Bits & Pieces

There’s an old proverb that says “Seeing is believing.” In other words, one needs to physically see something before it can be accepted as real. I truly wouldn’t have to see it to believe that most of you have something that looks a bit like this . . . your very own collection of what I call Bits & Pieces!

I save every cast-off die cut—something that just didn’t work at the time. I vow to use it on the next project or the one after, but I don’t, and before long there are lots and lots of Bits & Pieces. I wanted to try to use them in a useful way, so I started with a bit of sorting—and then layering.

Then, using a few embellishments or simple stamped sentiments, adorable note cards and gift packaging were made quickly and easily!

For the bag I created a tag made using die cuts from Sliding Star Framelits (item 141820), Birds & Blooms Thinlits (item 141477), and Flourish Thinlits (item 141478) in Watermelon Wonder, Night of Navy, and Old Olive Cardstock. The Petite Café Gift Bag (item 135826) is wrapped with Watermelon Wonder 5/8″ Mini Striped Ribbon (item 141433) and the tag is tied on with Linen Thread (item 104199); Whisper White Mini Pompom Trim (item 141486) is also included as a fun accent.

Next, the simple card uses Night of Navy and Cucumber Crush Cardstock and Affectionately Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 141632) die-cut accents made using Stars Framelits (item 133723), Botanical Builder Framelits (item 140625), and Bold Butterflies Framelits (item 138135). The simple “Congratulations” sentiment from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set (item 141534) works perfectly with the silver Metallic Foil Doily (item 138392) and both a Metal Rimmed Pearl (item 138394) and Pearl Basic Jewels (item 119247).

The final project here includes a Sweet & Sassy Framelits (item 141707) die cut accent using 2015–2017 In Color Envelope Paper (item 141697) and a Flourish Thinlits die cut accent in Gold Glimmer Paper (item 133719). Embellished with a 2015–2017 In Color Doily (141674) and a Flourishing Phrases sentiment embossed on Emerald Envy Cardstock, this sweet element is perfect attached to a Glassine Gift Bag (item 141700).

I was thrilled to find just what I needed in my Bits & Pieces to create this coordinated card and gift box!  The little note card is simply made using Sliding Star Framelits, Birds & Blooms Thinlits, and Layering Squares Framelits (item 141708) die cuts and a Gold Glimmer Paper (item 133719) accent cut using the Stars Framelits Dies (item 133723). A touch of Sweet Sugarplum on the card inspired me to use the matching Sweet Sugarplum 3/8″ Ruched Ribbon (item 141428) to wrap the Clear Tiny Treat Box (item 141699)—where I also used die cuts from Birds & Blooms Thinlits and Flourish Thinlits. Soft Sky, Vellum, Bermuda Bay, and Crushed Curry Cardstock are also used in this sweet project.

Finally, I used Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes (item 131527) to create this trio of note cards. Pieces include die-cut accents made using Flourish Thinlits, Everyday Jars Framelits (item 141490), Layering Squares Framelits, Sunshine Wishes Thinlits (item 141489), May Flowers Framelits (item 140276), and Botanical Builders Framelits. I chose cuts from the Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack (item 141657), Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 141648), Kraft Cardstock (item Item 133674), and Gold Glimmer Paper—and Basic Black, Old Olive, and Soft Sky Cardstock. Embellishments include White Perfect Accents (item 138416), Gold Metallic Thread (item 138401), and stamped images with sentiments from the Watercolor Wings (item 139424), Rose Wonder (item 140697), and Sunburst Sayings (item 140725) Stamp Sets. I love that these cards were built so randomly but look seriously lovely together!

And now that you’ve seen it I hope you believe it! Bits & Pieces can easily become some of your favorite projects!

Sue Plote
Artisan Design Team 2015–2016