Sleighful Scene, Dark Rectangular Labels, & Ideas for using templates

A whack of stuff today:
a card,
darker rectangular label JPGs & PDFs,
& some tips on using templates in general

(since it's template madness around here this month.) :O)

THE CARD:

This card was made with the rectangle template (traced onto more Vintage Merry Christmas text cardstock) & cut away with an exacto knife to make the frame. The scene uses SU's Sleigh full of Toys (retired) & is embossed in Range Silver ep on Watercolour paper. (The wee snowflakes are from Happy Winter (retired) embossed in white.) The scene is coloured using the faux watercolour with SU markers. Check out Maria's tutorials for that loveliness here if you haven't seen 'em: She has an awesome video for it here (and here too.) :O)

'Ho Ho Ho' is stitched on by...

1) Drawing on letters
2) Piercing holes along the letters
3) Threading needle & embroidery thread through cardstock
4) Adhering thread end at the back
5) Stitchin letters
6) Finishing by adhering thread end at the back

2 layers of cardstock seem to make it easier to work with. :O)

DARKENED RECTANGULAR LABELS

And no new template today, but a version of one instead...I had a request for the rectangle labels darker, so here they are. These should come up as full size JPGs if you click or you can right click & save as (gives you the option to lighten or darken etc)...

1) Small rectangular label (3 5/8" wide by 2 3/4" high)
2) Medium rectangular label ( 3 6/8" wide by 3" high)
3) Large rectangular label ( 4 2/8" wide by 3 2/8" high)

Download Darker PDFs HERE

LIGHT JPGs for resizing or manipulating are available here on SCS:

----SMALL light JPG
----MEDIUM light JPG
----LARGE light JPG

IDEAS FOR USING TEMPLATES:

You can print templates directly onto:

• Patterned papers (cut to 8.5 inches they'll fit your printer)
• Overheads (get the printable kind meant for your printer--info on back of pkg)
  
• Gesso paper (which means you can emboss templates with regular inks or SU markers)
• Adhesive backed fabric for printers. Close to my Heart sells StickStock in Linen & Twill (You can search that site (StickStock all one word) & you can shop online there if you like.)
  

And use them however you like

Or you can make working patterns....

How to use templates for cutting out shapes:

1. Print template onto the back of designer paper or onto cardstock
2. Simply cut template out
3. Place template over cardstock or patterned paper
4. Trace in pencil
5. Cut out
6. Erase pencil lines
7. Stamp or embellish your c.s. or patterned paper
8. Assemble (if required) or use as you like


Tracing templates in pencil lets you use patterned papers & place the template just right. It also means you can erase pencil lines for a clean look & save paper. (See this project here.)






But you can also print templates right onto patterned paper or cardstock & cut them out. I love to cut 12x12 designer paper to 8.5 inches wide & run it through the printer (it's way quicker than the first tracing method but it does make more waste than tracing.) I save the scraps to make wee punched flowers or shapes. You can see this rounded basket project & template here.



Printing direct to paper means template wording can use up ink & paper. I add it to mine because I copyright to prevent resale & to be sure they can be found on my blog & shared for free. You can, however, erase words in Photoshop. (Though it may be best to save a copy that retains copyright info & the link etc. Then, you have a reminder of where you found templates and so on, so you can link when blogging, posting, or sharing it.) Though, sometimes files are locked.



You can use a light table to place cut away or paper piercing templates in just the right spot on patterned paper. (See this project here)








You can save cuts by taking advantage of the edge of the paper. And when making multiples of things save time & paper by butting shapes up against each other. (See this tag project here.)






If you find your lines aren't as straight as you like with scissors, you may enjoy working with a really sharp exacto blade & a ruler. This is the Tim Holtz design ruler. See a review of it on Craft Critique here. I love it madly for piercing on a fun foam mat.






You can work easily with black or dark paper if you trace with a white pencil crayon. (See this sideless purse project here.)









Hope all of your Crafting is going well. I'm maniacally trying to get caught up on Christmas cards to sell, LOL.
:O)
Mel

P.S. Here's an amazing pointer to put a brad in your template pieces to join them together shared by Joan.