards shown are from a new rubber stamp set coming out June 15 from Sparkle N Sprinkle!  ;)

Have a great weekend!

:)*  Fred

Stencils - Removing WC paint with Baby Wipes

Hey all!

I've got another stencil technique I have been playing with.  I had these Elmer's Art Crayon Sticks since I think Nolan was in Pre-school ( not doing math today - but that was forever ago ).

They work like gelatos; they are waxy,  a lipstick consistency, very blend-able, and they are water soluble.   I have no idea where you can find them to buy.  But if you have gelatos, gel sticks, or watercolor crayons, even cheap watercolors, you will get near the same effect.  See my notes below after the VIDEO :)

For the video,  I used smooth white cardstock and a stencil I digitally cut onto transparency film.  

CUTFILE:  Doily Mandala 2

For the card above, I used Ornate Butterfly Digi that I watercoloured, glittered and added gems.  Background is a Darice embossing folder.

Here are the 2 panels I made using above technique.

Things I noticed while I was playing:

- I also tried the technique with  watercolor crayons and Koi watercolors.... all work.
- Cardstock works OK.  A clay coated cardstock works better.  Watercolor paper also gives a nice effect.  Another option that I didn't try but would work is a gessoed surface.
-make sure your paint surface is dry to the touch before securing your stencil.
-use a clean part of the baby wipe each time you start on a different color of paint or you get a "halo" of the previous color on the next area.

Left - watercolor paper/crayon sticks, Middle- Koi watercolors on clay coated "stamping paper", Right-Neocolor II's on super cheapo cardstock.

In my opinion the clay coated paper and gelato-like crayon sticks "rocked":

Stencils:  Four Point Star Pattern,  Blossoms,  Whirlpool Splash

 

Have a great weekend!

:)* Fred

Stencil Rubbings

Hey all!

That fun thing you did as a youngster with a yummy smelling pack of Crayolas and paper, where you would put coins or leaves or that weathered picnic table top in the back yard under you paper and then rub over top with  crayons?  You can be all grown up and arty farty and do it with stencils!  I have been having fun making backgrounds :)

Used crayons, white prisma pencil, Four Point Star Stencil, Doodled Floral 1, Darice embossing Folders, gold cardstock, deckle scissors, and spellbinders die.

I love the dreamy smeary look.

VIDEO TIME....

Used, Whirlpool Splash Stencil cut on transparency film, and Happy Flowers Rainbow Collection flower sheets.  Eventually, I will add a sentiment in the empty space.

Here is a close up of a stencil rubbing blended with a light coloured prisma pencil.

Have a great day!
:)*  Fred

New Doodled Floral, Stencils & a TUT

Hey all! This summer is cruising by... eek!  How have you all been? :)

 I added some new files... they are at the bottom of the post.

OK I am going to say it, I am LOVING stencils, I love drawing them, and I love tweaking and experimenting with them. Modeling paste?... oh my goodness!  I love that I can use the Cutting File Stencils in different ways and even as a printable digi image ( I have more ideas and inspiration later this week :)  ).  I noticed that there must be others that like them too as I did some math... I have had 2358 downloads of the Free Stencils  as of today .... sales on the 5 latest cutting file stencils?  .... not so much... really bad $29 ( bad enough to seriously rethink this stencil making love of mine. I have to put food on the table, you know?)  Now I admit, I am mostly to blame as I have all these ideas, and I haven't shown you any of  them!  Maybe you just don't "get" what fun they are ;) So let's try to change that now LOL!

So here is something you can do with Cutting File Stencils that you CAN'T DO with bought pre-made stencils :) ( This one needs a Digital Cutting Machine)

I made 2 card fronts with one cut of the Circles Stencil.

I did a gradient wash onto an A2 card stock panel with watercolour crayons and a waterbrush. ( a red, orange and a yellow Neocolor II )

Make sure the panel is SUPER DRY before proceeding.  I used Make the Cut! software with my digital cutting machine and visual lined up/eyeballed my A2 panel on my cutting mat in the middle of the square Circles Stencil that I saw on the mat "on screen"  and added some junk card stock on each side my panel so my blade wouldn't hit bare mat.  Then I cut.  I peeled away the panel.  Leaving the negative bits on the mat... that is important.

