Friday 21 February 2014

Friday Die Day

Hello friends
Today a FDD with a slight difference.  As I've been away for some of this week
I am cheating a little and looking back on a very early FDD, in fact one of the first
dies I featured just under two years ago!
I know some of you may not have been following my blog then so 
this will be all new to you :)


You receive 6 die templates with this set, 3 spiral flowers and four leaves (2 are joined).
Here they are cut/embossed and stencilled.
Two ideas to curve the petals of the blossoms - use a piece of foam 
(mine came with some brads I purchased).   
Select something round, (I've used the end of my craft knife but there is specialist 
rolling-ball tools to do this).  Push down each petal into the foam, don't worry if you feel it is 
ruining the paper, all adds to the end result.  

 You will begin to see the petals curve inwards.
 Once you have done this take the outer edge and coil to the middle - you can curl 
fairly tightly and once all curled let go.
 Another technique is to start the same - push petals down into the foam but then flip the
flower over and push down on the reverse side.
 Here it is before rolling.
 After rolled you can see the outer petals are bending outwards.
 Moving on to the leaves - the two that are joined together are deliberate,
it is so you can pinch the stem to create them at an angle.  
You can see a tiny fold line in my photo.
 After they have been pinched together.
 The two Bitty Blossoms curled differently. 
They then require some tweaking and perhaps a little distress ink 
to the edges and a pearl/gem to the middle - purely your choice. 
I do love Bitty Blossoms - nearly as much as butterflies!
They are available to purchase here.

Following on from yesterday's blog post featuring decorating the
Charity Craft Caddy, Carole has completed her kit.
She has used the reverse of the papers and it looks wonderful.
There are further photos here.
If you have finished your kit I would love to see photos, I would like to
feature them on my blog and Facebook if you are agreeable.

Have a wonderful weekend, take care friends.

25 comments:

Diane said...

I am really glad you have re visited these dies. I have had them for ages, but never use them. When I first got them I tried several times to use them, but could never get a result I was happy with. You have inspired me to dig them out and try again. Thanks Christine,

Magzeeann said...

Hi Christine.Like Diane, I have these dies but haven't used them for a long time~my flowers never looked very good.I will have another try, following your instructions!Have a super weekend, love and hugs,
Maggie x

Carole Z said...

Hi Christine, I think of all the floral dies I use these the most, they are all good sizes and look lovely when made up! Thank you for showing my caddy, which I really loved making & thank you to those of you who visited & commented on my blog yesterday after seeing it on Facebook, hugs & happy FDD to all! Carole Z xx

Chris said...

I love these dies also Christine, they are among my most used and feature on nearly all of my ladies cards. Love, love, love Carole's caddy, the papers are beautiful. Have a lovely weekend.
Chris xx

Mrs B said...

Hi Christine. I love your flowers, I have yet to get the Bitty blossoms but one of my first dies was a bigger version and it is so easy to make. I wonder if Diane and Maggie moulded the petals enough, it does look like you have spoiled the paper/card when you first do it? I found that it doesn't look too good until completely finished. Have another go ladies, you won't regret it : ) Caroles craft caddy looks wonderful, I love that paper. Have a good weekend. Take care.

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Christine, Loving your instructions with the Bitty Blossoms and Leaves, these were one of the first dies I bought, and I love them, but haven't used them for ages, I will be remedying that, thank you for reminding me.
I love Carole's craft caddy, and how she has embellished it, gorgeous.
Have a lovely day, it is frosty here this morning, so fingers crossed we may have a bit of sunshine later.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Thanks for sharing this again Christine I always love to see how you use them! Susan x

lydia jordan said...

Morning Christine,
I only have one of the larger version and really haven't used it, I find the the flowers are just too big for a card, perhaps I should try the bitty blossoms.
I saw Carole's caddy on her blog, it's lovley.
Lydia
X

Lucycat said...

Hi Christine, Thankyou for sharing again ,your instructions are so clear. Your flowers look wonderful.
Carols caddy is lovely,so pretty. Take care. x.

Jean Z said...

Hi Christine, I too have these dies will have to have another go with them. love Jean Z xxx

Janice said...

Lovely tutorial today Christine....thank you!
I too love Carole's caddy, I'm looking forward to collecting mine next week, although not sure I will get it made up as quick!
Have a good day....lovely to see the sun the morning 😎
Janice x

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine. I love these dies. Actually they are on my list to buy and I borrowed them from my friend Wendy, cut out a heck of a lot in different papers and actually made up the first ones yesterday to put on a Mothers day card I was making. They are lovely to work with and make such pretty flowers.
Thanks for the tips to make them differently.
Love the decorated caddy.
Love Val x

EmmaT said...

Morning Christine, bitty blossoms are one of my most used sets. Thanks for the ideas on using them. Gorgeous caddy, im still working on mine, please with it so far. Emma x

Pat S Witney said...

Hi Christine
Thanks for showing how these flowers are made up. It might look easy, as you would just roll the flowers up, but a bit of shaping makes all ther difference.

ros hodgkins said...

Hello Christine, I look at these dies and instantly think of you. When I first joined you blog as well as butterflies you seemed to use them for the finishing touches to your designs. I hope the sun shines everywhere today.
X Ros

Laura O said...

flowers you can't beat them ,all cards need a flower or butterfly.Laura O

hazel young said...

Lovely dies and love the completed caddy. Have a great weekend xx hazel

Lacelady said...

Interesting to see your take on Bitty Blossoms, I finally gave in and got them around Christmas time, and STILL haven't got around to using them. (I've been busy putting a big quilt together).

SusanP, Kent said...

Hi Christine, thanks for the demo. I've never quite got the rolling-up bit right. If at first you don't succeed....... ask Christine! Lovely caddy photos.
Sue

Elizabeth said...

Hi Christine, thank you for the tutorial today. I am sure I have seen it before but I cannot recollect the techniques you used, so it is good to see again. I do love the frame you featured and have actually done one before for a friend, not as professional as yours but she loved it.
Well done Carole on your lovely caddy.
Have a lovely weekend.
Elizabeth x
P.S. I am off work today so a spot of crafting is called for.

Maggie said...

Hello Christine. I can't believe how useful these bitty blossoms are. They do take a bit of practise, usually I let them go and have to start all over again, but once mastered they are really a go to set of dies. Have a lovely weekend with boys and Bella. xxMargaretxx

Teresa said...

I love bitty blossoms too but haven't used them in ages. Must stop buying new dies and return to some of my old favourites.Love the craft caddy but unfortunately have nowhere to put it. Hope you and all the family have a lovely weekend. Teresa (Nottingham) xxx

LoraineC said...

I haven't mastered flowers yet but yours look excellent, good to get Carole's take of the craft caddy. Have a good weekend x

Carolyn H said...

Hi Christine, I remember this FDD. It is one of my favourite set of dies too. I popped over to Carole's Blog and left a message in admiration of her Craft Caddy. We have a lot of talent out there dont we?
Have a good weekend Carolyn Hx

Sandra said...

Good morning Christine,
I hope that you, Elliott and Mitchell are well.
I love bitty blossoms too, I remember this FDD the first time round, loved it then, love it still, you seem to add something extra to these dies, your special 'Christine magic', as I never achieve the seem beautiful results as you do!
I hope you something nice planned for the weekend, it looks like we are in for some nice weather!
Crafty hugs,
Sandra xxxx

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