Let's Switch It Up!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am in love with our new Sizzix Big Shot™ Switch™ Plus Machine! Not only is the machine sleek and easy to use, but it comes with an adorable Starter Kit that provides perfect icons for year round making. We all know I'm a huge fan of florals and geometric shapes, so I couldn't wait to start making with the Thinlits and Embossing folder in this kit. Today I wanted to walk you through some of my project inspiration and show you how you can switch it up with your project makes using the dies and folder available with our newest machine to the Sizzix family.

When I initially saw the hexagons and the florals I knew I was going to create an abundance of makes with geometric floral frames. Combining the two die sets was easy and the hexagons gave me a place to anchor my florals on my cards. First up, let's take a closer look at the Spring Floral hexagon card.

With spring in the air, I wanted to create a soft, pastel card perfect for any occasion or celebration. I began by choosing a variety of colors from the Muted and Assorted cardstock packs to Die cut all of my floral and foliage elements. Try Die cutting a multitude of petal layers to create full, lifelike blooms. To create a bit of texture, I then Die cut a hexagon shape and embossed it with the layered hearts Embossing Folder in the starter kit. Then I added a bit of ink to the top of this panel to highlight the various heights in the embossed design.

To create the chunky hexagon frame, I nested one small hexagon die inside of a larger hexagon on top of a Sticky Grid Sheet. These sheets provide the perfect hold when Die cutting nested shapes to create apertures, frames or aligned bespoke sentiments. The low tack on the sheets holds the dies in place so that they don't move while you run them through the Switch Machine (or any machine for that matter!). Add all the pieces of together, create a desired arrangement and top it off with a sentiment of choice! I used the Good Vibes #3 Clear Stamp set with Distress Oxide Inks to give a softness to two of the cards.

For the next card I wanted to create a similar look but switch up my colors and layout. While the last card was pastel and vibrant for spring, I also wanted to create a card that could fall in to the spring or fall season. I choose cool tones from the Muted and Assorted Cardstock packs to achieve this. Try embossing a full panel of white cardstock for a clean, modern texture on your card backgrounds. The embossing design for this card didn't even need any extra mixed media effects or ink, it looks stunning all on it's own.

One of my favorite ways to add dimension and texture to floral elements is with the Paper Sculpting Kit. The stylus tools and gray molding mat provide any maker with the tools required to create realistic florals. I have this in my everyday stash of tools because I'm constantly reaching for it to add something extra to almost all my makes. Adhere the embossed panel to a card front, and stage the florals around another chunky hexagon frame in a desired pattern.

The final card I created using the geometric patterned die. I nested the decorative element inside of the rectangle Framelits and Die cut individual decorative panels for my card front. I would recommend using a Sticky Grid Sheet or Maker's Tape to hold the two elements together when Die cutting, this allows for an even perimeter around the decorative design. The beauty of this particular die set is that you can also create a repeat pattern simply by removing the rectangle Framelits from the Die cutting equation. Move the decorative Thinlits over with each pass to create a repeat design in a desired length. Add a couple of flowers and butterflies and you're in business!

I hope you found some making inspiration today using the Switch Starter Kit, I know I can't wait to see what I can create with it over the summer and fall months.

Until next time...happy crafting!