I secured another white A2 card stock together with the cut panel with painters tape top and bottom so the panel wouldn't slip.  Now all you do is glue down each leftover piece off the mat into the holes in the panel.  I used a UHU stick for my glue.  NOTE: Take each negative circle off the mat ONE AT A TIME ...much easier to figure out where they go that way ;)

I made these 2 cards...

I embossed the cardstock underneath the watercolored stencil cut panel... looks so cool!

The image used for both cards is the new Doodled Floral 1.  The product includes the outline DIGI and 2 pre-coloured images :) 

I also added a new digital cutting file stencil set:  Four Point Star Pattern Stencils

MTC/Silhouette Studio/SVG/GSD/DXF/V-PDF/PNG

The 3 above stencils are included in the set.

.... I'll show you what I did with this stencil set tomorrow :)

And for the digital stamp lovers out there.  I am putting my stencil happy love on hold and have some new images in the works.  ... gotta put the nose to the computer screen and get 'er done!

Have a great day!

:)*  Fred

A "Spring Card" & Free Cutting Files :)

Hi All!

Taxes all done! Woohoo!  I have added some free cutting files to the STORE at THIS LINK.  One of them is a freebie down below :)

I've been stencil happy lately!  There is so much you can do with them.... including NOT using them as a stencil LOL...

For this card I used the stencil cutting file Doily Mandala 1 as a "cardfront".

Doily Mandala 1 Stencil & Mask

I created a Spring Card Template cutting file to make this card. Just click the image below to get the download :)

Spring Card Template Cutting File

 

FREE!

The cutting file has dashed score lines that help to crease in the appropriate parts of the card.  There are also mats for the base that cut out.  I embossed the mats and inked with Bundled Sage distress inks.  The mats for the spring card base are also inked and embossed.  The flowers  are from the Happy Flowers Digi Set and were coloured with  NeoColor II watercolor crayons and a water brush.   The butterfly is Ornate Butterfly Digi that was also coloured with NeoColor II's and glittered.

NOTE: To use the card template you don't need a cutting machine! The free Spring Card template also contains a PDF file that will print to your printer.  Print on the wrong side of your card stock or use as a guide. 

To fold the card, crease on the dashed fold lines.  Fold like below :)

 TIP:  You can size the card template to any size.  It is set currently for 5" wide and it would fit any round cardfront or diamond front between 5 and 5 1/2" in diameter.


Have a great day!
:)*  Fred

A Little Fat Santa & a pretty FRAME!

Hi all!

I just added a couple of things to the STORE. 

I wanted a simple little gnomish Santa to add to some cards I was making.  I just want to squeeze his cheeks and pull his beard LOL!

Little Fat Santa ( DIGI OR COL SET)

... and I wanted a CUT FILE frame for my Pointy Poinsettia Flower!  So I made 2 versions.

CUT FILE-Wrought Iron Square Frame SET:

The frame used Wrought Iron Square Frame version 2 and  was cut from white card stock.   The main part of the frame was glue-sprayed and sprinkled with Rock Candy dry glitter before it was adhered to the base frame.  The flower is from the Pointy Poinsettia Flowers.    I am thinking I will be using the Wrought Iron Frame A LOT with my butterflies and flowers in the future  ;) ... yes I am giddy with anticipation!   ..... just have to get through "Christmas card making season"  first! LOL

Have a great day!

