Friday Focus - Sizzix Dies

Happy Friday, everyone! It's Shelly here to share my Friday Focus project with you. Friday Focus is a time when we highlight a particular product from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. As an extra bonus, customers receive 15% off of the product for the next two weeks - nice! Today, we're exploring Sizzix dies and all the wonderful things you can do with them. This post is just the tip of the iceberg - Sizzix dies are incredibly versatile and I could seriously write a book about the different ways I like to create with them!

I love cooking shows like Top Chef and, when I was thinking about what I'd do, I remembered how chefs love to make one item in three different ways. I thought that was a great idea for a focus! I wanted to show how a steel rule die can cut many different materials, and also how it can look different depending on how you style it. Let's get started with our 'One Die, Three Ways', featuring the Bird Silhouette die from Sizzix!

First up, we have a steampunk-style tag. To create the base of the tag, I used Tim Holtz's Eroded Metal technique. When it was dry, I added black inking around the edges. You can find this technique in Tim's book - Compendium of Curiosities Volume 3.

Next, I covered a piece of Grungeboard with Ranger's Foil Tape and die cut the bird using the Sizzix Bird Silhouette die. After it was die cut, I embossed it with the Gears Texture Fade.

To grunge up the bird, I covered it with Black Soot Distress paint and wiped it off, leave some in the cracks.

I added Tissue Tape and Remnant Rubs, and tied the tag with a bit of Jute String.

I finished my steampunk bird with a winder, a Mini Gear eye, and a fitting sentiment. One tag down - perfect for all you grunge lovers!

Next, we'll make a pretty, artsy tag. Begin by covering a piece of Grungeboard with Sticky Back Canvas. Die cut the bird. Using Tim Holtz's Flourish stencil apply Texture Paste to bird. Set aside to dry.

While the Texture Paste is drying, cover a manila tag with Tissue Wrap. Paint with Picket Fence Distress paint and let dry completely.

When the Texture Paste on the bird is completely dry, spritz a nonstick craft sheet with Tumbled Glass and Cracked Pistachio Distress Stain Sprays. Place the bird face down into the ink and drag through. You may have to spritz with more water and/or ink to get the color you want (sorry I don't have a pic of the actual bird in this step!). Set aside to dry, or dry with a heat tool.

To finish the background, I added some circles of paint made with the lid of the Distress Dabber (handy!), plus some strips of Tissue Tape.

Here's our pretty little bird tag all done! I added a ribbon made with seam binding and more of the same Distress Stain Spray colors, plus a Word Band. This one just might be my favorite!

And now for our final tag - which is definitely the easiest for those of you in a hurry. Begin by cutting the bird from burlap paper. Ink the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

Next, cover a tag with paper from Tim's Menagerie Paper Stash. Add bits and piece of ephemera and Design Tape. Sand the edges and tie with a length of Jute String. Apply a sentiment from the Life Quotes Remnant Rubs to the bird and add a brad for an eye.

To embellish the tag, I added an idea-ology Pen Nib, Heirloom Roses, and tied the top with a ribbon, Loop Pin, and Philosophy Tag. I love the femininity of this one - so shabby!

I hope I've shown you a few different ways you can use your Sizzix dies today. There is no end to the variety of materials you can cut and ways you can embellish them - you could even mix and match the techniques shown above and come up with three (or) more totally unique tags!

Don't forget - for the next two weeks you'll save 15% on all Sizzix products at The Funkie Junkie Boutique. What a perfect time to build your stash!

Sizzix® Bigz™ Die - Bird Silhouette by Tim Holtz®	Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas - Natural	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Textured Surfaces	Ranger Inkssentials Surfaces Tags - #8Tags - Manila	Ranger Inkssentials Foil Tape Sheets 6x12"
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grungeboard Basics Plain	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Flourish	Ranger Texture Paste	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Remnant Rubs Numbers	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Remnant Rubs Words
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Remnant Rub Tool	Tim Holtz Sixxiz Texture Fades - Blueprint & Gears Set	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Mini Gears	Tim Holtz Mini Clock Key and Pocket Watch Set Sizzix Alterations Movers and Shapers Dies	Tim Holtz idea-ology Tissue Wrap - Postale
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tissue Tape, Laboratorie	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Design Tape, Passport	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Loop Pins	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Heirloom Roses	Rayon Seam Binding
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Jute Twine	Ranger Glue n’ Seal Matte 1 oz.	Ranger Inkssentials Collage Glue Stick	Ranger ADHESIVE - BLACK FOAM ROLL 1/2" X 1/16"x 2.1 YDS.	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Cracked Pistachio
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Tumbled Glass	PRE-ORDER Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Evergreen Bough	PRE-ORDER Tim Holtz Ranger Metallic Distress Paint - Antique Bronze	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Salty Ocean	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Picket Fence
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Broken China	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Black Soot	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Cracked Pistachio	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain Spray - Tumbled Glass	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Findings Philosophy Tags
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Mini Stash Menagerie	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ephemera Pack - Thrift Shop	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ephemera Pack - Expedition