Hi and welcome to my stop on the Sizzix Marisa Pawelko Modern Surrealist Blog Hop! We were sent these funky little purse-shaped die-cutting machines called the SophistiCut, and I used the Fashion Cuff die to make leather and Czech crystal bracelets with ribbon closures. There are a lot of photos because I made four bracelets, but I promise there's a tutorial!
This brown one with ten crystal rivets is mine. It was so fun working with leather!
This vintage ice blue ribbon had been my grandmother's; I've been saving it for the right occasion.
This one is for my daughter, Annabel, who will be turning five in a few months.
I wanted her to be able to put it on herself, so I altered the design a little. I used thin sparkly elastic tied through the loops and then I double knotted the bow around the elastic. She can easily take it off and on because it's stretchy, and the bow never has to be retied.
The rough tan leather contrasts with the chocolate-colored satin ribbon and topaz crystal rivets. It goes nicely with the worn jeans that I live in.
I chose a wide ribbon, but a narrower one can be used for less bulk.
This thin craft leather works well with the SophistiCut. For a greater range of colors, pleather can also be used, and it is widely available at fabric stores. I like the zebra printed leather, but there is a zebra print overlay die that is available from Sizzix here and is made to work with the Fashion Cuff die.
Materials:
Sizzix SophistiCut
Sizzix Fabric Cuff die
Sizzix Tim Holtz Tattered Florals BigZ die (or other small flower die)*
Thin craft leather (the leather shown here is from Michael's)
Rhinestone Swarovski crystal rivets
Leather hole punch, in a size that works with the rivets (I used 3/16" punch with 5/32"rivets)
Crystal rivet setting kit
Hammer
1" ribbon crimps, two per bracelet
20" of satin ribbon
Dritz Fray Check
*This die needs to be used with a Sizzix Big Shot
There are two bracelet dies in this collection — the other one creates a braid and is called the Magic Bracelet. For either die, cut a strip of leather the same size as the die, or at least large enough to cover the blades.
Create the Sizzix sandwich. Cutting pad, die blade side up, leather and cutting pad on top. The cutting pads are always the 'bread' in the sandwich.
Crank the handle and the sandwich goes through and die cuts the leather.
Decide on a design for the rivets. Create holes using the leather hole punch. Note: The two smaller holes on either end of the bracelet are part of the die cut and can be used to lace something through for the closure. Using the crystal rivet tools with a hammer, add all the rivets.
For the bracelets with the flowers, arrange them first to make sure of the design.
Punch holes in the center of the leather flowers. Place the flowers back on the leather bracelet and mark where the center is. Punch holes in the bracelet.
Add the rivets to secure the flowers to the bracelet. It takes several hard taps with the hammer and rivet tool. To add the 1" ribbon crimps to the sides, I use the handle of a rubber-handled screwdriver and press down firmly to close the crimps, just as I did in my key fob/wristlet tutorial.
The bracelets are ready for the ribbons!
Put the ribbon through the ribbon crimps as shown. It might be a tight fit and the ribbon will likely fray a bit at the ends. Tighten around your wrist so it's comfortable and tie a bow. Once you have it sized to fit, trim the ends of the ribbon at an angle. After the ribbon is cut to the desired length, be sure to use Fray Check on the ends. Allow the Fray Check to dry.
The ribbons allow the bracelets to be tied to fit any wrist, and they're kinda fun.
Thanks so much for visiting! Please check the other blogs who are participating in this hop; there are some amazing projects:
Margot Potter @margotpotter
Jonathan Fong @jonathanfongstyle
Hilary Kanwischer @hilaryscraps
Anna-Karin Evaldsson @layersofink
Tami Mayberry @tamimayberry
Karin Jordan @leighlaurelstudios (you are here!)
Laura Russell @makelifelovely
Jennifer Priest @hydrangeahippo
Tiffany Johnson @iheartart
Tanner Bell @alittlecraftinyourday
Courtney Chambers @alittlecraftinyourday
Kathy Cano-Murillo @craftychica
Jade Harrington @jaderbomb
For this Sizzix Blog Hop featuring the Marisa Pawelko line of Sizzix products, The Modern Surrealist, Sizzix will ALSO be giving away this prize package with a retail value of over $150! It includes these phenomenal items: Sizzix SophistiCut Machine, Trucker Cap Mini Card, Big City, Fashion Cuff, Cheetah Overlay, Lush Lips, Sunglasses.
Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win these fabulous Sizzix products. They are super fun to use. Good luck!!
