Sizzix Bows

We have the lovely Katie Skilton in the building today, with the One Day Special, the impressive Big Shot Plus.  Katie has two more shows to go, 4pm and 7pm, so don't miss out

This is such a bumper kit, and what a fantastic machine. Sizzix know their machines, and this will give you the strength and reliability you expect from Sizzix, with that good solid platform - but it's got that feeding platform of 8.5" x 11". You have a selection of dies to get you started as well.

One of the die ranges Sizzix are famous for, are the steel edge dies. These have a bigger bite than your normal metal dies, which allows you to cut thicker material - and we're talking bolsa wood, cotton, grunge board, mount board. Of course you can still cut regular card, but they also allow you to cut through multiple layers of card - so can really speed your crafting up if you are doing a large project.

We loved this card from Katie's blog

It's so neat and sophisticated. If you want to have a look at Katie's blog, check it out here:

http://www.katieskilton.com/category/blog

This die is so handy, and easy. And will give you two bows, but endless possibilities. Cut out the elements as such for the first bow:

I backed the blue card onto the decorative paper, this will give me a two tone bow - as you bend over the pointed ends to the centre. Glue in place

glue the centre strip in place, this will give you a neat finish. And then glue to tails onto the bow. How simple!

The second bow, again, simple. Cut out your elements

Curl the bow element. I used a pencil to help create a nice shape and to avoid creasing the bow. Glue the ends into the centre, and then cover with the paper strip. This is then glued onto the backing element

There's so many ways you can play and change this design. Try inking the inside of the bow, to create a two-tone effect

I didn't put ink in the centre, to help the glue adhere

I've also edged the tails with the ink pad as well

What about a glittery bow! Cut your bow out of a double sided adhesive sheet

I peeled off one side and stuck to a piece of paper, and then peeled off the second protective sheet. I suggest cutting out the centre element, and the tips of the bow, and putting the protective sheet back on the bow. This is because once I have added the glitter, it's going to be tricky to stick into place, so keeping the parts requiring gluing free of glitter, will help.

Glitter the bow, remove the protective sheet, and then bow the ends into the centre, which will stick nice and easy as we have no glitter on these bits

Attache the tails as usual

You can use these on cards, packaging, for decorations throughout the year. They are so handy, and quick. Try stamping on them, embossing them, cutting them out of cotton and using them in your sewing projects. The list going on.

We have cut some extra bows out for you to have a play with, and will give this Bag of Bows to the lucky winner who comments on this post :)

Did you try this step-by-step guide? Let us know how you got on in the comments below!

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