Guest Designer - Debbie Crowder

Debbie from Craftinchaos here I am guest designing today for Miss Kate Cuttables. I have always loved her files and I own quite a few so I was really excited for the opportunity. I have been a card maker, 3d project maker and all around crafter for years. In the past 2 years I have been heavily influenced by the planner community so you don't see me crafting cards as much anymore but I make alot of things for planners.

Its just another extension of crafting that has become my addition. Planners are really hot right now. I own several of the Kikki K planners and they are my favorite because just like purses you can get them in lots of colors and it becomes a fashion piece almost. I also have several of the Happy Planners and they are so versatile and economical so they are excellent planners for a newbie or someone who doesn't want to invest $90 and up for a planner.

One of my favorite things to make for my planner is paperclips. I have been addicted to making them really. I challenge myself daily on what I can create in miniature. Some designs just don't work out because once you reduce the image to fit on a paperclip the parts become so small they get a bit chewed up by the cutting machines. I typically try to keep my clips under 2" in height. With the ones I will show you today I will let you know what I did to size them. You have to play around with this and once you make enough of them you will come to realize that certain designs will have to go outside that 2" mark but they still can remain small enough for the clip.

Like for instance the "beach girl" I did here I tried to make her smaller but once I cut her out she was actually too small so the height wasn't going to work on this design. So from top of head to bottom of feet she is just under 2.5" tall. The hardest park on this design was the bucket area.

The "sea turtle" and the cute "beach house" I opened the file in my silhouette program and I left them absolutely the same size they opened up as and they were perfect. I used alot of glitter stock on the turtle but unfortunately the camera didn't pick up the sparkle as well as I would have liked.

When I piece my clips I use Scotch quick dry. I purchased some bottles on Joann's and a fit tip also from Joann's (can only get those online, link below) and that fine tip is the key to piecing these little designs without blobbing a bunch of glue on them.

Once I am attaching the clip and the back (you mirror the base piece if using textured cardstock like I do. If you don't just cut 2 bases)  I use hot glue. I also have a very fine tip hot glue gun but unfortunately they have made a new model and although it is fine tip it isn't near as fine as the one I have. I will link to the one that is the replacement if you would like to get one.

Using the fatter tip glue guns can be impossible. Now this part takes alot of practice because the glue dries very fast and getting your back on without it being cockeyed is tricky but once you do it enough you will find your  way. I line it up and hold it tightly on one end as I glue the bottom half. Then once it is dry and secure I pull the paper back and glue the remainder. Pop those cute clips in your planner and you will have a cute stylish decoration for your planner as well as a handy way to mark your spot!

 

 

Below is a list of the files and supplies you will need:

Files used are linked above as well:

Beach Girl

Sea Turtle

Beach House

Supplies you need:

Glue for paper piecing: Scotch Quick Dry

Tip for bottles: Fine Tips

Glue bottle: Bottles 

Hot Glue Gun: Surebonder H-195 mine is a H-185 but it is not made anymore :(