Els van de Burgt Studio Videos

I ♥ Annika

December 15, 2015

Frame 1

By Els van de Burgt

For a long time I had an idea and a dream: To someday turn my collection of close-up photos of textures into printed papers! Well, it turns out that dreams DO come true and my Through the Lens patterned paper pack series is now a reality, part of the exciting new Els van de Burgt Studio product release taking place at the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) show in California in early January. And this project is a sneak peek at sheets from the pack called ‘Wood Series’ – Forty-eight 6×6 sheets (80lb/220gr), 16 designs, 3 sheets per design. Please check out the other two packs, Stone Series and Metal Series, too, as they were designed to coordinate with each other.

Of course, I’m sure that what you noticed first about the project was not wood grain, or even the ropes and hearts. I know it is my granddaughter Annika’s face that caught your eye! And that was precisely my goal with the project: To show how easy it is to mix textures in Through the Lens papers to create frames and backgrounds for the focal photo.

In addition to Through the Lens papers, the project also incorporates the new Ropes die set (4 different dies), Fitted Rectangles and Stitched Rectangles dies from the new release, as well as hearts from Ornament Set 5 that came out a few months back. My dies have always been designed to mix and match, to combine and collect. Dies you bought years ago, whatever you choose now and in the future will always be easy to coordinate because I design them for maximum versatility. It’s like how I furnish my home and organize my studio: New things and old things getting together.

Because no two people will have the same photos to showcase, my instructions are written with tips on how to alter and customize the project. Here’s how it works…

Frame 2

Instructions:

  1. Choose a focal photo. Use a vertical rectangle as shown. Other options – Circles, ovals, squares.
  1. Choose Through the Lens papers in 3 different coordinating patterns that compliment the photo. I love the contrast that a black and white photo offers, but color photos work well with Through the Lens papers, too.

Frame 3

  1. Choose 2 Fitted Rectangles and 1 Stitched Rectangles dies that fit one inside the other. Starting with the smallest of the three, die cut the photo print. From two different Through the Lens papers die cut a Stitched Rectangle for the first border (the wider, inner mat) and a Fitted Rectangle for the second border (a narrower mat). Use Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape to adhere the layers. Alternatively, die cut the photo and two mats using Fitted and Stitched Squares, Ovals or Circles dies.
  1. Again using Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape, adhere the double-bordered photo to the third 6×6 Through the Lens paper. Adhere to an 8×8 square of coordinating solid color cardstock.
  1. Die cut 4 Ropes strips from Soft Finish Cardstock backed with Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape prior to cutting, 5 heart charms cut from Through the Lens papers and 3 heart charms cut from Gold Metallic Shimmer Sheetz that has been lightly sanded. (Hearts are not backed with adhesive.) Reminder: A Metal Adaptor Plate is required for die cutting Shimmer Sheetz. View my video tutorial HERE if you are new to this technique. Use Distress Ink to lightly ink the edges of the Ropes strips and bring out the embossed details.

Frame 4

  1. Use twine to tie heart charms to the rope that has open areas (the strip that looks something like a chain). Layer and overlap the hearts as shown.

Frame 5

  1. Assemble the project with 1 rope as a horizontal element across the bottom of the photo (positioned so that the rope curves upward and an unraveled end stops at the right side as shown) and 3 ropes (including the one with hearts) as vertical elements toward the left, overlapping for added interest. Make sure that the hearts ‘dance’ and are not hanging straight down. They are grouped at angles to the left, then right, left then right again.
  1. Mat and frame the project. (I chose a simple and inexpensive standard 8×8 frame.) Options: Add the page to an 8×8 scrapbook. Back it with chipboard and display on a bulletin board or easel. Add flat magnets and put it on the fridge!

I can’t wait to make more projects featuring Annika! I’m having so much fun with my dream-come-true Through the Lens paper packs! And I can’t wait to see what you create, too, so be sure to join the Elizabeth Craft Designs Facebook Family so you can post your projects for the community to see.

Supplies: 

Elizabeth Craft Designs –

TTL003 Through the Lens – Wood Series

1121 Fitted Rectangles

1120 Stitched Rectangles

1125 Ropes 1

1066 Ornament Set 5

PSF102 Soft Finish Cardstock 100Lb

803 Metal Adaptor Plate

SS0212 Shimmer Sheetz in Gold Metallic

502 Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheet

Other –

8” frame with mat

Twine

Distress Ink (any shade of brown)

Brown cardstock

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  • scramblinrosie December 15, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    That is a gorgeous little baby!
    If you would release all of your new stuff now, my husband’s shopping for me would be over!
    I showed him a few of the items that I want and he was ready to whip out the credit card, but then I told him they weren’t released yet. Very sad face.
    The rope and chains will fit in with my Steampunk collections, but I love Karen’s new Pull tab Hanging Charm die and the new CountryScapes dies with the Tulip Fence, Flora 5 and Critters 5, the Barn Door, Nantucket Arbor and so much more!! I can hardly wait!!

  • Jeannie Huff December 15, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    I’m really not big on scrapbooking but i LOVE this project! Beautiful

  • judi kauffman December 15, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    Quietfire said just what I was thinking. Beautiful! – and the paper, too!

  • Mary Prasad December 15, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    She is beautiful! Love the new products coming out! So exciting!

  • quietfire December 15, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Beautiful! – and the paper, too! <3

  • Janice December 15, 2015 at 10:58 am

    Adorable!! Annika is just precious and the dies and pattern paper are fabulous! I love this project. Good luck and have fun at CHA!

  • Carlene Towne December 15, 2015 at 9:13 am

    You are right. The very first thing I noticed was adorable Annika’s picture in that beautiful handknit hat and sweater set. You’ll never get any work done if you have that picture on your desk…that pretty little face would be too distracting.

    When I started reading the descriptions of some of your new products, I was amazed by how versatile they will be in every crafters’ toolbox. Can’t wait for future pictures and the new product release.

  • Patti L December 15, 2015 at 8:29 am

    Love that beautiful little face in that sweet project. TFS

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