Use Those Scraps

Hi! It's Leah Killian again, here to show you how to create this cute card using our nesting label die. This card is special because not only does it end up looking finished and cute, but it can be created using ONLY SCRAPS!


Step 1:


Grab your Epic or Revolution, and a nesting die of your choice. I used the nesting label die. Diec cut the label using any old piece of cardstock or scrap. You won't see this piece on the final project, so this is a great place to use up scraps.

Step 2:


Now, grab the leftover bits from your last project. Trim the pieces into strips long enough to cover your die cut. These strips don't need to be the same size; variation actually looks better. You're done once you have enough to completely cover your die.

Step 3:
Ink up the edges of the strips.

Step 4:
Now cover your label with adhesive.

Step 5:

Arrange your strips to completely cover your shape. If you get them all glued down, and wish you had done something a little differently, you can always layer on an extra piece to create the balance you're trying to achieve. No one will notice this, because no one is going to look as closely at this as you are!

Step 6:
Flip over your strips and shape and trim them down.

I opted to leave a little extra to widen the shape a bit, but you can trim and close to the shape as you like. It's your card, so do what makes you happy.

When you flip over your shape, you should end up with something like this.

Step 7:


Now it's time to cute it up!

To embellish my shape I added a piece of trim and sewed it on for a little extra texture.

I punched out two flowers, inked the edges and layered them (this is a brand new flower die--one of my favorites). I adhered the flowers with a pop dot, and stuck two decorative pins through the center for added zing. If you have different scraps or shapes, feel free to mix it up and do your own thing!

After that, you just grab your favorite small alphabet (I used Miss Muffet) and add your sentiment! I made sure to ink the edges of mine so it stands out a little more.

I folded a piece of cardstock in half to create the card base, and adhered my shape using pop dots. If you look very closely, you will notice that I added faux stitching with a pen to the outside of my shape, as well as to one of my flowers. It's the little details that make these projects extra special :-)

Ta Da! Now you just have to figure out who will be the lucky recipient....

Shapes as Embellishments

Hi! It's Leah Killian from the QuicKutz Design Team, here to show off the newest release! Aren't the new shapes just to die for? I was so inspired when these dies landed on my doorstep. I scrambled to meet a tight deadline on design projects and send off as many good ideas as I could, but even after that day had come and gone, I still had the itch to play with them!


Thankfully, I had a nice long crop last weekend, and got to pull out my dies and leisurely create! I decided to do some die organizing, so I brought every. die. I. owned. (You can imagine how long that took.) As I went through them, I found a few old favorites that I haven't used in awhile, so this is a great blend of old and new!


The great thing about using QuicKutz dies is that it puts the ability to make your own embellishments right at your fingertips. I know many of us spend hours scouring our local scrap shops (and our own stashes!) trying to find that just right element to make our projects pop. It has to coordinate and match, and be the right size and it has to speak to us in some way or another.

I love that when I'm in that pickle, I can turn to my dies and make whatever it is I want! I can dress up any die to match any project, and it feels great to know that what I made is totally unique and perfect. I never have to settle for "almost" when I'm the embellishment designer!


In the spirit of that thought, I decided to keep these cards as paper-centric as possible. With the exception of two buttons, every element of these cards is paper, dressed up with ink and glue. I'm sure you have all found that paper-only projects are economically savvy -it's great to create for less and to be able to share cards like these with more friends!


Here's what I used:

Bee die NEW! KS-1009
Flourish REV-0028
Flower NEW! REV-0314-S
Banana Split ("smile") 4X8-BANANA-S
Storybook Alphabet ("many blessings") 4X8-STORYBK-M
borders- REV-0011


I bet you have a few of these dies in your own stash! You can never go wrong with classics. This new flower and bee are my top choices from our newest release. I hope you can snag yourself a few of these MUST HAVE dies for your own collection! I know I'll be using these for years to come!

New Releases!

The day has come.

Put the kids down for their naps and grab a refreshing drink, because you'll want to peruse all of these great new products from QuicKutz without any distractions.

First, check out the new Special Delivery Gift Set, a limited-edition card kit that has everything you need to create thoughtful handmade cards.

The set includes 26 cutting die shapes, one mini alphabet, and even some exclusive stitching dies. You’ll find yourself pulling out this kit every time you need a birthday card, friendly “thinking of you” note, or tag for a wedding gift. Get creative with your scrapbooking layouts by using these cards to create a fun journaling element behind the fold of the card.

We've also released other shapes that work well paired with the Special Delivery Gift Set, or in any other format. These fun and whimsical dies are great for scrapbooking Spring or Summer events. You’ll find birds, bird cages, flowers, plants, and bugs in a variety of sizes, including 2x2s, 4x4s, Cookie Cutters and borders. Here is a quick sampling:
Click here for more information and contact your local scrapbook store to order your products today!

Sneak Peak

You've asked for it...a sneak peak of the June 29th release.

Let's just say there will be birds.

There will be bees.

And together they will make some beautiful harmonies.

The Birds & The Bees release 2010. Stay tuned for details on QuicKutz.com.

Addiction to Pennants

When I found out our product development team was creating a triangle pennant die, I knew immediately that die was going in my QuicKutz arsenal of products.

Of course, there are a ton of uses for this die besides just pennant banners. But for whatever reason, I've been hooked on making banners for just about anything! For instance, my roommate recently returned home from a trip to Europe. This greeted her in her room:



I'm planning to create a few more banners that will spell out something generic so I can use them time and time again.

Here are a few of the phrases I've thought of:

"You rock"
"Bon voyage!"
"We love you"
"Surprise!"

The more I've brainstormed, the more ridiculous the phrases have become...

"Don't be mad"
"Eat up!"
"You're my favorite"
"Finally!"
"Will u marry me?"
"Prom?"
"You're old"
"People really like you"
"Happy trails"

What would you say on your pennant banner? Buy one of your very own here.

Jennifer
QK Marketing

Gallery Idol

Our friends over at Paper Crafts Magazine are running their fourth Gallery Idol contest, a contest that might be of interest to you paper crafters! Readers submit themed projects every week in hopes of winning the coveted grand prize, (drum roll please) . . .

An L Letterpress Combo. Kit!



Crafters are submitting projects by the hundreds to win this great prize.

This is how it works:

Just like the hit TV show, online viewers will be able to vote each week for the best submissions. Voting as already begun for round one of Gallery Idol. Click here to enter in your vote.

Best of luck to all of the contestants!

Memorial Day Warehouse Sale

Hello QuicKutz friends,

We hope your weekend was filled with all of the good things that 3-day weekends offer—barbequing with the family, playing in the sunshine, catching up on scrapbooking, and doing a little bit of online shopping!

If you didn't already hear the news, QuicKutz is offering some crazy deals on QK products, including new and old 2x2 and 4x4 dies, Cookie Cutters, borders, and alphabets. It's just like our regular warehouse sale, but it's online only.

The sale will end on Friday, June 4th at 5 p.m. MDT, so don't delay!

Visit here to shop the sale.

Best wishes,

The QuicKutz Team