Craft an Easter Card using the Tim Holtz Sizzix Switch Machine!

The new Sizzix™ Big Shot™ Switch Plus Machine inspired by Tim Holtz is here! I have spent the last few months in awe as I have played about with this machine and have been so excited to show you all! Discover my Easter card make in this blog now...

If you know my making style, you know I am a BIG fan of Tim Holtz's style so this machine is perfect for me. This stylish and sleek machine will look fantastic in my craft room and is something I will be really proud to display on my shelf when I am not using it.

I will likely be using this machine for a lot of my makes, so I thought I would share the first of my many projects using the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Machine inspired by Tim Holtz to inspire you for your future makes...

What You Will Need To Create This Easter Card:

• Sizzix™ Big Shot™ Switch Plus Machine inspired by Tim Holtz® - Black (UK and EU customers)
• Sizzix™ Big Shot™ Switch Plus Machine inspired by Tim Holtz® - Black (US customers)
• Sizzix® Thinlits® Die Set 12PK - Papercut Chicks, Colorize by Tim Holtz®
• Sizzix® Thinlits® Die Set 7PK - Woodgrain, Colorize by Tim Holtz®
• Sizzix® Surfacez™ - Cardstock, 8 1/4" x 11 3/4", 20 Assorted Colors, 80 Sheets
• Sizzix® Effectz™ Multimedia Mat
• Sizzix® Effectz™ - Creamy Matte Acrylic Paint, Bluebell, 60ml
• Sizzix® Effectz™ - Creamy Matte Acrylic Paint, Agave, 60ml
• Sizzix® Making Essential - Adhesive Sheets, 6" x 6", Permanent, 10 Sheets
• Sizzix® Making Essential - Foam Tape
• Sizzix® Making Essential - Express Glue, 120ml
• Vintage Photo Distress Pad
• Calligraphy Style Stamp
• Black Stamping Ink

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1.

Cut out squares of Cardstock in the colors you would like to use. I have used a mixture of colors from the Sizzix Assorted Cardstock pack in the suggested tones in our Color Story.

The Sizzix Papercut Chicks Colorize Thinlits Die Set offers a layered effect so three shades of yellow will be needed to create the required depth of color. For ease, I chose to apply Adhesive Sheets to the back of each card rectangle. I find that when using Colorize dies, this speeds up the process and eliminates any messy glue marks.

Step 2.

Next, layer up all of the Colorize Die Cut elements you have cut out using the various colors of cardstock. To me Colorize dies are the painting-by-numbers of paper craft and I absolutely adore them.

Step 3.

Take the elements from the Woodgrain Colorize Die Set and lay them on some Cardstock and then run them through the Switch Machine. I love the fact that the Big Shot Switch Plus cuts A4 dies like the plus machine and it just speeds up the process of cutting all of your elements. Next, layer them up and adhere together using Express Glue to create a dimensional wood effect rectangle.

Step 4.

The next step is to place the layered rectangle on your Sizzix Multimedia Mat. Then take some Sizzix Creamy Acrylic Paint and apply it to your Multimedia Mat, I used the blue tones, including Agave, from the Color Story.

Next, using a Brayer, mix the paint on the wheel by rolling it over the paint blobs. Ensure the wheel of the brayer is evenly covered by rolling it over the mat, lifting and letting the wheel turn in the air every now and then.

Step 5.

Layer up your Cardstock base and ink the edges using the Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Ink to create a distressed look. I often like to angle the layered elements on a Cardstock base as it can make for a really exciting composition.

The important thing to remember when doing this is to try to ensure the nearest edges of the angled element are still an equal distance from the edge of the Cardstock base.

Step 6.

Finally, take all the layered elements you have created and create a composition. I added an extra Circle Framelits element, cut from Limoncello Cardstock from the Assorted Cardstock Pack to represent the sun.

Adhere the front elements (chick, egg and ground) using the Sizzix Foam Tape to add dimension. Angle the layered wood effect elements using the same rules applied in step 5, but angle the opposite way!

I chose to use a Laptop and Printer to create my Easter Sentiment. I then cut around it in an off-rectangular shape using scissors. A nice typewritten style font was used as these fonts always make me think of Tim Holtz.

Thank you for reading this blog! I hope you enjoyed reading this blog on my Easter Card make and feel inspired for your Easter themed creations. Remember to tag us in your makes using the hashtag #mymakingstory.

We would also love to see you #switchstory with this brand new machine! Until next time, happy crafting!