Saturday, January 10, 2009

Fun with the Top Note die!

So I have been really wanting some of the new Nestabilities but really can not be spending money right before a new Stampin Up! catalog so I thought I would find a way to improvise. Well after a whole day of playing I think I did come up with something. I am sure I like the one thing and not too sure about the other two but they are different and fun! So take a look yourself and let me know what you think. These cards were all created with the Top Note die for the Sizzix. There is a mini tutorial at the end. This first one has two different die cut shapes that were both made with the top note. I layered them on top of each other for a different look.


The next one which was a mystery image swap is layered on top of my favorite shape with the top note, I like this better than the top note itself!

And this third card is using a left over scrap from making the above shape. I looks like a bracket don't it.

And then this last card was posted the other day but I thought I would re-post since this was the start of all of this.

Now I know you want to know how to do this yourself so here is a tutorial. You will begin with the top note die and any paper you wish. I chose two sided dp so that you can see. Cut you top note out and set aside your scrap.


Next you will re position the paper to make a second cut. All you need to do is turn it ninety degrees and center. See photo below.


After you make this cut you will have my favorite shape and two brackets.



So you can use that center piece alone or how about flipping over your paper and putting it back together for this look.....

Or you can use them as brackets.



But if you want to take it even further to make the circular die cut I used on the thank you card all you have to do is set aside your brackets, and rotate your die cut ninety degrees again. See below.


And then one more time. See below.


How easy is that, now you have this neat looking circle.

So much fun! I hope you are as excited as I am about this one. Makes me feel like I just got some new toys, lol!


Supplies for cards:

Thank you card:

Stamps: Serene Spring
Paper: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, So Saffron, Whisper White, Bashful Blue and So Saffron dp
Ink: Basic Black
Other: rub on, mini half pearls, satin ribbon, copics, top note die, sizzix

Mystery Image Card

Stamps: Balmy Breezes, and I will have to edit this when I find the piece of paper that tell me. This was part of a mystery image swap, she sent the image and the green paper.
Paper:, Basic Black, Garden Green, Bashful Blue dp, green dp
Ink: Basic Black
Other: copics, markers, faux brads, rub on, top note die, sizzix

You are Sweet Card:

Stamps: Sweet Things (SUInk)
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red dp
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Copics, markers, photo corner punch, Martha Stewart border punch, circle punches, scallop circle punch, faux brads, spiral edge punch, top note die, sizzix



MVP card

Stamps: Sporting
Paper: Real Red, Rose Red, Whisper White, scraps of dp
Ink: Real Red, Rose Red
Other: top note, slice, sizzix, rubons, martha stewart markers, white gel pen


Mary Jo


39 nice people left a comment:

Unknown said...

This is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING Mary Jo!!! You are awesome! I just love all the different shapes!!! It's like getting 6 different dies in one!! INCREDIBLE!!
Thanks for shairng!
Lorraine Castellon-Rowe
www.lorrainerowe.blogspot.com
www.lorraine.stampinup.net

Patty (SCS-pepperrn) said...

Wow, I just love your talent and for that I have something for you!! Please visit me for more info!

Patty

Judy H. said...

How cool are those, Mary Jo? I love them! And thanks for being so generous in sharing the tutorials and pics for them. You rock! Judy H.

Judy H. said...

How cool are those, Mary Jo? I love them! And thanks for being so generous in sharing the tutorials and pics for them. You rock! Judy H.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous idea. I really like the first one and the brackets. Very cute. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Very very cool!!! TFS.

stampingcaz said...

This is fantastic! I just got my contraband topnote die ;0) I am a sad SU demo in the UK that is sizzixless so we have to play the black rubber market to get these goodies ;0)

Thanks for sharing
Cazx

Regina said...

This is a great tutorial! Brilliant! 1000 Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary Jo,
You are a genius! My favorite cut is the circle...wow! Thanks for sharing your awesome talent with us!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I am going to have to go play with my Top Note die now and give this a try. I really love what you came up with.

Jacqui said...

Wow - this is great! Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial. I love this die it's awesome and now I have more ways to use it thanks to you!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing! This is wonderful.

Kristi said...

WOW!!!!
Thank you for sharing this with us!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG - These are awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Stacy said...

MJ, you are infinitely talented and creative! Would I have thought of doing that? Nooooo. This is (one reason) why I read your blog. Amazingness.

Girl can Knit - Cherry Lane Knit Stamp Quilt said...

Mary Jo! what a SMART COOKIE you are! You're just amazing! SMILES!!!

Julie said...

Great tutorial. Thanks so much.

Barbara said...

WOW! Thanks so much for sharing!! The Top Note is my very favorite die....love all these new ideas!! Can't wait to try them.

Kerry D-C said...

Wonderful tutorial MJ! You have dominated this die for sure!!! Glad that I finally bought one.

Basement Stamper said...

That card (with the mystery image) is absolutely adorable! I love it and would have never thought to use that!

Vicki G said...

YOur Tutorial is amazing ~ Thanks for sharing your great ideas~!

Vicki

Anonymous said...

Mary-Jo...this is soo cool. Thanks for sharing. I have always loved your work. Barb S.

Theresa said...

You did a fabulous job on your tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing. I appreciate your time and work for this presentation.

Theresa
Phoenix, AZ

Ann said...

Awesome Mary Jo!! Thank you soooo much for the pics and the tutorial!!!

Anonymous said...

This is a really cool way to use the Top Note Die. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly said...

What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing - I'm going to try it right now. :)

Anonymous said...

What fun! Can't wait to try it myself. Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl said...

Terrific!!! I love this and can't wait to give it a try. TFS.

TABray said...

Sorry this is so far after you posted, but Gretchen Barron sent me here and I just had to tell you that this is awesome! I LOVE the circle. I've been putting off getting this die, but now it may be on my next order!

Sharon Field / Inky A*Muse-ment said...

I've been playing around with slicing and dicing that top note... and this is great!! Love what you've done! TFS

EmilyB said...

Wow! Double WOW!!!

I LOVE how you've changed the Top Note Die w/just a few more cuts! Can't wait to go try it myself and show my customers!

So cool!

Susan (peebsmama) said...

I don't own this die but after seeing this tutorial (which I found on someone else's blog who linked to you) I'm interested. I love when tools have more than one use. You are very creative.

Michele said...

This is so cool ... thanks for sharing.

Stamp and Smile said...

Fantastic Mary Jo!! I'm a big TOP NOTE lover and you sure have opened a few more doors for me... thanks for sharing!! SMILES... ♥

Sassy's Ramblin's said...

I love these ideas. Thansk so much for sharing!!!

Jane Giggy said...

Mary Jo, Love the Top Note ideas! Talk about getting more bang for your buck!
Thanks for sharing with the rest of us who aren't as creative.
Jane

http://jane-stampingsensations.blogspot.com

postcardgirl said...

OMG, my Top Note arrives in 6 days and I cannot wait to use it now - thank you so much for the great tips!

Tammy Q Howell said...

So cool! I can't wait to go and play with mine!

Martha said...

Hi Mary Jo,
I saw a picture of a graduation cap using the top note from someone's cruise pics. For the life of me I could not figure out how it was done. I went off googling it and finally came up with your AWESOME tutorial on making the cap shape! Thanks so much for the wonderful ideas!!