Recently, I received a private message from one of my readers. Cecelia is a graphic designer by profession and she designs cutting files in her spare time. I was intrigued when she told me about her blog and so I took a peek.
My jaw dropped when I read that she is an expert in the art of paper quilling! One of my twin daughters have just started showing an interest in that and I was so excited to find that Paper Zen was packed full of paper quilling projects.
After browsing on her blog and her Etsy store, I realized that Cecelia is also a skilled cutting file designer. Her files are very clever but I was especially drawn towards her Animal Boxes. Cecelia was very kind and she offered to let me play with them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ guest post ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Cherry Tree Peeps!
The first time I came across Jin's blog, I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into a wondrous world. Like a book I couldn't put down, I admired project after project, which showed a myriad of possibilities and ideas with a single file - each of them with a clean and whimsical style. I laughed along with her thorough product reviews and am in awe of her tutorials with great attention to the smallest details.
So who am I? I'm a graphic designer by day, and a paper enthusiast by night. I've enjoyed paper quilling for years and after buying my Silhouette, I Iove to combine my two passions together. I'm so thrilled and honored to be a guest on her blog today!
The first time I came across Jin's blog, I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into a wondrous world. Like a book I couldn't put down, I admired project after project, which showed a myriad of possibilities and ideas with a single file - each of them with a clean and whimsical style. I laughed along with her thorough product reviews and am in awe of her tutorials with great attention to the smallest details.
So who am I? I'm a graphic designer by day, and a paper enthusiast by night. I've enjoyed paper quilling for years and after buying my Silhouette, I Iove to combine my two passions together. I'm so thrilled and honored to be a guest on her blog today!
My blog is Paper Zen, which describes how tranquil I feel when surrounded by a mess of paper scraps. Here's an example of combining my two worlds. It's a monogram I made for a friend who didn't want us to buy anything for her birthday - it's not buying when I made it...
http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2011/01/quilled-e-monogram-with-fringed-flowers.html
http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2011/01/quilled-e-monogram-with-fringed-flowers.html
I also enjoy making tutorials as ideas come to me. Here's one showing how to DIY paper flocking, rather than buying yet another set of supplies.
http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2013/04/diy-flocking.html
http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2013/04/diy-flocking.html
The most challenging die cut pattern I've designed so far is my Halloween coffin, which assembles without any glue. The top and bottom are friction fit snug, so even full of candy, they won't fly apart.
The simplest box also happens to be for Halloween - a friendly ghost. If you'd like the free pattern, please leave me a comment on my post and I'll email it to you.
http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2013/09/halloween-ghost-party-favor.html
Jin graciously agreed to play with my Animal Party Favor boxes. If you like what she made, I'd like to offer you a discount applicable to any item in my Etsy store (minimum $5). Please use the coupon code "JinPeep2013" to receive 25% off all purchases until Oct 22. Thank you so much for reading a bit about me!http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2013/09/halloween-ghost-party-favor.html
Happy crafting to you!
Cecelia
All I can say is WOW. Again, thank you Jin and Cecelia for sharing your awesome time and talent. Always wonderous!!!!
ReplyDeletegorgeous projects Jin and Cecelia. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteCecelia the Ghostie face is so adorable. Thanks to both you and Jin for sharing your wonderful talent with us and your generousity.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Jin! This is a timely post for me b/c I almost bought some quilling strips last week. I only decided against it since I currently have supplies for several projects that have yet to be started. ;-) But the reason I'm segueing into quilling is after making some very lovely rolled flowers using some cuts from Silhouette online as well as getting the Cuttlebug Daisy "quilling" kit. I've found these flowers incredibly easy to make & yet even for a novice, they turn out beautifully! The only downside (and the only reason I've not made many more) is that they are too thick for using on greeting cards to be mailed. But I've used them on some projects that were not mailed & they really add a lovely touch!
ReplyDeleteCecelia, I agree with you about Jin's expertise, accurately detailed tutorials & whimsical style. I have learned so much from her tuts & when I need help, I look to her blog/tuts first. I love the monogram project & will most certainly be following your blog.
Thank you both for sharing!
Yay! Another quiller/die cutter! I agree; I wish there was an easier way to mail fringed quilled flowers, but they're still nice for hand delivered cards and crafts. I had to ask my hubby to make the Ikea picture frame into a shadow box for the monogram gift. Jin, how do you deliver your 3D cards? Do they slip into envelopes cooperatively? I make boxes with windows, but gee it takes time to do!
DeleteYes, isn't Jin the best? My jaw dropped when I finally got to see what she made. I wondered why I never thought of using those beautifully paired materials or the way she made the boxes look like drums for the elephants. I was literally shaking my head in admiration!
Love the animal boxes!! Adorable! Going to go have a look at your blog now!
ReplyDeleteHow simple and adorable! Thank you for the pattern!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jin for sharing Cecelia's boxes there a soo cute. Also checked out Cecelia's site, it's fab! Just purchased those cute little boxes. Just in time for using at christmas, along with other occassions!
ReplyDeleteHi there, I've sent you an email with the file. Have fun crafting!
ReplyDeleteCecelia
Oh my goodness, what cute boxes! Jin, thank you for turning us onto a wonderful new site!
ReplyDeleteAnd Cecilia, I know I will be spending LOTs of time at your blog & store <3
Thank you for your generosity in sharing the ghost! May I get a copy of the pumpkin file (and Christmas one too, if it's not too troublesome? deuxanges @ gmail.com
One quick question - in the instructions for the ghostie, you mention wax? Is that something that we get at a crafting store? The only things coming to mind when I hear wax are candles, bee(swax) and the icky stuff my orthodontist gave me for the wires poking into my cheek when I had braces :)
Oh! Is it the waxy(?) paper backing to the double sided tape? =D
DeleteHi Nozomi, thanks for your enthusiasm! I've just sent both free files to your email. Have fun!
DeleteYes, the wax I mention is from applying double-sided tape beforehand. I believe you can buy it at a craft store, but I bought mine at a local art supply store (Opus) because it comes in a large roll and cheaper than the small ones I usually see in craft stores.
Cecelia
I LOVE Cecelia's files and her talent!! I have a girl/crafter crush on Jin and have for YEARS! Glad you two crafty and super talented ladies hooked up!! May you inspire each other and continue to SHARE your talent and continue to spur us everyday crafters onto new and better projects!
ReplyDeleteAdore you both!!
Ruth Gillis Stevens