Inspiration Week: Introducing Fishtail Banners II Dies + Giveaway

Hello & welcome to the last day of inspiration week.  All of our new items for July are now available for purchase in our online store.  We've put together some bundles to save you money and don't forget you can use the code "SAVE5" to save $5 on all orders over $49.  It's our way of helping you out with shipping.  ;)

Today we are featuring our new Fishtail banner II dies which are a follow up to our original Fishtail Banner dies.  These can be used together with the originals or on their own.  They come with scallops on both sides of the "v" for two unique looks and standalone stitched and dotted lines that can go solo or be paired with either scallop.  :)

Up first I have a card using the scalloped edge to create a diamond.  I started with by cutting the center diamond in white and then worked my way out from there using a rainbow of colors.  To save on paper I just created V's and hid them below the other layers.  A ran the stitched border through as a separate pass in my die-cutting machine so that I could get the two dies closer than I would have been able to if I ran them through at the same time.  When I was done I realized I hadn't left space to add a full stitched "v" to my white piece so I hung the corners off the edge of my cutting plates so it wouldn't pierce my paper all the way to the edge. I finished my card with a simple stamped sentiment from Sunny Sentiments.  :)

Up next is a card featuring a similar scalloped edge, but this time joining them together to create the look of a cute closure.  To embellish my card I turned to our new Baby Bear stamp set.  I thought it would be fun to create a sweet group of babies all in different outfits.  Before adhering my pieces, I inked up my card base with Tumbled Glass Distress ink and then repeatedly stamped the little diaper pin (that is designed to be added to the baby's diaper) in a random pattern.  I like the little splash of color and subtle pattern it gives my finished card.  

For my next card, I used the new fishtail banners II to create a pennant style shaped card.  I started by folding a 4.25 x 11 piece of white cardstock in half to form my card base.  I then used the dies to cut through the front of my card and then closed my card and used the first cut to position a second cut for the back.  It's possible you could do this in one pass, but I was using really heavy cardstock and didn't want to take my chances.  

For my card front, I cut another 4.25 x 5.5 panel from white cardstock and cut it along the bottom using the original Fishtail Banner dies.  I then inked it up with Worn Lipstick distress ink and used the sprinkles images from our new Sweet Shoppe stamp set to stamp a subtle tone-one-tone background. I pulled my focal point images from that same set and then completed my card with a banner from our Sunny Borders set inked up in Vintage Sepia distress ink.  I was searching for just the right sentiment to fit the space and ended up piecing one together using the word "birthday" from Comfy Creatures and the "sweet wishes" from Sending My Love.  :)

For my last card I used the dotted banner on it's own to create a subtle stitched chevron pattern for my card background. I love how classy and sophisticated it feels!  To create my three little pennants I inked up strips of cardstock with Worn Lipstick, Tumbled Glass and Fossilized Amber Distress inks and then cut the ends using our original Fishtail Banner dies.  I finished off my card with a little pineapple and hibiscus grouping from our Tropical Paradise set.

As I was working on my background I snapped a picture for your to see how I lined things up.  I started by using my grid ruler to sketch in some light pencil lines 1/4" apart.  By using a clear grid type ruler it made it super quick and easy (if you don't have something like this in your stash I highly recommend it--It's one of my favorite supplies). I also added a line down the center to help ensure I was lining the tip of my "v" in the center each time.  I then used the lines to guide me on where to place my die each time.  When I was done, I just erased my pencil lines.  While this isn't something you'd want to do for mass produced Christmas cards, I actually was able to do this fairly quick and I love the results!

I've put together a free printable for you to download HERE giving you some ideas on how these banner dies can be used.  We will be having a sketch contest using them in early September so make sure to stay tuned.  ;)

Here's a side by side comparison of the new Fishtail Banner II dies next to the originals...

     

Also, just a reminder that today is the final day of our $20 gift certificate giveaway.  You have until midnight tonight to enter today's contest as well as all our contests from the previous four days.  Winners will be announced tomorrow morning.  I hope you will stop by our store to see the full reveal in our New Arrivals section.  :)

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