:)*

Fred

Crystal Snowflake Card & Facebook

I am playing with snowflakes!  This card uses the Crystal Snowflake DIGI & CUT FILE set.  I coloured the "digi" image with coloured pencils and brushed on a light coating of matte decoupage glue and added Ranger Distress Rocky Candy DRY glitter.  That glitter is so pretty!  The background was made with masks I created with the Crystal Snowflake cutting file in 2 sizes cut out of transparency film.  I sponged distress inks over the masks/stencils in Salty Ocean, Iced Spruce and Broken China.  I added tiny dots of star dust glitter pen to the masked snowflakes.  The embossing folder is from Sizzix's Dot Swirl & Medallion Set.  I love it!     ( FYI  re the product links, I am not affiliated with CropStop but I do ALOT of damage there LOL  and they have been awesome to me as a customer  :) and, hey, that's where I got my toys! )

UPDATES:  ( groups, boards,  and fan pages OH MY )

I set up a FACEBOOK page for Fred She Said!  Please feel free to "like" our page!  Once you do, the Fred She Said Designs page will let you know about updates to the store, blog, DT cards, discount codes & more :)  Feel free to add your Fred She Said creations to our timeline or just ask questions.   I am still learning my way around Facebook so bear with us for a bit!  The facebook page button is at the top right of the Fred She Said blog.  Or try this LINK ( crossing fingers it works).

FYI:   Sadly, The Fred She Said group on the CDAC site will be closing. Thanks to all the members who joined and participated and to the CDAC for hosting us.  I am sorry but I just don't  have the time or the health/energy to give to the site that it deserves or participate in the main site activities in the manner that is required. 

The Fred She Said group at PAPER CRAFT PLANET is still in business.  I hope to get a little more happening over there soon :)

You can also follow me on PINTEREST :)   I have just started setting up a few FSS boards there.

Happy Halloween and stay safe trick or treaters ; )

:)*  Fred

Christmas Stuff - Yey!

Hi all!

I have just uploaded some new Christmas/Winter items to the store.  There will be more soon.  Going to draw draw draw next week as I am off.  My "day" job got cut back drastically due to cuts and teacher/union issues at the moment so it is looking like I will have more time to devote to illustrating.  .... a blessing in disguise?...  I hope so

Anyhoo.... I have had Christmas Doggies on the brain :)

Kiss Me Scottie

Winter Westie

.... and snowflakes!!

Crystal Snowflake  ( there is a DIGI version and a CUT FILE version )

Fancy Doily Snowflake:  there is a DIGI version and a CUT FILE version

  
Have a great weekend!

:)*  Fred

Sponsoring: Bearly Mine Challenges and a Freebie!

Hi All!

Today Fred She Said is sponsoring the Bearly Mine Challenge Blog, featuring Donna's wonderful digital papers.

Some of the Fred She Said DT are playing along.  The THEME is FLOWERS :)  I thought I would take  a crack at it:

.

I used Donna's FSS/BMD Summer's Roses Paper Set  which can also be found at Donna's store.  The flower and leaves are made from the Build a Floral Spray Digital Cutting File Set.

The Digital Freebie I have today is a TEMPLATE for the rectangular punched frame I used on the card above.  What this is, is a rectangular template ( also cutting files ) with a matted opening in the center.  It is sized perfectly for use with the Martha Stewart's Punch Around The Page punches.  I have included a printable PDF and cutting files in  SVG/GSD/DXF/Silhouette/Vector PDF.  You need the punches though to use with the template!  You can find the FREEBIE HERE (updated JUN/2017 link now works).


REMINDER:  Fred She Said DT Showcase CONTEST is still on ;)  with a $25 GC prize to a lucky commenter!

Have a great day!

:)* Fred

new in the STORE

Hey all!

**Reminder... we are currently accepting DT applications :) Click HERE for deets!

Some new things in the store :)...

Donna made another wonderful Paper Set ... Yummy Delights!

I made a Dragonfly Flower Doodledallion Set.  It originated from a dragonfly I had in rubber form from my first foray into rubber stamps.  Here is a card I used the dragonfly on , along with rose and frame from the Ornate Pearl Frame and the Build a Floral Spray cutting sets:

See this frame? I should have a hand cuttable coloured frame set next week :)

 I converted the dragonfly to digital and thought that he needed something to land on :)  ... hence a new doodledallion!  This set comes with sentiments, several borders.. and whole bunch of elements.  This set is uncoloured.  Pre-coloured version/s should be available soon ( next week ).

Dragonfly Flower Doodledallion DIGI SET

Have a great weekend!

:)* Fred